Official: Aston University A100 2023 Offer Holder Thread

I'm extremely looking forward to meeting you guys and every other applicant on the offer holder day. I'm currently on a gap year and just spending the rest of it working in a part time job and volunteering just around my local area. Not really certain on what I want to specialise in yet but paediatrics, dermatology and general surgery seem really interesting to pursue. Which day have you guys booked for the offer holder?

Reply 5

Original post by E_amr.128

Congrats everyone for receiving an offer! I'm actually not sure what's the difference between James Watt and William Murdoch? Can someone help.

I did a little bit of research before applying for the accommodation and tbh both buildings are really similar in the services, area they're in, space, cost per day etc. The only difference I could find is that William Murdoch is the closest to the uni itself, although both accomodations are a 5 minute walk away

Seems like the main difference is the 5 room and 7 room choices in both accommodations. Pretty sure the beds are smaller in a 5 room flat but I can't remember lol

Reply 6

meganoxr

4

Original post by Weetabixfan72

I'm extremely looking forward to meeting you guys and every other applicant on the offer holder day. I'm currently on a gap year and just spending the rest of it working in a part time job and volunteering just around my local area. Not really certain on what I want to specialise in yet but paediatrics, dermatology and general surgery seem really interesting to pursue. Which day have you guys booked for the offer holder?

I’ve booked the 26th :smile:

what about you?

Reply 7

Original post by meganoxr

I’ve booked the 26th :smile:

what about you?

Yeah I've booked the 26th as well. Cleared out my whole day this

Reply 8

OP

Looks like I'll be seeing you on the 26th then! Can't wait! It feels very intimate with the size of the cohort and it feels like we'll all get to know each other pretty well. I've been a HCA in my gap year on an oncology and haematology ward so either onc or obs and gyn at the moment!

No idea what accom to apply for, they look identical lol.

Reply 9

Original post by larissaberry

Looks like I'll be seeing you on the 26th then! Can't wait! It feels very intimate with the size of the cohort and it feels like we'll all get to know each other pretty well. I've been a HCA in my gap year on an oncology and haematology ward so either onc or obs and gyn at the moment!

No idea what accom to apply for, they look identical lol.

Yeah I'm surprised by how many we've seen not get an offer yet, thought there'd be way more compared to last year cuz we had to wait until the ucas deadline in may. Amazing that you're being a HCA during your gap year that's an incredible experience, what's it like? The only medical work experience I've had was a week in an orthopaedic and obs and gyne ward.

Reply 10

OP

Original post by Weetabixfan72

Yeah I'm surprised by how many we've seen not get an offer yet, thought there'd be way more compared to last year cuz we had to wait until the ucas deadline in may. Amazing that you're being a HCA during your gap year that's an incredible experience, what's it like? The only medical work experience I've had was a week in an orthopaedic and obs and gyne ward.

I'm still waiting post-int from kings but honestly if not, I'm still ecstatic to train in Birmingham. I've spoken to a couple 4th years and their opportunities are immense. Going to dinner with surgeons, going to conferences, electives abroad, major networking, heck, one girl even went to a BBQ Rishi Sunak was at as part of her international health work. The QE is an exceptional hospital and is part of one of, if not, THE biggest trusts in the country.
Re my employment at my local hospital, there's so much I've learned. I think it should be mandatory tbh before medicine. Really opens your eyes to nursing and other roles, I don't regret the gap year one bit. Soton makes it mandatory in pre clinical years for that reason. Unis lovvvved it at interview. An extremely heavy role, emotionally and physically demanding, and takes a lottt out of you but it's excellent prep. Clinical bits and bobs here and there. Crash calls. Relationships with patients. Escalating concerns to nurses and doctors- you start to develop a bit of clinical judgment. Doctors will enthusiastically help you with int prep and teach you things to give you a head start at uni. It's amazing- I think I'll keep it up alongside med school for some extra ££££ and so I can help out the nurses etc by doing cannulas etc when we've learned how. You pick up so much terminology, management plans etc... when you spend 12.5 hours x 4 days a week in the hospital then you're bound to get in the swing of things.

Reply 11

E_amr.128

3

What does this mean in the offer letter?
"5 Years (FT)
6 Years (FT) with Intercalated BSc or Masters (optional at the end of Stage 3 but may be permitted in exceptional circumstances after Stage 2 or Stage4)."

Reply 12

OP

Original post by E_amr.128

What does this mean in the offer letter?
"5 Years (FT)
6 Years (FT) with Intercalated BSc or Masters (optional at the end of Stage 3 but may be permitted in exceptional circumstances after Stage 2 or Stage4)."

5 year degree in just medicine. or
5 year degree + 1 year between years 3 and 4 to explore an area of interest either at Aston or another university. Taking a year out of the medicine course to gain another degree aka intercalating. Before you start your clinical years.
Sometimes, for some courses, you can intercalate between years 2 and 3, but 99% of the time, it's between years 3 and 4.

Reply 13

E_amr.128

3

Original post by larissaberry

5 year degree in just medicine. or
5 year degree + 1 year between years 3 and 4 to explore an area of interest either at Aston or another university. Taking a year out of the medicine course to gain another degree aka intercalating. Before you start your clinical years.
Sometimes, for some courses, you can intercalate between years 2 and 3, but 99% of the time, it's between years 3 and 4.

Does this mean that my batch colleagues will finish a year ahead of me? and what will I achieve in addition to the MBChB degree after these 6 years?

Reply 14

OP

Original post by E_amr.128

Does this mean that my batch colleagues will finish a year ahead of me? and what will I achieve in addition to the MBChB degree after these 6 years?

you'll come out with an additional degree, it aids in your career and getting posts in the foundation programme and beyond. But yes, you will technically be a year behind the cohort who you started with (if they didn't intercalate too, that is)

Reply 15

Original post by larissaberry

I'm still waiting post-int from kings but honestly if not, I'm still ecstatic to train in Birmingham. I've spoken to a couple 4th years and their opportunities are immense. Going to dinner with surgeons, going to conferences, electives abroad, major networking, heck, one girl even went to a BBQ Rishi Sunak was at as part of her international health work. The QE is an exceptional hospital and is part of one of, if not, THE biggest trusts in the country.
Re my employment at my local hospital, there's so much I've learned. I think it should be mandatory tbh before medicine. Really opens your eyes to nursing and other roles, I don't regret the gap year one bit. Soton makes it mandatory in pre clinical years for that reason. Unis lovvvved it at interview. An extremely heavy role, emotionally and physically demanding, and takes a lottt out of you but it's excellent prep. Clinical bits and bobs here and there. Crash calls. Relationships with patients. Escalating concerns to nurses and doctors- you start to develop a bit of clinical judgment. Doctors will enthusiastically help you with int prep and teach you things to give you a head start at uni. It's amazing- I think I'll keep it up alongside med school for some extra ££££ and so I can help out the nurses etc by doing cannulas etc when we've learned how. You pick up so much terminology, management plans etc... when you spend 12.5 hours x 4 days a week in the hospital then you're bound to get in the swing of things.

That's seriously awesome. You've pretty much had a really good taste for the true working life of a health professional in a hospital. Yeah I can imagine even working as an assistant there is super taxing, but man I wish I had something like that even for a month. Whereabouts is this hospital you've been working in?

Reply 16

OP