Intercalated Bsc/Msc after 4th yr or Masters after graduation?
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Intercalated Bsc/Msc after 4th yr or Masters after graduation?
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I'm just starting my 4th year. My initial thoughts were to take a year out after my fnal year and complete a masters degree. I could apply now and do a Bsc/Msc after year 4 but I would rather no
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Intercalated Bsc/Msc after 4th yr or Masters after graduation?
posted at 11/9/2011 3:32 PM BST
on bmj.com
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Posts: 5
First: 28/3/2011 Last: 2/1/2012 |
I'm just starting my 4th year. My initial thoughts were to take a year out after my fnal year and complete a masters degree. I could apply now and do a Bsc/Msc after year 4 but I would rather not do that. What are the disadvantages of not going straight into F1? Would I apply but defer the F1 start date or would I have to apply during my masters? Any thoughts/ advice?
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Re: Intercalated Bsc/Msc after 4th yr or Masters after graduation?
posted at 27/9/2011 12:14 PM BST
on bmj.com
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*Moderator*
Posts: 108
First: 23/9/2009 Last: 15/5/2013 |
Well there is one considerable advantage to doing a BSc or MSc after you've finished medical school but before entering the foundation programme - extra degrees give you extra points in the "academic achievements" portion of the foundation programme application, making you more likely to get the post you want at the hospital you want. An intercalted BSc will get you one points out of five, whereas a 2:1 honours degree will get you three points. An MSc will get you four points. There's more info on the points system in the Foundation Programme 2012 applicants handbook. There are other things to consider about not going straight into foundation year one from medical school though. For example, all your friends will be a year or two ahead of you, you'll be that bit older when you're doing night shift after night shift, and you could potentially have more responsibilities like a family and a mortgate to think about when you're applying for specialty training jobs all around the country. I wrote a bit about the reasons for and against intercalated BSc's last year, which might help you with your decision. |
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Re: Intercalated Bsc/Msc after 4th yr or Masters after graduation?
posted at 27/9/2011 2:39 PM BST
on bmj.com
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Posts: 16
First: 14/8/2009 Last: 19/9/2012 |
If you apply in 2013 or after (which, if my maths is right, McPretty will), you'll be applying to the revised system. The full deatils are here: http://www.isfp.org.uk/ But to summarise: PhD: 5 points Masters: 4 points 1st class honours: 4 points 2:1: 3 points 2:2: 2 points 3rd: 1 point It doesn't matter whether your second degree was taken seperately or as an intercalated degree, you get the same points for it. So to be specific to McPretty's situation, as long as you got a 1st in the BSc you do after 4th year, it wouldn't be worth any more points than an MSc. (The only caveat to the points system above is if you go to the University of Nottingham. They do a 5 year degree and include a BMedSci degree along with your MBBS. For avoiding that extra year of study, subtract one point from the list above; i.e. a 2:1 from Nottingham is only worth 2 points) I know that doesn't really help your decision any. Personally, I've just started an intercalaed BSc (between 3rd and 4th year) and am really enjoying it. I imagine doing an MSc would be very different to medical school, I'm finding my BSc to be remarkably similar (some of the same people; same building; same lectures, ever if I haven't seen them since my basic science course).
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Re: Intercalated Bsc/Msc after 4th yr or Masters after graduation?
posted at 27/9/2011 3:11 PM BST
on bmj.com
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*Moderator*
Posts: 108
First: 23/9/2009 Last: 15/5/2013 |
Thanks for the information on the changes to the points system ross71521, I didn't realise that was happening! Are the new rules part of the Educational Performance Measure that is going to be used in foundation programme selection for 2013 onwards? Could you point me towards the section on the Improving Selection to the Foundation Programme website that outlines this? |
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Re: Intercalated Bsc/Msc after 4th yr or Masters after graduation?
posted at 27/9/2011 3:20 PM BST
on bmj.com
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Posts: 16
First: 14/8/2009 Last: 19/9/2012 |
In Response to Re: Intercalated Bsc/Msc after 4th yr or Masters after graduation?: Are the new rules part of the Educational Performance Measure that is going to be used in foundation programme selection for 2013 onwards ? Could you point me towards the section on the Improving Selection to the Foundation Programme website that outlines this? Yes they are, if you click on the "EPM framework" link in the left sidebar of the page you have linked to, you will get a PDF outlining exatly how the points are going to the calculated. (Or just click here to download it directly!) |
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Re: Intercalated Bsc/Msc after 4th yr or Masters after graduation?
posted at 27/9/2011 3:32 PM BST
on bmj.com
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Posts: 193
First: 24/9/2010 Last: 27/10/2011 |
I did it after my third year. Looking back I'm glad I did it that way round but this was back in the pre-tuition fee and pre-foundation days. I think it would be hard regaining all the practical/clinical knowledge from final year at med school to be at a good enough standard to be on the wards after a MSc, but as Helen says, a MSc looks better than a BSc on paper for the future. |
