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Need help deciding between Bristol(ABB) and Glasgow (AAA) for insurance for medicine

Hi, Ive got all my descisions back now for my med school applications and Ive decided to firm imperial which has a grade requirement of A\*AA. The issue is im not sure what uni to firm. If anyone who is studying medicine or any other courses can give me any info that would be really helpfull. If it turns out that the lifestyle etc is pretty similar for both of them ill end up firming bristol since they have given me the lower grade requirement.

What's important to me:

- Social life, nightlife etc

- Finacial support available

- International prestige, I want to move to the USA after graduating

- Intercalated degree options. I would prefer doing something with applications outside of medicine too such as bioengineering/maths related/management. Im also interested in cancer immunlogy & PHEM. I have some questions here:

What options does glasgow let you study for the 2 year option

Links on bristol page is dead, what does it mean when they say "One-year entry onto a three-year course. Check the course structure for the third year in the programme catalogue to find out what you will study."

Does bristol & glasgow let you intercalate at a different med school

- Accomaditon quality & price

- What are the hospitals like where you get placements

tldr; differences in social life, accomodation, the intercalated degree options, and what support they have for students.

The offers are:

Glasgow: AAA in any subjects

Bristol: A in chemistry and Bs in maths and bio

thanks!

Reply 1

PS Reviewer

The housing situation in Bristol is likely to be a problem as an insurance entrant.

Reply 2

artful_lounger

Universities Forum Helper

Pragmatically Bristol is probably the more sensible option to maximise your chances of getting into any medical school with the lower offer.

Moving to the US to train as a doctor is going to be challenging and somewhat unlikely as a prospect whatever medical school you go to, due to how IMGs are perceived in the application process, and also due to US working visa laws. I would not suggest you use this as a major deciding factor in this situation.

For the Bristol intercalated year presumably it just means to look at the 3 year version of the corresponding course and look at the third year modules/options in the course catalogue for that programme.

The above note about accommodation may be something to be aware of as you might need to look for last minute private rentals in the area if you can't get accommodation, which may be challenging.

(edited 11 months ago)

Reply 3

UofG Student Rep

Official Rep

Original post by MolecularTwerp

Hi, Ive got all my descisions back now for my med school applications and Ive decided to firm imperial which has a grade requirement of A\*AA. The issue is im not sure what uni to firm. If anyone who is studying medicine or any other courses can give me any info that would be really helpfull. If it turns out that the lifestyle etc is pretty similar for both of them ill end up firming bristol since they have given me the lower grade requirement.
What's important to me:
- Social life, nightlife etc
- Finacial support available
- International prestige, I want to move to the USA after graduating
- Intercalated degree options. I would prefer doing something with applications outside of medicine too such as bioengineering/maths related/management. Im also interested in cancer immunlogy & PHEM. I have some questions here:
What options does glasgow let you study for the 2 year option
Links on bristol page is dead, what does it mean when they say "One-year entry onto a three-year course. Check the course structure for the third year in the programme catalogue to find out what you will study."
Does bristol & glasgow let you intercalate at a different med school
- Accomaditon quality & price
- What are the hospitals like where you get placements
tldr; differences in social life, accomodation, the intercalated degree options, and what support they have for students.
The offers are:
Glasgow: AAA in any subjects
Bristol: A in chemistry and Bs in maths and bio
thanks!

Hi there,

I am just finishing my 1st year at Glasgow Uni, and although I study mechanical engineering I can hopefully answer some of your questions or point you in the right direction!

Glasgow has an amazing nightlife and social life, both across the city and especially in the West End where the university is situated. We have two amazing student unions, who have weekly club nights, pub quizzes, and host loads of special events throughout the year. There's loads of great bars, restaurants and cafes around the West End, as well as really easy transport links to the city centre via buses (which you can get free with a YoungScot card if you're under 21) or the subway. The university itself has hundreds of societies and over 50 different sports clubs to get involved in. There's also lots of medicine specific societies you can get involved in, from Medchir who organise a wide range of academic and social events for med students across the uni, to med specific sports clubs, and charitable med focused societies such as Glasgow Marrow or Macmillan. I've made some of my closest friends through sports clubs and other societies, and the student union is guaranteed to be some of your most fun nights here!

For more information about the intercalated degree options Glasgow's med school offers look here on the website: University of Glasgow - Schools - School of Medicine, Dentistry & Nursing - Undergraduate Degree Programmes - Intercalated degrees
In summary, there are one and two year intercalated degree courses available, and the University allow a small number of students to intercalate at another university if they are studying a subject not provided at the University of Glasgow. From what I can see on the website, the options are in the broad areas of clinical medicine, life sciences and medical humanities, but I would encourage you to have a proper look on the website link! I have a number of medical student friends who did an intercalated degree after their third year of medicine and really enjoyed it!

In terms of accommodation, you can check out all of our different options, their price points and for many see virtual video tours on our website: University of Glasgow - Undergraduate study - Undergraduate accommodation
I stayed in Queen Margaret Residences for my first year and really loved it, especially the en-suite and commute through the botanic gardens, and this halls seemed to have an especially high number of med students. I have friends in lots of the different halls and all have gotten on fine, so there is plenty of good options depending on your budget and priorities!

I obviously can't comment on the hospital's, placements or teaching itself, but you can speak to current medical students on our website, by using our ask a student service and filtering it to medicine: University of Glasgow - Study - Student life - Chat to our students, staff and alumni

All things considered, I honestly couldn't recommend Glasgow as a university and place to live enough, I have absolutely loved my first year and met so many incredible people!

Best of luck with your decisions and results!
Elise, 1st Year
BEng (Hons) Mechanical Engineering