Questions about Nottingham GEM course

[jacksparrow]

If current GEM's or anyone with knowledge could answer these questions I would appreciate it.

1. Is the course better than the 5 year medicine degree? Is there a bigger workload than the 5 year and is it harder? Should medicine be a 4 or 5 year course?
2. Why is Nottingham Medical School so low in the university rankings (Guardian etc.)? Isn't it as pretigious a uni as it has been in the past?
3. Does the fact that Nottingham accepts 2.2 class graduates mean that the students find the workload/content of work difficult to grasp? Is there a high dropout rate? Does Nottingham produce lower quality graduates (less able doctors) than of other schools that accept 1sts / 2:1s for their graduate programs?

Thanks in advance.

[rustyblueyez]

Ok that's a lot of questions, are you trying to decide which course to apply to?

1. That's debatable, they both have merits. There is a bigger workload on 4 year course and it's far more intense, however the 5 year do far more broad topics at depth like biochemistry. 4 year course is emotionally very challenging, very little time off and at time scarily relentless but not impossible.
Medicine should remain a mix of 4 and 5 years courses, it's the diversity of knowledge and skills that keeps the profession dynamic.
2. No idea, perhaps ask how they compile the list, guardian and times both produce them and they are often quite different. It's very well thought of by other medical schools.
3.You'll be scared at how smart the graduate medics are, it's not just about pure academic performance most have more than 3 years of undergraduate learning which means you can hit the ground running in terms of discipline and study skills. Quite a large number have masters and Phds.
Drop out rate is ridiculously low on 4 year course, i've never seen anyone 'give up' and leave because they couldn't cope or didn't want to be there. Loss to summative examination at end of 1st and 2nd years is less then 1%.
All schools have to attain the GMC rigorous standards of education so all graduates are suitable to become foundation trainees if they pass their finals. previous degree class is a poor predictor of performance in medicine anyway, it has very little to do with academic ability.
Myself and a colleague both GEMs, both got 2:2 hons previously, both in top 5% at end of GEM/preclinical exams.

My advice to you would be to spend some time researching and thinking about the other skills and attributes a successful medical student/doctor needs. Certainly made me feel better about myself!

Hope all this helps.

[jacksparrow]

thanks rusrty that is fantastic information. Another question, why is it that according to this

Medicine

Graduates who apply for the 5 year course have to achieve a 2:1 but those who apply to the 4 year GEM need a 2:2?? What kind of nonsense is this?

[simos]

thanks rusrty that is fantastic information. Another question, why is it that according to this

Medicine

Graduates who apply for the 5 year course have to achieve a 2:1 but those who apply to the 4 year GEM need a 2:2?? What kind of nonsense is this?

GAMSAT. Think about it.

[abc4589]

Haha...Yes pass the GAMSAT and then ask us the same question again!

[Pertifa]

Hey!!! Im thinking of applying for the GEM course at Nottingham. How is the medical school in general, and is the GEM course PBL or Integrated?

Thanks

[emmabelle]

Definately PBL:

Postgraduate Graduate Entry Medicine BMBS at School of Graduate Entry Medicine and Health

[emj1987]

Actually it's quite integrated. The course has a mix of PBL, clinical sessions, lectures, and anatomy sessions, all of which revolve around the particular case/condition you're studying that week.