Defering entry GEM courses
Hiya peeps,
I'm wondering if anyone knows the policy around GEM course deferral, it's all a bit hypothetical but I'm thinking up back up plans, and worse case scenarios...
I've submitted my application to ucas for this cycle....at that point I was recovering well from an operation. I have been told I'll need another op probably more major around Spring (possibly when interviews are being held). But more importantly I'm thinking through recovery. I'm not sure I will be fully fit by September (I might be...but then again I might not).
Whilst the first year of GEM courses are often more institution based with limited clinical placement, so I'd probably cope. I'd really prefer to be at a good fitness to walk about enough to enjoy, and explore a new town...
I'm kind of hedging my bets and not withdrawing my application, but I am trying to take the pressure off with a back up plan, what's the latest I can defer an application (making the big assumption, I even get an offer!!!!) ?
Is that even a done thing... I'm trying to look up different uni's policies; so far it's not great with Swansea automatically referring you to fitness to practice panel, and only defering if you won't get better in 3 months. Does anyone else know any other uni policies?
I'm wondering if anyone knows the policy around GEM course deferral, it's all a bit hypothetical but I'm thinking up back up plans, and worse case scenarios...
I've submitted my application to ucas for this cycle....at that point I was recovering well from an operation. I have been told I'll need another op probably more major around Spring (possibly when interviews are being held). But more importantly I'm thinking through recovery. I'm not sure I will be fully fit by September (I might be...but then again I might not).
Whilst the first year of GEM courses are often more institution based with limited clinical placement, so I'd probably cope. I'd really prefer to be at a good fitness to walk about enough to enjoy, and explore a new town...
I'm kind of hedging my bets and not withdrawing my application, but I am trying to take the pressure off with a back up plan, what's the latest I can defer an application (making the big assumption, I even get an offer!!!!) ?
Is that even a done thing... I'm trying to look up different uni's policies; so far it's not great with Swansea automatically referring you to fitness to practice panel, and only defering if you won't get better in 3 months. Does anyone else know any other uni policies?
(edited 1 month ago)
Reply 1
Hey there, thanks for posting a question in the Medicine forum.
The Medicine forum gets a high volume of questions being posted, and some of these are already answered by the resources and Megathreads that members of the community and volunteers have created. This is an automatic post which is designed to highlight these resources. Below is a list of threads and articles that could answer your question (you should be looking in the original post of the megathreads). If one of the below threads is a more relevant place to ask your question, please post a reply in that thread to ask your question. If your query is answered by one of the Megathreads or articles linked below, and you would like us to close this thread for you, please reply to this thread with just the words "thank you". A member of our team will then get it locked.
Megathreads (Please read the first post before posting any further questions you have within that thread.)
The "Which Medical School Should I Apply To?" Uberthread
The Ultimate 'Am I Good Enough For Medicine?' Angst Thread
Medicine A-Level subjects queries
Work Experience and Voluntary Work
GANFYD's "Which medical schools accept retake A-Levels" list
2026 Applicants :
Official Thread: (Undergraduate) Medicine 2026 entry
Official Thread: Graduate Entry Medicine 2026 Entry
Medicine 2026 entry for resit/retake/gap year applicants
International Students for Medicine 2026 Entry (overseas students applying to the UK)
UCAT 2026 Entry Discussions Megathread
GAMSAT Megathread 2026/2027 entry
GAMSAT Megathread 2025/2026 entry
2026 entry A100/ A101 Medicine fastest and slowest offer senders
Medical Schools Index 2026 entry
Medical Schools Index 2025 entry
UCAS Extra and Clearing:
Medicine UCAS Extra for 2025
Medicine UCAS Clearing for 2025
Other application years:
Official Thread: (Undergraduate) Medicine 2027 entry
Official Thread: Graduate Entry Medicine 2027 Entry
Official Thread: Graduate Entry Medicine 2028 Entry
Current Medical Students and Doctors:
Guidance on posting in this subforum
So, you're going to medical school.... MKII
OSCE Tips and Advice
Increase in the NHS Bursary and expenses for placement
The postgraduate exams thread
Useful Articles:
Work Experience as a Graduate or Mature student
Medicine Personal Statement Advice
Medicine Personal Statement Advice (Graduate Entry)
Interview Frequently Asked Questions
MMI Medicine Interview Tips
What to do after an unsuccessful first application
Funding medicine as a second degree
Our Community:
Medicine Community Feedback and Suggestions
Medicine Gap Year Stories
Project: Minimum UCAT Score Trends
If your query is answered by one of the Megathreads or articles linked above, and you would like us to close this thread for you, please reply to this thread with just the words "thank you". A member of our team will then get it locked.
