suitable degree subjects for GEM?

**lml500** · 16-12-2005, 10:11 PM

Hi

I don't know if this is in the right forum so feel free to move it. I searched for a similar topic but couldn't find one about what subjects med schools accept for GEM.

I'm currently in my first year of a philosophy/sociology degree but plan to do GEM afterwards. I don't have any science A levels (I've got Eng. Lit, Drama and Psychology, and AS's in History and German - all A grades) so don't really have any scientifc knowledge past GSCE (I did get A and A* grades for Bio/Chem/Phy separate sciences).

However, I am very keen to study medicine. Would *any* uni accept me with these qualifications? Or would I have to just do a second degree in pre-med? This would take six years, I'm very aware that if I did that, it would cost loads and I'd be quite old when I qualified, which is why I would prefer to do GEM...

I enjoy the my current degree and think it could be useful in medicine (ethics in philosophy, communication in medicine module etc in sociology), but would any grad med admissions tutors share this view?

Any help or opinion from people who have had similar expriences would be much appreciated. thanks x

**mez** · 16-12-2005, 10:18 PM

There is an excellent website, giving details of which medical schools accept which qualifications:
http://www.medschoolsonline.co.uk/index.php?pageid=11

There is also an excellent document that all would-be mature applicants should read:
http://www.geocities.com/alexism1974/maturefaq.htm

Hope this helps.

**lml500** · 16-12-2005, 10:21 PM

You're a star. Thank you!

**the_slob** · 16-12-2005, 10:23 PM

Hey there,
I am currently applying having got a sociology and anthropology degree from Glasgow uni. I think uni's do seem to want science A levels/highers particularly chemistry and to be honest with you the chemistry is difficult enough to want some background. However, I think thats what the pre-med year is all about. I know Dundee is forcing everybody who didn't do a degree in the bio-sciences to do a pre-med year as they believe the student would be at a disadvantage compared to others who have studied chemistry etc. to a higher level.

However, I dont know whether the GEP's would accept you without science qualifications. I have a feeling you would either need to take a couple of A levels or sit the MSAT/GAMSAT/BMAT tests which are fairly science intense but many people have done well in them without a huge amount of previous study of science. Best to check with the individual uni's. Phoning them is better than checking their websites as they seem to be more flexible than they let on. But I have already been told that sociology is one of the subjects outside of science that med schools look kindly on due to the deep interest in people and also the fact that the life of a GP seems interminably connected with social politics and demographics.

Hope this helps..

**Esmeralda** · 16-12-2005, 10:37 PM

Hi,
I haven't had similar experiences to yours, but here is what I found from the 'Getting into Medical School' guide produced by Trotman:

If you decide to study medicine after having already finished studying a combination of
A-levels that does not fit the subject requirements for entry to medical school, you can apply for 'premedical course', that covers elements of chemistry, biology and physics and lasts one academic year. This is offered at eight university faculties of medicine. It leads to the first MB qualification for which science A-levels provide exemption.

If your pre-med application is rejected, you will have to spend further 2 years taking A-levels at a sixth-form college. Independent 6th form colleges offer one-year A-level courses and certain subjects can be covered from scratch in a single year. However, only very able students can cover A-level chemistry and biology in a single year with good results.
You should discuss your particular circumstances with the staff of a number of colleges in order to selct the course that will prepare you to achieve the A-level subjects you need at the grades you require.

That is what is written there regarding that matter. Hope it helps.

**mez** · 16-12-2005, 11:34 PM

lml500 was talking about the possibility of entry into GEM programmes. According to medschoolsonline, there are 5 places that will accept graduates from any discipline regardless of A-levels (although some of these require a minimum of a 2:1). However, the_slob correctly mentioned the likelyhood of having to complete admissions tests for places that will accept non-science graduates.

For the best information, refer to the prospectuses of individual medical schools - ring up places if there is any confusion, as they will be only too happy to tell you if you meet their requirements. The links I posted before are the best I have found for quick reference.

This thread should be moved to the 'Mature Students' section of the forum! There are plenty of threads in there with people in similar positions - you just need to do a search!

**lml500** · 17-12-2005, 07:28 PM

Hi everyone,

Thanks so much for your replies. They've been really helpful. It looks as if I shall have to get my arse into gear and conatct some unis, but at least now I know it can be done.

Sorry I posted this in the wrong forum - I was considering the mature student's forum, but I'm not a mature student (yet) so I wasn't sure.

**Nate** · 17-12-2005, 07:29 PM

Hi

I am currently a 1st yr on the SOTON GEP. SOTON seem to be very keen on the sociological/psycological side of medicine, and therefore you definately would not be at a disadvantage applying here. They do have a minimum grade requirement for chemistry though (A-Level grade E) and so you will have to do extra study. In my humble opinion though, the better you get at chemistry, the more the science part of the course is going to make sense. So, if you really want to do medicine, start doing chemistry..............................NOW!!!

Regards

Nate