Medicine is a five/six year course studied at university and in hospitals where you become a doctor (Hospital doctor/GP etc) when you qualify. The only (Legal) way to become a 'medical' doctor in the UK is to do a degree in medicine. Be aware, that there are many related degrees such as biomedical sciences, clinical sciences, medical sciences etc. However, these are science degrees and not degrees in medicine. It is important that when you apply, you check that the degree you're doing leads to provisional registration with the General Medical Council (GMC)

Generally the medical course consists of a period of time learning about the science of the human body in health and disease (The pre-clinical years) and then a period of time (The clinical years) applying that knowledge when meeting patients. It is a unique degree in that it combines the art of communicating effectively with patients (Trust me-it really is an art!!) with the science of the workings of the human body.

Deciding on a career in medicine should not be taken lightly. Remember, it is a very intense degree lasting five/six years leading to a job where you have to work long hours and requires great dedication. So, DO YOUR RESEARCH before you apply and don't be persuaded into applying by others. Without a real passion for the subject, many students struggle to survive the demanding pre-clinical years, in fact, it would be fair to say that even for the most motivated of students it can be easy to lose sight of what you are studying for when trawling through mounds of anatomy, physiology and biochemistry revision.

Most medical degrees are five-years. If you are a student finishing A. Levels you will probably embark on a five-year course. The standard five-year course can be 'topped up' to six years by doing an intercalated BSc. However, some medical schools incorporate this into the medical degree, so it is automatically six-years. If you are a graduate you may be eligible to apply to a four-year graduate entry programme. If you do not have the correct qualifications then you can do a six-year course, which includes a foundation year tagged onto the first five-years.

So once you finish medical school you will start your foundation jobs (Previously known as pre-registration house officer, PRHO) . The Foundation Programme is a two-year planned programme of general training which forms the bridge between medical school and specialist/general practice training. All medical graduates will enter the Foundation Programme immediately following graduation, which comprises a series of placements in a variety of specialties and healthcare settings. In order to progress to GP or consultant you have to take exams to become a member of the respective Royal College (See below) . The bits in between foundation and there are a bit hazy. For more information, see the following websites:

NHS Careers - doctors
Modernising Medical Careers
The General Medical Council

Also remember that there is loads of scope to work abroad if that's what you fancy. A medical degree means that you can go almost anywhere!

For a more detailed version, click here

This is the decision you will have to make... do I really want to be a doctor? Training to be a doctor takes a long time, so you must be sure that this is something that you're interested in. Being a doctor is very rewarding, but it is also stressful at times, hard work and emotionally draining. Being a doctor, you will make big and small differences to people's lives, so it's important that you are committed. The important thing is to do your research - talk to family and friends, your GP, careers advisors and look on the internet.

It doesn't stop once you've finished medical school. In fact that is just the start! There are many different types of doctor and it's up to you to choose what kind of doctor you want to be. To become a specialist in any field, whether that be obstetrics and gynaecology or general practice, you need to take post graduate exams to become a member of the appropriate Royal College. Below are all of the Royal Colleges. If there is a speciality that interests you that isn't there, it is probably because it is a sub-speciality, for example cardiology is a sub-speciality of medicine and microbiology is a sub-speciality of pathology.

• College of Emergency Medicine
• Royal College of Anaesthetists
• Royal College of General Practitioners
• Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists
• Royal College of Ophthalmologists
• Royal College of Pathologists
• Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health
• Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh
• Royal College of Physicians of London
• Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow
• Royal College of Psychiatrists
• Royal College of Radiologists
• Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh
• Royal College of Surgeons of England

Lots of misconceptions fly around about admissions to medical school. This is because it is very competitive and can be a bit of a minefield. Hopefully this will help to clear things up!

• No matter what medical school you apply to you can go into any field. Medical schools do not specialise in certain areas, as the degree has to be broad enough for you to go into anything (This is regulated by the GMC) . Obviously this is different in terms of research.

• Medical Schools only see other courses if they are at the same university.

• It does not look less dedicated if you only apply to one medical school or if you apply to other courses.

• Medical schools do not discuss your application with other universities (Firstly they don't have the time, and secondly it's against the Data Protection Act!)

• You don't need to have 5 A grade A-Levels to get into medicine - the average is AAB. Personality is much more important.

• Most universities like you to have a range of subjects at A-Level (Although Chemistry is still usually required, and Biology is for some) . But the days of needing all Sciences and Maths are over.

• Medical schools do not have a quota of people to fill from a certain school - each applicant is judged using the same admissions policy as everyone else.

• Medical schools will not think you are less committed if you apply for two non-medical courses in the spaces on your UCAS form. Medical schools don't see any other course (Unless you have applied for one at the same university) and cannot prejudice you for doing so.

• If AAB is the minimum grade requirements, then this is what it means! You don't have to have AAA at a university which needs AAB!

• Medical schools have strict admissions policies, and can therefore not discriminate against students because of sex, race, looks etc.

