To think I can apply for post grad med school with a 2.2 in languages from 15 years ago?

That was me at school down to a tee! Maths and physics were my worst subjects by a country mile. Now I'm " dr cat" and the people whose teeth I take out would never guess what my science homework was like! Being strong in humanities gives a lot of skills that are valuable. Also an older 2:2 is probably the equivalent of a more recent 2:1 due to grade inflation. Im not saying "omg definitely go for it" as it's a huge decision, but I hope you at the very least don't get totally discouraged by most other posters.

That's a good point, medicine does run differently to everything else in that respect.

Don’t be embarrassed. There’s no shame in exploring interests and having ambition. I think you could make yourself competitive if you really wanted to, it would probably take at least two years of work before applying (access course, or A-levels, and work experience), but you really need a good understanding of what life will be
like and whether that is really for you. and I’m getting the vibe it might not be as you e learned a bit more on this thread.

what is it about medicine that attracts
you? There’s very likely another way to scratch that itch that doesn’t involve a five year degree and all that comes with it.

I hope you saw the post about language teachers?

If you love the thought of healthcare (i haven't yet seen you describe what it is about healthcare that appeals) and are a languages specialist, I'd say look seriously at speech and language therapy. There's careers info at www.rcslt.org.uk or PM me if you have any questions.

But please stop worrying about that blooming Desmond! It was presumably a few years ago. Who cares?

As someone who wanted to do medicine, I had to let the dream go.

I have a 2.1 undergrad degree in science, merit graded science masters and a science PhD - but no GCSE’s or A levels and that meant I couldn’t get into medicine.

My friend managed it, with a 2.1 undergrad and after training and self funding PA course, they then had to self fund a 5 year medical degree

graduate medicine is tough, like, really tough.

For the doctor you mention, her age maybe wasn't typical but it sounds like she probably applied to medical school immediately off the back of 3 good and relevant A levels, so in that respect yes she was a typical candidate.

Lots of people on this thread don't actually know what they're talking about.
Nottingham will definitely accept people on the Graduate Entry course with a 2.2 in a non-science subject.

You will need to learn enough science to pass GAMSAT, and a high enough IQ to get a really high overall score. Have a go at some sample papers. If you get high scores easily you have a good chance of getting in.

This is interesting! I train folks in a different profession and have had people coming through in their 50s. Generally they're fine with classroom side of things but practicums floor them. Having an age limit would make sense, we spend a lot of time training people so you want to get value for money.

Just to add that any HCP training will expect recent qualifications (even if that's not your actual degree) and experience, in my experience.

No science a levels, a 2:2 in English. I wouldn't want you as my doctor. Even people with good grades don't get into medicine, you should be realistic with yourself.

I absolutely agree.

I mean none of us (probably) are admissions tutors. But I imagine they'd want to see a plan in place re. an access course/getting work experience, or at least that that is where the conversation would be leading. I wouldn't think there is any harm in ringing/emailing them but just be realistic about your current situation-including any positives! Also maybe look into other HCP training which might be more realistic for you currently, but only you can know if you'll always wish you'd gone for medicine!

Good luck OP.

I’m a doctor and I’m sorry this is an absolutely terrible idea. I don’t mean to be rude I just can’t see why you would want to out yourself through this. I don’t think you have any clue what the reality is like, might be worth doing some work experience or talking to someone.

There is nothing even remotely embarrassing about wanting to pursue a dream, OP. It is a good thing to have aspirations.

honestly, people are getting hung up on the science thing and you really don't need to be a science whizz to get through medical school (even when I started in the last century you didn't need 3 sciences... and while I was at medical school I studied a language for a while). George's does appear to accept any undergrad degree, but a 2:1 and more recent than OPs for their grad entry programme. It is much better recognised these days that people from non science backgrounds do bring really interesting useful perspectives and possibly make more 'rounded' doctors, and with increasingly diverse patient populations having doctors with additional language skills has to be a good thing. Medical school is the easy bit though... the real work starts once you qualify.

Let go of any regrets about your degree classification. It is just a number, ultimately, and doesn't reflect on who you are or what you can do.

It's fine to want to pursue your own career. You just need to find something that is attainable given your current circumstances.

I may be wrong but I think funding is available for second degrees in nursing, so that might be an option to consider? However, you'd still have the challenge of childcare and shift work etc, so that might not be feasible at the moment either. How old are your dc?

Have to disagree with you there- I was always much better at humanities than sciences/ maths. People told me I simply wasn't suited for science/healthcare. I went on to do an undergraduate science degree then I went and did graduate entry dentistry ( arguably a tougher course than medicine). I got through because of work ethic and enthusiasm.

OP- it would be a very extensive slog and I can't weigh in as to whether it's worth it in the context of your life. But it would be a shame to be discouraged by strangers on a forum. So I'm going to go against the grain and say look into it. There is a doctor who posts her story on youtube who left school without qualifications, did GCSEs in her thirties and started med school at 37! She's now a (presumably) perfectly capable doctor in her forties even though she wasn't a typical candidate at all. (Although for you children may be a complicating issue).

Swansea med school do take the occasional 2:2. But these would be recent undergrads, most of whom studied something like a BSc Hons in biomedical sciences at Swansea because they didn’t get the A level results to go straight into medicine. Often students who show promise and good knowledge of science at undergrad level, but maybe not great at exam technique hence the 2:2.

A 2:2 in a language 15 years ago would not give me comfort that you had a clue what you were trying to get into.

I’d think about what particular parts of the medicine role you’re interested in doing and see whether you can find an allied role which does those tasks.

they may take 2:2 but not in languages as it doesn’t have transferable skills.
I’d speak to admissions and ask what they advise re access courses then
id do an access science course. And volunteer/do some shifts as a HCA to see if you like it.
then look at physicians associates, physio, audiology, nursing etc as other options which are still patient facing too as alternative options.

if you want medicine then you can go for it but currently you don’t meet the admissions criteria and you don’t have any proof you can actually study at biological sciences etc at that level of complexity/academia. So probs best to do some courses to check what your ability is.

Surely though that 2.2 will need to be in relevant degree program? Eg biology, chemistry, physiology, anatomy, something life science related surely?? And you'd need the relevant science A-levels?

I wonder what it is about medicine that makes people go "oh I have no relevant qualifications but I'm sure I could persuade a course to take me and I'd be great".

You don't hear people doing it for law, or actuarial work or similar things like that.

Realistically, the op is unlikely to get on a course. Although there are graduate schemes where the current qualifications are less significant, but there is a huge difference in what they say the minimum requirements are and the actual acceptances from the huge number of applications.