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Original poster

I'm thinking of doing a graduate medical course, am I crazy?

29 replies

carplestoona · 28/03/2019 13:57

I'm in my final year of an undergrad degree, not a Bsc but has scientific elements. I didn't do any sciences at A Level.

However, I've been thinking about doing medicine for quite a few years but never went for it and did other things instead. I've been researching and have found 4 universities which accept candidates for grad entry who haven't done a Bsc nor have science A levels.

I got 4 A grades at A level and would spend a year after graduating getting medical-related experience before applying. I'd be 28 by the time I finish med school and the 2 years training afterwards, this wouldn't be too old would it?

I'm also not sure how I would fund it at this moment but could maybe work for a couple of years first to save it. If you know of any other funding options please let me know.

Should I do it?

OP posts:
Original poster
carplestoona · 28/03/2019 14:44

Just to clarify, I mean studying medicine rather than a medical-related field

OP posts:
FrenchFancie · 28/03/2019 14:55

I looked at doing this many many moons ago. Be aware that competition for those graduate entry courses is very tough (or at least it was!) and you’ll need to be good, so definitely get good work experience in the next year or so.
Funding wise, I can’t help you as I have to be honest and admit that was what stopped me doing it. I would also have been 28/29 on qualification. Am 39 now and regret not doing it.

ThatFalseEquivalenceTho · 28/03/2019 14:58

The first year of GEM you have to fund 3.5K of the fees yourself. The rest comes from SF. The other years, the NHS covers the 3.5K. Other than that, the finance is similar.

You need work experience, possibly the GAMSAT test too.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Higher education
Original poster
carplestoona · 28/03/2019 15:04

If I do decide to go for medicine then I'll definitely make sure to get as much work experience as possible.

@ThatFalse I was under the impression that the NHS don't help with funding anymore or is that not the case?

OP posts:
Original poster
carplestoona · 28/03/2019 16:17

Anyone else have any thoughts?

OP posts:
StillMedusa · 28/03/2019 16:40

28 is still plenty young enough... my DD1 is a doctor and was surprised to find herself surrounded by lots older than her when she started (she went straight from A levels)..and a bit of extra maturity goes a long way!
The competition is very tough , but get yourself as much work experience as you can (doesn't have to be spectacular stuff, more to show you have committment to the daily grind!)
If it's what you really want you should absolutely go for it. It is tough tho, no doubt about it!

Orangecake123 · 28/03/2019 16:48

Go for it OP if that's what you want to do!

I will be 29 when I graduate in two years time and this is my second degree.

I also have an older cousin who graduates this year at 32, and his own mother qualified in her 40s!

ThatFalseEquivalenceTho · 28/03/2019 16:55

I checked a few weeks ago and that was what the NHS and SF and my Uni website said. I’m looking to apply myself next year.

Swimbikerun · 28/03/2019 18:23

Put simply, Yes!

Original poster
carplestoona · 28/03/2019 18:42

@swimbike can I ask for what reasons it sounds like a crazy idea?

OP posts:
ahnow · 28/03/2019 19:54

I did it- graduated at 28. It seems so old beforehand, but you've a lot of working years in front of you, so you should go do what you love.

evaperonspoodle · 28/03/2019 20:02

Not mad at all, but do bear in mind that you will nearly be 40 by the time you finish your SHO stage. Are you thinking of having a family? That would be my only concern, early years of medicine are not conducive to family life at all.

Swimbikerun · 28/03/2019 20:10

My husband did it. It’s been a real challenge raising a family at the same time.

Bythebeach · 28/03/2019 20:18

I did it at older than you ....graduated at 33. Wish I’d done it a few years earlier as I am now a very, very old junior doctor - but that’s also because even after graduation I took the circuitous route because of 3 kids etc.

I guess you’re 21/22 ... 23 when you start, 27 when you graduate and then I advise you bash through F1/F2 .....you’ll still be sub 30 before you decide on specialty! There were (a couple) of people in their 40s on my graduate entry course. Those straight from first degree we’re v much the youngsters! Go for it!!!! Best of luck xx

Bythebeach · 28/03/2019 20:18

We’re = were

LunaTheCat · 28/03/2019 20:23

Go for it! You are not too old. Medicine is exhausting, extremely demanding. I am In tears at times with being overwhelmed and tired. You don’t do it for me he money (unless you have a surgical speciality working I private) but every day I get home knowing I have done lots good and there is nothing I can compare with that!

evaperonspoodle · 28/03/2019 20:27

Sorry OP I read it that you would graduate from your current degree at 28, rather than the medical one. In that case definitely go to it, you will only be about 4 years older than other grads, certainly not a mature student.

