University of Malta Medicine 2015

OP

Original post by woodpeckr

I feel so sorry for you guys going on that course.

Good luck spending the next 3 months in that dilapidated hell hole. Not the mention upon graduating in 5 years you will get the absolute worst Foundation posts when you return to the UK - if you get a place in the first instance.

I went to the university last week. It is totally not what you would get in the UK. No glass buildings, nothing high tech. It is a dreary, overly hot and sticky, set of sand coloured buildings. Not exactly inspiring.

I genuinely hate the place lol

I also found out the course is unnecceasrily hard. Exam questions are literally essay questions and they have negative marking on MCQs (FYI most universities use mcqs as an easier way of examination, NOT harder!)

Save for the course, it is a free university. When you graduate you graduate with a medical degree just like any UK university. If you prefer to be showered in debt just to have glass buildings then it's all up to you, but many many people have graduated from the University of Malta, a lot with first class degrees (including my friends) and have become incredible doctors, surgeons and consultants and are even working abroad (and yes they were offered good places in UK foundation schools).

As with negative marking, it is simply a myth and my best friend who's a 1st year student can confirm.

So whilst anyone who gets in is going to be mostly debt free and will have an MD degree, you're going to have innumerable amounts of debt and an MBBS. Good luck with that.

Reply 265

Original post by TheStoryteller

Save for the course, it is a free university. When you graduate you graduate with a medical degree just like any UK university. If you prefer to be showered in debt just to have glass buildings then it's all up to you, but many many people have graduated from the University of Malta, a lot with first class degrees (including my friends) and have become incredible doctors, surgeons and consultants and are even working abroad (and yes they were offered good places in UK foundation schools).

As with negative marking, it is simply a myth and my best friend who's a 1st year student can confirm.

So whilst anyone who gets in is going to be mostly debt free and will have an MD degree, you're going to have innumerable amounts of debt and an MBBS. Good luck with that.

Firstly, let's look at who you are. As far as I know, you are a Maltese applicant and school leaver. Your bias is evident. Maltese (and I have visited) are ferociously protective of their country and identity, but they have "island syndrome" quite literally, and do not realise their country lacks in technology, infrastructure and a lot of other things such as their MEDICAL SCHOOL. You know exactly what I mean, the medical school on campus is TINY. The library in Mater Dei Hospital is a literal joke. It is TINY and cramped. I literally burst out a laugh when I saw all the bags lined up entrance of the library, with the poor librarian not even checking who walks in. I walked in the library and all the students looked stressed as heck, didn't seem very positive. This is reflected in the fact that the course is unnecessarily hard. Essay questions etc.

As for the negative marking, you are straight out lying here. I have asked "Abbiestoria" another forum member who is now a 3rd Year medical student at the university. She has told me that all MCQs are negatively marked. I have also met with THREE 1st year medical students there last week and they all told me that the MCQs are negatively marked. As a Maltese national, I would expect you to be more aware than a foreign fool like me. (no offence).

As for your friends who have apparently become incredible doctors and have gone onto work in Foundation Programs in the UK. Please qualify this statement. What does that even mean? Incredible doctor? Listen I am from Manchester and I want to come back and do FY1 and FY2 in Manchester. A degree from UoM will NOT allow me to do that. I will either get a random placement far away in a odd community, or no placement at all which has happened for the past few years. Btw, that was with UK graduates, imagine an EU graduate.

All I am saying is, the school might be decent. It teaches things you as a whole do not need to know (unless you are specialising in that field) and has an odd way of assessing. Not to mention a long 5 years degree (that you will give your blood, sweat, tears and now Money for the Maltese certificate) that has poor prospects.

I am also intrigued about which doctors are doing so great and have graduated from UoM. What do you qualify as great? A GP putting fingers up people's bums and dealing with a ton of paper work?

Reply 266

bukaroo

Dont mean to be rude but if youre not going and have nothing positive, constructive or helpful to say there's just no need to be posting on here.

Everyone on here has looked into the university and the country and clearly are ok with what theyve found or they wouldn't have applied. Some people dont need grand libraries and glass buildings in order to study or have a good time. The island life isn't for everyone and clearly it's not for you so there's no need to spread your negativity in a thread where it's clear everyones going and looking forward to it.

Original post by woodpeckr

Firstly, let's look at who you are. As far as I know, you are a Maltese applicant and school leaver. Your bias is evident. Maltese (and I have visited) are ferociously protective of their country and identity, but they have "island syndrome" quite literally, and do not realise their country lacks in technology, infrastructure and a lot of other things such as their MEDICAL SCHOOL. You know exactly what I mean, the medical school on campus is TINY. The library in Mater Dei Hospital is a literal joke. It is TINY and cramped. I literally burst out a laugh when I saw all the bags lined up entrance of the library, with the poor librarian not even checking who walks in. I walked in the library and all the students looked stressed as heck, didn't seem very positive. This is reflected in the fact that the course is unnecessarily hard. Essay questions etc.

