Has anyone had success with more than 1 undergraduate degree on GEM courses?

[Iceman10]

Hi,

I have a Third completed in 2009 (Psychology BSc) and I've just completed my first year in my second degree (Biomedical Science BSc).

I decided a little under two years ago that I'd like to pursue a career in medicine but obviously I didn't have the grades. I then decided to do the second degree in Biomedical Science and try to get a better mark to give me the chance at applying to medicine.

I had a look at all the graduate entry courses and emailed all of them asking about doing a second degree. A lot of them didn't read my email properly and flat out refused and said I don't have a 2:1 so no, or they just pointed me to their entry requirements. I say they didn't read the email properly because from their wording it doesn't sound like they realised I wanted to study a second degree and get a 2:1. Kings were the worst, they took nearly 2 months to reply, to be fair they might have been sorting out interviews, it was during that stage I think.

Of the universities that did read the email properly, some said that they wouldn't consider a second degree, only the first degree would count. Others said they would consider a second degree as long as I obtained a 2:1/2 (SGUL).

I'd like to ask if people have been successful in obtaining places on GEM courses with a two degrees? I also wondered whether admissions tutors would look down on an applicant that had a poor degree and a good degree.

[sa119]

I have two undergraduate degrees - Medical Biochemistry (2:2) and Medical Sciences and Humanities (2:1). Let's just say having spent 6 years at undergraduate level hasn't exactly helped my case! GAMSAT-requiring unis tend to be more understanding. If you get a good enough score, it almost doesn't matter what your academic history is. Worth phoning Warwick, too. They told me it was okay to apply but they like to change their mind a lot!

[Leo2004]

I knew people at SGUL with 2 undergrad degrees - the only requirement was the minimum of 2:ii. Do all you can to get a 2:i. You do sound like the kind of interesting story George's would be keen to consider! Good luck!

Leo

[sa119]

Just bear in mind, for somewhere like St George's, you also need a good GAMSAT score. Whether you have a 2:1 or a 2:2 won't matter but obviously, it's advisable to aim higher!

[Iceman10]

Thanks guys, SGUL will definitely be my first choice its only 10 minutes away from me and they were the pioneers of the GEM courses so I'd expect them to have a good course structure. As Leo said they seem accommodating for people who haven't necessarily gone down a traditional path to medicine and they also accept 2:2s.

My plan is to do the GAMSAT a year early as a practise run (March 2013) if I do well I'll use that score for my application. If not then I'll sit the normal September exam, I intend to apply to Nottingham, SGUL, Swansea & Warwick (UKCAT). Oh and the small matter of getting a 2:1... At least if I end up working in McDonalds no one can say that I didn't try.

[lovelearning]

I completed a year at COWA access to medicine however was unable to finish due to financial issues.

My plan now is to either 1)go back and do the year again at CAWA and study GAMSAT & UKCAT and take them or 2) Just study for GAMSAT and UKCAT - find a job and apply with my 2.1 degree (arts background), Good GCSE's (Nearly all A's & A*'s) but not so good A levels (BCC - Psychology, English, Geography).

I would like to apply to Newcastle, St Georges, Nottingham and Warwick graduate entry.

Any advice on what I should do and where I should apply? What are the results i need to get to go for these for UKCAT and GAMSAT?

[Iceman10]

Avoid access courses, you have a level 6 qualification. First year of university is level 4, access courses are supposed to replace A levels, so you'd be wasting time and money studying below level 4.

I'd say option 2 is better for you, revise for the GAMSAT & UKCAT. You have a lot off options for where to apply because you have the 2:1, obviously avoid the ones that ask for chemistry A level or a science degree. Newcastle is an option but they don't have that many graduate entry places, in 2009 they had 25 so competition will be increased there. Actually I've just had a look and it probably has the most places for the universities which accept any degree / UKCAT, Kings is an option they had 24 places but the data is a bit old.

http://www.medschoolsonline.co.uk/index.php?pageid=11

The site hasn't been updated in a while but the data is mostly good, Warwick do now accept any degree this year which is good for you.