Helspopje · 28/03/2019 20:29

Which 2years afterwards training?
Takes 6-10 years depending on specialty assuming full time throughout and no time out for mat leave

anotherBadAvatar · 28/03/2019 20:35

Do it if there is nothing else in your life you can imagine doing. And I mean nothing. Age is almost irrelevant.

It is both the best and worst job in the world. At times it will break you. At times you will be bouncing along on the rush of adrenaline that comes with really, truly making a difference.

Read this from the news today. This is the reality of a junior doctors life:

www.theguardian.com/society/2019/mar/28/nhs-trainee-doctors-denied-leave-dossier-hospitals?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other

I was lucky and got through my training by my early 30s, then had children as a consultant.

Speak to as many people in the profession as you can and go in with your eyes open.

user09 · 28/03/2019 20:36

I'm 29 and in the first year of a graduate entry course. You'd be about the same age as most on my course, and younger than many! I'd say definitely go for it if its what you want. feel free to PM me if you have any questions.

postitnot · 28/03/2019 21:01

Ever thought of dentistry? Very hands on and rewarding too x

Adelie0404 · 28/03/2019 21:08

I did a grad course at 26 and had my first child as a junior doctor and my second as a Registrar. Took 13 years to become a Consultant. But there's no hurry I say.

It certainly hasn't been easy and there were times when I wanted to quit. But I genuinely enjoy the job and there is nothing else i would rather do. I work with great colleagues and staff.

If you are good and want to do it, you can. I am a surgeon.

toucantoo · 28/03/2019 22:14

No, nothing weird or crazy about graduating at 28 at all. You're generation could be working into your 70s. People will have several careers. Well done for going for something you have a passion for. Btw, which unis offer graduate medicine for non science grads with no science a-levels?

cannycat20 · 29/03/2019 17:25

A few years ago the hospital where I worked had just set up the first of the "new" medical schools (it was Peninsula, now I think it's just University of Exeter, after Plymouth split and also has their own med school, I believe), and there were a lot of mature students in the first couple of cohorts. I believe they all graduated and went on to be very good doctors. They had a good reputation at that time for giving a chance those who hadn't gone down the usual academic routes but had done things like GAMSAT - I haven't checked their profile for a while so can't comment, but certainly 28 is not too old at all. Best of luck with it. You might also find this book helpful (am I allowed to post links to the big black and yellow a? It's not an affilliate link, just an information one, based on my experience in libraries) - www.amazon.co.uk/So-you-want-doctor-ultimate/dp/0199686866/ref=dp_ob_title_bk?tag=mumsnetforu03-21

And I don't want to put you off, but having worked in the NHS for quite a while, Green Wing used to sometimes feel like a documentary. Though my boss preferred Bodies and Cardiac Arrest, both written by the same author who wrote Bodyguard.

justchecking1 · 29/03/2019 17:42

I am a doctor and I teach on a GEM course. There are a few things to consider. Your age won't be a problem in itself but it may mean that you're having to go through the rigmorale of night shifts, allocated leave and moving jobs and areas every 4-6 months just at the stage of life where you really want to start to settle down. Do not underestimate how demoralising it is having someone else dictate the ins and outs of your life and where you go for a minimum of 5-8 years post grad.

Secondly, consider very carefully how high your level of personal resilience is. There are now unprecedented numbers of students who graduate, work for one year to get their full registration, and then leave the profession. This is partly due to the above, but also the fact that medicine nowadays is a fairly shit place to work. Being the med reg, with all the pressure that comes with that, is hell on wheels, and you have to be mentally tough to hack it. Seriously mentally tough. Traditionally, medicine has been studied by students who have fairly sheltered lives, and who have attended the kind of schools where they are spoon fed and prepped to get onto medical courses. In my opinion, this kind of sheltered upbringing really doesn't prepare you for the modern world of medicine. The students just aren't tough enough and they usually come from backgrounds where they know if they don't like it, theyve enough life choices/options to get out and do something else, hence the high drop out rates.

Think very very carefully about your decision. Medicine is no longer about 'helping people'. It's a target driven, policy driven nightmare, where you live in constant fear of your patients either suing you or assaulting you. It is really not for the weak-hearted!

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