Degrees before Medicine (biomed)

I was wondering what else people are applying for in there 2 other options as well as Medicine. I know the majority of people do biomed sci and thats what Ill probably apply to....are there any other degrees that are good if you want to do medicine as a graduate?

Also I don't get stuff about accredited and non-accredited biomed courses? And are there courses with a higher chance of getting into medicine after? O, and is it true some biomed courses you can transfer after the 1st year onto medicine (I know this would be really competitive!)?

Thanks for any help!! :smile:

Reply 1

Elles

17

I've posted some ponderings on Biomed as a getting-into-medicine strategy before:

"Biomed gives you a good taste in what Medicine is likely to be like, theory-wise, as far as I understand."

Although this is also why some people seem to think it's a bad choice if you're already planning to use it at a degree for graduate entry medicine. If you're on an academicy-theory based course rather than a more practical accredited one (to equip you as a biomedical scientist) then it effectively is preclinical medicine.

Downsides to this:
If you then do preclinical medicine without doing amazingly well second time round you might look pretty slow...?
What's your edge from your first degree & additional 2 years to qualify if the content is fairly similar to what every medic does anyway?

Accreditation & non accreditation is about working as a Biomedical Scientist afterwards - information:
What does a biomedical scientist do? NHS careers website
IBMS accredited courses

The grad medics I know of (not a massive sample, but... :p:

) did all sorts of subjects beforehand - Chemistry, Politics/Philosophy/Economics, Engineering, Maths... but in common = they all had good degrees (a few of those were Masters & phDs rather than just bachelors qualifications), had plenty of relevant experience & other impressive extracurricular activities.

I don't think there's this one ideal degree - some graduate entry only courses specify a "life/bioscience" degree so something human focussed might keep your options slightly more open... but otherwise - something you think you'll enjoy & do well in (& perhaps more cynically at the best university you can get into & something a bit different than what everyone else wanting to get into grad medicine is doing!). :smile:

Medical Science

anatomy or physiology, something like that, medical science wont really set u apart although its still very possible to get in by doing such a degree, i have a friend who did biomedical sciences in my yr. or do whatever you enjoy, some grad courses accept any degree, not just healthcare or science ones. if you do maybe something like erm pharmacy or optometry... u might be able to work part time through your med course and make some cash too... but i dont know much about that, maybe someone else does?

Reply 4

Maestor

Medical science isnt as relelvant to medicine?...ive checked what they study during the 3 year programme...its not too different from medicine..

Reply 5

_GUESS_

medical science is very similar to medical biochemistry, just a bit more disease based (according the admin tutor in bham)

o rite..ty

If I had to pick one I personally would have done one in Microbiology or something like that. However you have to really think about what you want. I think that most sciences would probably put you in relitively good stead. In my year we have a few pharmacists so that another option.

Reply 8

alkaeda

3

wellim doing an e-business degree at liverpool (2006) then applying to medicine as a grad, but from what i hear only 50% of unis take non-science graduates, so im gona have to do a bit of research before i decide.

Reply 9

789654123

9

Chemistry (or Maths) would be amazing for Grad Entry, especially if its a First Class or a Master Degree.

Reply 10

Bambi

I did Immunology as my first degree, if I had to pick again I would probably choose anatomy instead.

Reply 11

ManiS

Maestor

Medical science isnt as relelvant to medicine?...ive checked what they study during the 3 year programme...its not too different from medicine..

thats exactly the problem - its too similar to medicine. its better to do a more specialist degree in my opinion.

Reply 12

j00ni

9

IMO you should choose something that you would be happy doing a degree in, irrespective of medicine. Especailly since there are no guarantees that you would get a GEP place, you are best to do something that you could see yourself doing as a career if you don't do medicine.

I chose genetics, because I think that would be something i could enjoy if I weren't doing medicine, possibly with the option of going into teaching

Reply 13

Fluffy

15

^^^ Indeedy.

I did genetics as it was what I wanted to do [I wanted to be an NHS cytogeneticist]. I had no interest in medicine back then either :smile:

If I were to do it all over, with the aim of reading medicine being the end goal, I think I would have gone for Pharmacy (money and knowledge!) or anatomy. As it is I have no regrets about taking genetics, as it is so poorly taught in a lot of med schools, it comes in useful when least expected!

Reply 14

BabyGirl

I'd rather do Pharmacy as my 2 other choices than BioMed.. but I've done my PS all about Medicine.. all about why I want to be a doctor.. I guess I have to change it then?

Reply 15

_GUESS_

i wouldnt if i were you

Reply 16

ManiS

BabyGirl

I'd rather do Pharmacy as my 2 other choices than BioMed.. but I've done my PS all about Medicine.. all about why I want to be a doctor.. I guess I have to change it then?

nope pharmacy skools always accept students applying to medicine. they might ask you to provide a suplimentary statement though.

Reply 17

Comp_Genius

4

Surely something different, like anthropology would be good.

Reply 18

fairy spangles

1

I did biomed, given my chance again id probably have done an immunology degree. Although i work in a lab during the summer which pays quite well helps fund my med school studies. I got offered biomed when i didnt get the grades for medicine - i had applied for neuroscience in my other 2 choices but decided to turn this down. I wouldnt change your personal statement from medicine if i were you.

Reply 19

ThePenguinMafia

1

I had anatomy down. I think this could just mean that I like cutting people up.

Degrees before Medicine (biomed)

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