How to make up for poor degree

ah that's very reassuring. Thank you everyone, I was just told by a few medic friends to not bother with academic foundation programme as the 2:2 will hold me back

To be honest, a 2:2 will put you at a disadvantage when applying for an AFP - you'll be up against people with stronger bachelor's degrees and more than a handful of people with PhDs. There are points available for other things like publications etc, but I don't know how many and if it would offset the relative deficit of a 2:2.

For general foundation programme applications though, I can't see it being an issue.

I agree with Helenia that it's not likely to have much influence at all on a regular medical career - it's probably still true that the majority of doctors don't have a BSc. The 2.2 might cost a point on an application at some stage (e.g. compared to a 2.1 or first) but it's not likely to limit your options.

It is more likely to matter if you want to pursue the clinical academic training pathway.*At the early stages (e.g. academic foundation programme), you can probably mitigate the disadvantage with the usual publications, presentations, prizes as the application process is very structured. The later stages (Academic Clinical Fellowship, PhD Fellowship) require a much greater investment in the individual and that's likely to prompt someone to wonder whether your 2.2 is an indicator of ability... I suppose the way to deal with that is to answer the objection before it is raised, e.g. high medical school grades, distinctions, academic prizes, etc. Once you're through the PhD and have a publication record, I'd be surprised if very much weight was given to your BSc grade.

In summary, almost no disadvantage for a regular clinical career and a definite (but small window of) disadvantage for an academic career that could be mitigated by an otherwise stellar record.*

Do you think it may be offset by letters from doctors and a university transcript, showing I attained a first in all other exams and coursework? or will it just be the black and white degree result that will be looked at

Just be happy you managed to get into GEM, I heard it's more competitive than the 5 yr undergrad entry one.

Hey, Yeah I'm eternally grateful for getting in, by I guess throughout the degree I'm not just gonna sit around being happy I am in, at some point I would be focussing on my future, and I'd just like to see what is realistically open to me

Yes of course I wasn't implying that or anything, I was just trying to be a bit optimistic haha. Sorry my advice sucked

Just try your best throughout your med career and see what's open to you/what you want to specialise in Best of luck!