Going to Med School in the UK

[Digi]

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Any Americans do this? Experiences, stories, etc. Im not talking about schools like the one that is also affiliated with Kigali, but schools that are set up in general for British citizens.

 

[leorl]

I'm sure there must be some doing it, although a lot shy away from it because applying to the UK is seriously a pain in the ass. Not a lot of the british schools take international students (or at least American ones), and they're quite hard to get into. There is a fast-track 4 year med program that includes schools like Oxford and Cambridge, but I don't think those have been approved by US boards and stuff yet, since they are very new. You should try posting on that UK site (bartletts?) which I have forgotten the url for. I'll try to find it and post it to you. Americans generally don't go to the UK schools to study medicine - it does take more work than other places to attempt to get in. Americans go more for humanities subjects and shorter term masters/phD degrees.

 

[13538]

The UK med schools have strict quotas for non-EU students and they tend to favour students from developing countries or countries without their own medical schools. Having said that, I met loads of North Americans and Australians when I interviewed at Dundee. You can only apply to a max of 4 schools so I would contact all the med schools you are interested in before applying to confirm that they will consider your application.

 

[elin]

just to add to what trinners and leorl have said- most british medical schools, and certainly the elite ones such as oxford and cambridge take only international students from developing countries or countries without medical schools. If you are planning on doing this, you will probably need a bachelor's degree in science, as the british specialize in high school. I would also suggest going online and reading the prospectuses of the schools that you're interested in.(for the med degree only). A good starting point would be www.ucas.ac.uk, which is the "application" for the uk schools.

 

[Clipper]

Originally posted by elin
just to add to what trinners and leorl have said- most british medical schools, and certainly the elite ones such as oxford and cambridge take only international students from developing countries or countries without medical schools...

I don?t think that is entirely accurate. Although the vast majority of international students are from the underdeveloped countries, that may be because they receive many more applicants from these countries. I myself am a Canadian who is studying medicine at Cambridge University. In my class, I personally know of 3 other Canadians and an Australian. So I don?t think you should scratch these schools from your list?well at least not Cambridge. As for Oxford, I do not know and cannot comment.

 

[hugomontoya]

Does cambridge require an mcat or something similar? and what is tuition like?

 

[Clipper]

Originally posted by hugomontoya
Does cambridge require an mcat or something similar? and what is tuition like?

Cambridge does not require the MCAT. However they do have their own test that is somewhat similar to the MCAT. As for tuition fees?if you are a European Union citizen, you pay next to nothing!! If you are not part of the EU, the fees are probably at par with an American private university.

 

[pushkin]

Although the vast majority of international students are from the underdeveloped countries, that may be because they receive many more applicants from these countries. I myself am a Canadian who is studying medicine at Cambridge University. In my class, I personally know of 3 other Canadians and an Australian.

But Canada and Australia are Commonwealth countries--compared to us Americans I think students from those countries might have an easier time getting in. Also, earlier today I called the British Council in Washington and they said that places for overseas students ARE more commonly given to students from developing countries. Still, I want to apply. So if anyone's heard of any US citizens who've gotten into a UK med school, please tell me about them! I'd love to find out which UK schools are most interested in Americans.

Thanks!

 

[MPS]

There are 10 places earmarked for graduates on the conventional undergraduate course at Cambridge - I should point out that these are generally unpopular with "home students" because a) the fees are higher than at other UK universities, and b) home students on the graduate course get funding. Most applicants from "developing countries" will be applying as school leavers, not as graduates. I'm not too certain of the situation at Oxford, but imagine that it's similar.

 

[Clipper]

Originally posted by pushkin
But Canada and Australia are Commonwealth countries--compared to us Americans I think students from those countries might have an easier time getting in. Also, earlier today I called the British Council in Washington and they said that places for overseas students ARE more commonly given to students from developing countries. Still, I want to apply. So if anyone's heard of any US citizens who've gotten into a UK med school, please tell me about them! I'd love to find out which UK schools are most interested in Americans.

Thanks!

I was referring to Cambridge University in particular. Although the British Council did confirm that places for international students are more commonly given to students from developing countries, this may not be the case for ALL medical schools in the UK. It still maybe worthwhile to contact the individual medical schools and ask them directly about their policy towards American students. You might as well hear it right from the horse?s mouth.

 

[TTSD]

You know.. I have a letter from Cambridge University addressed to my father that goes something like this, "In the future, we will see what we can do when one of your children decides to attend graduate school." Something about a national treasure being donated.. blah.

Does that help in admissions? 😀

 

[Thewonderer]

Originally posted by pushkin
But Canada and Australia are Commonwealth countries--

British higher education does not care about Commonwealth. For all intent and purposes, Commonwealth is an entity without much "practical" benefits for the citizens.

Instead, it is a big deal if you are EU or non-EU.

I imagine that Americans are treated the same way as Canadians and Australians.

 

[pushkin]

Originally posted by Thewonderer
British higher education does not care about Commonwealth. For all intent and purposes, Commonwealth is an entity without much "practical" benefits for the citizens.

I didn't know that. Thanks for clarifying!

 

[FionaS]

The key is whether you're EU or non-EU, and that determines the fees you pay. Competition is tough to get into medschool, whether you go traditional 5 year (ie school leaver) or graduate entry 4 year course. Not all graduate courses accept overseas students (be they developing countries or not), so you would need to check. Also, most GEPs (Grad Entry Programme) ask for a 1st or 2.1 in a biological science degree, some will accept other science degrees and I think St Georges accept any degree, but you'd have to check again (www.sghms.ac.uk). The main thing is to get in touch with admissions offices and check with them. If you want to go the traditional route, there are more places on them for overseas students, and you'll find grads on those courses as well.

