Is there a suitable Masters degree to study to 'top up' a degree?

[Stay_classy]

Hi

I am currently studying a Marine Biology degree at Glasgow University. I am in my final year and hoping to apply for graduate medicine in 2010. I am just after some advice with regards to this.

If I fail to get a 2.1 (or above) is there a suitable Masters degree I should study that would either overwrite my lower degree or one at least that would be advantageous to have in my application.

My plan was to apply this October regardless and work full time/volunteer for the next year to gain valuable health care experience. The only thing is that I don't want to waste a year and feel that a Masters would be A) Enrich my academic knowledge and B) Give a fall back option in the meantime.

Any advice/information as always greatly appreciated

Ross

[Respy]

Usually you would need a phd for your undergraduate degree to be ignored unfortunatley Ross. Just commit yourself to getting a 2i buddy. What % are you currently on?

[Madimi]

I know someone who was successful getting into medical school after completing a MSc at Sheffield Hallam - Biomedical Basis of Disease.
See link:
MSc/PgDip/PgCert - Biomedical Basis of Disease - Sheffield Hallam University

[Stay_classy]

With some hard work should hopefully make that 2.1. I was just wanting to cover myself should it all go pear shaped.

[medic2009]

Doing a masters right before starting a medical degree is something that you should consider very carefully. Having had a sibling consider this option I can share his findings.

1. Most schools he asked advised against it. The work load in GEP courses is unenviable and a "mental break" from study even for a few months is apparently preferred.

2. Given that most masters courses are 12 months long, there can be complications with course overlap. Again, not favoured amongst med schools.

3. If you are successful in achieving a 2:1, most schools (Birmingham GEP being the unusual exception [require 1st]) consider your degree and A levels as sufficient indicator of academic capability and a masters would not add particular weight to your application. If ultimately a 2:1 proves out of reach, then GAMSAT unis or applying after a PhD are another option.

I strongly considered applying for another masters degree as a back up had I not got onto a GEP course, however I was fortuanate enough to be offered a place at my first choice uni. The courses I looked at all had a strong clinical component. Particularly high on my list was the MRes in Translational medicine run at Uni of Manchester, similar course at Imperial College. Translational medicine is a very hot topic in medical research at the moment and if you have not previously encountered the field, is concerned with promoting "bench to bedside research", ie. how to apply breakthroughs made in the lab to the clinic. If this area of research sounds appealing, I am sure it would look good on an application. What also appealed to me about this course was the opportunity to do research projects in collaboration with a major pharmaceutical company (Astrazeneca). According to the course director, AZ use the course to cherry pick the most promising candidates and offer permenant employment. If clinical pharmaceuticals interests you, then this could be an alternative to clinical medicine.

hope that helps