Graduate Entry Medicine 2017

Hey I'm a first year studying classics at Cambridge- strange, I know, but I have a major ambition to become a doctor. I'm currently thinking to apply for 2017, kings or St. George's since they both seem to cater quite nicely to non-science postgrads, plus I quite like the idea of studying in London. I should probably know this already but so far I haven't done a massive amount of research into it- when exactly will I need to begin the application process? Later this year? 2016? Cheers (y)

Hello, I am a BSc Nursing (mental health) student, about to start my second year.
since starting the course I have found myself particularly interested in the scientific/diagnosis aspect, therefore I am strongly considering applying for a medicine degree to start in 2017. I didn't do A levels but I am aware that in some universities such as St Georges, they don't included A levels in the application process for graduate entry courses. Anyway, I am just looking for some advice on how good a chance I have of getting a place, is it worth apply and sitting the GAMSAT, or do you think it's more than likely they will have cancelled grad entry courses by 2017?

Hey, I doubt it will be completely dissolved by 2017, but I do think places will be very reduced by then. You can always sit exams and not apply, it will give you a good feel and great practice. Also while most universities don't have specifics for A-Levels, I would definitely contact uni's you want to apply to and see if they're happy to accept alternative qualifications, I think pretty much everyone who got into St George's this year (except international students) had done A-levels. But @ForestCat will definitely be more helpful than I. *Note, also I have noticed a rather influx of nurses going into medicine

Thanks for the help!
I emailed St Georges today and this was their reply.

Dear Sophie,

Thank you for your email.

Yes this correct, if you have the relevant degree classification and the required GAMSAT score then you have as good a chance as anyone else in getting through. We do not look at you’re a levels or GCSE grades so the route that you took does not matter.

The application is purely based on your degree, GAMSAT result, work experience and interview performance.

I know I can't just rely on this though, I have been thinking about taking bio and chem A level in night school to strengthen my application.

Thanks for the help!
I emailed St Georges today and this was their reply.

Dear Sophie,

Thank you for your email.

Yes this correct, if you have the relevant degree classification and the required GAMSAT score then you have as good a chance as anyone else in getting through. We do not look at you’re a levels or GCSE grades so the route that you took does not matter.

The application is purely based on your degree, GAMSAT result, work experience and interview performance.

I know I can't just rely on this though, I have been thinking about taking bio and chem A level in night school to strengthen my application.

I would definitely say it's worth doing A-level bio and chem. It'll open up more unis for you and it would make doing the entrance exams so much easier. I can't say about mental health nursing, but the biology in adult nursing is seriously lacking and not particularly helpful for either the gamsat or bmat

By 2017 there may be more rigorous academic requirements especially with the changes placed by the gmc.

I mean more in an only accepting science graduates or a reduction in places leading them to reduce the applicant pool. Im surprised that St Georges reduced their intake by nearly half and didnt actually change their entrance criteria by much except increasing gamsat scores.

Hi there everyone, I too hope to apply for entry Sept 2017, some days it feels like it's miles away, some days it feels like there isn't enough time to do everything I need to do before applying!

I'm 25 years old and currently work full time in Live TV but I've been considering medicine on and off for pretty much the last 15 years! Both of my parents were doctors (retired early) and are not keen on me doing medicine but I've finally come to a decision and I'm going to go for it!

I have a MA in Modern History (2:1) from St Andrews and a MLitt in Film Studies also from St Andrews. 3As in arts/humanities A-levels from way back but as mentioned numerous times in this thread and others they don't seem to factor in to most school's decisions.

I'm currently taking A-Level Chemistry and Biology aiming to have those done by next summer (well they'll have to be done by then as thats the last time I can take exams under the old spec), and I'll probably look to re-take Maths AS-Level (taking exams in summer 2017, got a horrible grade back in 2006 when I took it at school so looking to redeem myself!) so that opens up Cambridge as an option, especially as I've now lost King's.

Was originally thinking of just taking UKCAT but after losing King's as an option I'm now considering GAMSAT to give me the option of St George's as I might want to stay in London. I still like the sound of Southampton and Newcastle though.

So for now it's just about cracking on with the A-Levels, starting the volunteering with my local hospital (induction next week!) and trying my best to find some shadowing/work experience in London, the latter I'm not doing too well on at the moment but I'll keep trying!

Best of luck to everyone, i'm looking forward to the next couple of years and finding out our fate re. funding and places/courses!

Hey! I'm currently in my first year at Cardiff and studying Physiotherapy but I'm hoping to apply for GEM 2017. I'm so excited! However, I keep thinking about what sort of work experience I'll need to do. In years 2 and 3 of my course I spend a lot of time on placement in different areas of Physio, so in theory I should have a lot/a range of experience. I also have a small amount of experience in a hospice but I think that's rather menial in comparison. Can anyone shed any light on this?

I think the work experience with your degree will be super useful....
Maybe if you have extra time during the summer/ weekends apply for a volunteer position at your local hospital. They always offer voluntery positions and can be really useful for medicine.

But because youll work with patients in your pysio degree, and your volunteering at a hospice, try working with kids? dementia patients etc? something different

Hope that helps

I wouldn't worry too much Thamaya, I don't think they could remove the option for graduates to get into medicine without a fight so if the GMC did remove Graduate Medicine I think the NHS would have to change the funding system for graduates on the 5 year degree to make it more accessible. Hopefully it won't change too much in the next couple of years though, fingers crossed!