• The deadline for medicine is mid October - not September! Therefore getting your form in earlier offers no advantage as far as the medical school is concerned. However, it does help in terms of stress levels!

• If you are a graduate or are currently studying for a non-medical degree and you wish to study medicine at that same institution, then already studying there confers no advantage or disadvantage to your application.

In addition to A. Levels, medical schools may also require you to sit another entry exam. It is really important that you investigate these before applying. Most of these require you to register before a certain date and complete the exam on a certain date. It is possible to do past papers, and it may be advisable to do some revision! All of these cost money to do, but universities may offer bursaries to cover the costs.

United Kingdom Clinical Aptitude Test is a new test made for medical admissions. Dental and veterinary science may also be affected. Thanks to MedSchoolsOnline, download the UKCAT leaflet here . The test will come into being in 2006, for those applying for 2007 entry (Or those applying in 2006 for deferred entry in 2008) . Therefore the test will be sat at the end of year 12 ( I.e. at the end of AS year) . The first one will be held in summer 2006. If you applied in 2005 and have deferred entry for 2007 entry then you won't be affected. The UKCAT will test mental ability, problem solving, logical reasoning, critical thinking, information management. It is designed so medical schools can make a more informed decision about applicants and ensure that the candidates selected have the best combination of mental abilities, attitudes and professional behaviours required for Doctors and Dentists to be successful in their clinical careers. It is not a science paper and is not curriculum based.

There will be practice questions (Although no preparation is really needed as it will test innate skills and competencies) and advice here www.ukcat.ac.uk . Most UK medical schools have signed up to the UKCAT, which means that nearly all potential medical students will have to sit the test, in addition to GCSEs, A. levels, UCAS personal statement and interviews. Those medical schools requiring other medical admissions tests such as the BMAT are likely to continue them for the unforeseeable future. The test has been quoted as £60, with bursaries available for those from poorer backgrounds. There will be registration for the 90-minute test in June and it can be taken anytime between July-Sept in one of 150 or so test centres around the country (No one will be more than 40 miles from a test centre) . International students may also have to take the test, however some countries are exempt. There is a deadline to take the test, and this can be found on the website. Results will be available for the admissions process however not all of the universities signed up may use the results of the test. There may be a period of research, comparing the current admissions procedures and the new test. Medical schools signed up to the UKCAT include: Aberdeen, Birmingham (Graduates only) , Brighton and Sussex, Cardiff, Dundee, Durham, East Anglia, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Hull and York, Keele, King's College, Imperial College (Graduates only), Leeds, Leicester, Manchester, Newcastle, Nottingham, Oxford (Graduates only) , Peninsula, Queen Mary (University Of London) , Queen's University Belfast, Sheffield, Southampton, St. Andrew's, St. George's, Warwick (Graduates only). Those universities who have appeared not to have signed up include: Bristol, Birmingham (Standard course), Cambridge, Imperial College, Liverpool, Oxford (Standard course) , Royal Free and University College. For more information, check out this BMJ article  or this student BMJ article .

This is the BioMedical Admissions Test, which is a subject-specific admissions test taken by applicants to Medicine, Veterinary Medicine and some other related courses. It is a two-hour exam consisting of three sections: aptitude and skills (Multiple choice and short answer question) , scientific knowledge and applications (Multiple choice and short answer question) and a writing task (Short essay question) .

The BMAT exam takes place once a year and is £21.50 for UK candidates. For more information on the BMAT, including information about where to take the test and when to register, visit www.bmat.org.uk . Current universities which require the BMAT include: University of London, Imperial College (A100) University of London, University College (A100) University of Cambridge (A100, A101) University of Oxford (A100)

The Medical School Admissions Test is another wonderful test to make things easier for the admissions tutors. The MSAT has been developed in consultation with medical schools for use in the selection of students into 4 and 5-year medicine degrees. MSAT scores are used in conjunction with academic results and performance at interview. Universities which require the MSAT include: University of London, King's College (A102) University of London, Barts and The London (A101) The University of Warwick (A101) For more information, visit this website .

The Graduate Australian Medical School Admissions Test was developed in Australia and has since been pioneered in the UK. The GAMSAT helps to assist in the selection criteria mostly for students who are applying to graduate entry programmes. The GAMSAT is predominantly multiple-choice questions and tests a general knowledge base that manifests a broad spectrum of skills and aptitudes. Divided into three parts, the GAMSAT tests your reasoning and communication skills, and you'll need to have some knowledge of biology and physics to do well. It actively encourages a lateral thinking approach, thinking 'outside of the box' and exploration of wider parameters in achieving solutions. One disadvantage is the cost - a whopping £176.00!

The GAMSAT is used in the following graduate entry programmes:
St. George's Hospital Medical School
University of Nottingham
University of Wales, Swansea
And in Peninsula Medical School for non-standard applicants.

For more information, visit this website or join the Yahoo GAMSAT group