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How to become a neuroscientist in England after graduating high school in the States?

Hi! I'm an American high schooler. I'm not familiar with the British schooling system, so I can't really give you my education level in those terms. But I can tell you I'm three years away from university, not counting this year. My question is how can I become a neuroscientist at Oxford after graduating high school in the States?

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Original post by EmperadorLeona
Hi! I'm an American high schooler. I'm not familiar with the British schooling system, so I can't really give you my education level in those terms. But I can tell you I'm three years away from university, not counting this year. My question is how can I become a neuroscientist at Oxford after graduating high school in the States?


First of all (you probably know this but just to make it clear), Oxford don't offer an undergraduate course in neuroscience. You'd have to study a related subject like Medicine or Biomedical Science. Oxford has details of the general entry requirements for US applicants here, but they might be higher for those specific subjects. There will probably be an entrance exam for the subject you apply for, the results of which could well be more important than your US qualifications. And of course, if you're invited to interview, your performance there will also be very important. Bear in mind that competition for Oxford is incredibly intense so most applicants will be expected to be well above those requirements. This requirement will probably be even higher for you as an international applicant since there are strict quotas of how many internationals Oxford can accept. Basically, if you are amongst the best in your school in terms of academic performance, you should definitely consider applying.

For Oxford, they're pretty much purely interested in your academic aptitude and potential, and your passion for your subject. Unrelated extracurricular activities will have absolutely no effect on your application. Work experience might be useful but is definitely not essential, unless you're applying for Medicine. Basically, they're looking for the people who they think will do the best in their course, not 'well-rounded individuals'. When you apply, I think you'll need to apply through the central UK university applications system which is called UCAS.
(edited 9 years ago)
Original post by Chlorophile
First of all (you probably know this but just to make it clear), Oxford don't offer an undergraduate course in neuroscience. You'd have to study a related subject like Medicine or Biomedical Science. Oxford has details of the general entry requirements for US applicants here, but they might be higher for those specific subjects. Bear in mind that competition for Oxford is incredibly intense so most applicants will be expected to be well above those requirements. This requirement will probably be even higher for you as an international applicant since there are strict quotas of how many internationals Oxford can accept. Basically, if you are amongst the best in your school in terms of academic performance, you should definitely consider applying.

For Oxford, they're pretty much purely interested in your academic aptitude and potential, and your passion for your subject. Unrelated extracurricular activities will have absolutely no effect on your application. Work experience might be useful but is definitely not essential, unless you're applying for Medicine. Basically, they're looking for the people who they think will do the best in their course, not 'well-rounded individuals'. When you apply, I think you'll need to apply through the central UK university applications system which is called UCAS.


Thanks for replying! Oh I already checked out the Oxford website and did some research on the school. I know that they don't have a course called neuroscience. I was thinking of applying for Biomedical. So if I choose this course, what are the steps to become a doctor?
Original post by EmperadorLeona
Thanks for replying! Oh I already checked out the Oxford website and did some research on the school. I know that they don't have a course called neuroscience. I was thinking of applying for Biomedical. So if I choose this course, what are the steps to become a doctor?


I'm not an expert on that but if you want to become a doctor (as opposed to a neuroscientist), you'd have to study Medicine, unless you want to do GEM (which you probably don't want to do).
Original post by EmperadorLeona
Thanks for replying! Oh I already checked out the Oxford website and did some research on the school. I know that they don't have a course called neuroscience. I was thinking of applying for Biomedical. So if I choose this course, what are the steps to become a doctor?


Can I just check, do you want to be a lab neuroscientist? Or a practicing clinician e.g. a neurologist or neurosurgeon?

The UK system is different to the US. Over here if you wish to be a practicing doctor you can enter medical school directly at age 18 - you don't need to do a pre-med degree first.
Original post by Democracy
Can I just check, do you want to be a lab neuroscientist? Or a practicing clinician e.g. a neurologist or neurosurgeon?

The UK system is different to the US. Over here if you wish to be a practicing doctor you can enter medical school directly at age 18 - you don't need to do a pre-med degree first.


Thanks for replying! A lab neuroscientist. So do I have to choose the course of medicine or can I choose Biomedical if I want to be classified as a doctor? A 'neuroscientist doctor'?
(edited 9 years ago)
Original post by Chlorophile
I'm not an expert on that but if you want to become a doctor (as opposed to a neuroscientist), you'd have to study Medicine, unless you want to do GEM (which you probably don't want to do).


I'm really sorry, but I'm not understanding you. A neuroscientist is a doctor. I would like to be a lab neuroscientist. So just to be clear, I would have to choose the course of Medicine, not Biomedical for this to happen? Sorry...I'm comming off as really stupid right now haha.
Original post by EmperadorLeona
Thanks for replying! A lab neuroscientist. So do I have to choose the course of medicine or can I choose Biomedical if I want to be classified as a doctor? A 'neuroscientist doctor'?


Dude, do you want to get a PhD or a medical degree? (i.e. what you'd call an MD or DO in the USA).

If you get a PhD in biomedical sciences (e.g. specialising in neuroscience) you will get the title "Dr"...but you most certainly will not be allowed to treat any patients! You need to be a physician to be able to do that, and you can only do that once you've completed a medical degree.

