It really depends - there are some key questions you could ask yourself. For example: Will doing this subject give you a career advantage to justify the time and money? Can you afford an extra year at university?  Do you want an extra year at university or get working sooner? Are you happy being a student for a further year - would this affect friendships/relationships positively or negatively? Would intercalating affect your medicine work? (e.g. will it mean a year out of medicine not long before finals, as it is here in Dundee) Do you have a keen interest in the degree or the project(s) you will be doing?  Is there a choice to study away from your university if you wish to do a subject not offered at your own institution? Would you mind being away from medicine for a year and graduating a year later, potentially not studying with your existing friends for two extra years, or would intercalating mean you stay with those people? Do you want a minor points advantage on your Foundation application?  There are many more other questions, but purely in terms of the degree I am choosing not to intercalate for a few of the above reasons, but could answer all of them to argue against intercalating (for me) other than the topic/personal interest. 1. I am a graduate so don't gain much points-wise, especially in the context of my wider marks and SJT 2. For me the expense isn't justified - it would cost me many thousands of pounds for an extra year that I don't need to spend as a student 3. None of the career paths I'm interested in would see any of the specific topics as a huge advantage, so is a poor return on investment. 4. I don't want a year out of medicine when I might forget a huge amount... 5. I want to graduate 'on time' and get working again A lot of people here are intercalating as they were 17 or 18 at the start of uni and want to delay being a doctor til they are a bit older, which is fair enough. Plenty of people feel medicine is very different to other more traditionally academic degrees and intercalating gives you a chance to experience what university is like for most people - yes a lighter timetable/more parties but also a chance to explore a topic in-depth (e.g. dissertations) which medicine often doesn't offer and to explore a topic you have enjoyed in much more detail (perhaps a previous SSC or block you really enjoyed, or a lab project you did that you'd like to build on). I'd say to think about the pros and cons, and look into all the support you would need to make intercalating straightforward (financial, academic, personal) and then make an informed decision that makes you happy. 
Posted by Chess