As for the negative marking, you are straight out lying here. I have asked "Abbiestoria" another forum member who is now a 3rd Year medical student at the university. She has told me that all MCQs are negatively marked. I have also met with THREE 1st year medical students there last week and they all told me that the MCQs are negatively marked. As a Maltese national, I would expect you to be more aware than a foreign fool like me. (no offence).

As for your friends who have apparently become incredible doctors and have gone onto work in Foundation Programs in the UK. Please qualify this statement. What does that even mean? Incredible doctor? Listen I am from Manchester and I want to come back and do FY1 and FY2 in Manchester. A degree from UoM will NOT allow me to do that. I will either get a random placement far away in a odd community, or no placement at all which has happened for the past few years. Btw, that was with UK graduates, imagine an EU graduate.

All I am saying is, the school might be decent. It teaches things you as a whole do not need to know (unless you are specialising in that field) and has an odd way of assessing. Not to mention a long 5 years degree (that you will give your blood, sweat, tears and now Money for the Maltese certificate) that has poor prospects.

I am also intrigued about which doctors are doing so great and have graduated from UoM. What do you qualify as great? A GP putting fingers up people's bums and dealing with a ton of paper work?

Reply 267

uer23

15

Original post by bukaroo

Dont mean to be rude but if youre not going and have nothing positive, constructive or helpful to say there's just no need to be posting on here.

Everyone on here has looked into the university and the country and clearly are ok with what theyve found or they wouldn't have applied. Some people dont need grand libraries and glass buildings in order to study or have a good time. The island life isn't for everyone and clearly it's not for you so there's no need to spread your negativity in a thread where it's clear everyones going and looking forward to it.

I don't think he is spreading negativity, he is making some valid points.

People jumping onto this new 'EU medical school' bandwagon in order to practice in the UK haven't thought it through clearly, it's not as easy as people are making it out to be, even though the possibility is there.

Reply 268

Malta is a fantastic place to study! It really is a top holiday destination too, unlike Manchester, lol.

Posted from TSR Mobile

Reply 269

A Maltese doctor is the head of one of my local hospital departments. Relatives of mine that are doctors are impressed at the standard of Maltese colleagues that they have worked with.

My local GP wanted to send his daughter to study Medicine in Malta.

Foundation programme application rules state that an EU candidates ranking for positions will determined by the decile ranking from within their university as a direct comparison with their UK counterpart.

Malta has been sending students to the UK for years so why you should wish to post otherwise we all would like to know.

Posted from TSR Mobile

Reply 270

Also not all MCQ exams are negatively marked. The second year exam today had 6 essays and 100 MCQs that were marked normally.

Posted from TSR Mobile

Reply 271

Original post by bukaroo

Dont mean to be rude but if youre not going and have nothing positive, constructive or helpful to say there's just no need to be posting on here.

Everyone on here has looked into the university and the country and clearly are ok with what theyve found or they wouldn't have applied. Some people dont need grand libraries and glass buildings in order to study or have a good time. The island life isn't for everyone and clearly it's not for you so there's no need to spread your negativity in a thread where it's clear everyones going and looking forward to it.

You seem to be reading my post and taking away what you think you want me to have said. Something seems to be surfacing on your side, not mind.

I am not speaking from emotion, purely what correct knowledge I have.

I am also dubious at to StoryTeller's intentions. He didn't know something as basic as the negative marking still being in order. Did he mention to you the essay questions? Yup, 4 essay questions per exam, especially in pre-clinical years. A high rate of bombing out in the first 2 years too....the course is just too hard for some. This is all verified by CURRENT students.

The school has made a joke of itself by introducing this random 3 month course in Medical Maltese. Notice how StoryTeller hasn't touched on the actual course itself.

If anyone (and I assure you, he hasn't) has read the course objectives, you will find they demand near fluency in Maltese within 3 months. You really want to spend the entire summer before a 5 year degree exhausting yourself mentally and (in the heat) physically? Is there an actual guarantee you will pass the 50% pass mark needed to get on the course. Is this even possible? This is the 1st year this has ever taken place. Good luck being the guinea pigs. StoryTeller will not mention this.

The reason why this course was so attractive to the Brits is because of other Brits. Now, hardly any Brits are going due to their random entrance requirements. Only a handful are going on the course. This year will have hardly any Brits in it, and will be ful of annoying Maltese school leavers who study 24/7 like chinese.

