Foundation vs standard med?

10

Hey,

Im on a gap year and want to play my med options safe this year.

Im eligible for gateway/foundation years in 5 unis total, which is alr bc i only have to choose 4 anyways. But im confused abt whether foundation years are safe or if i should go for 5 years with a contextual offer? Im not sure but in my mind, contextual 5 year offers will allow me to apply with lower alevels ONLY and my ucat still has to be the same as 'normal' applicants, is this right? And with foundation years, BOTH, my ucat and alevels can be lower?
For reference I got ABB and a few 5 year courses might also take my grades.

But then Im doubting foundation years as 'safe' bc of the hugeeeeee influx of med applicants this year and their small number of places available😭😭 wouldnt this mean i have a higher chance in 5 year courses then bc there's more places available?

Someone please give ur opinion on whts more safer for me.

Thanks :smile:

Reply 1

ErasistratusV

21

My advice is that if you are eligible to do a foundation year, you should probably do the foundation year.

Reply 2

Med.pls

OP

10

Original post

by ErasistratusV

My advice is that if you are eligible to do a foundation year, you should probably do the foundation year.

Thank you!! Can i ask why you think this is the better option? Just trying to have some solid reasons for myself to clear any confusions i might have later :smile:

Reply 3

ErasistratusV

21

Original post

by Med.pls

Thank you!! Can i ask why you think this is the better option? Just trying to have some solid reasons for myself to clear any confusions i might have later :smile:

Medical school is not easy. I know people who have completed 4 A levels with all the top grades or an International Bacc and some of them struggled with the change between school and the first year of medical school as it involves a very different teaching and learning style. If you have been offered a foundation year, this will be a less substantial hurdle and ease you into the course and I feel it would be less likely for a student to experience problems in their regular first year. You'll be more familiar with the content and more familiar with the teaching and learning format. The people completing a foundation year are usually sprinkled throughout all the other tutor groups in first year as they can then function as a sort of guide for the rest of the cohort as needed. It's not a disadvantage to have completed a foundation year, it's an advantage as you will be better prepared for the demands of the rest of the course.

Reply 4

Med.pls

OP

10

Original post

by ErasistratusV

Medical school is not easy. I know people who have completed 4 A levels with all the top grades or an International Bacc and some of them struggled with the change between school and the first year of medical school as it involves a very different teaching and learning style. If you have been offered a foundation year, this will be a less substantial hurdle and ease you into the course and I feel it would be less likely for a student to experience problems in their regular first year. You'll be more familiar with the content and more familiar with the teaching and learning format. The people completing a foundation year are usually sprinkled throughout all the other tutor groups in first year as they can then function as a sort of guide for the rest of the cohort as needed. It's not a disadvantage to have completed a foundation year, it's an advantage as you will be better prepared for the demands of the rest of the course.

Thank you sm! I heard how even A* ppl find the jump hard. Yh this makes sense, easing into it (especially after time off in my gap year) seems like the appropriate choice. Thanks

Foundation vs standard med?

Quick Reply

Related discussions

Articles for you

How The Student Room is moderated