Bham Uni selection process

**Jenna** · 04-11-2003, 06:44 PM

Hello Everyone,

I'm applying to Bham next year, but I have an awful suspicion that they are extremely selective. I got onto a chat board for the new GECs for this year at Bham, and most seem to be in their twenties with Biomedical/Biochem degrees. Many also had Phds and Masters in Sciencey-health topics.

I did contact admissions with my qualifications (BSc Health Studies, 1st, also doing A-level Chem). Chris Lote at Bham uni e-mailed me to say that as long as I get at least C in A-level Chem then I can be considered.

However, is he just being polite, or not noticed that I don't actually have a applied/natural science degree as specified in their prospectus?....Or am I just being paranoid and pessimistic?

Can anyone give me some info here?
Has anyone had experience, positive or negative, with Bham?

What other qualities do Bham look for in applicants, eg works experience? Recreational stuff?

Thanks.

**baggers** · 04-11-2003, 07:11 PM

Hi Jenna

I was going to apply to B'ham for the GEP and i have a degree in Health and Human Sciences. I was told that i would be considered with that degree, and yours sounds very similar. However, i only got a 2:1 and when i spoke to Chris Lote he told me that while i could apply, the only people that even got considered last yr were those with a first. So, it seems as though you have a relevant degree and the first to go with it, so go for it, you should have a good a chance as any!

Saying that, the feeling i got about B'ham is that they are very selective. While i realise that when they have so many applicants, one way of whittling them down is by chucking out any that didn't get a first, it seems a bit unfair. I mean, someone could have loads of relevant experience and make an excellent doctor, but just because they didn't manage to get a first, B'ham wouldn't even look at their applications.

I guess i'm a bit biased cos i wouldn't have been in with a chance! Where else are you looking at? Leicester do a GEP course especially for those with health degrees, maybe try them?

**Delilah** · 05-11-2003, 03:22 AM

I got the same response from B'ham as Baggers... it was a case of a first or forget it in the e-mail Chris Lote sent to me... sadly......

**Jenna** · 05-11-2003, 11:54 AM

Hi Baggars, Hi Delilah,

Bham sounds like a tough one.
I agree with you about their unfair selection process of only looking at firsts, but I think that you still should apply because they may change their selection process again...who knows. I may have a first, but I still have to get a C or above in A-level Chem.

I'm still not sure if I should apply anywhere else. I have kids and a home and parents in Brum, so it would be difficult to relocate. I think at the moment I can only think of applying for Bham, but I'll probably have to seriously reconsider this if they tell me to get lost.