I am suspicious at StoryTeller and his/her intentions here. This is not about being negative, this is about being AWARE.

Danger ahead folks, danger ahead.

(edited 8 years ago)

Reply 272

Original post by uer23

I don't think he is spreading negativity, he is making some valid points.

People jumping onto this new 'EU medical school' bandwagon in order to practice in the UK haven't thought it through clearly, it's not as easy as people are making it out to be, even though the possibility is there.

Friend, in 5 years time, only God knows what it will be like to come back as an EU student.It does NOT matter if you are a UK National, it is your med school that counts. If right now EU grads are getting crappy placements, eg geriatrics in a Yorkshire village ....then in 5 years time they probably will not be getting any places at all.

I also personally also want to have more international Appeal. A degree from an unhead country like Malta will not look good next to, say, an American couterpart going for the same position. University of Kansas, United States vs University of Malta. No contest.

Original post by Heinz59

Malta is a fantastic place to study! It really is a top holiday destination too, unlike Manchester, lol.

Posted from TSR Mobile

It is a holiday destination, correct. And that is my point. Let me massacre your point.

FIrstly the university is located nowhere near a tourist place. The roads around the university are busy, small, cramped and sandy. There are no attractions around. You have to travel at least 20minutes on the bus to come to a attraction. The blue waters and sandy beaches - those are 45minutes away.

Malta is place to stay for 5 days, not 5 years. It loses its appeal after, about.....5 days lol. It is a holiday destination as you said, after all. It is hot, sticky, poor, and the night life is full of thuggish East Europeans and slutty prostitutes from Eastern Europe.

Btw shops all close at 6-7pm. Total lamness. They are also hiking up bus fares with the introduction of a London-esque Oyster card system. Eating out is lame here, the pizza slices sold at vendors is something your 8 year old baby sister would bake in cooking class. It is also getting more and more expensive to live there with rent going up sharply. Rent is not the 300 euros for a 1 bedroom we all thought it would be. It is double that, especially if anywhere near the uni in which case it will be MORE.

Original post by Heinz59

A Maltese doctor is the head of one of my local hospital departments. Relatives of mine that are doctors are impressed at the standard of Maltese colleagues that they have worked with.

My local GP wanted to send his daughter to study Medicine in Malta.

Foundation programme application rules state that an EU candidates ranking for positions will determined by the decile ranking from within their university as a direct comparison with their UK counterpart.

Malta has been sending students to the UK for years so why you should wish to post otherwise we all would like to know.

Posted from TSR Mobile

I'm sure the Maltese doctors that treated your relatives were great. And I bet they killed themselves to get to that position. I will give you an example. A lot of 12 year old in England wants to be a professional football player (pretty much). Only a handful actually make it. Not only is immense hard-work (unnecess. in my opinion) but potluck.

"Malta has been sending students to the UK for years". By this you are implying the Maltese Health Care has been sending doctors there for training. True. We are talking about graduates SENDING THEMSELVES to the UK, and not exactly being greeted with open arms.

Original post by Heinz59

Also not all MCQ exams are negatively marked. The second year exam today had 6 essays and 100 MCQs that were marked normally.

Posted from TSR Mobile

That is not what I heard from speaking to CURRENT STUDENTS FACE TO FACE, when I randomly visited the campus on my own accord.

(edited 8 years ago)

Reply 273

Billyboy02

Original post by woodpeckr

That is not what I heard from speaking to CURRENT STUDENTS FACE TO FACE, when I randomly visited the campus on my own accord.

Fair play mate, you're making valid points in all honesty. Indeed, if given the opportunity I'd elect to study in the UK in a heartbeat, particularly at Manchester Uni being a fellow native n all haha :wink:

But to be fair you have to consider that Malta may be (one of) the only viable routes into medicine available to some of us. Particularly for graduates like myself who’d be required to fund the entirety of a postgrad degree ourselves in addition to living costs etc. Also, I won’t lie, my recent academic history has been less than stellar having graduated with a 2:2 which I know would preclude any consideration from a reputable British University. All things being equal, I do feel native admission is an ideal scenario, but not always necessarily feasible. If you don’t mind me asking, what route are you considering taking personally ?

Reply 274

Original post by Billyboy02

Fair play mate, you're making valid points in all honesty. Indeed, if given the opportunity I'd elect to study in the UK in a heartbeat, particularly at Manchester Uni being a fellow native n all haha :wink:

But to be fair you have to consider that Malta may be (one of) the only viable routes into medicine available to some of us. Particularly for graduates like myself who’d be required to fund the entirety of a postgrad degree ourselves in addition to living costs etc. Also, I won’t lie, my recent academic history has been less than stellar having graduated with a 2:2 which I know would preclude any consideration from a reputable British University. All things being equal, I do feel native admission is an ideal scenario, but not always necessarily feasible. If you don’t mind me asking, what route are you considering taking personally ?

