[*...smiling away....*]

Hi every one,

I'm a second year biomed student at KCL and just got my results for this year which were really disappointing (59% so a 2.2) I got 65% in my first year and I think my tutor would still be willing to predict me a 2.1, basically my question to any past applicants or people in the know is- do we have to include our module grades so far or can we just put our predicted classification? and if we do have to put our module grades do you think being predicted higher than what I've actually gained so far will work against me? will they believe I can get it?

Every thing else in my application is pretty strong and I really didn't expect to come up below par at the first hurdle. Not even sure there's much point in trying now

[emilyi]

(Original post by reee)
I wanna do medicine(I wanted to do it before pharmacy tbh)... I got a 2:1! However, I am thinking of applying to non-ukcat unis, so I have 3 choices only (bham, Bristol and Liverpool), my GCSEs and A-levels weren't that great, but I am hoping that they consider my MPHARM degree.

However, I am not sure whether to apply for the 5 or 4 years course. Since I can apply for 4 unis, will I be able to apply to both 5 and 4 years to one of the unis mentioned above?

Has anyone else applied to non UKCAT unis ONLY?

Cheers

I'm doing exactly this as well because I doubt I can achieve a very good UKCAT score (I got something like 600-650 average at 18, not horrendous but hardly spectacular, and I think the chances of me raising my score by ~100 is minimal).

I've just graduated from Liverpool and that's my first choice, I desperately miss the city and would love to go back! Bham ask for a 1st class degree though. I'm applying to Liv, Bham and Bristol grad entry and then probably Liverpool 5yr but I'm very much hoping I'll get into a 4yr course as the financial difference is staggering for graduates, but I'm sure you know this!

[reee]

Hi guys, I am just wondering if I apply to the 5 years course (even though I have mpharm degree (2:1)) Will they actually consider the degree over my GCSE and A-level grades or possibly both?

I am applying to the 5 years rather than 4 years because from what I understand the competition is much higher with the 4 years course, is this correct? However, I will be applying to both 4 and 5 years for bbham as they don't need the UKCAT and I am avoiding this and applying to non ukcat unis.



Thanks

[Ronove]

Can you afford the 5-year course?

Unis differ on what they look at in graduate applications, there are some that don't look at anything before your degree at all if that's what you're looking for, however that may only be for the 4-year courses. For the 5-year courses they're probably more likely to expect you to meet the same/similar A-level requirements to school-leavers, unless they state otherwise on their website etc. Try the graduate entry thread for more information.

[theatrical]

(Original post by reee)
Hi guys, I am just wondering if I apply to the 5 years course (even though I have mpharm degree (2:1)) Will they actually consider the degree over my GCSE and A-level grades or possibly both?

I am applying to the 5 years rather than 4 years because from what I understand the competition is much higher with the 4 years course, is this correct? However, I will be applying to both 4 and 5 years for bbham as they don't need the UKCAT and I am avoiding this and applying to non ukcat unis.



Thanks

As the above post states; each uni will have differing policies. At Manchester, graduates are expected to meet specific GCSE and A level requirements (though slightly lower than for school-leavers) and at least a 2i degree.

You need to read the admissions info for every medical school you're interested in and, if still in doubt, email them.

[MJK91]

The critical question here, too, is whether you can afford an undergraduate course as a graduate. For these courses you will need to pay up front each year the full tuition fee up until th final year, so you must have a reserve of around £36,000 before applying (unless you have a marvellous way of summoning £9000 each year!). For graduate courses, you only fund the first £3500 in the first year and the rest is covered by student finance/NHS through subsequent years.

If you can, as mentioned above, I'd apply for graduate courses. The competition is intense, but many still succeed and if you put the work in and get the right qualification, the right experience and a good PS/interview, you can do it!

[reee]

Thanks for the help guys. As I mentioned I am going to apply to non ukcat unis so Bristol, Liverpool and Bham. I will have a look at those.

Cheers

[MJK91]

(Original post by reee)
Thanks for the help guys. As I mentioned I am going to apply to non ukcat unis so Bristol, Liverpool and Bham. I will have a look at those.

Cheers

Any particular reason as to why you're avoiding the UKCAT, and to a lesser extent the GAMSAT? These tests are a sincere pain-in-the-arse, but they do open up a lot more places to you. Without them you will face a lot of competition for the small number of places.

GAMSAT is a different kettle of fish, it is a difficult exam. But with a couple of weeks intensive work, the UKCAT can be mastered.

[reee]

Well to be honest, I have the UKCAT book and I struggle with the questions a lot. I would love to do GAMSAT so I can apply for st Georges 4 years course. But I am not sure.

[Democracy]

(Original post by reee)
Well to be honest, I have the UKCAT book and I struggle with the questions a lot. I would love to do GAMSAT so I can apply for st Georges 4 years course. But I am not sure.

If you're referring to the 600Q book, it is widely acknoweldged as being very difficult compared to the actual test. That's certainly what I found to be true at any rate. The real test was a piece of cake compared to that book.

But like others have said, you really need to ensure you can afford £9Kx4, because as a graduate on an A100 course (as opposed to a GEP), you will not be eligible for a SLC tuition fee loan.

[groovyangel2008]

(Original post by reee)
Thanks for the help guys. As I mentioned I am going to apply to non ukcat unis so Bristol, Liverpool and Bham. I will have a look at those.

