[b]Help!![/b]

**Charline** · 03-11-2003, 08:48 PM

Im currently studying French and Japanese at Leeds University, :shock: and have decided to persue medicine, however, I really don't have the right A-Levels. I have looked at St Georges, although I am considering going back to college to take Chemistry and Biology; will this, along with voluntary work in the field, be sufficient to get me onto a medicine course?? Any advise will be greatly appreciated!! :lol: [/b]

**exms** · 03-11-2003, 09:22 PM

Originally Posted by Charline

Im currently studying French and Japanese at Leeds University, :shock: and have decided to persue medicine, however, I really don't have the right A-Levels. I have looked at St Georges, although I am considering going back to college to take Chemistry and Biology; will this, along with voluntary work in the field, be sufficient to get me onto a medicine course?? Any advise will be greatly appreciated!! :lol: [/b]

You might want to read the Mature FAQ - there should be a link at the top of the forum.

Basically, your options for five year courses are A-levels, an access to medicine course, or OU credits. Some unis also offer foundation courses for people without the appropriate science quals, but I don't know much about them. (On which note, does anyone want to write an entry on them for the FAQ?)

HTH

xmas

**Tangliss** · 03-11-2003, 09:34 PM

I nominate Clarkey for WAMP and Kings and Smiley for SGMS, as they both know loads about it exms, thats if they want to

**smiley** · 03-11-2003, 11:10 PM

SGHMS site is pretty comprehensive for their foundation course. In addition Caroline Persaud is very helpful in admissions as well. http://www.sghms.ac.uk/Courses/under...dation_med.htm
Incidently, it is SGHMS with an "H" in the middle!

:P :lol:

**Clarkey** · 04-11-2003, 02:45 AM

OO question or nominate! 15 to 1. Queue theme tune! Ok i'm sad. I'm also not well. Er if you want me to write something about the WAMP i will do, maybe me and Kim Travers could do it together. I have applied before and know the application process, Kim is actually on the course (lucky thing) and knows about the structure of the course more than i do.

**exms** · 04-11-2003, 02:15 PM

Originally Posted by Clarkey

OO question or nominate! 15 to 1. Queue theme tune!

I always liked the sarcastic way the host said "Noooo" when one of the contestants got something wrong.

Originally Posted by Clarkey

Er if you want me to write something about the WAMP i will do, maybe me and Kim Travers could do it together. I have applied before and know the application process, Kim is actually on the course (lucky thing) and knows about the structure of the course more than i do.

If you want to, that'd be very useful for anyone else thinking about the course. Currently all that's there is a paragraph saying that I think that most people will be better served by getting the A-levels. Just a few paragraphs on it would be great - who the course is aimed at, an estimate of the competition for each place and a few URLs - that sort of thing.

Cheers,

xmas

**Clarkey** · 04-11-2003, 03:02 PM

Where would you like me to write it?

**Tangliss** · 04-11-2003, 03:06 PM

Oooh er, I should have known that one Smiley, after finishing my OU stuff, I must admit I have returned to thick old me :lol:

**exms** · 04-11-2003, 03:08 PM

If you just email / PM it to me, I'll edit it so it flows nicely with the rest of the Mature FAQ and plonk it in.

Currently, it says

"4. Which kind of course should I apply for?

There are three main course lengths, and which one is most appropriate to you depends on your background and qualifications.

6 year (Foundation / pre-medical courses): These are suitable for people without the required A-level science qualifications. Competition for places on these courses is high, and most people will be better served by acquiring the necessary qualifications."

Depending on the length of what you write, I'll either add it to section 4 or create a new section 4a. So feel free to write as much or as little as you like.

Cheers,

xmas

**exms** · 04-11-2003, 04:28 PM

Thanks Clarkey, I've updated the Mature FAQ now.

It now says

"4a. Foundation courses

Some universities run six year courses aimed at students without the necessary A-levels. Information on a couple of these is given below.

Southampton has run a Widening Access to Medicine Program since Oct 2002. This course is not intended for graduates. The age limit is 35, and the entry requirements are flexible, allowing 4 AS Levels or 3 A2s as well as less traditional qualifications such as access courses. For 3 A2s their typical offer is CCC, and they do expect chemistry and/or biology to be among the subjects offered. The aim of the course is to bring you up to the general level of the 5 yr BM program entrants. If you pass the first year exams, you are automatically accepted onto the BM program.

Eligibility requirements:

You must
- Be the first member of your immediate family to go to university
- Live in a postcode which is in the bottom 20% in terms of prosperity
- If you studied A-levels at a college, be eligible for or be claming EMA (education maintenance allowance)

There are around 30 places in each year. There were around 60 applicants for 2003 entry, which is partly due to the fact that the course is not well advertised. It seems unlikely that this low level of competition will continue. People on the course are entitled to a bursary of £1000 per year and accommodation is provided. Only around 1 or 2 people per year quit the course, and last year only one person failed. The course is made up of lectures and hospital visits and is similar in content to the first year of a medical degree.

Please bear in mind that there is little information about this on the Soton website, and doubtless some of the details of the program are subject to change. If in doubt, contact the university for more information.

St George’s run a foundation year course. Successful completion of this year guarantees you a place on the five year course. Applicants must be a minimum of 21 years old and have GCSE (or equivalent) passes in Science, Maths, and English Language, plus a minimum of three year’s work experience involving dealing with the general public. The course is not open to those resitting A-levels or those eligible for the graduate path. More information is available on http://www.sghms.ac.uk/Courses/under...dation_med.htm

** [AM: More info about this course would be appreciated. Are there similar bursary arrangements to the Soton course?] **"

Thx,

xmas