Graduate Entry to Medicine

**Aneurysm** · 08-01-2011, 11:28 AM

Hey all, first post here really regret not joining a lot earlier.
I've done some looking around and really haven't found the answer to my question.

I'm currently a 2nd year Biochemistry student and am looking to apply for medicine next year. I've done lots of reading and know what's required of me.

The 4 year graduate entry is very competitive and I'll have my work cut out. If one of my choices were for medicine at undergrad level what factors do they take into account? Will they treat me as an undergraduate and look at the usual which are GCSE's and A-Levels, along with the degree classification and any entrance exams.

I'm currently on a first and hopefully will attain it. My GCSE's and A-Levels are poor, I got (2A's&7B's) and (BCC in maths,bio,chem) respectively. Will med schools factor in my GCSE's, A-Levels and my Degree Classification if I applied for their undergrad scheme?

In short; with my school grades shall I just stick to the GEP programmes and not go for the longer undergrad degrees?

Thanks in advance

A

**kaodeve** · 08-01-2011, 03:45 PM

Some unis look at your school qualifications and some don't. I know that Edinburgh for example look at them and they must meet that requirement as well as the 2:1 minimum if you are a grad. You need to check out individual uni websites to see what ones will accept your grades or will not look at them given your higher qualification. Think about where you would like to apply and go from there.

I applied for all 5 year - mainly due to having a toddler and 2 years into 1 with young child seemed too much pressure but also because I want to stay in Scotland or very near it hence Newcastle. Finance was also a factor as get some help from Scottish gov towards fees for med though have to be c. £1300 myself per year. Big difference to the £3k plus for 2011 and thereafter £9k.

Good starting point for your research is the following (although a little out-of date) at least will shorten your list of possibles a little and has links to the uni websites.

Medschoolsonline - A Guide to Getting into Medical School in the UK

Remeber also you will have to sit an entrance exam e.g. UKCat, bmat, gamsat depending on where you want to apply or in some cases no exam e.g. Liverpool.

Good luck!

**hodiurnal** · 09-01-2011, 02:26 AM

Youre in exactly the same boat as I was. BBC A-levels, did biomed then went across to GEP. Yeah its competitive but all you have to do is play the game and you'll be fine. I opted for the GEP because it was shorter and cheaper and there's no need to do the first year as a grad, you'll skive the whole thing or sleep!

**Aneurysm** · 09-01-2011, 04:17 AM

Thanks guys, also found medschoolsonline a lot of help. Answered some of my questions. Looks like I'm going to have to work my arse off.

**hodiurnal** · 09-01-2011, 06:29 AM

Dont look at it like that, thats most people's problem - lack of belief and getting caught up in the 'how difficult it is to get into med school' not helped by the business model the whole thing has become!

Its not a huge amount of work. Get your degree, work experience, gamsat and to some research. Worth it, trust me!