Studying Medicine/Dentistry In the UK SMSUK JC Talks 2016

What we will be covering today Why Study in the UK Application Process

Who are we?

Why Study in the UK?

World-Class Research Opportunities Learning through Dissections Taught by Leading Doctors/Scientists Easier and Wider Access to First-Rate Conferences Personal Growth and Independence Multicultural Experience, Travel Wider Range of Teaching Hospitals to Learn at Less Taxing Schedule

On the Flip Side Higher tuition fees and cost of living Different style of teaching Different culture, may be difficult to adjust to especially at the start Less familiarity with the Singapore system Fewer networking opportunities S$25,500 Average cost of living outside of London (per yr) S$29,000 Average cost of living in London (per yr)

Application Process

Timeline Application via UCAS by 15 Oct 16 UKCAT (Registration closes 21 Sep 16) OR BMAT (Registration closes 1 Oct 16) A Level Examinations Offers/Interviews by schools Release of A Level Results Visa application and paperwork OFF TO UK! (Term starts Sep/Oct 17)

1. Choose a School

14 Accredited Dental Schools Dundee 14 Accredited Dental Schools Glasgow Edinburgh Belfast Newcastle Manchester Leeds Sheffield Liver pool London Dental Schools: Kings Bart’s Birmingham Wales LONDON Bristol

22 Accredited Medical Schools Aberdeen 22 Accredited Medical Schools Dundee Glasgow Other Universities (not shown): Newcastle Nottingham Southampton St. Andrews Wales Cardiff London Medical Schools: King’s Bart’s University College London (UCL) St. George’s Imperial Edinburgh Belfast Manchester Leeds Sheffield Liver pool Cambridge Birmingham Leicester LONDON Bristol Oxford

Factors Accreditation by SMC/SDC Entry Requirements Cambridge Chem + Bio/Phys/Math UCL Chem + Bio Imperial Chem/Bio Sheffield Chem + Bio/Phys Manchester Chem + Bio/Phys/Math Manchester Sheffield Cambridge LONDON

Factors c. Course Structure d. Curriculum

Factors e. Teaching Method Cambridge Traditional – Common lectures, college based supervisions (small group), practicals, essays UCL Integrated – Largely lectures and practicals, few tutorials Imperial Integrated – Lectures, practicals, tutorials, PBL Sheffield Integrated Manchester Problem Based Learning (PBL) – Some lectures, case study small group discussions Also varied emphasis/methods of teaching clinical and communication skills

Factors f. Costs

Factors Possible Funding A*STAR National Science Scholarship (MBBS-PhD) Eligibility Excellent A level results Apply and gain admission into YLLSoM or LKCSoM Must gain an offer from UK universities offering the intercalated MBBS-PhD programme Coverage and Bond Financial support for up to 9 years 6 year bond

Factors Possible Funding 2. Pre-Employment Grant Eligibility Apply before entering/during clinical years Coverage and Bond Either a 1,2 or 3 year grant can be offered Covers up to 60% of the annual tuition fees for the remaining years of study, up to a cap of S$50,000 per annum 2-4 year bond with MOH

Factors Possible Funding 3. Loke Cheng Kim Scholarship - Full overseas scholarship with no bond

Factors CAMBRIDGE g. Location CAMBRIDGE Cambridge UCL Imperial MANCHESTER Cambridge UCL Imperial Sheffield Manchester CAMBRIDGE SHEFFIELD CAMBRIDGE LONDON

Factors h. Rankings – Medical Schools in UK QS 2016 Times Higher Education 2015-2016 1 University of Oxford 2 University of Cambridge 3 University College London 4 Imperial College London 5 King’s College London

Websites Get Me Into Medical School The Medic Portal

2. Admission Tests

a) UKCAT – UK Clinical Aptitude Test Medicine and Dentistry For most schools (except those that require BMAT)

a) UKCAT – Test Structure Online MCQ Test No scientific knowledge required Divided into 5 sections Verbal reasoning Quantitative reasoning Abstract reasoning Decision making - new segment *does not count towards score 5. Situational judgement

a) UKCAT – Dates May July September October 03 May 01 July Registration opens July 01 July Testing begins September 21 Sep Registration closes; Bursary & exemption deadline October 04 Oct Booking/ rescheduling closes 05 Oct Last testing date

a) UKCAT - Resources Official www.ukcat.ac.uk Guide Practice tests Question tutorials

a) UKCAT - Resources Commercial

a) UKCAT – Tips Be very familiar with the test format and online interface (especially the calculator) Do practice questions(at least all the free ones available) Practice under timed settings

b) BMAT (Bio Medical Admissions Test) - Medicine and Dentistry (Leeds) For Cambridge, Oxford, Imperial, UCL, Leeds Also NTU LKCSoM

b) BMAT – Test Structure 2 Hour Written Paper No Calculators Allowed Divided into 3 Sections Aptitude and Skills Scientific Knowledge and Application 3. Writing Task Section Items Time Aptitude and Skills 35 MCQ 60 min Scientific Knowledge and Application 27 MCQ 30 min Writing Task 4 choose 1

b) BMAT - Dates September October November December Registration opens October 01 Oct Standard entry fee closing date 15 Oct Registration closes November 02 Nov BMAT Test 25 Nov Release of results December 02 Dec Deadline for querying results RELC: BMAT Administrator Registration http://www.relc.org.sg/eb/BMAT/Registration/

b) BMAT - Resources Find free specimen and past year papers on www.admissionstestingservice.org

b) BMAT – Tips Meant to be an academically challenging test Revise O Level content Start early, BMAT during A Level period

3. Personal Statement

How can you contribute to the school? Why medicine? Academic and/or professional interest? About the subject and course Why are you applying? Enthusiasm for the subject? What have you done? Future career plans? What was interesting about them? What did you learn? Skills, knowledge, experience Other achievements & attributes Previous studies? Work experience? Volunteering? CCA/ECAs? What sets you apart?

Writing Tips - Pace yourself - Get multiple opinions Be genuine: Admission tutors may be sceptical about exaggerated descriptions of a revelatory moment or a lifelong desire to become a doctor. Rather, show honesty and introspection Make sure you are comfortable talking about experiences you write about, many interviews will base questions on it

Writing Tips - Show that you have carefully considered medicine/dentistry and have a realistic view of it (i.e. attachment) Show what you learnt On motivation for medicine: Don’t just say it, prove it - Show a life outside of studying - Dental applicants should include skills that demonstrate manual dexterity, e.g. musical instruments, cross-stitching, jewellery making

4. Interviews

Types of Interviews Multiple Mini Interview – many short independent assessments in a timed circuit Panel – traditional Academic – Oxford, Cambridge MMI Example: King’s – 5 stations Station 1: Write a short essay on a medical ethics question, discuss it with the interviewer Station 2: Read about a short ethical situation and answer what you would do as a doctor Station 3: Talk about yourself

Interview Preparation Prepare and practice standard questions Anything in your personal statement can be asked, so be very familiar with it! Reflect on your work experiences/attachments Do research on your school and course Recent medical research Medical policy (UK/SG) Ask about manual dexterity (dentistry)

What’s Next Attachments CIP Do you own online research and browse forums e.g. BrightSparks, The Student Room - SMSUK: www.smsuk.com guides > prospective students

LONDON MUSICAL HIKING SNOWDONIA HARRY POTTER STUDIOS

SMSUK Official Email: sms.unitedkingdom@smsuk.com All the Best! SMSUK Official Email: sms.unitedkingdom@smsuk.com SMSUK Liaison Officer Email: liaisonofficer@smsuk.com