Mature Students
Mature students currently make up a substantial proportion of the medical school population. You can chat to other mature/graduate students online on New Media Medicine's forums. If you are a mature student thinking of studying medicine, then this is the page for you. Although we've tried our best to ensure that everything is up-to-date, as always we advice you to do your own research before making any decisions. In particular, finances and admissions change frequently, so it is important for you to check the facts carefully. Please let us know if you spot anything here that has gone out of date.
The government has now decided that even though school leavers will be able to get a loan to cover the costs of their £3000 per year tuition fees, mature students will not. What this means is that mature students who want to study medicine on a traditional five-year couse will have come up with £12,000, i.e. £3000 per year up front for the first 4 years.
Many banks are now offering Career Development Loans to graduate. It is worth shopping around and comparing the interest rates and the length of time you will have to repay the loan.
If funding is a major obstacle, you may also wish to consider applying for some of the other four-year courses offered. These are aimed at graduates although you stand a better chance if your degree is a science subject or in a relevant area such as biomedical sciences or health sciences. Most of these courses offer a bursary for years two or four but competition is likely greater than for five-year courses.
At the time of writing, mature students are eligible for a student loan to cover their living expenses.
There are other sources of funding available. See http://www.dfes.gov.uk/studentsupport/ for further information, and ask admissions offices to send you details of any bursary schemes they have for mature students.
A detailed breakdown of academic requirements can be found on individual institution's websites. If your degree is a non-science subject, you may need to go back and study A-levels at evening class (check with your local college for availability). It is important to check availability on these college courses as this may fluctuate according to demand. The other option is to do an access to medicine course or foundation degree (see http://www.wanttobeadoctor.co.uk/main.php?page=15). Also bear in mind that an entry exam may be needed, (see http://www.wanttobeadoctor.co.uk/main.php?page=25).
What experience do I need?
Without relevant experience your are very unlikely to get an interview. It's important that you gain some relevant experience - as much to prove to yourself that you are doing the right thing as to prove to the university that you are the right student for them. The experience that you have says a lot about how motivated you are to study medicine. You may already have experience from your current job, but ideally this work should have involved some sort of direct contat with the people who have a healthcare need. The requirements for non-academic achievements (work experience, voluntary work and hobbies/interests) is similar to school leavers. (See Non-academic stuff)
How do I apply?
Mature stuents follow the same application procedure as school leavers. You will find all the informaion that you require at http://www.ucas.com. Remember the closing dates for Medicine are earlier than for other subjects. Also consider the location of study - is it possible to commute or would you be willing to move? Which course should I apply to? This depends on your situation and qualifications. there are three main types of course:
1. Foundation course (six years). this includes a one year foundation year before the main five year dgree. Mainly for those without the correct qualifications, (e.g. all arts A-levels).
2. Standard course (five years). These courses often have about 10-15 places reserved for graduate/mature students, however, some universities may not admit such sudnts if they hav a four-year course running.
3. Graduate entry programme (four years). These courses are for people with the relevant science/health-related degrees. They often have less holidays and are more competitive.
For more information on the different types of courses (and which universities offer which), check out The Medical Degree page. For stats on each course, check out Medschoolsonline. It is best that you check out the website of each medical school in order to be sure th infomation is up-to-date. A list of medical schools can be found on the Links page.
It is up to you which courses you apply to. Bear in mind that four year courses are heavily over-subcribed. It is gamble of whether to apply to all four-year courses at the risk of being rejected or applying to a mixture of four- and five-year courses.
Support for mature students
Mature students can often access additional support mechanisms as well as
those available to undergraduates. See the university or student union for
details about being a mature/graduate student and other services on offer
such as university accommodation for families, childcare facilities and
support groups.
Who should write my reference and what should they say?
You should ask your employer or a recent university tutor to write a reference for you. As this may not be something they have done before, you may wish to print out the tips for references at; http://www.keele.ac.uk/depts/ms/undergrad/studentinfo.htm and give them a copy.
