Want to study medicine - please help

**kimj29** · 25-06-2012, 10:58 PM

Hi,
I would really like to study medicine and become a doctor. I am 29, have 2 children aged 4 and 6, and no qualifications.

What i would like to know is, firstly where would be my 1st port of call. Would an access to science course be enough for me to apply to university, or would i have to do A levels, and would i even be accepted into A levels at my age?

Secondly, i would have to go to leicester university to study medicine, as my partner's business is here, and children are settled in school, so moving is not an option. Is it likely that i will be able to get a residency based in leicester?

Realistically, is this something that mature students with young children can take on? Or should i look to something else.

I want an exciting and interesting career, and really want to learn. I also want to be able to provide a better life for my children, so am trying to look at the long term results, of where i could be in 10 years or so.

Any info or opinions would be greatly appreciated.

**Chwirkytheappleboy** · 26-06-2012, 12:36 AM

With regards to getting into Leicester, you have a couple of options. On their FAQs page they have the following:

Q. Do you consider applications from mature students?
A. We are prepared to consider applications from mature candidates who are able to meet our usual entrance requirements (in the case of a graduate, a first or upper second class honours degree in a relevant subject). There is no upper age limit.

Q. What about Access courses? (A100)
A. We do consider applicants offering the Access to Medicine course from the following colleges only:
College of West Anglia, Norfolk
City College, Norwich
Lambeth College, London (Access to HE Medicine)
Manchester College, Manchester (Access to HE Medicine)
Sussex Downs Adult College, East Sussex (not pre-med course)
Stafford College/New College Telford (Access to HE - Medicine and Health Professions Diploma)
We require a distinction in every subject (over 70%).

So you can do access, or the alternative is to meet the normal entrance criteria:

Q. What are the A-Level requirements? (A100)
A. We normally require students to study four AS subjects in the first year. These should include Chemistry and Biology, General Studies is excluded. Three of the chosen subjects must be continued to A2 level, including Chemistry but excluding General Studies.
Our standard offer is AAA, including Chemistry and two other subjects (excluding General Studies and Critical Thinking)

Q. What are the GCSE grade requirements? (A100)
A. Candidates must have a minimum grade C in English Language, Mathematics and Double Science.

Q. I have no formal qualifications - is there any other way I could be considered?
A. No

Studying Medicine with a family is definitely a challenge but I do know people who manage to do it. You have a very long and hard road ahead of you though...

**fibonacci** · 02-07-2012, 05:57 PM

When you say you have "no qualifications" does this mean you don't have GSCEs?
This will inherently make entry to medicine much more difficult for you. At the very least I would recommend having to take GSCE sciences, maths and english. This would then allow you (i think) to apply for access to medicine. If you studied A levels you would then be able to apply for the standard courses, and would have an increased chance of getting a place, assuming your grades are AAA for A-level. You can do A levels at any age by the way.
If you haven't done GSCEs, I would recommend the Access to Medicine (after you have done them). The GSCEs could be done in a year, and a year for the application process = 2 years.
Going the A level route is realistically going to take at least 2-3 years of study before you can even apply to med school..but could be an "easier" option as there are more places available.

You haven't given yourself an easy task trying to get into just Leicester but certainly nothing is impossible and if you really want it bad enough there should be no reason you can't study there, albeit it might take a few years and possibly a number of application cycles.

**impatient** · 03-07-2012, 05:00 PM

Mature students can do it and do all the time even with children. we have a single parent on our course and shes doing just fine. if you want to find out if a particular univeristy will take you on either write to them with a full list of your academic achievements (with the year that you took them) and ask for their advice. Most medic admin offices have dealt with most things.... Best thing to do is get stuck in to it and make some call and write some letters....