The Medicine forum gets a high volume of questions being posted, and some of these are already answered by the resources and Megathreads that members of the community and volunteers have created. This is an automatic post which is designed to highlight these resources. Below is a list of threads and articles that could answer your question (you should be looking in the original post of the megathreads). If one of the below threads is a more relevant place to ask your question, please post a reply in that thread to ask your question. If your query is answered by one of the Megathreads or articles linked below, and you would like us to close this thread for you, please reply to this thread with just the words "thank you". A member of our team will then get it locked.
Megathreads (Please read the first post before posting any further questions you have within that thread.)
The "Which Medical School Should I Apply To?" Uberthread
The Ultimate 'Am I Good Enough For Medicine?' Angst Thread
Medicine A-Level subjects queries
Work Experience and Voluntary Work
GANFYD's "Which medical schools accept retake A-Levels" list
2026 Applicants :
Official Thread: (Undergraduate) Medicine 2026 entry
Official Thread: Graduate Entry Medicine 2026 Entry
Medicine 2026 entry for resit/retake/gap year applicants
International Students for Medicine 2026 Entry (overseas students applying to the UK)
UCAT 2026 Entry Discussions Megathread
GAMSAT Megathread 2026/2027 entry
GAMSAT Megathread 2025/2026 entry
2026 entry A100/ A101 Medicine fastest and slowest offer senders
Medical Schools Index 2026 entry
Medical Schools Index 2025 entry
UCAS Extra and Clearing:
Medicine UCAS Extra for 2025
Medicine UCAS Clearing for 2025
Other application years:
Official Thread: (Undergraduate) Medicine 2027 entry
Official Thread: Graduate Entry Medicine 2027 Entry
Official Thread: Graduate Entry Medicine 2028 Entry
Current Medical Students and Doctors:
Guidance on posting in this subforum
So, you're going to medical school.... MKII
OSCE Tips and Advice
Increase in the NHS Bursary and expenses for placement
The postgraduate exams thread
Useful Articles:
Work Experience as a Graduate or Mature student
Medicine Personal Statement Advice
Medicine Personal Statement Advice (Graduate Entry)
Interview Frequently Asked Questions
MMI Medicine Interview Tips
What to do after an unsuccessful first application
Funding medicine as a second degree
Our Community:
Medicine Community Feedback and Suggestions
Medicine Gap Year Stories
Project: Minimum UCAT Score Trends
If your query is answered by one of the Megathreads or articles linked above, and you would like us to close this thread for you, please reply to this thread with just the words "thank you". A member of our team will then get it locked.
Quick Reply
Related discussions
- Official: University of Sheffield A101 (Graduate) 2025 Entry Applicants
- Official: University of Cambridge A101 Applicant and Offer Holder thread 2025 Entry
- GEM University of Nottingham - Can I defer?
- St George's University of London (SGUL) A101 2024 Entry
- Would I qualify for higher entry requirements due to mental health struggles
- clearing
- Clearing question
- University of Cambridge A101 Applicants 2026 Entry
- Graduate Entry Medicine Support
- deferral of vet med
- Graduate entry medicine through radiography
- GEM Entry for 2025/2026 - What are my options?
- Masters - guaranteed GEM interview?
- trying to do medicine after a lot of a level and gcse retakes
- how does defering actually work??
- Deferred entires?
- Deferred 2025/26 entry at university
- deferring a year at bristol/bath/exeter
- Student finance query?!
- From pharmacy to medicine
Latest
Trending
Last reply 2 weeks ago
2025 entry A100 / A101 Medicine fastest and slowest offer sendersMedicine
282
1004
Last reply 3 weeks ago
*MEGATHREAD* - The "Which Medical School Should I Apply To?" Uberthread [part 6 of 6]Medicine
488
2607
Last reply 2 months ago
Official: Keele University Medicine A100 2025 Entry Offer Holders 🎉Medicine
58
107
Articles for you
How The Student Room is moderated
To keep The Student Room safe for everyone, we moderate posts that are added to the site.