The topics that they suggest a reference should include are; commitment to medicine, perseverance, communication skills, humanity/humility, intellectual potential, leadership qualities, teamwork and (if appropriate) mitigting circumstances.
What should I put in my personal statement?
Your personal statement could make or break your application, so it's important to get it right. Many people may meet the academic requirements, but not be the type of person the Medical School feels would be well suited to medicine. See the UCAS form page for more information.
Click here for some stories of personal experiences.
Good luck!
Although the process may seem incredibly daunting, we wish you the bes of luck in the applications process. Many mature students each year enter medical degree programmes and make excellent medical students and fantastic doctors. If this is what you want to do, do your research and go for it!
The government has now decided that even though school leavers will be able to get a loan to cover the costs of their £3000 per year tuition fees, mature students will not. What this means is that mature students who want to study medicine on a traditional five-year couse will have come up with £12,000, i.e. £3000 per year up front for the first 4 years.
Many banks are now offering Career Development Loans to graduate. It is worth shopping around and comparing the interest rates and the length of time you will have to repay the loan.
If funding is a major obstacle, you may also wish to consider applying for some of the other four-year courses offered. These are aimed at graduates although you stand a better chance if your degree is a science subject or in a relevant area such as biomedical sciences or health sciences. Most of these courses offer a bursary for years two or four but competition is likely greater than for five-year courses.
At the time of writing, mature students are eligible for a student loan to cover their living expenses.
There are other sources of funding available. See http://www.dfes.gov.uk/studentsupport/ for further information, and ask admissions offices to send you details of any bursary schemes they have for mature students.
A detailed breakdown of academic requirements can be found on individual institution's websites. If your degree is a non-science subject, you may need to go back and study A-levels at evening class (check with your local college for availability). It is important to check availability on these college courses as this may fluctuate according to demand. The other option is to do an access to medicine course or foundation degree (see http://www.wanttobeadoctor.co.uk/main.php?page=15). Also bear in mind that an entry exam may be needed, (see http://www.wanttobeadoctor.co.uk/main.php?page=25).
What experience do I need?
Without relevant experience your are very unlikely to get an interview. It's important that you gain some relevant experience - as much to prove to yourself that you are doing the right thing as to prove to the university that you are the right student for them. The experience that you have says a lot about how motivated you are to study medicine. You may already have experience from your current job, but ideally this work should have involved some sort of direct contat with the people who have a healthcare need. The requirements for non-academic achievements (work experience, voluntary work and hobbies/interests) is similar to school leavers. (See Non-academic stuff)
How do I apply?
Mature stuents follow the same application procedure as school leavers. You will find all the informaion that you require at http://www.ucas.com. Remember the closing dates for Medicine are earlier than for other subjects. Also consider the location of study - is it possible to commute or would you be willing to move? Which course should I apply to? This depends on your situation and qualifications. there are three main types of course:
1. Foundation course (six years). this includes a one year foundation year before the main five year dgree. Mainly for those without the correct qualifications, (e.g. all arts A-levels).
2. Standard course (five years). These courses often have about 10-15 places reserved for graduate/mature students, however, some universities may not admit such sudnts if they hav a four-year course running.
3. Graduate entry programme (four years). These courses are for people with the relevant science/health-related degrees. They often have less holidays and are more competitive.
For more information on the different types of courses (and which universities offer which), check out The Medical Degree page. For stats on each course, check out Medschoolsonline. It is best that you check out the website of each medical school in order to be sure th infomation is up-to-date. A list of medical schools can be found on the Links page.
It is up to you which courses you apply to. Bear in mind that four year courses are heavily over-subcribed. It is gamble of whether to apply to all four-year courses at the risk of being rejected or applying to a mixture of four- and five-year courses.