I personally am thinking about heading out to Australia as I have grant (charitable) from a Europe Wide company, that has shown massive promise in being able to find me 70% of the international student tuition fees at the University of Sydney. I had a fantastic score on my GAMSAT and a 1st degree class. I have an exact same situation going on with a university in Ireland. I'm not allowed at this present moment to show details (also my case is still being evaluated) but it I get through I will let you guys know. You say you obtained a 2:2 in your degree. Malta only accept 2:1 and above. What's up with that broski?

Secondly, yes aside from the medical maltese bad joke, the course is free for EU students, if you get in. However why are you so keen on medicine? Do you have some sort of self sacrificing need to help people? Then that's something up to you. If you are doing it for money, kiss that goodbYe straight away.

Lastly, Malta is known as the beggars university. Current students and faculty members will sing all sorts about how the university has soooo many international students. The British 3rd year students I came across woke me up to the reality.

Firstly, the Kuwaiti and Omani students are all 100% sponsored and funded by a Kuwait/Oman government sponsorship agreement in place with the Maltese students. A couple are actually on a direct "swap" too but that is a minority and something different all together.

Secondly EU students are fully funded via the European Union Public Funds for Eduation. Malta has an agreement with the EU for major funding, and most of the buildings in the university even display a placard outside that says "this building was created with EU funds" .... Yes it literally says that. So anyway subsequently, for the Brits it is free and for the Italian students, the French and Germans.

As for the Canadians (3-4 every year) they are fully sponsored by the Canadian government and do NOT pay £25k per year as rumour might have it.

This is a beggars medical school and it is evident when you visit the premises. There is not a single student enrolled who is paying any sort of tuition fees themselves whatsoever.

The dump of Europe up there with Romania and Bulgaria. The only thing saving them from being with those other countries is the fact that the British left behind a little of what makes them successful enough... The english language and english system of things. Just not the english economy and facilities.

Reply 275

A question for StoryTeller -

Your friends have graduated with 1st class degrees? The Medical school in malta do classifications now do they?

Reply 276

Woodpekr,
If you would read again my post, none of my relatives have been treated by Maltese doctors. They are doctors themselves!

I restate that not all MCQs are negatively marked. I should know!

I was paying 450 Euros a month for a 1 bed penthouse next to the university gate last year. Inc fibre optic broadband at 32meg. But food is cheap, and the exchange rate better, so this year I moved out and have my own house in a hilltop village. I couldn't afford that in the UK.

My UK GP was planning on sending his own daughter to Malta but only her change of career choice ended it.

How long does it take, and cost, to get from a beach in Manchester! Lol! Enjoy the rain

The course demands hard work, but nothing that a 3 grade B A-level student would struggle with. The dropouts are all usually Maltese, and they do not all study like robots. Sounds like you have been listening to abbieastoria too much.

Also it sounds like you have been down to the docks area of Gzira judging by your description. Your problem is that you have gone to the wrong places and spoken to people who have not branched out into the community.

But please don't post on here if you are gong to rubbish honest help being offered. I know how hard it is to get into medicine and Malta offers some help in getting students a place who would stand no chance via conventional routes.

Posted from TSR Mobile

Reply 277

OP

Original post by woodpeckr

Firstly, let's look at who you are. As far as I know, you are a Maltese applicant and school leaver. Your bias is evident. Maltese (and I have visited) are ferociously protective of their country and identity, but they have "island syndrome" quite literally, and do not realise their country lacks in technology, infrastructure and a lot of other things such as their MEDICAL SCHOOL. You know exactly what I mean, the medical school on campus is TINY. The library in Mater Dei Hospital is a literal joke. It is TINY and cramped. I literally burst out a laugh when I saw all the bags lined up entrance of the library, with the poor librarian not even checking who walks in. I walked in the library and all the students looked stressed as heck, didn't seem very positive. This is reflected in the fact that the course is unnecessarily hard. Essay questions etc.

As for the negative marking, you are straight out lying here. I have asked "Abbiestoria" another forum member who is now a 3rd Year medical student at the university. She has told me that all MCQs are negatively marked. I have also met with THREE 1st year medical students there last week and they all told me that the MCQs are negatively marked. As a Maltese national, I would expect you to be more aware than a foreign fool like me. (no offence).

