Cambridge Medicine Students and Applicants

So do overseas graduates have to do two "Foundation years" as well?
And how many years specialist training do we need to become a Cardiac surgeon or a Neurosurgeon? I think 8 (5 for surgery and 3 more for cardiac surgery)
Also do we have to first take some sort of exam to be able to get any sort of license for working as a doctor-in-training in the UK?
Where do we get information regarding getting specialist training in the UK - do you have any website links etc.?

And do we have to pay some sort of fee for entering these training programs? I am sure that we have to but just confirming. If there is a fee like we have to pay for studying in a medical school, how much does it usually cost per annum?

Lastly but most importantly, do we have to apply for admission as a candidate to some sort of training program of the surgical department of a medical school for getting specialist training in surgery or do we simply apply directly in hospitals? How does it work? Any links would help.

You are a medical student in the UK but would you suggest me to take my specialist training in the UK or the States?

Do a little research for yourself - http://www.mmc.nhs.uk/specialty_training/specialty_training_2012/introduction_to_training/training_structure_2012.aspx

So do overseas graduates have to do two "Foundation years" as well? It depends on your undergraduate training programme, and if you work as a doctor in your own country at all. You will have to do some kind of "internship" and there are certain competencies you must pass in order to be able to apply for specialist training
And how many years specialist training do we need to become a Cardiac surgeon or a Neurosurgeon? I think 8 (5 for surgery and 3 more for cardiac surgery) Officially it's about 8, but in reality it usually takes much longer as these specialties are hard to get into, so some people apply many times, and often people will take time out to do a PhD or a Fellowship in a subspecialty. For neurosurgery you just do neurosurgery straight through; for cardiothoracic you will do a few years of general surgery and then at least 5 of cardiothoracic.
Also do we have to first take some sort of exam to be able to get any sort of license for working as a doctor-in-training in the UK? Yes. http://www.gmc-uk.org/doctors/plab.asp
Where do we get information regarding getting specialist training in the UK - do you have any website links etc.? The MMC site, which visesh linked to, and the GMC site, which I just linked to, are the main two sources of information - just have a look through the whole site on both of them.

And do we have to pay some sort of fee for entering these training programs? I am sure that we have to but just confirming. If there is a fee like we have to pay for studying in a medical school, how much does it usually cost per annum? No, you're working as a doctor, so they pay you! You have to pay for extra courses and exams, but not for doing the actual job, that would be silly.

Lastly but most importantly, do we have to apply for admission as a candidate to some sort of training program of the surgical department of a medical school for getting specialist training in surgery or do we simply apply directly in hospitals? How does it work? Any links would help. Most specialties have a national application procedure, within which you specify preferences as to which region of the country ("deanery" )you want to work in. That deanery will interview you and then offer you a place if they want you, and again you can specify preferences for which hospital(s) you'd like to work in. You will almost certainly be in more than one hospital for training, often a different one each year for many years. You can't apply directly to hospitals and medical schools have nothing to do with it. Have a read of this http://www.mmc.nhs.uk/pdf/Applicant%20Guide%20FINAL%202012v12.pdf

You are a medical student in the UK but would you suggest me to take my specialist training in the UK or the States? I'm not a medical student any more as I've already qualified. I know nothing about training in the US but in both cases I know it's tough for IMGs to get in. The systems and the culture are very different so you need to do your research on those before deciding.

Hi, with regards to undergraduate applications, is volunteering REALLY important in terms of getting in? I have been volunteering as a tuition teacher at a local orphanage for the past few months- is that enough? Has anybody ever made it in without a period of long-term voluntary work?

I ask this because I would rather choose to do some further reading during those times when I volunteer, because the kids don't take me seriously- they don't bring their books and refuse to get them when I tell them to study, and I am practically being dragooned into telling them ghost stories every single time and the caretaker pops out and starts shouting at me for not teaching. I was thinking about being much, much sterner but I can't exactly take a cane to them, now can I. So I'd really like to get out of it without jeopardising my application.

Hi, with regards to undergraduate applications, is volunteering REALLY important in terms of getting in? I have been volunteering as a tuition teacher at a local orphanage for the past few months- is that enough? Has anybody ever made it in without a period of long-term voluntary work?

I ask this because I would rather choose to do some further reading during those times when I volunteer, because the kids don't take me seriously- they don't bring their books and refuse to get them when I tell them to study, and I am practically being dragooned into telling them ghost stories every single time and the caretaker pops out and starts shouting at me for not teaching. I was thinking about being much, much sterner but I can't exactly take a cane to them, now can I. So I'd really like to get out of it without jeopardising my application.

My son is planning to apply to do Medicine. He's missed booking for the Cambridge Open Days this year, & there doesn't seem to be a Medicine open day. Would it be worth going to a college open day, and if so which one?

I was at Jesus myself - not doing Medicine - so I know that the colleges aren't where the real teaching goes on. (We had supervisions in-college; not sure if medics have that.) Shame to miss out on the chance of a trip back to Cambridge, though!

Hi, I would like to ask where do the medics get taught? (is it at the Medical School Building near Christ?) Also which College, Girton or Robinson College is geographically better for travel to lectures and stuff?
Thanks

Taught mainly at Downing Site and New Museums Site.

Robinson is closer than Girton.

Thanks, do you have an estimation for how long it will take to get to lectures from either Girton or Robinson? Thanks again

Hello,

I would like to ask if you guys did any reading before starting medicine at cambridge just to, you know, start off a bit smoothly or just out if interest?

It is just that I have 2 more months before starting medicine and I usually get bored nowadays. I am really excited to know what we study during the first few months in medicine. I get bored because I want to do something else besides just relaxing during the vacations. I have the habit of doing something useful all the time. Therefore, like last year, I am going to take work experience in a local hospital but with a GP this time.

I am really wanting to do some reading before starting medicine. I really don't want to buy any books at the moment. So can you guys please suggest some online links where I can do this medicine-related reading? Where do I start off with it?

Thanks a lot in advance.

Hello,

I would like to ask if you guys did any reading before starting medicine at cambridge just to, you know, start off a bit smoothly or just out if interest?

It is just that I have 2 more months before starting medicine and I usually get bored nowadays. I am really excited to know what we study during the first few months in medicine. I get bored because I want to do something else besides just relaxing during the vacations. I have the habit of doing something useful all the time. Therefore, like last year, I am going to take work experience in a local hospital but with a GP this time.

I am really wanting to do some reading before starting medicine. I really don't want to buy any books at the moment. So can you guys please suggest some online links where I can do this medicine-related reading? Where do I start off with it?

Thanks a lot in advance.

You could read about the anatomy of the arm if you want, since that's one of the first things you start with. Eg, the muscles, veins, arteries, nerves. I'm not sure how much help it'll be, but if you're bored, then why not I guess.

Oh thanks a lot for your valuable suggestions and time.

But where do I read about the anatomy of the arm? Is the wiki a good site for this? Or do you have any valuable online links for this?

What else would you suggest me to read before starting medicine and from where?

If you didn't do physics at A level, its probably worth getting to grips with electrical circuits and stuff. This link provides a good introduction. Otherwise its probably worth starting to try and understand the anatomical terms of location.

I know this may not sound helpful, but by far the most useful thing you could at the moment is to maybe pursue reading or things outside of medicine that interest you. I don't really think there's much you could do at the moment that would help you with the course, so try not to worry too much about not doing pre-reading

Not sure if you have seen this link before, but my college suggested visiting it before I came. Otherwise, just enjoy your summer

I don't understand what you mean by the bolded part Can you please elaborate?