[razda]

I'm new to access course thing and was just wondering if there's one that allows you to study medicine at university?

[leemkule]

How old are you?

[razda]

18

[edjunkie]

At 18, it is unlikely that you will be able to secure a place on an Access to Medicine course. They are aimed at people who classed as mature (21+) and are often oversubscribed, who typically have completed a non relevant undergraduate degree in another subject successfully (think 2:1 or better). Some courses require you to have completed UKCAT or BMAT successfully to be considered. Even if you did secure a place on an Access course, it is likely that a medical school would not consider you as a mature student and consider you alongside similar aged students who have A' levels.

If you are set on pursuing medicine now, you would be better off taking the A' level route, assuming that your GCSEs are good enough.

See http://www.candi.ac.uk/adults/factsh...oice=AS2232A11

[razda]

I've tried A levels and they just wasn't for me. Do I really have to go through all that again?

[edjunkie]

If A' levels were not for you, then with a subject like medicine which is core knowledge, exam and practical heavy you would be likely struggle. An Access course which is targeting Medicine, is not going to be any easier than A' levels, it assumes that you are academically able, but don't have enough of science background. Thus the course will be very intense and expect a high level of further independent study on your part to suceed.

[razda]

I meant the subjects weren't for me, exams are fine. I undederstand the course will expect a high level of further independent study but the original question was: "Is there one that allows you to study medicine?".

[edjunkie]

Look at this site, it gives the different routes to medicine, by not doing the right A' levels you are reducing the chances of suceeding as the other routes have limited places and may limit entry to local students. At present at 18, you may be too young to use the alternative pathways without A' levels. So you can wait 3 years and gain lots of relevant experience and hope that this government do not decide to curtail the non A' level route.

See:

http://www.wanttobeadoctor.co.uk/mai...#Accesscourses

and

http://www.newmediamedicine.com/forum/access-medicine/

[*pitseleh*]

(Original post by razda)
I meant the subjects weren't for me, exams are fine. I undederstand the course will expect a high level of further independent study but the original question was: "Is there one that allows you to study medicine?".

Yes, there are. You might have to wait another year though.

Google the College of West Anglia; they do an Access to Medicine course that is pretty well-regarded and has a good track record of sending students on to medical schools.

The content won't be vastly different from A-level, though...

[jmfc]

(Original post by razda)
I've tried A levels and they just wasn't for me. Do I really have to go through all that again?

If Alevels aren't for you, then how you will cope with a 5 years undergrad medicine degree?

[Helloworld_95]

Which a levels did you take? Also remember that access courses are much more intensive than a levels.

[islanders]

I'm on the Access to Medicine course at the College of West Anglia.

If you didn't get on with A-levels, you won't get on with this course. The workload is very intense (6x level 3 qualifications in a year). Of course much more suited to medicine, and therefore the topics are all very relevant, but a great amount of self directed learning.

[Botakgi]

If you can't be bothered doing a-levels then don't bother with medicine.

[HindaWarda]

Firstly, to do a access course you have to be 19 meaning you have to be 19 before the 31st of august of the academic year you are starting. and yes there are a few colleges that offer access course to medicine depending on where you live. I have applied for the access course to the following colleges, lambeth, city of islington, and college of west anglia.

[lazytomato]

clinical science from bradford...this access course from kingston..there are quite few that accepts candidates who are 18, but the work is INTENSE

[razda]

Thanks for the advice guys. When I said that" A levels weren't for me", this doesn't mean that I found the workload to intense, but simply the subjects that I had chosen weren't for me.

I know someone will reply with "If A level weren't for you medicine won't be for you". Look I understand that medicine is a high demanding subject, aswell as very popular and It's very unlikely that I'll get into a degree but all I want is a chance.

[Insomniac Biker]

Dont be put off.........Access courses can get you into any degree you want if you work hard enough, just be prepared to work your nuts off and then reap the rewards.