I am 22 years old - 23 in March. I left school at 16. For the last 6 years I have been employed half the time in factories and unemployed the other half.
I left school with 8 GCSE passes including Maths, English and Double Science.
I decided at the start of this year I was going to return to education. I was planning to go back in September and do A Level Maths, Chemistry, Biology and Physics. The plan was to hopefully get accepted into medical school in 2 years, or biomedical science as a backup.
To do this though I would have to go back in classes with a load of 16 and 17 year olds. There would also be no practical work/experience/training for a few years. I then came across Dip HE ODP.
If I get accepted I will be straight into University, which would be much much better.
I only found out that at half the courses you can get in with only 5 GCSE passes.
I also have no criminal record. I should be eligible for NHS Bursary.
As for the Health and Fitness to practice, the only thing was a couple of years ago I had a mild depression, mainly due to being unemployed etc... It was also very mild and I was given the lowest dosage of anti-depressant. I dont think this will prevent me.
For experience in a care setting, I intend to volunteer at the in-patient unit at the local hospice.
Also most of the courses mention - All applicants should be able to demonstrate evidence of recent study (within the last five years). I havent studied within the last 5 years, but again I hope this will not prevent me.
I have done a bit of research into the different uni courses and have decided I will apply to:
University of Leicester
University of Surrey
University of East Anglia
Coventry University
and maybe Edge Hill University
I am hoping to be starting in the Autumn.
If I was to study Dip HE ODP for 2 years, I would like to hopefully be able to do an extra year and get a Bsc (Hons) ODP.
A possible plan would then be to practice as an ODP for 1-3 years, possibly do some sort of foundation science course part-time and apply for medicine. If not I would be content to be an ODP.
I would like to hear from anyone thinking of applying to study ODP, studying ODP at the moment, or qualified ODP. Also anyone else who is studying nursing or medicine, who has any comments or advice.
cheers