2. Graduate Entry to Medicine in UK: Improve your chances of success Phil Clarke Senior Careers Adviser Careers, Employability and Skills

3. Overview You can apply for a degree in Medicine as a graduate A relevant first degree in a Life Science is often required but other degrees may also be accepted Entry to Medicine is highly competitive and you need more than just a good degree to succeed in getting a place

4. How to Apply Course options in Medicine for graduates 4 year accelerated degree – available at 16 institutions in England and Wales (but not Northern Ireland or Scotland; there are also 4 graduate entry courses in Republic of Ireland – go to CAO www.cao.ie for more details)www.cao.ie Standard 5 (or 6) year degrees eg Queens –competing with A Level applicants Applications for UK courses are via UCAS www.ucas.ac.ukwww.ucas.ac.uk Further info - Medical Schools Online www.medschoolsonline.co.uk www.medschoolsonline.co.uk

5. How to apply for Medicine as a graduate Check which aptitude test (eg UKCAT www.ukcat.ac.uk) you are required to take (not all Medical Schools use them) – the aptitude test forms part of selection processwww.ukcat.ac.uk Register for appropriate Test from May in year before entry and take by October (testing cycle normally July- Oct) Apply to UCAS from 1 September - 15 October

6. What do Schools of Medicine look for? A well-rounded, motivated individual who can demonstrate... Strong and consistent academic performance Interpersonal/ communication skills/empathy Ability to work in a team Relevant work experience in a hands-on caring role Leadership skills/ position(s) of responsibility Evidence of hobbies/interests/extra-curricular Understanding of whats required for Medical career Some idea of how the NHS works

7. Work Experience Work experience is also an essential part of your application to medical school. Getting a place at medical school is no longer just about getting the right grades. (From MedSchoolsOnline website) What could you do? Possibilities include: Voluntary or paid work in a hospice, hospital, nursing home, day centre etc and/or working with a relevant client group – eg the elderly, children, people with disabilities Work shadowing in GP surgeries (preferably not local) or a hospital – this should be in addition to hands-on care experience, not instead of Overseas summer placement eg childrens camp, voluntary work in developing nation etc in prior to final year

8. The Personal Statement Key points: The personal statement is a crucial part of the application form – it can make all the difference Make it Medicine-related, not just a list/sequence of information about yourself – its not your autobiography!

9. Areas to cover in your personal statement Introduction and why you want to study medicine – why Medicine and factors influencing your choice How your first degree relates to Medicine ie relevance/logical transition to Medicine from first degree Describe your work/voluntary experience and what you learned – focus on hands-on experience in a health/social care setting Describe other relevant life/work experiences – eg other work and extra-curricular experiences Other interests and conclusion – latter should summarise statement and be punchy/memorable

10. Funding options options Do check latest information - Money4MedStudents www.money4medstudents.org is a good resource www.money4medstudents.org NI Students should be entitled to a maintenance loan from Student Finance NI but pay own fees (4 or 5 yr courses) www.studentfinanceni.co.uk www.studentfinanceni.co.uk Other options: NHS Bursaries - students from Eng/Wales only (Scotland has own arrangements) www.nhscareers.nhs.ukwww.nhscareers.nhs.uk Charitable trusts eg BMA Charities Trust Fund Access/discretionary/ other funding - check with individual Schools Professional Studies/Training Loan for Medical Students from selected banks not currently available - worth keeping an eye on for any changes

11. Get started Research Medicine as a career – use graduate career websites such as www.prospects.ac.uk and www.gradireland.comwww.prospects.ac.uk www.gradireland.com Dont limit yourself - apply to more than one Medical School for maximum options Develop relevant work experience - register for Degree Plus www.qub.ac.uk/degreeplus www.qub.ac.uk/degreeplus Get a second opinion on your UCAS personal statement – see a Careers Adviser www.qub.ac.uk/careers Investigate funding options Always have a Plan B!