To ask if you (honestly) think there's a cut off point for retraining as a DR?

[RetrainingDR]

I've nc as I'd like to add a few things about my history which would otherwise be outing.

I have a-levels but not in any of the sciences. I then went on to do a degree in Sociology and an MS in comp sciences. My career has mainly been in those fields.

Would it be totally insane at the age of 33 to retrain as a doctor? I know I'd probably have to start from scratch to get relevant a-levels or so which means by the time I'm done I'd be a great deal older but I don't know if I'd even understand any of the course or be accepted.

Has anyone done similar?

You could do 3 A levels in a year of you worked at it like a full time job.

Then 5 years medical school.

Then house jobs etc.

So it would be a long time, but you'll probably be working until you're 70+ so plenty of time to work as a doctor after training.

Do you have kids? Would be tough to do with children.

I think 33 is young and if you want to do it go for it. One of the GPs where I work retrained after having her family. But I think you need answers from actual doctors.

Not too old BUT.....
Seriously, unless you intend to work abroad, say Canada or Aus/NZ then DO NOT DO IT.
Working in the NHS as a doctor is a bloody thankless task at the moment. Medicine as a career is not worth the investment of time and cost. 50k minimum in fees and living costs to do the 5 year degree. Hell will freeze over before I would advise my kids to do it.
...sorry

Iv wondered this too but I'm 35 now

Not me but a friend did this, after 3 degrees, yes 3! She decided to train as a GP. So, did a medical degree (7 yrs) then started her GP specialisation, which she is still doing after having a year off to have a baby.

Best thing would be to contact your uni of choice and asking what the requirements are for their medical course.

Good luck!

Depends what you want to do. DB retrained from engineering into medicine, became a doctor when he was approaching 40, because he wanted to appear more credible for prosthethics design. A friend became a doctor at 50 (she was already nurse) and is now doing her junior positions - she's doing really well but she does find it really difficult.

It would be VERY hard work, particularly if you have DC. You would need 4 A grades at A-Level, 3 of which must be maths/science. It's incredibly difficult to get a place to study medicine, so you need to think about relevant work experience to put on your UCAS statement.

Good luck!

Why ask on here - you need to contact medical schools who can advise. When my son qualified as a Dr 2 years ago a friend who qualified with him was 48 so it is not impossible

There are Graduate courses at Nottingham/St George's etc that don't require a science degree. The requirements are that you pass the GAMSAT exam (which has a science element) and an interview. Think the course is 4 years.
If you want it, go for it! Time will pass either way, why not do it if you want to?

Don't think it's too late - when I was at uni there was a 35 yr old re training

All I would say is that it takes a long time to qualify and salaries are often not that huge given the advent of fees and the cost of training - I think this is a shame because really Drs should be our brightest and best and yet they do not seem to be cherished or supported whilst training and the salaries at the end are not much to shout about in comparison to say finance or it - anyway that my view

Good Luck with whatever you decide

I've no dc now. At some point I'd like some in the future but I'm happy to put this on the back burner whilst I sort out my job/life.

When I looked into Medivine many years ago, there is actually a Medical conversion degree for students with good A levels in Arts/humanities. It adds on one year prior to the 'normal' Medical degree.

I've just finished my medical degree and am about to start as a F1 in my local hospital. I am 41 (nearly 42), and not the oldest in my course. I had average a-levels, no degree, so I sat the GAMSAT, which allows direct entry for some universities. As you have a degree already, there will be many more courses open to you than I had available. It is hard work - long hours of study and lots to learn - it is more volume than difficulty! But (I hope) worth it. Being a mature student definitely helps, and I found that not having biology or chemistry a-level was no problem, you just have to work a little harder in the first year to make sure you catch up. PM me if you want to chat!

Doctor here. It has taken me 15 years so far from starting the degree. 17 if you include A levels. I have had two children and been part time since the oldest was born (who is now 8) I am now 33 and just about to finish GP training

At 33, you don't have a huge amount of time to fit in a family as well as Medical school.

I think it depends on what specialty you want to do. I did graduate medicine and started F1 at 30. My specialty means 10 years post grad training, and with mat leave etc, I'll be early/ mid forties before I finish.... already nights are becoming so much more difficult. At your age I couldn't/ wouldn't do a long hospital training scheme, but would consider it if I was interested in shorter training or less intense specialties. But that doesn't mean you couldn't do it!

A friend did it at forty.
Never looked back.

Follow your passion!

I'm don't think you have much time to train as a doctor at 33 before having a family. I'd think seriously about what takes priority bearing in mind your age.

If you do go for it then good luck x

Difficult but doable. There are some graduate only courses which are four years rather than five. Compulsory two year foundation training jobs. Most training programmes in two stages two years then a further five. All these years are shift work. Shortest specialty training is GP which is currently three (but may be expanded to four). Knowledge is power so time to get on phones and websites

My friend entered medical school at 40 years old, qualified at 45. He has never looked back.

"Why ask on here?"

Why not? All well and good asking a medical school or whatever but OP obviously wants to speak to others who have done it.

Too old??? Rubbish.

I graduated in late 30s, complete career change (not medicine though) having done 3 A-Levels in a year (whilst working) to get on the course.

GO FOR IT!!! Don't let the naysayers get you!!!!

Google The University of Buckingham medical school. I think their academic year consists of four ten week terms with no long summer holidays; therefore you can complete a degree much more quickly than usual. A friend of a friend's daughter is studying medicine there currently and speaks highly of it. I have no idea about the overall standing of the course though.

At 33 you will struggle to fit in a family as well as five years at med school plus hospital training after that. As someone considering training as a doctor you already know how dramatically your fertility declines from 35.

Which is more important to you? Kids or being a doctor? It's not a question I'd ask if you were 30. You can do the training with small babies but it is very very difficult.