Is intercalation still worth it?

1. If you already have a bachelor degree, no.
2. If you don't have a bachelor degree but you are sure that you are not going to fail the rest of your medical degree, no.
3. If you don't want to become an academic or researcher upon graduation, no.

can you expand on your point 2? your reasoning

I think what they mean is, if for any reason one fails their medicine degree and risk being removed from the course, then they will atleast have a BSc when they leave?

thanks
this makes sense, although I think it could apply more widely
eg., if go to Edinburgh not absolutely 100% certain medicine is the right choice, then at least they leave with a degree
ie sometimes students are academically capable, but not sure until they are on the degree the full extent of the commitment
( not advocating a ‘try it and see’ approach, but the reality is…it happens)

yes..So, a BSc will still be gained, if you leave the course for any reason

Do you think that intercalated degrees are still worth it even though MDRS removed them from their scoring criteria and they no longer count for the UKFPO? There are benefits to intercalated degrees such as gaining research skills but there are other ways to develop these without having to take a year out and the additional student loans.

What are your opinions?

Hello! I'm currently on my intercalating year (in between 4th and 5th).

I think it depends on your reasons for wanting to intercalate. If it's for academic skills, like you said there's other ways to go around it without spending an extra year. Finances are something else to take into consideration (the NHS bursary funded this year for me so that certainly was a plus) but if I hadn't been saving for a while I probably wouldn't have been able to do it. Also, if you're a graduate there's no benefit in doing an extra year.

However, if you want to explore a new subject area, take a break from medicine or get a change of scene I would highly recommend intercalating (but ideally in a year where the NHS funds it if your university offers that option). For me it's been so rewarding and I don't regret my decision at all 🙂

hi there, would it be only Scottish/ Welsh medical schools where this NHS funding exists for an opportunity to intercalate for a year?

Hi! As far as I'm aware, no, I think it's generally all UK medical schools. I've attached a link to the NHSBSA which answers this question and a more detailed PDF about the NHS Bursary.

If it helps, I usually study at an English medical school and am intercalating at a Scottish one 🙂

https://faq.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/knowledgebase/article/KA-02483/en-us

https://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/sites/default/files/2023-01/NHS%20Bursary%20Funding%20for%20Medical%20and%20Dental%20Students%202022-23%20%28V5%29%2012.2022.pdf

Be aware that if you are doing a Masters then the Student Loan funding has different rates to undergraduate funding and there are different criteria for repayment I think!

I think what they mean is, if for any reason one fails their medicine degree and risk being removed from the course, then they will atleast have a BSc when they leave?