["L"]

Im currently on a BSc psychology course at leicester university and expecting a 2:1, I'm considering a GEP course for medicine a year, or two, after my degree.

Will medical schools look on my degree with favour in terms of relevance, if so to what extent will psychology prepare me for medicine?

[DexterM]

From what I've learned only a few med schools will accept psychology as a 'proper science' degree, especially if you haven't got A Level Chemistry, so depending on where you'd like to go you might have to do the GAMSAT. I know Leicester, Newcastle & Warwick will accept Psych for GEP, but I think it has to be BPS accredited, and you have to kick ass on your UKCAT! But yes, it is possible if you set your mind to it (says the psych graduate with 4 medicine rejections!)

[apotoftea]

(Original post by L)
Im currently on a BSc psychology course at leicester university and expecting a 2:1, I'm considering a GEP course for medicine a year, or two, after my degree.

Will medical schools look on my degree with favour in terms of relevance, if so to what extent will psychology prepare me for medicine?

And to back up DexterM's post - the 4 universities that take any degree without Science A-level requirements are King's, St. George's, Swansea, Nottingham, Keele and Newcastle

And from what I've been told about GEM, your work experience, UKCAT/GAMSAT scores, interview performance and personal statement all come into it as well I know SGUL score you on your work experience for instance.

This is worth looking at: http://www.medschoolsonline.co.uk/index.php?pageid=11

["L"]

I really thought psych would've been cool as well... is there anything else I can do to strengthen my appeal apart from the abovementioned?

thnx 4 da replies

[icantthinkofacoolusername]

The above posts are a bit misleading. Most of the universities that require a science related degree will accept an accredited BSc, and those that don't require a science there won't be an issue anyway (obviously there will be a few exceptions to this, but it does not limit your choices vastly). What will limit your choices more will be whether you have A level chemistry or not, but this would be the same regardless of degree. I don't think anyone will really favour it in terms of relevance - once you've met the initial criteria for degrees then most of the schools aren't going to care what specific degree you did. On the other hand, if you can find some examples of why you think your degree will stand you in good stead in medical school, then you will come across more favourably at interview and in your personal statement than an arts grad maybe would if they couldn't think of any similar reasons about their degree.

Bottom line really is that if universities accept psychology as a first degree then it is neither going to make your application more or less favourable than any other applicant on its own. What will make it stand out is your personal view on why you think it's been a good degree for you and what it's going to enable you to bring to their course.