A-Level Chemistry for mature student?

MajorMaccas

MajorMaccas

MajorMaccas

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Where can I take this?? I'm currently on an Access to Higher Education course, leading to access to medicine, next year. After contacting cambridge, the person I needed to speak to wasn't there, but the woman I did speak to said I would need A Level chem to stand a chance of entry, since I would be going up against school leavers with A's in chemistry etc.

So, since the workload on my access course is managable, I feel I can take on A-level chem in 1 year. I did do 1 year of AS chem after GCSE, but didn't take the exam and went to college instead. I found it the easiest of physics, maths + chem I took at AS. So, I want to get this done and finished in 1 year before I go on to access to medicine next year, at a different college miles away :rolleyes:

Can I go back to my old school (1 minute walk away) and do it there, perhaps an evening class or something, or would I have to try some kind of national service like learn direct etc?? Thanks
 
I've seen that table of uni's before. I do not have any A-levels, I have a BTEC ND in ICT lol. I've read a few encouraging answers to this same question, one did a part-time day class, 2 days a week and got it in 1 year at A grade. Others have done evening classes with similar results. Think I will find out tomorrow when I start phoning around.
 
Cyberstrike2027 said:
I've seen that table of uni's before. I do not have any A-levels, I have a BTEC ND in ICT lol. I've read a few encouraging answers to this same question, one did a part-time day class, 2 days a week and got it in 1 year at A grade. Others have done evening classes with similar results. Think I will find out tomorrow when I start phoning around.
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Whoa whoa whoa. Back up there. You don't have any A-levels.

Just do the Access to Medicine Course to be honest, it'll have enough Chemistry. That is assuming med schools accept the particular access course. You may end up doing Access-Foundation-Medicine to be honest.
 
Currently, the course laid out before me is: Access to Higher education this year, then Access to Medicine next year at another college, with a linked placement scheme with UEA, guaranteed place provided I achieve distinction (70% - low target). On COWA's website, the access to medicine is recognised by cambridge, among other universities, so I'm unsure whether I need chemistry a-level in addition to the Access to Medicine course. My thinking is that it won't hurt, and would actually improve my chances, if I can show I can handle a high workload doing an access course + chem A level in 1 year, since medicine is the heaviest workload of any uni course.

To put this course into perspective, today we watched a video in biology about evolution, then had a break, then punctuated a block of text into paragraphs, then lunch, then read a handout which just repeated what we had been told by the video in the morning. And that was my 6 hours at college today...
 
Cyberstrike2027 said:
Currently, the course laid out before me is: Access to Higher education this year, then Access to Medicine next year at another college, with a linked placement scheme with UEA, guaranteed place provided I achieve distinction (70% - low target). On COWA's website, the access to medicine is recognised by cambridge, among other universities, so I'm unsure whether I need chemistry a-level in addition to the Access to Medicine course. My thinking is that it won't hurt, and would actually improve my chances, if I can show I can handle a high workload doing an access course + chem A level in 1 year, since medicine is the heaviest workload of any uni course.

To put this course into perspective, today we watched a video in biology about evolution, then had a break, then punctuated a block of text into paragraphs, then lunch, then read a handout which just repeated what we had been told by the video in the morning. And that was my 6 hours at college today...
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Well, why not do it then.

Linked placements are generally, in my experience, NEVER guaranteed 100%. What if EVERYONE got 71%?
 
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As far Im aware Chemistry A level is the main one required by Cambridge for Medicine - I doubt the access course would give you the breadth of Chemistry knowledge to do the degree there otherwise (a lot of prior knowledge is assumed)...

ps3ud0 :cool:
 
Cyberstrike2027 said:
Another factor promoting the "A-level this year" option :rolleyes:
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Well, another option is an OU course. I'm certain Cambridge would accept some - so ask them which.

I do, however, question why Cambridge. It is a one of the best Medical Schools in the world, and no disrespect intended, you're hardly a typical applicant. If solely geographic reasons, well, ....
 
Just call any sixth form schools/colleges and see if they have Adult learning programmes for A levels - very surprised if all dont - just depends on what subjects and timescales for teaching it...

Though I would say you need to be realistic regards Uni choices and start making strides towards that this year too (work experience, additional qualifications, clarification what grades you exactly need on the access course/additional courses)...

Your age may be a slight hindrance especially at Oxbridge IMHO - you will deffo need to stand out of the crowd for one reason or another...

ps3ud0 :cool:
 
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meghatronic said:
I do, however, question why Cambridge. It is a one of the best Medical Schools in the world.
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This, mainly :p

and ps3ud0, I'm only 21 :) This year alone I'll be volunteering at my local hospital, and/or organising some related work experience. As far as standing out, the A-level in a year alongside an access course should cover that methinks. hmmm
 
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Cyberstrike2027 said:
This, mainly :p

and ps3ud0, I'm only 21 :) This year alone I'll be volunteering at my local hospital, and/or organising some related work experience. As far as standing out, the A-level in a year alongside an access course should cover that methinks. hmmm
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No offence but youll be 23 when you apply - so at least 4years older than most. Considering the profession and the amount of (state) money that goes into training you, being ~5 years older than a normal 18yr old applicant isnt going to help (why Medicine has an age cap)...

As I said to get into Oxbridge is pretty difficult, getting into Medicine for Oxbridge is very hard (though getting into Medicine full stop is due to quotas) - but with your background and the route you are going to you will have to be at least very academically gifted aswell as have other skills that show your breadth in character...

Thinking just doing an A-level alongside an access course is not standing out - its just meeting the basic requirements which pretty much every other applicant will have. Also I would expect them to question you (either by interview/essay/application form/college form) regards why you choose this route rather than the more 'traditional' way.

ps3ud0 :cool:
 
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ps3ud0 said:
No offence but youll be 23 when you apply - so at least 4years older than most. Considering the profession and the amount of (state) money that goes into training you, being ~5 years older than a normal 18yr old applicant isnt going to help (why Medicine has an age cap)...
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Complete and utter tosh.

Guy on my best mates course was 45 doing Medicine. It's also illegal to discriminate on age, even in hospitals (not in military/police etc.). If anything it could help an application being worldly. Good grades isn't all being a medical doctor is about.
 
Sorry I was misinformed about an age limit (swear there used to be one when I applied - though it appears to be an unwritten rule). But never the less it will be taken into account considering how many applications per place - I beat 40+ to mine at application, about 12/15 at interview:

Medical Schools Council said:
Is there an upper age limit to study medicine?
There is no upper age limit for applications to study medicine in the UK. However, given the number of years in study and subsequent training, Admissions Officers may consider the length of time an applicant would be able to practise medicine upon qualification.
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I concede that in the OPs case its very unlikely to be anything but a very small factor...

ps3ud0 :cool:
 
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ps3ud0 said:
Sorry I was misinformed about an age limit (swear there used to be one when I applied - though it appears to be an unwritten rule). But never the less it will be taken into account considering how many applications per place - I beat 40+ to mine at application, about 12/15 at interview:



I concede that in the OPs case its very unlikely to be anything but a very small factor...

ps3ud0 :cool:
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I think you're right in as much as you have two identical candidates, one is 18 and fresh out of college with a 50yr career ahead of them. One of them is 50, with, after uni (5yrs) training (2-4yrs), will have only 6yrs left. There is a sensible choice, and an equal choice.
 
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