Becoming a Dr as a mature student, can I?

[SummerIsNearer]

Please would someone offer some other info?

I've searched the web but it isn't completely clear what you'll need to enter into a medical school (usually based at a uni with clinical practice elsewhere).

One reliable source says some places will accept an Access course. Is this true? Or, would I really need to do A Level before even considering it? I would imagine so, since it is incredibly competitive.

Could someone point me to my nearest uni for medicine? I'm based in Bedfordshire.

I'm currently studying my Access course (Health Professions). I'm wondering if this is sometimes enough. There is a lot of advice for mature students with regards to nursing and Midwifery. But, very little for becoming a Dr.

I'm saying this not to be harsh but because it is true. There is plenty of information on the internet about requirements and locations of different medical schools. You will be competing against people who spend hours/days researching this and a huge part of being a doctor is about researching reliable sources and using the information gathered to make an evidence-based decision. If you can't do this, you will struggle in the applications process.

(I saw this as a mature medic myself. Only this week have speciality application offers come out. These have been the result of months of preparations and research, exams sat, interviews researched and attended, audits completed, conferences attended, figuring out whether a 1.5 hour each way commute is better or whether you have to work away in the week and only see your partner/family at weekends. All done while working 48 hrs +a week, night shifts and on calls)

I did read some years ago that a lady did get accepted for a medical degree in her thirties. She did an Access to sciences I think. BUT she had experience of working in hospitals as a admin to doctors and got a great reference from one. I'll see if I can drag it up it was some years ago as I said. I'm ill so it might not be today but I'll tell you if I can find it or not.

Yes some people do attend uni to study medicine, some courses take more than others.

www.bma.org.uk/advice/career/studying-medicine/becoming-a-doctor/graduate-and-foundation-students

What can you bring to the table that puts you at an advantage over an highly academic 19 year olds (4 or 5 A level A grades in math and science) with some relevant work experience? This is what you're up against.

The training path is long and the demands are incredibly difficult to deal with.

Can you move anywhere in the country for medical school? Can you move anywhere in the country for your house jobs? Then deal with moving around the Deanery every 6 months? Then maybe again? Al the time whilst sitting exams?

Can you do that at age [40]?

Do you have children/ If not, do you want children? When would you have them? How would you balance the demand of all that training and shift work and exam revision with seeing your children?

In terms of finding your nearest medical schools, just search the name of your nearest cities and medical school. Or google "UK medical schools" and pick the ones nearest to you. I'm not sure why internet strangers should do that for you.

Then contact the medical schools you would like to apply to directly, they will be able to better answer your questions re: Access courses.

I think if you are ready to completely change your life and have the sheer determination and intellect to succeed then you will already know the answers to your questions. Where you are based now shouldn't really be an issue. With the ambition, stamina and drive needed you'd be willing to go anywhere.