Important question

**Medical-Dream** · 26-03-2005, 10:12 PM

Hello everybody,
Iam very interested in medical school in London, UK. First I have very strong background in education. I didn't do biology and chemistry for a while. But I wanted to start from zero, cause my certificates "even for high school" is from a country where I don't think it would be recognized in Uk...
Anyways: My question is
1. how do I start, Do I have to take the O levels tests first?
2. then take a A levels test. Do I have to take the course for the A' levels two years or can I take a one year refresher course then take the tests?
3. I was told that I have to take four subjects and get all A grade in them, Is that true?
4. and The most important question is: Do I ahve to take 3 years college in medical studeies before starting the 5 year school of medicine?

Thank for your response...

**The Messiah** · 26-03-2005, 11:21 PM

Ummm. I think this answer would be best asked in the mature forum. But from what I know....

1. If you've had education to the highest level before university in your home country, and this includes chemistry then I think you should ring around and ask whether they'll accept this qualification. You do not have to take O Levels (which are now called GCSE's now

)

2. If the universities do not accept your qualifications from your home country then I think you can take A Levels at a college in this country. You will have to take 3 A Levels including Chemistry (you can do Biology as well, it's advised but not compulsory). You would have ring around now for enrolment in September. It is possible to take the exams within a year but that would mean 18 exams (lasting an hour or more) for all subjects in one year. I personally would advise to do it in two years as you mentioned you haven't done Biology and Chemistry in a while.

3. What the majority of student s do in this country is to start with 4 subjects. After one year they drop one and get half an A level (the qualification is called an AS Level) and continue the other 3 in a second year to get a full A Level. To gain entry into the Undergraduate medical course you need 2 A's and 1 B grade at A Level. Only Oxford and Cambridge expect 3 A's.

4. If you can take a 3 year degree in something medically related with the qualifications you already have then you may do and you can apply to medicine afterwards. You can then enter the graduate program for medicine. This way you do not need to take A Levels.

Hope this helps.

PS - To every1 else: If there's anything i've said that wasn't correct please do correct me, Thanks.

**Quantaanima** · 26-03-2005, 11:31 PM

5. You do not have to do a 3 Year degree before a medical degree provided u have the right A levels!

**heed** · 27-03-2005, 12:24 AM

what country are you from?

generally a university here will accept you - providing you have the right grades to get into medical school in your home country.

so if you would be able to get into med school in your home country with the grades you have, then contact some british universities with a letter explaining your situation.

**elz** · 27-03-2005, 12:26 AM

maybe u could go talk to a careers adviser or someone with this? i dont know, but i would say you need to find out whether the qualifications uv got from abroad would count for anything and if so maybe u wouldnt need to do gcse's and could go straight into A levels? well A levels only take 2 years and med schools only ask for 3 A levels not 4, however most people do 3 Alevels and an AS level (which is half an A level yea?) in which u would need AAB grades-ish. but i would also look into access courses-these are for mature students -over 19 and are instead of A levels, i think its a shorter course then A levels and easier but u would need to get high grades in it. again i dont kno everything so i would recommend talking to a career adviser which u can arrange at local job centres or sumthing, and maybe ring up a uni and see what they say u need and if they can help?

**The Messiah** · 27-03-2005, 10:16 AM

Careers Advisors!

Hahaha

Not meaning to make you uncomfortable elz, but you'll soon learn never to listen to careers advisors. The things they tell people...

**exms** · 27-03-2005, 11:09 AM

[moved to the Matures forum]

I think that the most important point for you is to determine what fees you're likely to have to pay since that may scupper the whole thing entirely. I'd suggest you have a read of the FAQ (check my sig below) and then post any outstanding questions you have.

Cheers,

-- A.

**Clarkey** · 27-03-2005, 12:26 PM

Originally Posted by elz

would also look into access courses-these are for mature students -over 19 and are instead of A levels, i think its a shorter course then A levels and easier but u would need to get high grades in it.

Access courses may be another way of gaining entry into med school, elz has a good point there. Not sure about them being easier than A levels though! And as for the careers advisors at my school..."You need to take Biology, Chemistry, Maths and Physics. Anything less and you won't be eligable to apply. So i took Biology, Chemistry, English Literature and Sociology. Take their info with a pinch of salt, they tend to have info a few years behind everyone else.

**elz** · 27-03-2005, 11:40 PM

hey i just found this, dont kno if it'l b any use to u, its for leeds medical school but thot it may give u a rough idea of if any of the qualifications u have will be any use and what med schools might want. if u go to 'download alternative qualifications including overseas'
http://www.leeds.ac.uk/medicine/admissions/index.htm

**ersis22** · 14-04-2005, 01:06 AM

haya,
im doing my second year biomedical science degree and im interested in doing medicine so is there any1who heard about the advance medical course that u can do after ur degree course which is three years. ive heard that it is done in leeds uni or st george.thnx