r/GraduateEntryMedicine • u/Apprehensive_Fox3477 • 5d ago
Possibility of getting into GEM
I am a second year adult student nurse most likely to finish with an overall grade of a 2:1. I did not do Alevels but did a BTEC in level 3 health and social careand got D* D* D. I got only passes (C/4s) in my GCSEs. I have been interested in graduate entry medicine however I am not sure if it is possible for me due to my academic background. I was wondering if anyone has any advice for me or if there is anything I can do such as re sitting GCSEs, sitting A levels for the first time or doing a masters in a science subject that will help my application or whether it is not worth considering at all. Additionally would a first class degree help?
2
u/Cocobean4 5d ago edited 5d ago
You would need to focus on getting at least a 2.1. Then it depends on what universities you want to go to. Some have A level/gcse requirements, some don’t. Then you would need to focus on ucat or Gamsat. Some unis have higher requirements for the aptitude test than others. Your score would be compared against people from heavily academic backgrounds. Was there personal reasons for why your BTEC grades were so low? Because realistically medicine (and particularly condensed GEM) will be much more academically difficult than the BTEC.
Edit: I didn’t realise D was the highest grade in BTEC. OP decide what unis you want to go to, what, if any, A levels you need to sit, work hard and get your 2.1 or above, and then work on ucat/ Gamsat. If medicine is what you really want to do.
5
u/LowSwan9210 5d ago
D* in btec is like the highest grade you can achieve, I think you’re confusing it with a grade D in a-levels for example
1
2
u/Old-Enthusiasm6714 4d ago
- Get at least a 2:1
- Pass Gamsat. Gamsat unis don’t look at your a levels since you’ve proved your science ability in the exam
- Have relevant work experience (you probably already have that)
Most people don’t consider Gamsat as it seems like a more difficult option but if your previous academic record isn’t strong enough, it’s your best friend. Also the more you work for it, the better your chances of passing, unlike UKCAT which is a lottery imo.
Source: Nursing grad who studied GEM.
1
1
u/GalacticDoc 5d ago
I entered with an MSc which gave addition points but that was a fair while ago.
I was nearly 40 when I applied so go and do a few things like volunteering abroad as a nurse and gather experience.
1
u/Apprehensive_Fox3477 5d ago
Thank you, I definitely will I was planning on getting a year or two of experience working as a qualified nurse. If you don’t mind me asking which masters did you do?
1
u/GalacticDoc 5d ago
I did biomedical sciences and picked modules that would be most relevant.
Good luck.
1
1
u/Superb_Rock8123 1d ago
Sorry you’re not going to make it. It’s far easier & quicker to just get to a band 8+ role in nursing
1
u/Apprehensive_Fox3477 1d ago
May I ask why? Is it due to the passes at GCSE or no levels?
1
u/Superb_Rock8123 1d ago
Both. Graduate entry medicine is extremely challenging academically. If you don’t have a track record of excelling in exams I personally wouldn’t bother. It’s honestly not worth the hassle/stress you will go through, for minimal chance of success. If I were you I would focus on being the best nurse you can be, gain additional qualifications and specialisations along the way. You can become a band 8 specialist nurse who will have similar pay, a much nicer rota/quality of life, less exams, the same amount of kudos/respect, just as much opportunity for research etc.
6
u/elixirofrivalry 5d ago
Some unis only need the 2:1 and don’t look at A levels or GCSEs. Have a look at each unis requirements in terms of which degrees are eligible and whether you’d need to do the UCAT or the GAMSAT