FULL details on how to become a GP?

So I'm 16 and I'm looking to go into a career in medicine, currently finishing off my GCSE's and and just picked my preferred A-Levels being Chemistry, Biology & History, (haven't fully decided on the other one yet? :confused:

). I've read a couple of threads about becoming a GP but the answers seem quite vague on the details, I just want to know, like fully, the steps, if anyone's been through/or going through it? Like university course wise, as well because they seem quite confusing as I've seen more than one? (Idk, looking to go Queen Mary uni hopefully) and also what the course may entail. Thank you! :colondollar:

Reply 1

Type 052D

Do Physics for the fourth A-Levels. You would have to get above an B for your A-Levels but even A* Students get rejected by Med Schools like QMU, Leicester, KCL, UCL, UoB etc

Reply 2

advice_guru

Do Bio, Chem, Maths and something else

Do Medicine

Become a Doctor

Then train as a GP

Buy a big house and flash car

Then Die after earning lots of money sitting on a chair diagnosing colds.

Reply 3

Egypt

4, 5 or 6 years Medical School
2 years foundation program
3-4 years GP Specialist training

That's the current shortest route assuming you get everything you need done first time.

Reply 4

Ronove

Original post by Type 052D

Do Physics for the fourth A-Levels. You would have to get above an B for your A-Levels but even A* Students get rejected by Med Schools like QMU, Leicester, KCL, UCL, UoB etc

Why should she do Physics?

Original post by advice_guru

Do Bio, Chem, Maths and something else

Do Medicine

Become a Doctor

Then train as a GP

Buy a big house and flash car

Then Die after earning lots of money sitting on a chair diagnosing colds.

Why should she do Maths?

Reply 5

Larry31

Original post by justforthelols

Pick your fourth subject (perhaps Maths or Physics?)
Get onto a 5/6 year medicine degree programme.
Graduate from med school, get provisional registration with the GMC and get a place on the foundation training programme which lasts 2 years.
Undergo various rotations during F1 (1st year of the foundation programme) and with satisfactory performance you can become fully-registered with the GMC.
Complete further rotations during F2 and apply for GP training programme.
Once accepted onto the GP training programme, you train for 3 years. After this 3 year programme, you are added to the GMC GP register and can practice as a GP.

Reply 6

Type 052D

Original post by Ronove

Why should she do Physics?

Why should she do Maths?

She does not have to, your right. I know plenty of people who did Bio-Chem and an Humanities subject. I mentioned Physics because it's an lot simpler than pure maths and has an opitional module about Medical Physics. I gonna do A-Level Sciences next, I'm so Happy :sogood:

Reply 7

Ronove

Original post by justforthelols

Original post by Type 052D

Exactly. OP, do whatever your heart desires for the two subjects that aren't Biology and Chemistry.

Reply 8

Pastaferian

Original post by justforthelols

Hi, there are some good resources in the top right corner of this page. These will take you through Sixth Forms things (what to study, what grades you need, choosing med schools, aptitude tests, volunteering, work experience, personal statements), life in medical school, and career paths beyond med school. There is a lot to read - no way round it.
http://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/wiki/Medicine_Forum_Guide_and_FAQs

Chemistry and Biology will get you into many med schools. With the exception of a few Cambridge colleges, they don't seem to care about your 3rd/4th AS subjects, so choose something you enjoy and are good at. Read the wiki article of 'A level requirements' to see what each med schools expects.

Good luck with the GCSEs and the rest of your medical career :smile:

Reply 9

Becca-Sarah

Original post by justforthelols

Course wise, as a school leaver with science A levels, you'd be looking at A100 5 year courses. Btw, Medicine at QMUL is done at Barts & The London medical school, QMUL is the other part of the uni that does all the non-medical courses.

Reply 10

Helloworld_95

iirc GP training is being increased from 3 years to 5 years.

For QMUL they currently use ucas points when choosing interviewees and who to give offers to, an average score is about 600 and the cutoff for interviews has been in the low to mid 500s so you will need to take 4 a levels to A2. This may be especially difficult if you take any essay subjects as they require much more work outside school than the sciences and will impact on your other subjects which are more important for medicine.

Reply 11

AnonymousPenguin

Original post by Helloworld_95

There's some talk of it being increased to 4 years. Might or might not happen, there is technically an under-supply of GPs ATM.

Reply 12

Egypt

In lots of deaneries there are already a number of 4yr VTS programmes. Hey definitely offer them in Wales - I'm currently on one. In addition to these there are also academic VTS programmes a cross the country where you can extend to 4 years. If you manage to do both of these you can do a 5 year VTS already (This is vey much not be norm.

The RCGP has put forward proposals to extend to 4 years as others have said. It remains to be seen when these will filter down in to actual rotations.

More info

http://www.rcgp.org.uk/policy/rcgp-policy-areas/enhanced-and-extended-speciality-training-in-general-practice.aspx