The Edge in Studying Medicine

 

Students need more than outstanding grades at A-Level to get into Medical School. Studying medicine is a demanding degree which requires academic excellence, the ability to empathise, and excellent written and verbal communication skills, in addition to an overarching ambition and drive to complete the course.

Students must demonstrate that they have completed relevant work experience in the caring profession. We advise students on how best to apply to NHS organisations, including GP and veterinary practices.

Our programme encourages students to work voluntarily, particularly in school nurseries, care homes and charity shops. These experiences are essential in giving our students the edge when applying to study medicine and help build the resilience needed for such an emotionally challenging career.

The WCS Medical School Programme

The WCS Medical School Programme is designed to give our students the best chance of gaining a place at a top UK medical school.

Comprehensive programme

Medical School students participate in weekly workshops, get expert help to prepare for required BMAT (BioMedical Admissions Test) and UCAT ( University Clinical Aptitude Test) tests, receive individual support and guidance throughout the application process, and sit mock interviews. The programme offers students the following:

  • A thorough understanding of what a medical career will involve, including dentistry
  • A forum to discuss and debate current medical issues and ethics
  • BMAT and UCAT preparation
  • Interview preparation: both traditional and MMIs
  • UCAS support and guidance on all aspects of the application process, from finding the right course and meeting all the requirements to writing a relevant and compelling personal statement and accepting an offer
  • Assistance in securing voluntary work experience placements
  • Supplementary support in Biology and Chemistry.

MEDICAL, DENTISTRY, AND VETERINARY APPLICANTS RECEIVE:

  • Support for work experience placements.
  • Medical tutoring including:
  • Research and discussion sessions on current medical and ethical issues.
  • Help with preparing a medical application.
  • Access to extensive online information compiled by our expert tutors.
  • Role-play scenarios.
  • Mini interviews.
  • Workshops aimed at improving communication skills.
  • Introductions to volunteering positions in the wider community.
  • Interview practice
  • Expert Knowledge of university entry requirements.
  • First Aid training course offered.

Our medical applicants work closely with their subject tutors to develop their academic ability and intellectual skills, particularly in preparation for their statements and how to respond to interview questions. Students gain experience in expanding on their statements in depth, responding to challenging questions and presenting themselves confidently. These one-to-one sessions also act as a forum to debate new ideas and broaden their critical skills.

BMAT Preparation

The BMAT is used to select candidates for health-related degrees and veterinary science.

MOST UNIVERSITIES REQUIRE STUDENTS TO HAVE BEEN SUCCESSFUL IN THE BMAT. IT IS REQUIRED FOR ENTRY TO A MEDICAL OR VETERINARY DEGREE FOR MANY UNIVERSITIES, INCLUDING:

  • Oxford University
  • Cambridge University
  • University College London
  • Imperial College London
  • The Royal Veterinary College

THE TEST IS IN THREE SECTIONS:

  1. Aptitude and skills in problem-solving.
  2. Scientific Knowledge and application
  3. Developing and organising ideas

We prepare our students for the two-hour test through seminars that develop their skills and how to manage their time in the exam. Because all students need help in different ways, we tailor our support to the individual. Still, our experience shows that all benefit from the extra guidance given to critical studies and broadening their Knowledge of current medical debate and developments.

UCAT Preparation

Many universities use the UCAT to narrow the selection field for medical and dentistry courses. This is an online test and comprises five sections:

  • The UCAT assesses a range of mental abilities identified by university medical and dental schools as important.
  • The test consists of five separately timed subtests in multiple-choice format. There are four cognitive subtests (Verbal Reasoning, Decision Making, Quantitative Reasoning and Abstract Reasoning) and a fifth non-cognitive subtest of Situational Judgement. (Test Format UCAT Consortium. https://www.ucat.ac.uk/about-ucat/test-format/)
  • Depending on the choice of university and the test required, students receive the same level of support as provided for the BMAT, but with a focus on the UCAT five subtests.