graduate entry/biomedicine 'easy first'

hi,

I have afriend who is studying biomedicine at the lowest ranked in the UK. she got Bs at Alevel and she told me she went because it would be an easy first class compared to another uni and wants to go for graduate. she has been getting firsts, but would they look at where she studied? Because surely a first at the lowest ranked uni for biomed is easier than a first for biomed at a Russell group. Having said this another friend goes to this Uni as well with Bs in two coursework alevels -photography and healthcare and a D in Biology.
If this was the case wouldn't all applicants do this?

Thank you

Biomedical sciences is, for the most part, and accredited degree which means the quality of the course will not drop below a certain good standard determined by the IBMS. The differences on the course will be in the extra details between a Russell Group university and newer universities because of the different research priorities. It is a misnomer to believe the quality of education is worse because the university is newer. What is a lowest ranked university, for a start? What makes up the ranking? You'll find it's mostly to do with research (international quality) and job prospects upon graduation (which is linked to the viscous circle of reputation of a uni).

Doing biomedical science at a red brick I can assure you it's not easy to get a first in your degree. Whether it's more difficult at a Russell Group university I obviously can't say, but as long as the course is accredited by the IBMS it will be of a good quality -- good enough for graduate entry into medicine.

Some universities may place some bias on the university you've graduated from but most are openly not bothered so long as you get a good degree and meet the other requirements. For a start most medical schools aren't looking for world class researchers, they're looking for potential medical students from other pathways.

You don't need a IBMS accredited biomed degree, the majority of unis don't even offer it.

It's definitely easier to get a first at a lower ranked uni than one higher up.

Although, the higher ranked unis will give more firsts out than the lower ranked ones. However, I would go for the better uni if it's something you will enjoy more/have better job prospects from. You're not guaranteed a medical school offer just because you have a first.

While, if you went to a 'better' uni, you're more likely to have access to more extra-curricular stuff you can put in your PS etc, you'll have more support, more things to talk about, be involved in cutting-edge research, the list goes on..

You don't need one, but without it it's harder to standardise and compare. Just over 50 out of 83 courses in the UK offer it, and I can guarantee the majority of the rest will be working towards it.

Based on what evidence?

No but it helps you convince them you're academically fit for the course.

I don't know where your evidence for this is either. My 'red brick' university offers excellent support for postgraduate affairs including medicine.

I haven't done an accredited degree, but I would guess doing a non-accredited one offers you more scope to choose what area of research you want to go into/what you want to study.

Probably more of an opinion rather than solid evidence. I would assume someone on a 2.2 at somewhere like oxbridge for example wouldn't be on a 2.2 at a 'worse' uni, as the workload is higher.

I would be very surprised if medical schools look into whether your course is accredited by the IBMS.

You can't deny that 'better' universities get more funding, get access to better resources - just as an example, we have people from NASA coming over to our uni to teach us, we get sponsored by top graduate employers every year/get private invitations to dinners with them etc. I'm not saying other unis have a poor standard, I'm just talking about the opportunities. Plus the OP is talking about unis the equivalent of london met, not red brick unis.

...

And I'm not comparing a uni in the top 10 with a uni in the top 20 or whatever. The OP is talking about the likes of Imperial vs Bedfordshire.

I suppose, but Salford is approx. #70 so even as a red brick it's not exactly a high ranking institution, but I still know several medical students who have come off my course.

It's important to note that uni's like Imperial have their own medical courses and hence studying biomedical science there will probably link in well if you chose to apply as a graduate (since you'll already know some of the admissions tutors/lecturers!)

But anyway dude, I saw you posting quite a bit in the GEP thread, sorry about the issue regarding your UKCAT! Good luck with next year

hi,

I have afriend who is studying biomedicine at the lowest ranked in the UK. she got Bs at Alevel and she told me she went because it would be an easy first class compared to another uni and wants to go for graduate. she has been getting firsts, but would they look at where she studied? Because surely a first at the lowest ranked uni for biomed is easier than a first for biomed at a Russell group. Having said this another friend goes to this Uni as well with Bs in two coursework alevels -photography and healthcare and a D in Biology.
If this was the case wouldn't all applicants do this?



Thank you