Courses in clearing

[hermanmunster]

5 year MB ChB appears on Anglia Ruskin's clearing list, I suspect it is registerable? (Though I agree that it shouldn't be!).

yes that would but I wasn't on the list I looked at - have you got a link? I am intrigued - there are often a few clearing medicine courses but sometimes they are only for overseas candidates etc

[marigold]

It will be the first year medicine has been offered at Anglia Ruskin so it was probably not available last Autumn when UCAS forms are being filled in. Whilst Anglia Ruskin may not sound particularly prestigious it has had a long history of excellent post grad medical courses and links to a huge nedical R and D network. An enormous amount has been thrown at a lovely new medical school so I wouldn't dismiss it out of hand .

[Loopyloulou]

Link is in G55's post at the beginning of this thread. Anglia Ruskin's is the only full Medicine course currently shown in clearing.
I think this trend towards "polytechnics" offering professional qualifications (eg Harper Adams "University" will soon be teaching VetMed) is a worrying development.

[scary mum]

I think this trend towards "polytechnics" offering professional qualifications (eg Harper Adams "University" will soon be teaching VetMed) is a worrying development.

Why?

[KB]

Presumably if they are professionally accredited then they must meet the required standards?

Maybe it's a good thing if a broader range of applicants are encouraged to apply.

[kenyancowgirl]

Yes...why? That sounds terribly snobby and unfounded in my opinion....

They will all be regulated by the relevant national bodies and there is a massive shortage of places for very well qualified A level students in both medicine and veterinary science, not to mention a huge shortage in trained doctors and, I suspect vets. Harper Adams is a well established agricultural college - top of the pile in what it does and it is an obvious step to move into veterinary courses. Once you have graduated, very few people genuinely care where your degree was from when they are in the A&E department or in an emergency with their pet - they just want it sorted....

Crossed with KB

[Loopyloulou]

The brightest can be expected to apply elsewhere. The vast majority of those attending the "polytechnics" will therefore end up either as those who were not good enough to get into their preferred choices, or those who knew they would never get in there in the first place.
Dullness begets dullness. Those applying for teaching posts will not be the best either.

Given the choice I would prefer not to be treated by a "polytechnic" doctor. Wouldn't you?

[Guest55]

The brightest can be expected to apply elsewhere. The vast majority of those attending the "polytechnics" will therefore end up either as those who were not good enough to get into their preferred choices, or those who knew they would never get in there in the first place.
Dullness begets dullness. Those applying for teaching posts will not be the best either.

Given the choice I would prefer not to be treated by a "polytechnic" doctor. Wouldn't you?

Totally wrong - the degrees are all quality controlled so they are the same. Actually I'd rather be treated by someone who had not spent three years of a degree nowhere near a patient.

This comparison is also completely wrong for other subjects - the newer unis are far BETTER for some degrees. Students CHOOSE them whatever their grades are A*A*A* does not imply they don't go to a newer uni.

These institutions have been universities for a long time ....and they attract top students now.

[KB]

There seems to be an assumption that the selection system used by the 'top' universities, including the use of A level grades, is infallible in taking out the only people who will be good doctors, vets, teachers etc.

I accept that academic excellence might be a requirement for some aspects of these professions - particularly in research at the edges of current understanding for example.
However there are also many areas of 'even' medicine where other characteristics are more important.

If I had a complex issue that was beyond the norm then I would seek a top person in the field. Whether that person was academically brilliant at A level or specialised and developed knowledge after a first degree at a 'polytechnic' would matter little.

Moreover, if I was admitted to A&E I would want a doctor who was cool headed and calm 'under fire'.
For my GP I want someone with sufficient knowledge to recognise if I need to be referred but also has patience and understanding and a friendly manner.
It would be interesting to know if there is any correlation between these attributes and A level grades.

[scary mum]

Some of the worst medical professionals I have met have been those with brilliant academic qualifications but no bedside manner. Given how narrow the grade boundaries are at A level I would welcome extra opportunities for those who mess up the odd exam & have lower grades. Entry grades for medicine used to be Bs & Cs & I don't imagine they are poorer doctors.