US premed req classes for UK schools

[alakhian]

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Do UK schools accept normal premed classes (bio, chem, orgo, phys, biochem)for consideration to their graduate 4-year programs?

The reason I ask is because I have taken standard US premed classes with an unrelated major (journalism).

 

[Scottish Chap]

Do UK schools accept normal premed classes (bio, chem, orgo, phys, biochem)for consideration to their graduate 4-year programs?

The reason I ask is because I have taken standard US premed classes with an unrelated major (journalism).

You're good to go. British medical schools don't tend to give international applicants a hard time (unlike American medical schools who generally insist that all science prepreqs are completed stateside). Most British schools ask for a science or biology degree with demonstrated ability in chemistry. However, there are a few programs that will consider applicants with a background in humanities or social sciences with an appropriately strong performance on the entrance test (GAMSAT, UKCAT etc.).

The four-year programs will be a stretch overall. They were created for alleviate the physician shortage in the U.K. and since internationals are not allowed to stay there for post-graduate training, very few are willing to consider internationals (Oxford being a notable exception).

 

[alakhian]

Do the Brit med schools allow internationals in my position to enter a 5-year program?

 

[Scottish Chap]

Do the Brit med schools allow internationals in my position to enter a 5-year program?

All the time.

 

[alakhian]

Alrite thanks a lot bro.

So basically I can

1. Get my degrees in Biology and Journalism at my American undergrad uni (which is possible if I take 1 or 2 summer courses) and apply (but probably not get into) a 4-year program into UK

or

2. Take standard American premed classes and get only my journo degree and try to get into a 5-year program in the UK.

Ok I think I got it.

You mentioned some UK schools take humanities background students tho into 4year programs. Do you know some of these schools or a site where I can find them?

Thanks again.

 

[Scottish Chap]

A science degree will give you less headaches in the U.K. if you are applying to medical school. With a B.A., there will certainly be some schools that won't look at your application (best to ask all of them now- there aren't many medical schools over there so it won't take long), but there are still several that will. Good luck.

 

[sumina13]

follow up with what scottish chap said and contact the schools themselves. their answers should be the best guide for your plans.

 

[alakhian]

alrite thanks alot. i emailed them all. hopefully ill get some good news. glad i found this site as im starting college.

 

[alakhian]

just out of curiosity...if an international studies in the UK for grad school is he/she required to go back to home country for training cuz thats wut ive been hearing...

which pretty much means i can stop having any uk fantasies

is it THAT hard to get UK perm residency? will the requirements be lax over the coming years?

 

[alakhian]

anybody?

 

[Scottish Lad]

yes, that's correct. i think you have the possibility to do your two foundation years in the uk, but you will not be allowed to start specialist training thereafter. so you would need to be prepared to go back to the us/canada for residency.

 

[Kev (UK)]

just out of curiosity...if an international studies in the UK for grad school is he/she required to go back to home country for training cuz thats wut ive been hearing...

which pretty much means i can stop having any uk fantasies

is it THAT hard to get UK perm residency? will the requirements be lax over the coming years?

That's correct. If you are an international student you may stay for 2 years post-graduation to undertake the Foundation Course. This usally consists of 4-6 rotations in medicine, surgery and other specialities. Unfortunately after that you will need a work permit to pursue any approved specialist training (residency/ fellowship) in the UK. A work permit will only be given to a non-EEA (European Economic Area) applicants if the employer can prove that there was no suitable EEA to take that post. This year there are approximately 24,000 EEA graduates chasing 18,000 training posts, so your chances would be slim at best. I think it is doubtful this situation will change in the next few years.