Newbie question.

**twinklingeveningstar** · 27-04-2008, 12:05 AM

Hello Everyone!

I'm new around here so apologise if I've sent messages wrongly already: not quite sure how it all works.

My question is pretty silly, I suppose, but I'd like to know what GCSEs, and A Levels a mature student should have to gain entrance to medical school.

I have 7 GCSEs: English language and lit., maths, biology, art, geography and Spanish.

An A Level English lang./lit and an AS Level in General Studies.

I'm doing a few OU courses at the mò, but need advice as to what route to take.

Thanks,

twinkling.

**Victoria09** · 27-04-2008, 12:28 AM

I think mature students without degrees need to have the same GCSEs and A-levels as school leavers, depending on how 'mature' you are and what kind of experience you have. Subject requirements are usually A-level Chemistry, then preferably Biology, plus another of your choice- depending on the schools you apply to.
You need at least B grades in GCSE Maths and English Language, but the reality is that the majority of these youngsters have all A's and A* in the vast majority of their subjects. Some med schools will require you to have taken the 3 A-levels in one cycle, but again I think this depends on how old you are.

As a mature, your best bet might be an access to medicine course which will cover the sciences, or a medical degree with a foundation year, designed for people with good A-level results in non-science subjects.

Start looking at the websites for the med schools you're interested in and check the admissions requirements- and e-mail them if you can't find the answers on there. Also, have a look at the medschoolsonline website, which has some useful summarised information.

**doormat** · 27-04-2008, 02:01 AM

Vic is right,

Access is the way to go, there are loads of different courses, so if there is one university that appeals to you, then check their website to see if they have any local articulation schemes.

**medschoolsonline.co.uk** · 27-04-2008, 05:34 PM

Hiya,

I think your options are:
1) Do 3 A levels & an AS level - including chemistry and biology.
This will propably give you the greatest chance of getting a place as you would be eligible for any standard medical course providing you get AAB.

2) Do a foundation course (with automatic progression to a medicial degree when you pass a pre-medical year). Most of these courses need 3 A levels but some don't. If you get on to one of these then you are guaranteed a place at med school.
I think you would be eligible for these courses:

http://www.sgul.ac.uk/students/under...r-medicine.cfm

http://www.liv.ac.uk/healthsciences/...ance_notes.htm

3) Do an access course - but choose the course carefully - make sure it's one that is recognised by lots of universities. Some courses are only recognised by one or two places - these aren't worth it in my opinion. Your chances of getting into a particular medical school are never normally higher than 25%, normally more like 10-15%. If your qualification is only accepted at one uni you're risking a lot. However, places like COWA are widely accepted.
http://www.ccn.ac.uk/ccn3/general/co...ls.asp?id=1944

Overall I'd apply for a foundation course or a widely accepted access course. If you don't get a place start your A levels.

Good luck!!

**twinklingeveningstar** · 27-04-2008, 06:59 PM

Hello again!

Thank you for all your replies.

Just a few thoughts:

(1) I did biology at GCSE, and started A Level biology (but wasn't very disciplined at 19!). Would I have to revise GCSE biology, and then do GCSE chemistry and physics (uuurrrggghhh!) at the same level, and THEN do the three sciences at A Level?

(2) What's an Access course and where might I get info.?

(3) I live abroad at the moment so don't know to which UK medical school I would eventually apply (perhaps in Cornwall as my parents live there, but perhaps here in Turin if I don't move back to England). What might be the 'safest' route to getting acceptance at a UK medical school? (I'm thinking ahead!).

I've looked at NEC GCSEs and A Levels and they seem excellent. The OU offers science and life science degrees, too.

Thanks for all your help,

Take care everyone!

Es.

**Victoria09** · 27-04-2008, 07:45 PM

You wouldn't need to do physics. Just take chemistry and biology plus one other subject of your choice, but not general studies (if you take the A-level route).

The most widely accepted access courses (to my knowledge) are the ones at COWA (college of west anglia), which I think is in Kings' Lynn in Norfolk- and also the one at City and Islington college in north London. I can't remember if the course is one or two years long, but it basically covers all of the necessary science plus some other skills. They are quite hard to get into apparently- maybe check out the access courses forum on this site because I'm sure there's someone out there who knows much more about them than I do!

A warning on OU courses, not that many med schools accept them as alternatives to A-levels.

If you want to go to med school in the south-west, then check out peninsula's website- I think mature students just have to take the hideous GAMSAT entrance exam to get an interview, which means the other academic requirements are slightly lower as a result.

You haven't mentioned your age or what kind of grades you have, so it's difficult to advise on which route I'd take if I was in your position... but the quickest route would be either the access route or the foundation year route. The foundation year courses have higher grade requirements and you need 3 A-levels in any case. If you need to do distance learning and your other grades are good then it might be easier to take the A-level route while you're in Italy- I think they let you off taking three at a time if you're a mature student working full-time whilst studying.

**twinklingeveningstar** · 27-04-2008, 08:26 PM

Hi!

Thanks for replying!

I'm considering taking GCSE biology (revision), chemistry and human physiology and health/psychology/science with the NEC. Then A Level biology, chemistry and environmental science/human biology/psychology.

Then there's the Access/foundation course route, right?

I have mostly Bs at GCSE level and a C at A Level. And I'm 36.

Mad to even think about it, I know. But I'm married to a doctor, work for an orthopaedic surgeon, traumatologist, and Doctor of sports medicine, and have never wanted to do anything but Medicine. Life's got in the way a little. And now I'm re-thinking my future. Let's say it's more a personal battle than anything else.

One of the problems is living abroad (Italy), and having to do things via distance learning.

Take care,

Es.