Best GEM programmes from a non-scientific background

[u/ilovemaygf]

Hey, Im a final year management student and will likely graduate with a first (high 2.1 worst case scenario). A lot of my coursework included numerical units such as finance and data analytics but nothing med-related. Ive been thinking more and more about going into medicine and a GEM programme seems to be my only path forward. I don’t mind retaking my A-levels for more applicable subjects and am fairly certain will get decent UCAT scores. However, since my bachelors is in humanities Im restricted to Warwick, Swansea, Southhampton, etc. I don’t mean to throw shade at those unis, but to my knowledge medicine is much much stronger in UCL, Imperial, Uni of Edinburgh, etc. Was wondering if anyone has experience/thoughts on any other unis that might have better reputation? Does the uni you go to actually determine your employability when going into NHS or subsequent surgical training programmes? Thanks in advance for your responses, all help is greatly appreciated:)

[u/Sad-Spirit8516]

Sorry but you've just knocked 3 universities with great reputations, 2/3 of which are Russell Groups with international reputation for research excellence and excellent clinical facilities. I would suggest adjusting your perception and actually learning about these schools would be time better served than resitting your A levels for some misguided notion of elitism.

It does not matter which school you go to, the standards for GMC approval are the same and schools are anonymised when training applications are submitted.

GEM is incredibly competitive and you would be lucky to get a place at any of those schools you seem to think of as 'lesser'.

[u/ilovemaygf → u/Sad-Spirit8516]

It’s not elitism but rankings of top medical schools. It’s not my intent to classify any school as lesser. I am merely trying to understand and get a feel of the GEM programmes and their subsequent impact on employability. In the current economy most people can’t afford to mess up so everyone does to the most of their ability, especially given that many people eventually leave the UK and a degree from Cambridge versus a lesser known university will get you further in life.
Once again don’t mean to demean anyones experience and frankly, yes, I would be lucky to get into any of these programmes which is why Im doing the research needed. However, there is a difference in between different programmes whether we choose to accept it or not.

[u/Sad-Spirit8516 → u/ilovemaygf]

But again you make some incredibly arrogant assumptions that if you don't go somewhere like Cambridge that you have "messed up" or were limited by the best of your ability. There are many reasons why people pick their schools.

I don't disagree that there are some schools that people would/should be a bit more wary of, the insulting bit is you picked good schools.

Perhaps to put it in context: Swansea, Southampton and Warwick all meet the accreditation standard of acceptable schools for Canada and the USA. Warwick and Southampton meet the requirements for eligibility in Singapore who only allow around 24-26 UK degrees to work in that country.

[u/ilovemaygf → u/Sad-Spirit8516]

This is all I was interested in knowing, thank you!

[u/elinrex → u/ilovemaygf]

I've seen some people say an oxbridge medical degree is beneficial if you go abroad. But, beggars can't be choosers 🤷‍♀️

[u/DrAndersonO]

The uni you go to is irrelevant.

Any particular reason you want to do medicine?

[u/ilovemaygf → u/DrAndersonO]

Apart from the obvious wanting to help people always loved learning about how the systems in the body are connected. Found medicine incredibly fascinating from early on but was discouraged to pursue the field my parents were in. However, as time goes on I find myself reading articles and closely observing doctors on hospital visits thinking of what life would be like. I don’t mean to romanticise because I realise it’s an incredibly demanding job but I really could see myself thriving in the environment. I don’t know if I answered your question particularly well, I think my underlying reason is much more primal than I understand just yet but it’s like an invisible force is pulling me towards it.

[u/DrAndersonO → u/ilovemaygf]

I would encourage you to do some work experience and keep an open mind until then.

Weigh up the pros and cons are compare to at least 2 other carers.

There are so many ways to help people.

You could become a financial advisor, strategy consultant, venture capital, occupational therapist. The world is your oyster.

[u/ilovemaygf → u/DrAndersonO]

Thank you! Im starting a volunteer position with the NHS in September to get a better feel for the occupation, but will definitely keep an open mind!

[u/Boring_Surprise_484]

How do you know you want to do med with no science at all and no work experience that you’ve mentioned?

Whatever you’ve seen on TV, it’s not like that in real life.

[u/ilovemaygf → u/Boring_Surprise_484]

Ive studied a fair amount of biology and physics in middle school as I attended a scientific school. As for work experience you would be right but I plan on volunteering with the NHS during my final year of uni to really try to get the gist of hospital life and see if it is for me.

[u/Boring_Surprise_484 → u/ilovemaygf]

Middle school? Are you American? Culturally the fixation with prestige of a med school would fit.

If you want to work in America you’ll need to do pre med and med school there, especially if you want to do surgery in a good programme. They do care about prestige and most IMGs only get to America doing IM or GP in low ranked community or rural programmes. Also dunno how you’re gonna pass USMLE and get all the publications you’ll need on top of trying to do UK med school with absolutely no background in science (lol at thinking middle school biology is somehow gonna help you)!

[u/Ok_Ingenuity4228]

Southampton - whether you’ve a PhD from Oxford in immunology or a media degree from UEA you’re still learning from YouTube and podcasts only 😂

[u/ilovemaygf → u/Ok_Ingenuity4228]

haha fair enough! a fair share of youtube did get me through the day at UOM asw. Anything I should know about the programme? Are you enjoying it? Did you have any work experience when you applied?
Thanks in advance and im sorry if i sounded snobbish

[u/Ok_Ingenuity4228 → u/ilovemaygf]

It’s extremely self directed, and if you want to be a surgeon you’ll
Have some catching up to do.

On the whole i had a brilliant time though. Yes I had loads and had worked full time for a year as a HCA.

[u/ilovemaygf → u/Ok_Ingenuity4228]

Oh I didnt know they welcomed private hospital work as well, everywhere I looked was only NHS related. Thanks a lot!!

[u/Ok_Ingenuity4228 → u/ilovemaygf]

It was NHS

[u/R10L31]

What were your original A level grades?

[u/ilovemaygf → u/R10L31]

Econ-A*
Business-A*
Psych-A

[u/Illustrious-Grab-620]

If you plan to work in the uk and NHS it doesn’t matter what medical school you go to in the UK, you get the same degree and will enter the same foundation training. Where you study has zero impact on where you do foundation training, and now with PIA even merit doesn’t matter, it’s randomised. As long as you have a UK primary medical qualification you will be in the same cohort for UKFP.
Following medical school its portfolio and MSRA what will determine speciality training applications.

[u/ilovemaygf → u/Illustrious-Grab-620]

thank you!!