I think its sensible to pick at least 1 UKCAT uni as you'll know your score straight away and can apply strategically. As a graduate you''d probably need north of 700. You wont know the score for the GAMSAT until after you apply. Do bare in mind that the GAMSAT universities have more places generally, for example Swansea had 70 in 2009.

It just depends on whether you think you're more likely to get in because there are more places or would you be more likely to get into a university with fewer places because less people apply.

GAMSAT looks to be a really hard exam, get revising if you're going for the September sitting. Finally you have to weigh up the other variables such as teaching style and city etc.

[tw5]

Iceman if its not too intrusive, do u have any more specific info as far as the responses you received when you asked about 2nd degrees? Your question ("Has anyone had success with more than 1 undergraduate degree on GEM courses?") is very relevant to my situation also, hence my interest. I heard from Birmingham few months back and they said that A-levels wouldnt be considered if my previous qualifications (1st degree) are not up to standard. Im worried that this could be a trend for other UNIs, so Im still undecided as to 2nd degree or A-levels. Also why did you decide to do 2nd degree instead of A-levels (retakes?) .. Also, thanks for the extremely informative repsonse on other thread.

[Iceman10]

No problem TW5, some of the unis didn't reply fully as they didn't either read my question fully or understand it.

Barts: No reply but their website says "Only your first undergraduate degree will be considered for entry".

Birmingham: "We could not consider an application from you. We use GCSEs, A-levels and the first degree result as evidence of academic quality".

Bristol: "If you did not achieve a 2:I in your first degree, I'm afraid any future qualifications that you achieve will not supersede this and we will therefore be unable to consider your application". Their website doesn't say this though, but this was the response I received.

Kings: "Unfortunately, with a third class degre, your chances of getting into Medicine here at King's (even with another undergraduate programme) would be very slim."

Imperial: I didn't get a response but their website doesn't explicitly say they wouldn't accept a second degree.

Leicester: They didn't really answer my question properly, but looking at their entry criteria it doesn't specifically say they won't accept a second degree.

Newcastle: They didn't really answer my question properly, but looking at their entry criteria it doesn't specifically say they won't accept a second degree.

Notts: "With the qualifications that you hold you would need to take a different degree, gain at least a 2:2 and then apply to the 4 year graduate entry programme after taking the GAMSAT test".

SGUL: They would consider a second degree as long as it meets their criteria.

Southampton: They'll only consider first degrees.

Swansea: They just pointed me to their website, it doesn't explicitly say they wouldn't consider a second degree.

Warwick: From their website "For 2013 admission, we have widened the range of first degrees accepted as suitable for the MB ChB programme". I think that bit in bold is new, I don't remember seeing that before and I'm a bit gutted now as I wanted to apply there. I'm going to email again to ask if that explicitly rules out a second degree.

Edit: Warwick replied to my question and said that as long as I get a 2:1 I'd be eligible, so it sounds like they do accept second degrees.

To be safe I'd go with more GAMSAT universities as you prove your academic ability through the test. The downside is that you won't know your results until after you've applied, so you're applying blind. I didn't bother asking Oxbridge, that's why they're not in the list.

I decided to go for the second degree route rather than A levels because I didn't feel that A Levels would be useful if I didn't get into medicine with them. You are also excluded from applying to a lot of places as they don't consider resits. Although I didn't study any science A Levels so maybe that might not be considered a 'resit', I'm not sure.

There was also the question of finance and relocation, if I applied to study a second degree I was pretty confident I could stay at home to save money. If I completed A Levels and got a medicine offer, I would have a very slim chance of doing the same. I can't afford a 5 year course without funding.

[tw5]

Wow alot of great info here, thanks.. hey I was looking over some of SGUL admissions critera for 4 year graduate stream, and noticed the following statement:
"Those with a third class Honours degree must also complete a master's degree in addition to their undergraduate course."
but Im thinking, what masters programs are actually available to someone with a 3rd (catch 22?)? I mean the whole point of the masters is to sort of redeem your past academics and prove (to admissions) your new and improved study skills, no? Is this why you are doing a 2nd degree or am i not grasping something? Your list was really interesting.. a little scary actually lol... i mean, its a very narrow path with a 3rd. thanks