[gabx679]

For the last 5 years of my life I have been dedicated to doing medicine at unniversity. I've currently just finished my A-levels and didn't get any offers for medicine. I'm waiting for my results to see if I've got the 3 A's I need to re-apply but, to be honest, I don't think I have a chance in hell of getting them (or AAB) because I completely screwed up my chemistry! Therefore I am having a gap year and re-applying.

I've considered doing Biomed and post-grad medicine but thats even more competitive than under-grad so I don't think I have a chance of ever getting in.

So I'm being realistic! I'm pretty sure that medicine is no longer an option for me but I have no idea what else I should do! I've thought about radiology or optometry as I think I'd enjoy them but very few uni's seem to do them, and none that I really want to go to.

I've also thought about biology and history because I have enjoyed them at A-level and am pretty good at them (especially history) and they are available at pretty much all universities so I'll be able to go somewhere I really want.

But there are some problems:
1) There are so many different types of Biology degree that I have no idea what to choose! I've loved all parts of the course at A-level pretty much equally so what bio degree to I pick? Also which is better a Bsc or other type of course?
2)What careers are available after graduation? I guess I wouldn't mind being a teacher but it doesn't really appeal to me very much. What kind of careers can you join with a degree in history? If I did a microbiology or genetics degree are there enough jobs available to become a microbiologist or a geneticist?

I'm so confused! It was so simple when I knew what I wanted to do. My worst nightmare would be to do a £9000 p.a. degree and end up not able to get a job at the end of it. If anyone has any advice, suggestions or personal experiences I would be very grateful!
Thank you

[TheSownRose]

No advice on the real question, but if you change your mind about optometry or want more information about it, ask away.

[hoonosewot]

Dude, i got CDE at A level and i got 3 out of 4 offers for post-grad medicine, so you've certainly got a chance if you do well in your degree.

Anyway, firstly, if you do get AAB or better then gap year, get some work experience and reapply.

Secondly, if you don't you've got choices, if you do a sciencey degree that is similar to medicine (not necessarily biomed) then you will be good to apply to pretty much any med school. Genetics, Biology, Biochemistry, Pharmacy etc would all be fine.

Thirdly, there are access courses, which act as qualifications to apply to certain medical schools. I don't know a lot about them bt check here for more info http://www.medschoolsonline.co.uk/index.php?pageid=80 (that whole site is brilliant).

Fourthly, there are degrees at universities which give an option of transfer over to medicine. However you should be aware that these courses are EXTREMELY competitive, you've got to get excellent grades, then pass all the normal medical admission stuff, whilst competing with your coursemates. It's not advisable to do these courses unless you wanna be there.
Examples of those courses are SGUL Biomed, Newcastle Biomed, Bradford Clinical Sciences and so on.

You should be aware though, that with the new tuition fees, if you gap year or take medicine as a second degree, it's gonna cost an absolute ****-load of money.

If you decide medicines not for you any more, then do whatever you want. Biomed is a diverse degree, it's pretty interesting and gives you plenty of options to follow when you graduate: Research, biomedical scientist (which covers microbiology, heamatology, biochemist, histology, immunology etc), food scientist, teaching and so on.

Basically though, a good science degree, be it straight biology, human biology, biomed or pharmacy from a good university will leave you plenty of job options after you graduate. They're always held in high regard. My sister did a degree in molecular biology and now she's got a very well paid job in finance.