I wish to change my Career to medicine

**Shruti** · 12-12-2003, 08:50 PM

Hi,
I am new to this site & am afraid I have a complex case.

I had Biology, Physics & Chemistry at my school level and then I did my graduation & post graduation in hopital administration from a Indian university. Now I am settled in UK & am working as a business analyst. I am 25 year old and I very strongly feel that medicine is the right area for me.
I can't very clearly picture what should be next step. How about if I undergo a foundation course & then apply in medical universities. Also I don't understand their requirements as education system is different than that in India.
Can someone please advise as to how should I proceed from this point. And how to find entrance requirements for a typical case like mine.
Thanks in advance for your help. Its highly appreciated.
Shruti

**smiley** · 21-12-2003, 06:22 PM

Sorry for not seeing this post earlier! I think the best thing is to actually contact the UK med schools direct and discuss your case with them as they will be the ones who be assessing your academic suitability for their course. Be aware though that different med schools have different policies, so if you don't get any positive feedback to start with don't give up hope. I'm not sure what level the biology, chemistry and physics you studied was at. If they are comparable to A levels then the med schools may not require you to take any further exams. However, I would hazard a guess that they may want you to take a levels in at least biology and chemistry (but that's just my view, so do check first!)

Other things to take into account would be your fees status - have you been working in the UK for 3 years? If so you may well be classed as a home student, which would mean that you aren't competing for the few international places that med schools have (and some have none).

Different access courses look for different things academically, but I think they are all looking for an awareness of what a career in medicine entails. In fact, you will need to be able to demonstrate this in every med school application, not just to access courses. This can be achieved through work experiences, work shadowing placements, etc. Doing an access course such as the one run at Kings Lynn will bring you up to standard with the sciences subjects for med school entry. Most UK med schools recognise this particular course as it has an excellent reputation.

There is a list of all the UK med schools somewhere on this site so you can get their contact details from there. Just be aware that this is a very busy time for the admissions departments so it may take them a little while to reply...

**Shruti** · 05-01-2004, 08:17 PM

Thank you very much for the reply. It is really helpful and gave me a starting point.
I have been working for 2 years now & I think I will work one for year so that I come in the category of home students.

In the mean I am trying to contact the various universities for their criteria & also trying to contact Kings Lynn for their access course.
I am sure I will have more questions once I am able to contact them. Till then, take care
Shruti