Cheers

Just to let you know to apply for the 4 year course at bham you need to have achieved a first class honours in your first degree. You could try the five year course though if you feel it is viable, although I know bham are big on GCSE's even with graduate applicants.

[cptKernow]

(Original post by MattKneale)
For graduate courses, you only fund the first £3500 in the first year and the rest is covered by student finance/NHS through subsequent years.

I could be wrong, but I was under the impression you paid full for one year and the NHS covered £3.5k of the other 3 yrs on the grad course. So you pay £9k = 3*£6k, or a total of £27k

If you are starting your course in the academic year 2012/13, you will have to fund the first £3,375 of your tuition fees in the first year. In the subsequent years of your course, the NHS Bursary scheme will pay £3,375 towards your tuition fees. Throughout the course, eligible students will be able to receive a Student Loan Company loan to cover the difference between £3,375 and the tuition charges of their universities, to a maximum charge of £9,000.

Identical arrangements are in place should you be starting your medical degree in 2013/14 and 2014/15 but the amounts involve differ. For example, in 2013/14, you will need to fund the first £3,465 of your tuition fees in the first year while the NHS Bursary scheme will pay this for the remaining years of the course.

In 2014/15, the level of tuition fees met by both the student and the NHS Bursary scheme may rise due to inflation.
http://www.nhscareers.nhs.uk/details...lt.aspx?id=557

[Pkysam]

(Original post by cptKernow)
I could be wrong, but I was under the impression you paid full for one year and the NHS covered £3.5k of the other 3 yrs on the grad course. So you pay £9k = 3*£6k, or a total of £27k

You pay £3.5k ish in year 1, tuition fee loan makes up the rest, NHS pay the 3.5k in years 2-4 and loan makes up the rest, therefore up front cost is only 3.5k. For 5 year course, you don't qualify for the tuition fee loan as a graduate, so you'd have to find 9k a year for the first four years.


This was posted from The Student Room's iPhone/iPad App

[cptKernow]

(Original post by Pkysam)
You pay £3.5k ish in year 1, tuition fee loan makes up the rest, NHS pay the 3.5k in years 2-4 and loan makes up the rest, therefore up front cost is only 3.5k. For 5 year course, you don't qualify for the tuition fee loan as a graduate, so you'd have to find 9k a year for the first four years.


This was posted from The Student Room's iPhone/iPad App

So, at the end of the day the overall debt / cost is around £9k, which is negligible over a 20-35yr career. On the other hand if you can't front it, you can't front it.

[adsyrah]

(Original post by cptKernow)
So, at the end of the day the overall debt / cost is around £9k, which is negligible over a 20-35yr career. On the other hand if you can't front it, you can't front it.

Nope.

Years 1-4 you take out a tuition fee loan of ~£5500.

Then you can take a full maintenance loan in year 1 and a reduced loan in years 2-4 as you're eligible for an NHS bursary. So about £6000 in year 1 if it's a grad course as the first year tends to be longer and about £3000 in 2-4.

So, (4 * £5500) + £6000 + (3 * £3000) = ~£37,000 debt and £3465 upfront payment in year 1.

[groovyangel2008]

(Original post by adsyrah)
Nope.

Years 1-4 you take out a tuition fee loan of ~£5500.

Then you can take a full maintenance loan in year 1 and a reduced loan in years 2-4 as you're eligible for an NHS bursary. So about £6000 in year 1 if it's a grad course as the first year tends to be longer and about £3000 in 2-4.

So, (4 * £5500) + £6000 + (3 * £3000) = ~£37,000 debt and £3465 upfront payment in year 1.

Wow a £6,000 maintenance loan in year one! I'm entitled to around £3,000.

[blahbloo]

Hi guys,

I was wondering what, if, there is a restriction on certain disabled people? Is it one of those fields where deaf people are exempt from applying? I tried reading up those several links on medicine websites but most refer to fitness and is not entirely clear.

[Zedd]

(Original post by blahbloo)
Hi guys,

I was wondering what, if, there is a restriction on certain disabled people? Is it one of those fields where deaf people are exempt from applying? I tried reading up those several links on medicine websites but most refer to fitness and is not entirely clear.

On this page you'll find details about professional fitness to practise: http://www.gmc-uk.org/education/unde..._behaviour.asp

I would get in contact with the medical schools that you're interested in for more specific details.

[Economister]

I'm applying to GEM...

I want to start in 2013, but because I'm concerned about my financial position in a year's time. I may or may not be in a position to start it.

So basically I want flexibility on whether I can start in 2013 or 2014, and am asking for advice on how best I can pull that off.

Here are two ideas I have so far. Please let me know what you think of them, or if you can think of any others.

a) Apply to 2013 entry, then if I get any offers I can ask to defer the place to 2014

b) Apply to 2013 and 2014 entry for the same courses, e.g.:

1) KCL GEP 2013 entry
2) KCL GEP 2014 entry
3) SGUL GEP 2013 entry
4) SGUL GEP 2014 entry

[adsyrah]

a) very few unis allow deferrals for GEM, double check with each one you're thinking of applying to.
b) you can't apply to 2014 courses this cycle, so this isn't an option.

Can you try work more than one job (bar work etc.) to try get the £3500 needed for GEM tuition fees in year 1?