1. Studying Medicine/Dentistry In the UK
SMSUK JC Talks 2016

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

3. Who are we?

4. Why Study in the UK?

5. 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

6. 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)

7. Application Process

9. 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)

10. 1. Choose a School

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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

14. Factors
c. Course Structure d. Curriculum

15. 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

16. Factors
f. Costs

17. 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

18. 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

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

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

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

22. Websites
Get Me Into Medical School
The Medic Portal

23. 2. Admission Tests

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

25. 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

26. 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

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

28. a) UKCAT - Resources
Commercial

29. 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

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

31. 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

32. 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

33. b) BMAT - Resources
Find free specimen and past year papers on

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

35. 3. Personal Statement

37. 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?

38. 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

39. 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

40. 4. Interviews

41. 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

42. 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)

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

44. LONDON MUSICAL
HIKING SNOWDONIA
HARRY POTTER STUDIOS

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