Support for mature students
Mature students can often access additional support mechanisms as well as
those available to undergraduates. See the university or student union for
details about being a mature/graduate student and other services on offer
such as university accommodation for families, childcare facilities and
support groups.
Who should write my reference and what should they say?
You should ask your employer or a recent university tutor to write a reference for you. As this may not be something they have done before, you may wish to print out the tips for references at; http://www.keele.ac.uk/depts/ms/undergrad/studentinfo.htm and give them a copy.
The topics that they suggest a reference should include are; commitment to medicine, perseverance, communication skills, humanity/humility, intellectual potential, leadership qualities, teamwork and (if appropriate) mitigting circumstances.
What should I put in my personal statement?
Your personal statement could make or break your application, so it's important to get it right. Many people may meet the academic requirements, but not be the type of person the Medical School feels would be well suited to medicine. See the UCAS form page for more information.
Click here for some stories of personal experiences.
Good luck!
Although the process may seem incredibly daunting, we wish you the bes of luck in the applications process. Many mature students each year enter medical degree programmes and make excellent medical students and fantastic doctors. If this is what you want to do, do your research and go for it!
What experience do I need?
Without relevant experience your are very unlikely to get an interview. It's important that you gain some relevant experience - as much to prove to yourself that you are doing the right thing as to prove to the university that you are the right student for them. The experience that you have says a lot about how motivated you are to study medicine. You may already have experience from your current job, but ideally this work should have involved some sort of direct contat with the people who have a healthcare need. The requirements for non-academic achievements (work experience, voluntary work and hobbies/interests) is similar to school leavers. (See Non-academic stuff)
How do I apply?
Mature stuents follow the same application procedure as school leavers. You will find all the informaion that you require at http://www.ucas.com. Remember the closing dates for Medicine are earlier than for other subjects. Also consider the location of study - is it possible to commute or would you be willing to move? Which course should I apply to? This depends on your situation and qualifications. there are three main types of course:
1. Foundation course (six years). this includes a one year foundation year before the main five year dgree. Mainly for those without the correct qualifications, (e.g. all arts A-levels).
2. Standard course (five years). These courses often have about 10-15 places reserved for graduate/mature students, however, some universities may not admit such sudnts if they hav a four-year course running.
3. Graduate entry programme (four years). These courses are for people with the relevant science/health-related degrees. They often have less holidays and are more competitive.
For more information on the different types of courses (and which universities offer which), check out The Medical Degree page. For stats on each course, check out Medschoolsonline. It is best that you check out the website of each medical school in order to be sure th infomation is up-to-date. A list of medical schools can be found on the Links page.
It is up to you which courses you apply to. Bear in mind that four year courses are heavily over-subcribed. It is gamble of whether to apply to all four-year courses at the risk of being rejected or applying to a mixture of four- and five-year courses.
Support for mature students
Mature students can often access additional support mechanisms as well as
those available to undergraduates. See the university or student union for
details about being a mature/graduate student and other services on offer
such as university accommodation for families, childcare facilities and
support groups.
Who should write my reference and what should they say?
You should ask your employer or a recent university tutor to write a reference for you. As this may not be something they have done before, you may wish to print out the tips for references at; http://www.keele.ac.uk/depts/ms/undergrad/studentinfo.htm and give them a copy.
The topics that they suggest a reference should include are; commitment to medicine, perseverance, communication skills, humanity/humility, intellectual potential, leadership qualities, teamwork and (if appropriate) mitigting circumstances.
What should I put in my personal statement?
Your personal statement could make or break your application, so it's important to get it right. Many people may meet the academic requirements, but not be the type of person the Medical School feels would be well suited to medicine. See the UCAS form page for more information.
Click here for some stories of personal experiences.
Good luck!
Although the process may seem incredibly daunting, we wish you the bes of luck in the applications process. Many mature students each year enter medical degree programmes and make excellent medical students and fantastic doctors. If this is what you want to do, do your research and go for it!
