What do Pre-Medical Programmes offer?
Have you just completed your school studies with science subjects and are considering studying medicine or medical sciences abroad? Perhaps you aren’t quite sure what is the right step for you? Many students face this difficult decision and for some, one helpful option is to undertake what is sometimes called a foundation or a pre-med year. These are typically one year courses that aim to equip students with the knowledge and skills required to make a good application to study medicine. However, if at the end of the year, medicine does not seem to be the right option, students who have passed the year have options to enter the second year of other programmes such as BSc in medical sciences. In this way they have not lost any time in their pursuit of a career in medical sciences whilst they are choosing the right option for them.
The Certificate of Higher Education in Pre-Medical Sciences
The University of Aberdeen, in partnership with the Sri Lankan International Institute of Health Sciences ( IIHS), has developed a unique pre-med programme to be delivered in Sri Lanka. The programme leads to the award of the Certificate of Higher Education in Pre- Medical Studies which gives students the opportunity to follow a number of different routes (see figure one). Students could apply for entry to the five year MBChB programme at the University of Aberdeen. Alternatively, subject to entry requirements, they may be able to apply for medicine at other international medical schools. For some students the right pathway is not to study medicine, but rather to articulate directly into Year 2 of a medical science programme at the University of Aberdeen or consider a programme offered through IIHS or at another international university.
What does a Medical School look for in an application?
Medicine is recognised as an exciting and rewarding but challenging and varied career. Perhaps it is not surprising then that entry to medical school is very competitive. Students who have not quite met these high academic standards may find that excellent performance (e.g. A grades across 60 – 75% of the courses) during a pre- med programme is accepted by some universities. Other students in this situation will choose to complete a biomedical science degree before applying for a graduate entry to medicine.
Many international medical programmes are not only interested in excellent academic performance, but also look for evidence of the skills and attributes that are required in doctors to deliver excellent patient care and advance smoothly throughout their career. Modern healthcare requires multi- professional teamwork and so medical schools are interested in skills such as communication, leadership, time-management and prioritisation. In addition, the excellent doctor will demonstrate empathy, be resilient, be prepared to deal with uncertainty, accept responsibility and have decision- making and problemsolving skills.
How can a pre-medical programme help prepare for an application to medicine?
There is a strong emphasis on knowledge and understanding of the human body across the courses delivered in a premedical programme. However, with our many years of experience of pre- med at the University of Aberdeen, we ensure that there is also strong emphasis on career guidance and developing the attitudes and skills required for entry to medicine. Our goal is to ensure that all students are in the best position to follow the pathway that is right for them. If that is to pursue a career in medicine, then at the end of the pre-med year they are in a position to make the best application possible. The Certificate of Higher Education in PreMedical Studies has been designed with the inclusion of the following special features.
An introduction to health and health care course
Part of the application to many international medical schools will require you to
Figure one: write a personal statement and to undergo an interview process. For both of these aspects of the process, it is helpful to have some medical work experience to reflect on and to have an awareness of healthcare systems and current challenges in delivering health care. You will also be expected to have some understanding of medical careers and to understand and be able to discuss the concept of professionalism. This course is designed help students develop an understanding of some current key issues in health, approaches to the delivery of healthcare and provide information on medical careers. Students have opportunities for some workplace observation and to talk to qualified doctors to learn first-hand about career pathways and the challenges faced along the way.
UK Clinical Aptitude Test
There are assessments required by many international Medical Schools in addition to school academic qualifications. These assessments are designed to test skills such as problem solving, decision making and situation judgement. Individual performance in these assessments is ranked against the cohort of applicants to a medical school in each admissions cycle. Therefore, excellent preparation to achieve a good score is important. In the UK, the most commonly used assessment is the UKCAT but some ask for BMAT and some graduate entry programmes in the UK and Australia use the GAMSAT. There is a fee for each one. In our programme we will explain the format of these tests and help students research and practice the assessment style, the type of questions and to explore the relevant website.
Multiple Mini Interview
Almost all UK Medical Schools will organise an interview. The questions will focus on the additional skills and attributes required from an excellent doctor, rather than academic ability. Some Schools use a single interview with two interviewers asking a series of questions but increasingly a Multiple Mini Interview (MMI) process is used. This approach is taken at the University of Aberdeen. During the MMI each applicant rotates through seven - ten different stations. Each station lasts between five to ten minutes during which the assessor asks each candidate the same questions. There is a focus on a particular topic at each station such as team working, professionalism or the core qualities of a doctor. This is an unfamiliar assessment format for many and so across the pre-med year, we have timetabled practice sessions from experienced assessors with individual feedback.
Additional features
The pre- med programme is designed to support students in the transition to the adult learning approach with increased selfdirected learning that is found in University programmes of study.
Across the year there is tutor support to facilitate students in their consideration of subsequent career decisions. In addition, there will be opportunities to hear about the experiences of other students further ahead in their medical or medical sciences degree programmes, and to ask questions. The programme is delivered fully in English and at the IIHS further support is available if nec-