Are your interests solely lab based and non-clinical? Or do you want to be able to work in a hospital, treat patients, etc?
Original post by EmperadorLeona
Thanks for replying! A lab neuroscientist. So do I have to choose the course of medicine or can I choose Biomedical if I want to be classified as a doctor? A 'neuroscientist doctor'?


Degree in preferably either neuroscience or psychology. An MSc in neuroscience (variations apply). Then do a PhD in a neuroscience related field.
All people who have attained a PhD are called doctor, regardless of if they are involved in clinical contexts or not.
Original post by EmperadorLeona
I'm really sorry, but I'm not understanding you. A neuroscientist is a doctor. I would like to be a lab neuroscientist. So just to be clear, I would have to choose the course of Medicine, not Biomedical for this to happen? Sorry...I'm comming off as really stupid right now haha.


Neuroscientists do research, medical doctors practice medicine. Are you perhaps mixing up neuroscience with neurology (which is the medical application of neuroscience)? If you want to be a practising doctor, you need to do Medicine. If you want to be a neuroscientist, you can do either.
Original post by Democracy
Dude, do you want to get a PhD or a medical degree? (i.e. what you'd call an MD or DO in the USA).

If you get a PhD in biomedical sciences (e.g. specialising in neuroscience) you will get the title "Dr"...but you most certainly will not be allowed to treat any patients! You need to be a physician to be able to do that, and you can only do that once you've completed a medical degree.

Are your interests solely lab based and non-clinical? Or do you want to be able to work in a hospital, treat patients, etc?


I'm not entirely sure - found this a bit confusing. A neuroscience tutor of mine (PhD) used to be a neurophysiologist for a hospital.
Though I thought I would need to do clinical psychology, and specialise in neuropsychology - to be a 'neuroscience doctor'. (PS: OP note distinction between neuroscience and neurology).
(edited 9 years ago)
Original post by Democracy
Dude, do you want to get a PhD or a medical degree? (i.e. what you'd call an MD or DO in the USA).

If you get a PhD in biomedical sciences (e.g. specialising in neuroscience) you will get the title "Dr"...but you most certainly will not be allowed to treat any patients! You need to be a physician to be able to do that, and you can only do that once you've completed a medical degree.

Are your interests solely lab based and non-clinical? Or do you want to be able to work in a hospital, treat patients, etc?


Oh ok, now I'm understanding you. And my interests are lab-based but I need an MD for personal reasons. So if I get an MD I'll still be able to work in a lab, correct?
Original post by Chlorophile
Neuroscientists do research, medical doctors practice medicine. Are you perhaps mixing up neuroscience with neurology (which is the medical application of neuroscience)? If you want to be a practising doctor, you need to do Medicine. If you want to be a neuroscientist, you can do either.


Oh ok thanks
Original post by EmperadorLeona
Oh ok, now I'm understanding you. And my interests are lab-based but I need an MD for personal reasons. So if I get an MD I'll still be able to work in a lab, correct?


If you want to do research, I'd have thought that a research PhD would be more useful than a full medical degree. Why would you need an MBBS for 'personal reasons'?
Original post by EmperadorLeona
Oh ok, now I'm understanding you. And my interests are lab-based but I need an MD for personal reasons. So if I get an MD I'll still be able to work in a lab, correct?


Yeah you'll be able to, but if you want to be involved in clinical research you'll firstly need to go to medical school and complete many years of training with patients and in hospitals before you can specialise in research.
Original post by Chlorophile
If you want to do research, I'd have thought that a research PhD would be more useful than a full medical degree. Why would you need an MBBS for 'personal reasons'?


My mother wants me to become a full-fledged doctor with a MD and this was really the only way to compromise and still do something I love.
Original post by Democracy
Yeah you'll be able to, but if you want to be involved in clinical research you'll firstly need to go to medical school and complete many years of training with patients and in hospitals before you can specialise in research.


Oh ok thanks for taking the time out to help me.
Original post by EmperadorLeona
My mother wants me to become a full-fledged doctor with a MD and this was really the only way to compromise and still do something I love.


No offence, but it's not your mother's choice - not that I understand why she wouldn't want you to become a research scientist anyway, I can't think of a more respectable career. This isn't a decision she gets to make, you don't need to make any compromises. If you're intending to become a research scientist afterwards anyway, what on earth is the point in doing a 6 year long degree which probably wouldn't give you the research training you need?
Original post by EmperadorLeona
Oh ok thanks for taking the time out to help me.


No worries - but you shouldn't go to medical school just to please your mother. You'll end up hating the degree, resenting your mother, and taking up someone's place who actually wanted to be there.

Just do a BSc in biomed and a PhD in neuroscience. There's nothing wrong with it, I'm sure your mum won't be disappointed that her child has a PhD in neuroscience!
Original post by Chlorophile
No offence, but it's not your mother's choice - not that I understand why she wouldn't want you to become a research scientist anyway, I can't think of a more respectable career. This isn't a decision she gets to make, you don't need to make any compromises. If you're intending to become a research scientist afterwards anyway, what on earth is the point in doing a 6 year long degree which probably wouldn't give you the research training you need?


Thanks so much for the support and you're right. I'm thinking of what to do when it's time to apply for college. I'll take your advise to heart and thanks for taking out the time to help me.

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