As for your friends who have apparently become incredible doctors and have gone onto work in Foundation Programs in the UK. Please qualify this statement. What does that even mean? Incredible doctor? Listen I am from Manchester and I want to come back and do FY1 and FY2 in Manchester. A degree from UoM will NOT allow me to do that. I will either get a random placement far away in a odd community, or no placement at all which has happened for the past few years. Btw, that was with UK graduates, imagine an EU graduate.

All I am saying is, the school might be decent. It teaches things you as a whole do not need to know (unless you are specialising in that field) and has an odd way of assessing. Not to mention a long 5 years degree (that you will give your blood, sweat, tears and now Money for the Maltese certificate) that has poor prospects.

I am also intrigued about which doctors are doing so great and have graduated from UoM. What do you qualify as great? A GP putting fingers up people's bums and dealing with a ton of paper work?

Ahaha I'm laughing at the fact that you think I'm a patriot. Nothing depresses me more than the idea of spending another 5 years here, and given the chance I would leave at any minute to go to London (which is my dream city), but it's not because of the university or the country; it's strictly personal. I have dreamed about the idea of studying abroad for years, but the advantages and incentives outweigh the disadvantages. And yes I am talking about the fact that it is FREE. Not 5/6 x 9k = 45k. FREE. Period. It is subsidised by the government, you are not paying for anything. Therefore do not expect glass libraries. It is constantly being equipped with new facilities and you will find all that you need.

And by incredible doctor, I mean a doctor who knows what he/she is doing and ranks with all the other graduates from Imperial etc. What I'd like to know is how you came to the conclusion that you won't be able to get a good placement at a foundation school? Do you honestly think they're so shallow so as to be like: Oh look this person graduated form Imperial with a 1st therefore he/she outranks this graduate with a 1st from Malta.

My sister's best friend was offered a place to study surgery but had to turn it down due to personal issues. So yes, you have just as much opportunity to get into a good foundation school as all the others.

Finally what are you on about? They graduate to become fantastic doctors just like anyone else. You're not going to be less skilled than other UK graduates.

(edited 8 years ago)

Reply 278

OP

Original post by woodpeckr

You seem to be reading my post and taking away what you think you want me to have said. Something seems to be surfacing on your side, not mind.

I am not speaking from emotion, purely what correct knowledge I have.

I am also dubious at to StoryTeller's intentions. He didn't know something as basic as the negative marking still being in order. Did he mention to you the essay questions? Yup, 4 essay questions per exam, especially in pre-clinical years. A high rate of bombing out in the first 2 years too....the course is just too hard for some. This is all verified by CURRENT students.

The school has made a joke of itself by introducing this random 3 month course in Medical Maltese. Notice how StoryTeller hasn't touched on the actual course itself.

If anyone (and I assure you, he hasn't) has read the course objectives, you will find they demand near fluency in Maltese within 3 months. You really want to spend the entire summer before a 5 year degree exhausting yourself mentally and (in the heat) physically? Is there an actual guarantee you will pass the 50% pass mark needed to get on the course. Is this even possible? This is the 1st year this has ever taken place. Good luck being the guinea pigs. StoryTeller will not mention this.

The reason why this course was so attractive to the Brits is because of other Brits. Now, hardly any Brits are going due to their random entrance requirements. Only a handful are going on the course. This year will have hardly any Brits in it, and will be ful of annoying Maltese school leavers who study 24/7 like chinese.

I am suspicious at StoryTeller and his/her intentions here. This is not about being negative, this is about being AWARE.

Danger ahead folks, danger ahead.

I have touched on the subject of the Certificate a lot of times in this thread. I hate the idea that this certificate will take away the chances of foreign students coming here to study just as much as everybody else because I like having diversity. However you must realise that you are coming to a FOREIGN country whose primary language is MALTESE. Yes English is still widely used but many people tend to use Maltese. Therefore having a sound knowledge of the language is necessary during your clinical years and if you wish to continue at Mater Dei hospital. I have a friend who is studying in Slovakia who had to study both Latin and their national language to get into the course.

24/7 like Chinese? Doesn't this depend on the person?

I admit I'm just a student who wishes to join the course. I probably don't know as much as a lot of people here who are coming to study here and have hence done a lot of research. But I do know that you have to work hard at any university.

Also I have mentioned this, my friends are 1st years who did not have negative marking in any of their MCQs. I knew about negative marking because it's all my Biology teachers ever talked about at sixth form, but there's the possibility that they changed their system. I'm not a lecturer. If you wish to know more about it, you could find one ask them instead of speculating and assuming based on unreliable sources (frankly even I am one but I am simply confirming what the 1st years said)

(edited 8 years ago)

Reply 279

OP