Whichever you choose, if you're thinking of starting in Oct 2004, the deadline for applications is this October, 15th I think. You apply through UCAS (www.ucas.ac.uk) up to a max of 4 places.

I can't think of any americans at my medschool (Birmingham), but I do know several Canadians and one Australian, so it's possible to get in.

Any questions, just ask and I'll try and answer.

Fiona

 

[patriot_missile]

Hi, please tell me about UK. I understand if say i spend 2 years at a u.s. or canadian school, i can apply to their 5 year med school program? By the way do they ask for high school grades if i apply after 1 year of college, so that i could enroll after i finished 2 years? If i get a EU citizenship but studied here in canada, am i still international, or im like a eu citizen? And if i marry someone from eu, i get immediately the citizenship and the benefits, right, or you gotta wait like 3 years and basically get screwed?

How much do the doctors in UK make? All i know is they make less everywhere else in Europe (and i like some other european countries more, but i dont speak their language). Because it would be my dream to start borrowing $ from a bank or from my parents once i get to med school, but so i could pay it back. In USA, i wouldnt have to worry about this, since doctors are all set once they're in school. So is it the same in EU?? Because i just know that their real estate(a house for me) is even more expensive than here and things such as cars and boats and everything are taxed like crazy... I know all EU people have their insurance, so doctors get paid like all their patients are on medicaid. Does this mean, that unless you're in cosmetics, you dont make any more money than a regular engineer??

I am just curious, thats why all the questions!

 

[Kev (UK)]

I can tell you two things about the UK medical schools:

1. There are very few places available for international students from developed countries like the US and Canada. Competition is very stiff. You would not be classed as either a Home or EU student until you had resisded here for at least 3 years and been awarded citizenship (which would mean forfeiting US/ Canadian citizenship).

2. Any mention of future monetary benefits from medicine in an interview is likely to result in the big R (ejection).

There are many more profitable occupations if that is a primary concern (try law, business management...). There are opportunities for private healthcare income but the UK operates a National Health Service, with equal access to healthcare for all. This is something we pride ourselves on and therefore yes, medics may earn less than in the USA/ Europe but it sure as hell gives us a far far greater sense of satisfaction!

 

[The Pill Counter]

and been awarded citizenship (which would mean forfeiting US/ Canadian citizenship).

Great Britain allows dual citizenship. You don't lose citizenship of other nations and vice versa, GB doesn't pull citizenship of its citizens who gain citizenship of another country.

 

[Kev (UK)]

I stand corrested. From the Home Office website:

12. Does the law still allow people to have more than one nationality?

Yes, the law does let people have more than one nationality. But the law of your original country may not allow you to be a citizen of that country if you are a British citizen. You should check this with the authorities of the country concerned.

For those that are interested in how you can gain British citizenship:

Foreign nationals may apply for certificates of naturalisation. This also applies to Commonwealth citizens and Irish citizens. Applicants must:

have lived legally in the United Kingdom for five years (the last year should have been free of any time limit);
be 18 or over;
not be of unsound mind;
be of good character;
have sufficient knowledge of English, Welsh or Scottish Gaelic (depending on their age and physical and mental condition); and
stay closely connected with the United Kingdom.
The wife or husband of a British citizen may apply for naturalisation after living in the United Kingdom legally for three years. The applicant's stay must not be subject to any time limit on the date of application; the applicant must be 18 or over and not of unsound mind, but does not have to meet the requirements to have sufficient knowledge of the language and to intend to live in the United Kingdom once naturalised. He or she must be of good character, however.

To meet these residence requirements, you must not be absent from the United Kingdom for more than 450 days over the 5-year period, or for more than 270 days over the 3-year period. In each case, you must not be absent for more than 90 days in the last year of the period.

 

[Scottish Chap]

GB doesn't pull citizenship of its citizens who gain citizenship of another country. [/B]

But be aware that countires like the U.S. (with the exception of a few legal loop holes) require you to surrender your British citizenship if you decide to become a citizen there. Britain are generally more forgiving when the opposite is the case.

 

[The Pill Counter]

You can't surrender your British citizenship, unless you go through a lengthy process to specifically relinquish your citizenship. Taking an American oath of citizenship doesn't automatically cancel your British citizenship .

 

[Friendly]

Originally posted by The Pill Counter
You can't surrender your British citizenship, unless you go through a lengthy process to specifically relinquish your citizenship. Taking an American oath of citizenship doesn't automatically cancel your British citizenship .

Nonsense.

 

[FionaS]

Hi, please tell me about UK. I understand if say i spend 2 years at a u.s. or canadian school, i can apply to their 5 year med school program? By the way do they ask for high school grades if i apply after 1 year of college, so that i could enroll after i finished 2 years? If i get a EU citizenship but studied here in canada, am i still international, or im like a eu citizen? And if i marry someone from eu, i get immediately the citizenship and the benefits, right, or you gotta wait like 3 years and basically get screwed?

Patriot - You can apply to a 5 year med school programme straight from highschool so long as you have the grades. When you say College, I'm assuming you mean university level study. If you get some type of exit qualification at 2 years of college then you could apply then, but if not then I'd advise that you get a degree (or be in the final year of a degree) before applying. They will ask for your highschool grades anyway, but will make an offer based on your degree/college study if you have done some (otherwise it will be an offer based on your highschool grades).

To be treated as an EU student you need to have resided in an EU country for 3 years before commencing study (and you need to have resided for purposes other than study - I'll try and find the rules somewhere). Otherwise you are treated as an international/overseas student regardless of nationality/citizenship. Canada doesn't count for anything I'm afraid!

Someone asked about fees - most places charge ?10k for years 1 and 2, and ?20k for years 3, 4 and 5 for overseas students. I don't know what the fees are for 4 year graduate courses.

Hope that helps someone!

Fiona