Early DeadlineUCAS Applications

DentistryMedicineOxbridge

Veterinary

rhscareers

Skills

creativity honesty empathy

interpersonal skills independent self-motivation

flexibility communication approachable

leadership listening skills patience

attention to detail integrity dynamic

Compare your existing skills to those required to succeed in your chosen career. Develop other skills required through extra-curricular activities and work experience.

recognising limitations

decision making

problem solving

decisiveness teamwork confidentiality

compassion multi tasking organisation

manual dexterity curiosity stamina

life long learning mature adaptable

Ability to cope with stress

recognise limitations

scientifically minded

sensitivity amiable caring

realistic hardworking calm

responsible open minded initiative

Main Skills

1.Dentist – people skills, manual dexterity, empathy, leadership, integrity etc.

2.Medicine – communication (speaking and listening), problem solving, teamwork etc.

3.Oxbridge – independent learner, self-motivated, subject focused, teachability etc

4.Vet – people skills, sensitivity, physical strength / fitness, problem solving, integrity etc.

Evidencing Skills

Sport / Music / Drama – team work, initiative, commitment, patience, stamina etc

Duke of Edinburgh – communication, motivation, resilience, problem solving etc

Voluntary work – dedication, empathy, people skills, confidence, social responsibility etc

Volunteering - Medicine

• Charities – Chest, Heart and Stroke, MS, Gateway, Mencap etc

• Special Needs Schools – Clifton, Killard House, Tor Bank etc

• Northern Ireland Hospice – 02890 781836• Nursing / Residential Homes • St John’s Ambulance• Positive Futures (Julia Sloan - 028 9147 5720 /

volunteering@positive-futures.net)• Befriending Scheme at local hospitals.

If you’re interested in work experience you should contact your local trust and speak to the

Human Resources Department.

South Eastern HSC TrustUlster HospitalUpper Newtownards RoadDundonaldBelfastBT16 1RHtel: 028 9055 3100e-mail: public.relations@setrust.hscni.net

Volunteering - Dentistry

• Charities – Chest, Heart and Stroke, MS, Gateway, Mencap etc

• Special Needs Schools – Clifton, Killard House, Tor Bank etc

• Nursing Homes – try any close to your house.• Dental Talks to Primary School pupils – Prep?• Dentist Surgery – meet and greet children waiting

for dentist.• GB, BB, Scouts, Guides etc

Volunteering - Vet

• Open Farms – Streamvale and The Ark • Talks to Primary School pupils – keeping pets.• Vets – vet. nurses, caring for animals in care. • Boarding Kennels• Cats Protection League • Assisi• Stables• Local Farmers• Castle Espie

Oxbridge – Extra Preparation

• Subject specific books – ask HoDs• Magazines – BMJ etc• Online - Villiers Park Education Trust

(http://www.villierspark.org.uk)• Dr Long’s Oxbridge Library - Careers Interview

Room• Open Days / Taster Courses• Oxford and Cambridge websites• WEX – Nuffield Research etc

Where to study?

1. Visit www.ucas.com.2. Careers Library – Times, Guardian &

Virgin University Guides.3. Open Days4. Taster courses / summer schools5. guardianuniversitycomparison20136. University websites

To answer questions such as …….

• What is the course structure?• How is degree assessed?• Is teaching/research rating high?• How high is student satisfaction?• What are library/sport facilities like?• Is accommodation guaranteed in first year?• What is the social scene like?• What is cost of travelling home?

To answer questions such as …….

• What is the course structure?• How is degree assessed?• Is teaching/research rating high?• How high is student satisfaction?• What are library/sport facilities like?• Is accommodation guaranteed in first year?• What is the social scene like?• What is cost of travelling home?

In reality……Look at entry requirements and apply to the courses that are most likely to give you an offer!

All Medical, Dental and Veterinary Departments and Oxbridge Colleges are excellent.

Think about –

grades WEX admission tests subjects no. of places available

Read between the lines ……

• UKCAT – if lowest offer in previous year was 665 => 670 this year will probably not be enough – UKCAT requirements have increased by around 50 points over the last 2 years!

• we welcome applicants who do not have a 3rd science at A level => think carefully if you do have a 3rd science – I’d suggest this university for someone with English, French, Art etc

Previous requirements-• Use The Student Room to ask questions about offers

from the last few years – replies are opinion only and you should then check carefully through each uni’s website or email unis to confirm what is being said.

• 2 years ago Newcastle did not say anything about UKCAT on website but …… did not interview if you achieved less than 600 in any one section. They may or may not do the same thing again!

• Last year Hull guaranteed to interview everyone who got over a certain UKCAT score => very important to look back over choices after UKCAT result.

UKCAT (before 6th October 2015) Please check but UKCAT is usually required by - University of Aberdeen Hull York Medical School

Cardiff University Queen's University Belfast

University of Dundee Keele University

University of Durham King's College London

University of East Anglia University of Liverpool

University of Edinburgh University of Leicester

University of Exeter University of Manchester

University of Newcastle University of Sheffield

University of Nottingham University of Southampton

Plymouth University University of St Andrews

Queen Mary, Uni of London St George's, London

University of BirminghamUniversity of Glasgow

BMAT

• BMAT is required by a small number of medical universities.

