Medicine 2019

[kaykay72]

Hi,

Does anyone here have a DC applying for medicine to start in 2019? It would be nice to meet others as we embark on uni visits, predicted grades, UKCAT etc

We’re in Kent, d is planning to visit kings, UCL, Nottingham, Sheffield and Newcastle at the moment. She really wanted to go look at Belfast but they want three A’s plus an A at AS level but won’t accept her additional qualification in place of this (despite it having a higher UCAS tarriff). We went to an open afternoon at BSMS which she liked more than she thought she would, so is pondering the BMAT.

I have two older kids (well, adults now), one of whom has just finished his masters, the other just completed his first year elsewhere, but medical applications are just so complicated in comparison to their experiences at this stage.

Hope to hear from others in the same boat :-)

Oh, she also needs to find out what resources are available free - in both paper & online form - through the university library, and the libraries of its partner hospitals. I know quite a few medical students who have never bought a textbook.

@HarryTheSteppenwolf - thank you for replying. I'll mention the accommodation issue to Dd and also travel! I'll be making notes and check list .

@Monkey2001 thank you for replying. It's all a bit daunting! I think there are a lot of hidden costs etc in regards to the medical course and We has just told me as it's foundation it will be a total if 5yrs before F1! and I am aware of having to apply for NHS funding later in degree course? I just think how do/will they survive.

Had a brief look on line and she may have to share a bathroom as costs are £!.

Nottingham much cheaper than Bristol and placement transport is paid for or provided by the Uni. All books are available for free on like so the only expense has been a stethoscope, and they provide a discount voucher for that. Halls this year, fully catered with a double room and bathroom shared with one other is £7,200. But that includes all food, including lunches and all the holidays. If went for a standard single and 39 weeks think it was about £5,000 fully catered. Rent next year is £75 a week for her house !!! Bristol is hideously expense for renting too. Fingers crossed for Notts or UEA (I loved it !).

Honestly I hadn't even thought about travel or lunch cost during placement periods - good info to have, great that Notts offer that too. Most med schools have a cafe etc and I noticed UEA seemed to actively try and employ students - even an extra £20 a week earned could make a big difference @Monica53...?

What are your daughter's interests/hobbies, OP? If she's a sporty type there might be opportunities for working in gyms, sports centres, etc. We've had a few qualified life guards among our students, who could usually work some shifts during term time, while others got fairly routine jobs on late shifts in gyms. It's probably a bit more difficult to get shifts in shops, cafes, etc. at weekends but perhaps not impossible in a big city like Bristol or Nottingham (don't know about Norwich). Many medical students seem to be able to get shifts as health-care assistants from pretty early in the course: I know a lot of our second-year students do it.

It's important not to take on too much before she knows she can cope, though: some students need a lot more time than others for study, and some even need to sleep. Although, judging from the number of e-mails I get from students at 2 am, sleep doesn't seem to be a particularly high priority for many of them.

No doubt that medicine is an expensive business, not least because the course is so long. There are some charities offering bursaries to students (check the medical school websites). It's also worth checking if any charities local to you offer grants. grants-search.turn2us.org.uk/ There is some funding for travel to placements when they get NHS funding, I'm afraid I dont know the current details. Once they get NHS grants (year 5 onwards) there is a fair amount of grumbling about getting less money.

In their final year there is an elective and most go abroad. It is possible to arrange an elective in this country though.

If they are willing to sign up to the Army they sometimes recruit medical students and pay them £10k a year for up to 3 years - but they are not always recruiting. apply.army.mod.uk/roles/army-medical-service/doctor

Bristol is hideously expense for renting too.

Not in our experience. I don’t know if mumsneed dc is at Bristol, but dd is paying £90pw for a large room in a central flat. Her flatmate who comes from a low income family gets a generous bursary. It’s all doable if you are reasonably frugal and prepared to work through the summer. However the en-suite seems like an unnecessary extravagance.

Interested to know how much cheaper other Universities are.

That's amazing Needsmore. My DD not there but loads of her friends are (her school get contextual offers there). I'll have to pass that on as they are all struggling to find anywhere under £100. Thank you !

Not really amazing I dont think. As far as I can see, MN posters seem more affluent than average, so the rents they report, and the money their DC receive, seem higher than our experience. Avoid taxis takeaways and ensuites and I dont think Bristol is that expensive. Though from what you say your dc is having a different experience.

I also think it is useful not to try and keep up with other students. Some are very monied. DDs friends tend not to be. However seem just as happy cooking each other risotto, as hanging out in coffee bars. It seems almost an advantage to have less as there are plently of nice grounded people in the same boat.

We have an offer!!!! I actually cried, and am out off with husband on the lash, and will now have the best time. Yay!!

mimia SO pleased for you and DD! Where is it? Relax into mocks now....

Yeah mimi 🍾🍾. Huge congratulations. You only need one !

Fantastic news, mimi. Where is it for? Enjoy your night!

Congratulations to everyone who has offers so far! Really sorry to hear about the rejections for some DCs so disappointing.
But hoping good news arrives for everyone on here very soon.

DD has finally got an interview with UCL so she is happy about that as she really likes it and was concerned her Bmat score might have been too low,
A panel interview this time,! Hopefully she will do well. Good luck to those dcs still attending interviews.

O YAY Mimiasovitch!!Fantastic..enjoy your night!!🎉🎉🎉

And YAY for UCL interview too nightowlpossibly!🎉🎉🎉

Thanks everyone. It's for Cardiff, which wasn't her favourite but that doesn't matter. Hopefully Bristol will make an offer too, but even if it doesn't, she's ok.

Good luck for those with interviews ahead. Hopefully the wait afterwards won't be too long.

Really pleased to see your happy news @mimia and @nightowl! Fine reason for celebrating! 🍾 Still keeping 🤞for those still waiting! Enjoy the glorious spring sunshine!

Best of luck Night owl! Must be nice going to an interview with offers already in hand, it would take the edge off the nerves.

Thanks everyone.
Monkey2001- it is definitely nice for DD to go to her final interview with offers in the bag. it does take the pressure off somewhat, although this is a panel interview, and all the others have been MMI so she is not quite sure how it will go.

Also despite having offers, she really likes UCL and still wanted an interview. But having offers already would have softened the blow if she hadn't got an interview with them. I am pleased for her either way. Wishing you some good news soon.

mimi my DD is in her first year at Cardiff, so if you have any questions please feel free to ask!

Thanks everyone.

Monkey2001- yes it is definitely less stressful and pressurised for DD going to her final interview with offers in the bag already. However she really likes UCL and was keen
To get an interview there. So having offers would have softened the blow if she hadn't got an interview, but she is still pleased she did. Although it's a panel interview and all the others have been MMI so still uncertain how she will do. But I think she will be quite relaxed. Hope your DS gets some good news soon.