Medicine: what’s better, Oxford or Cambridge?

[AsPerMyLastEmail]

DS wants to study medicine. For certain reasons beyond academics & reputation, he and I think Oxford or Cambridge may be a good fit for him. He’s Year 11 now so will be doing proper research nearer the time. Out of idle curiosity, I’d appreciate thoughts on which of the two is better for medicine. With the obvious caveat that ‘better’ is partly subjective.

I wasn't engaging with you especially mumsneedwine, if that's ok. I was responding to the OP.

But incidentally, in terms of which med school gets the largest number of first preferences for F1, that needs to be looked at in context. That's because some deaneries are vastly more competitive than others whereas when students opt for a deanery (often near their med school) these aren't necessarily competitive so more of those applying will get it, obviously.

Have they not looked at Imperial?

I certainly look at where doctors train, especially where there are cases of negligence. Not all doctors are equally expert at their job.

@AsPerMyLastEmail my only advice is don't fixate on Oxbridge. Apply and hopefully they'll get a place. But if it's the be all and end all then how will they feel if they don't get a place and have to go somewhere else. Will they always feel 2nd best ? Getting into medical school is tough (this year is hideous with a Uni increasing required grades after application and UCAT scores through the roof). This will have a knock on effect for several years. Becoming a doctor should be the aim.

UCL is probably the best for medicine, their research is outstanding. I have doctors in my family who have done medicine at Oxbridge, UCL, Cardiff and Edinburgh. Oxbridge still carries a cachet for private practice, but the big money will be in medtech and then UCL is better.

Applying to Oxford or Cambridge to read Medicine is a perfectly sensible aim for plenty of DC. And plenty of those plenty are capable of applying without fixating. Applying to Oxbridge doesn't need to be any more emotional than applying for any other uni that you think would suit you. Also, for a DC with top grades and a clear aptitude for Medicine, getting a place is not like winning the lottery. It never ceases to amaze me how incredibly high the emotional temperature gets on the Medicine threads. Not many well qualified DC fail to get a place, although this year is trickier than previous years to be sure.

laudemio a lot of Oxbridge doctors working in the NHS won't go into private practice on principle.

Good advice @mumsneedwine. It certainly seems that getting into medical school is much harder now then it was even a few years ago.

@AsPerMyLastEmail it is so hard. Only 1 in 4 applicants get a place first time round. Nearly all have fantastic gcse results and predicted grades. The dreaded UCAT and BMAT are vital to securing an interview. Good luck.

This year application are 6% up I think but perhaps someone has the statistics of applications: places available to see just how the numbers have changed? There are more places available than in previous years but I'm not sure how the numbers pan out relative to each other. It would be interesting to see.

It would also be interesting to know why the applications are up. An especially large year population-wise? A Covid-prompted interest in doing one’s civic duty and supporting the NHS?!

It may well have to do with CAGs being awarded last year and Y14s having a punt. Although I think I'm right in saying that applications from disadvantaged students are disproportionately up (good), so that will have to do with outreach. Med school has traditionally been seen as overwhelmingly middle class.

I'm new here and following with interest. My son is interested in applying for medicine.

While a couple of posters have said that there is an anti Oxbridge bias, I get the impression that these posters have an anti every other medical school bias.

Not every medicine student wants the course structure that Oxbridge offers. Some actively choose integrated learning or PBL courses. That doesn't make them inferior.

I certainly look at where doctors train

Do most people really do this?

My dad had his oesophagus removed last year. It didn't occur to any of us to check where his consultant trained. He made a good recovery by the way.

At Oxford, it's possible to do almost all placements at the John Radcliffe and in any event students can commute from their houses in Oxford to placements; plenty do

That's true currently @goodbyestranger but only because half the Oxford students go to London for their clinical years. That will no longer be the case from 2023. Oxford medics will have clinical placements in Oxford, Reading, Swindon and Northampton.

On the subject of deaneries, the most competitive is North West London (Imperial), followed by North Central and East London (UCL and Barts). Oxford for pre-clinical years followed by clinical years at Imperial/UCL/QML(Barts) was a great option that gave the best of both worlds but that will not be possible for the OP's DS.

@AsPerMyLastEmail hopefully by the time your son is applying the proper open days will be running & he can visit both and get a good feel for the cities and the university campus itself. Spend a weekend there & talk to the current students, some of them will have also been through the O vs C decision and can say what swayed them.

When I was applying, I initially had my heart set in Sheffield but when I went on the open day I completely changed my mind. Not sure what it was but I just didn’t feel it would be a good fit for me.

I look at the background with cases of negligence. I mean, it interests me and there's a pattern.

In terms of my own health care or my family's health care I do look up the doctor's background where I have cause for concern - and I've had a few of those. Not many, but enough to think my goodness you're pretty flakey let's see where you trained. I doubt it's a national hobby :)

Very useful intel @orangenasturtium thank you.

Yes that does indeed sound like the best of both worlds and it’s a shame that it will be no longer available.

orangenasturtium with the greatest respect half do not go to London! Some do, usually if they don't get a place at Oxford but occasionally by choice.

When I say some, it's nothing like half - it's a handful. The overwhelming majority stay in Oxford for the clinical years.

But you are correct about the two most competitive deaneries. It's a well worn path for Oxbridge students.

@goodbyestranger

I look at the background with cases of negligence. I mean, it interests me and there's a pattern.

In terms of my own health care or my family's health care I do look up the doctor's background where I have cause for concern - and I've had a few of those. Not many, but enough to think my goodness you're pretty flakey let's see where you trained. I doubt it's a national hobby :)

Where would you look to find this information?

@Powercut As you’re new, you might want to hold off forming impressions until you’ve been around enough to have a properly informed view. Regardless, this thread is in not about what is better, the Oxbridge system or integrated learning or PBL courses. No one is saying those that choose the latter you are inferior. Don’t make it about that.

Usually it's on the website of the hospital where your consultant is based.

@AsPerMyLastEmail honestly after uni no one cares where you went.

A lot of posters seem on and on about the prestige.

An important thing to consider is how far you are sent for clinical placements! Hence why I ruled out Cardiff as you can go all over Wales and have to live in grim hospital accommodation for parts of the year.

If I’m being honest when you’re a parent/6th former you don’t have a clue about what’s important in a doctor. Just go where you enjoy, whether you want fab sports, great nightlife, a very academic course or just to be close to the seaside.

I’ve worked with people from almost every medical school. It’s there last 5 or 6 years before you become an NHS slave, it’s worth enjoying it.

And the posters who say they want doctors with scientific knowledge. Trust me we have to pass more than enough exams to specialise, I’m revising at the moment.