Studying Medicine - Help on Funding

scottp_2

Hi,

I am 19 (nearly 20 L ) and currently work earning a salary of £17500 basic with bonuses taking me up to around £25000. I left school at 16 with very good GCSE results (5 A*'s, 2 A's and 7 B's, the A*'s were in Maths, Physics, Chemistry, Media and Design Technology, A's in Biology and History) but decided not to go to college as I didn't know what I wanted to do and didn't fancy wasting 5 or more years until I decided.

I started working for a large bank and did quite well, and then worked in Brussels for a finance company (for a very short period) and then came back to work for a different bank. I am doing well, really enjoy my job and earn a good salary, but I just can't see myself doing it forever, so I have been having a good long think.

My idea is to Study for Maths, Chemistry and Biology A Levels and a Physics AS level part time while I still work and save up (I estimate I could save around £25000 for when I am finished) over 2 years and then go to University to study Medicine.
I live at home with my Mum who earns around £50,000 but do not get any support from her. I would be 22/23 before I start university.
I just need some help on what funding I would be able to receive. Like I said, I can save around £25k but I would rather not use all that as I would like to have a House deposit for when I finish as my Girlfriend will be a qualified teacher in 4 years!

Any hep would be greatly appreciated!

BTW – I am looking at studying at Sheffield or Leeds. I have looked at Sheffield and they have grants and thing available, but I don’t know how they work!

Oldernotwiser

As you will have supported yourself for over 3 years you will be considered an independent student and won't be assessed on parental income, although your girlfriend's income will be taken into account if you live together.

Have a look at www.direct.gov.uk for general information on loans and grants and then broaden it out to funding for medical training.

I wouldn't at this stage narrow your university options down too much as some places are more welcoming to mature students than others. I'd also plan on using most of your savings as it's a long slog to becoming a doctor. If you could possibly fit in any relevant experience that would be useful as entry is so competitive - I realise that might be difficult with other committments but do try.

Having said that, there's no reason why you shouldn't achieve your aim but you need to be as open minded as possible about it.

Good luck!

atypical

I would say that without relevant work experience it'd be nigh on impossible to get a place. It makes them easier to reject you under the thought of "how does he know he definitely likes the idea of being a doctor?"

Also perhaps you could pick a non-science as your AS level? Most universities prefer you were more rounded. Something like English shows your mind can work in other ways (and you can talk the usual fluff about communication skills ).

MrsManda

I agree with all ONW has said about funding.
With regards to work experience, it is vital you get some with regards to medicine as it is incredibly difficult to get on a course. However the fact that you have 'real life' experience rather than coming straight from school may actually give you an edge.
Contact a few medical schools and ask them for advice in terms of what further studies you should and what else you can do to improve your chances of getting on a course.
As a mature student staight A-levels may not be your best option so it's best to ask the admissions departments of a few medical school and find out what they suggest.

scottp_2

Thanks for the help and advice guys.

I know about the work exprience side of things, I have a few contacts in the medical business who can help me with that.

I have booked the day off today to try and sort the A Levels out and have got a little stuck!

My local college (Barnsley) will not to ANY A Levels other than Art at night and another (Dearne Valley College) will not do A Levels for adult learners.
I am stuck! I NEED Chemistry and Maths for the course, does anyone have any ideas for doing them in the Barnsley/Sheffield Area.

Thanks!

MrsManda

scottp wrote: »

I am stuck! I NEED Chemistry and Maths for the course, does anyone have any ideas for doing them in the Barnsley/Sheffield Area.
Thanks!

You're likely to have difficulty finding an A-level Chemistry course which only runs in the evening. They tend to have a large practical component requiring lab technicans as well as a tutor. Could you go part time/work flexi-time with your job and do a part-time course during normal working hours?
Direct.gov have a searchable database of courses for adult learners. There are chemistry/maths courses on there which may be suitable for you. Just fill in your subject requirements and how far you're willing to travel.
HTH

Oldernotwiser

The School of Medicine at Sheffield University offers a one year pre -Medicine course for those applicants with good A level grades in non Science subjects.

If you can't find evening classes in sciences locally, this could be a route to look at.

Swirlywurly

scottp wrote: »

Thanks for the help and advice guys.

I know about the work exprience side of things, I have a few contacts in the medical business who can help me with that.

I have booked the day off today to try and sort the A Levels out and have got a little stuck!

My local college (Barnsley) will not to ANY A Levels other than Art at night and another (Dearne Valley College) will not do A Levels for adult learners.
I am stuck! I NEED Chemistry and Maths for the course, does anyone have any ideas for doing them in the Barnsley/Sheffield Area.

Thanks!

I really suggest you do some more research before going ahead.

You definitely do not need maths for medicine. The only exception is if you are applying to a few specific colleges at Oxbridge, otherwise Chemistry, Biology and two other subjects will give you the right subjects for more than 90% of the medical schools in the UK.

I did Biology, Chemistry, Sociology and English Literature (AS) and had no problems applying with those subjects.

There is so much information available online now, you can save yourself a lot of time and trouble by checking it out.

Best Wishes

swstudent

You have brilliant GCSE results, good luck with your a-levels! Work experience is really important. One of my best friends is studying medicine and she had to have lots of experience which sounds easier to gain than it is! She shadowed doctors, nurses, physios, spent a few weeks at a GP surgery carrying out admin type tasks and volunteered at a hospital also where she got involved with various bits and bobs. I wish I was intelligent enough to study medicine! Good luck!

swstudent

Oh - I forgot - had a look on the NHS website and says that you can get funding on your 5th/6th year of study for medicine. Before this your loans are from Student Finance England. Type NHS student grants into a search engine!

jenjey

Having been on the interview panel for medicine applicants for 3 years I'd have to agree with the other posters who have said you do need to get some work experience. It's all well and good you finding a way around getting your A levels sorted out, but you need so so more more than just good grades to get a place: everyone has good grades for medicine.

Do some work experience, try and see if you can shadow in a few areas of medicine and make sure you're doing everything to prove you've thoroughly thought this through and it is what you want to do.

Sorry I can't help too much with the financial questions - I have relied on student loans, and now (for 5th and 6th year) I'm relying on reduced loan, NHS bursary and prize money from my academic ranking! It's going to be a tough year financially!!!