• The deadline for applications is usually mid October. Test date is early November => think about after UKCAT results?

Universities of Oxfordand Cambridge

Imperial College London

University of Leeds

Royal Veterinary College

University College London

Brighton and Sussex Medical School

Lancaster University

Personal Statement (Med, Den, Vet)

• Para 1 – reasons for studying medicine, dentistry or vet (not just family, sci. subjects). Personal experiences as patient, family member, owner or WEX. Hopes for the future.

• Para 2 – WEX – feelings, observations, people, reflection, skills observed & developed.Did you discover anything new?Don’t mention everything => list! Rather show reflection, ability to learn and self awareness.Tie experiences together / show understanding of doctor, dentist or vet’s role.

• Para 3 – Extra curricular involvements – use to evidence skills.Give level of achievement.Reflect on significance of skills required for medicine, veterinary or dentistry

• Para 4 – conclusion – Reinforce 1st paragraph / commitment to chosen course and career.Give succinct reason to offer you a place.

Admission Tutors are looking for -

• WEX, research- talk to doctors, dentists, vets.• Gain appreciation of concerns of patients –

disabled, elderly, children – voluntary work.• Social awareness, responsibility – evidence

through extra curricular.• Ability to cope with stress / time management – all

rounder – work hard and enjoy free time.• Teamwork – evidence through sport, drama etc.• Work / life balance – no hobby, no balance!

Personal Statement Oxbridge• Para 1 – reasons for studying subject specifically at Oxford

or Cambridge – A level subjects, reading beyond syllabus, independent learning, college system etc

• Para 2 – WEX – feelings, observations, people who inspired you, skills & knowledge developed. Show reflection.

• Para 3 – Extra curricular involvements – use to evidence skills / expand subject knowledge.

(less than 20% of statement for Oxbridge)

• Para 4 – conclusion – reinforce 1st para and commitment to degree course.

Medicine

GMC Report : Medical Degree• Increase in PBL & decrease in traditional learning• Increase in skills and attitudes• Increase in research and audit skills• Increase in aptitude for personal development and

life long learning

1. GMC : Good Medical Practice and Medical Students Professional Behaviour and Fitness to Practise.

2. www.gmcuk.org/education/undergraduate/tomorrows-doctors.asp.

Working in Medicine • Use clinical skills in history taking and examination

• Procedures – taking blood, chest drains, surgery

• Request investigations – ECGs, scans

• Devise management plans for patients

• Health promotion / disease prevention

• Personal development / life long learning

• Communicate – doctors, patients, AHP, families, labs, management, policy makers etc

• Retrieve and handle information

• Maintain and expand knowledge on social, basic and clinical sciences

• Ethical understanding / legal responsibilities

• Decision making skills, clinical reasoning and judgement

What do Doctors do?

• Educate • Break bad news• Deal with violent / aggressive behaviour• Work irregular & unsocial hours• Make clinical & management decisions• Help people• Research• Study and sit exams• Teach

Doctors must be able to -

• Listen to their patients’ views and respect their rights

• Be honest and trustworthy

• Work effectively with other healthcare professionals

• Act with competence, compassion, responsibility and integrity.

Career Path1. Undergraduate education – 5 year medical

degree.

2. Postgraduate education – Foundation Year 1Foundation Year 2

Speciality and General Practice Training(between 3 and 8 years)

3. Continuing Professional Development

Look at ‘Average Example’

• boring list

• no idea of candidate’s personality

• no reflection / observation / feelings from WEX

• few skills evidenced

• little insight into medical career

Look at ‘Better Example’• leave some WEX / extra curricular out if

necessary – can be added to reference

• Personality comes across

• reflection / observation / feelings from WEX included

• more relevant skills evidenced

• genuine insight into medical career

Look at ‘Research into Medical Careers’Ideas for 1st paragraph –

•Research and WEX

•Personal experience and WEX

•Compare patient’s and doctor’s experience of medicine

•Topic covered in class – investigated further – WEX

•Recent news article / report

•Compare medicine in different countries / cultures

Look at ‘Conclusion’Ideas for final paragraph –

•Realities of medicine

•Talking to family and friends – realities

•Refer back to 1st para – emphasise commitment to medicine

•Talk about future plans if known

•Refer back to someone who inspired you during WEX

•Refer back to 1st para – helping overseas / WEX

CAO (www.cao.ie)You can also apply to the following medical schools in Ireland –

1. University College Cork 2. University College Dublin3. NUI Galway4. Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland5. Trinity College Dublin  

You will need 4 A levels in the one sitting. Completed A2 Maths at the end of Year 13 => DO NOT cash in your grade until next year to keep CAO option open?

EUNICAS is like a European UCAS : www.eunicas.ie

European Universities