FAQs
Here are answers to some common questions asked by prospective students:
Q. I want to apply for 2013 entry – when do I need to apply?
Q. What are the A-Level requirements? (A100)
Q. Is the Biology AS Level an absolute requirement? (A100)
Q. What are the GCSE grade requirements? (A100)
Q. What about AS resit applicants? (A100)
Q. What about A2 resit applicants?
Q. I have a degree. Am I eligible for the 4-year medical course?
Q. Do you consider graduates with a 2:2?
Q. What if I have a 2:2 and a Master degree?
Q. Do you consider applications from mature students?
Q. Do you consider applications from candidates who have previously been rejected?
Q. What NHS bursaries are available for the A100 5 year course and the A101 4 year course?
Q. Do you require applicants to take the UK Clinical Aptitude Test?
Q. Do you consider candidates with a physical disability?
Q. Is the course fully integrated?
Q. How much time will I spend in lectures?
Q. Is there financial help for travelling if you are placed in hospitals outside of Leicester?
Q. Can I come and have a look around the Medical School and talk to someone about the course?
Q. What if my application is late?
Q. Do you accept applications through clearing?
Q. I have no formal qualifications - is there any other way I could be considered?
Q. What about Access courses? (A100)
Q. What about Foundation courses? (A100)
Q. What about the Pre-Med programme from the University of Sussex? (A100)
Q. What about overseas qualifications?
Q. International Baccalaureate
Q. American and Canadian qualifications
Q. Can I be classed as a home fee paying student if I was born in the UK, but now live abroad?
Q. Studying and working in the UK
Q. What scores do you require for IELTS and TOEFL?
Q. Can I defer my application?
Q. If I decide to take a year out for work experience, would this help my application? (A100)
Q. Is it acceptable to include non-medicine courses on my UCAS form? (A100)
Q. I have additional information regarding my application - can I send this to you?
Q. I have no hospital work experience - is there anything else you may consider helpful?
Q. Will I be expected to live in Leicester if I am accepted onto the 5-year course?
Q. Can I apply if I have a criminal record ?
Q. Why was I not called for interview?
Q. If I have been rejected after interview can I reapply?
Q. What are the computing facilities like?
Q. Are there good computing facilities at all of the hospital sites?
Q. What does 'MB ChB' actually mean?
A. The naming of medical qualifications can seem rather confusing. The letters 'MB', despite their order, stand for 'Bachelor of Medicine'. The letters 'ChB' stand for 'Bachelor of Surgery'. ('Ch' meaning 'Chirurgia' which is Latin for Surgery) There is no difference between a medical degree entitled MB ChB and others, for example MBBS, MB BCh.
Q. Why do doctors in America have 'MD' after their names?
A. In America, the standard medical degree is 'Doctor of Medicine (MD)'. In the UK, the standard medical degrees are Bachelor of Medicine & Bachelor of Surgery, abbreviated to MB ChB, MBBS, etc. Holders of these qualifications are referred to as 'Doctors'
The degree of 'Doctor of Medicine' in the UK is a postgraduate qualification obtained after a period of research.
Q. I want to apply for 2013 entry – when do I need to apply?
A. Applications for entry in September 2013 must be submitted between 1 September 2012 and 15 October 2012. UCAS can be contacted directly for an application form and handbook (www.ucas.com).
Please note that you should use institution code L34 on your UCAS application and Course Code A100 (5-year) or A101 (4-year).
Q. Do you require applicants to take the UK Clinical Aptitude Test?
A. Yes, we will reject any applicants who have not taken the UKCAT and have not been classed as 'exempt' by obtaining an official exemption certificate number from UKCAT.
Please visit the UKCAT website www.ukcat.ac.uk for all queries regarding the UKCAT.
Q. What are the fees?
Please see the following link for information regarding fees at The University of Leicester www.le.ac.uk/fees
Q. What NHS bursaries are available for the A100 5 year course and the A101 4 year course?
Please see the following link for information regarding NHS bursaries for both courses.
http://www.nhscareers.nhs.uk/details/Default.aspx?Id=557
Q. Is the course fully integrated?
A. We have an integrated modular curriculum. Clinical work commences in Year 1 and gradually increases over the ensuing years.
Q. Do you accept transfers?
A. We do not accept transfers from medical or non-medical courses.
Furthermore, we do not consider students restarting medicine at Leicester from Year 1 if they have already studied medicine elsewhere.
Q. Students with dyslexia
A. The central question when considering an applicant who has dyslexia is whether the condition is of sufficient severity to prevent that person practising safely as a doctor.
In general the requirements for admission to medical school are so high that we are dealing with a self-selected group of people who have, largely, learned to compensate for their dyslexia. The approach we take is to try to explore, with the applicant, the extent to which we try to judge the level of insight that the student has about difficulties that might be encountered with important matters such as drug prescribing.
The University has extensive learning support facilities. The Medical School allows limited amount of extra time in academic examinations.
Q. Do you consider candidates with a physical disability?
A. We aim to be as inclusive as possible when considering applicants. We must, however, bear in mind the physical demands of the course and the future fitness to practise as a doctor. Individuals who have any concerns should contact the Medical School Office.
Q. How much time will I spend in lectures?
A. During Phase I there will be approximately 20 hours per week of contact teaching on the five-year course. It would be unusual for more than 10 hours to be taken up by lectures. In addition students are expected to undertake at least 18 hours of self-directed learning per week.
Q. How many exams are there?
A. Phase I - Two written assessments are taken at the end of each semester. There is an additional Objective Structured Clinical Exam (OSCE) at the end of the first year and at the end of Phase I (ie during January of the final Phase I semester).
Phase II - OSCE written paper, and Extended Matching Questions (EMQ) in March of the 4th year. Final Examination in March of the Final Year (OSCE and written paper).
Q. What are the computing facilities like?
A. An e-mail account and internet access is provided free for every student. Most students use our PCs connected to central fileservers providing uniform access to a wide range of standard supported software applications. This service is based on Microsoft Windows 2007 system. 'Open Access' computer user areas are provided in most of the main teaching buildings, as well as in the library, and are freely available to students. Some are also available 24 hours via a card access system. See http://www2.le.ac.uk/offices/itservices for more information.
Q. Are there good computing facilities at all of the hospital sites?
A. Most hospital sites have facilities.
Q. Is there financial help for travelling if you are placed in hospitals outside of Leicester?
A. No, but hospital accommodation is provided for students free of charge for the duration of their attachment. Students can therefore stay on site for the whole of the placement and only need to make the return journey once.
Q. Can I come and have a look around the Medical School and talk to someone about the course?
A. No. The security arrangements at this medical school and the huge demands on staff time mean that we cannot accommodate requests for individual visits.
Q. What are the A-Level requirements? (A100)
A. We normally require students to study four AS subjects in the first year. These should include Chemistry and Biology, General Studies is excluded. Three of the chosen subjects must be continued to A2 level, including Chemistry but excluding General Studies.
We will accept the Extended Project in place of one AS level (excluding Chemistry and Biology).
No additional credit will be given to students offering more subjects at AS or A2 level. We do not require the Key Skills qualification.
Our standard offer is AAA, including Chemistry and two other subjects (excluding General Studies and Critical Thinking)
Candidates offering other qualifications should contact the Senior Tutor for Admissions.
Q. Is the Biology AS Level an absolute requirement? (A100)
A. Yes
Q. What are the GCSE grade requirements? (A100)
A. We are interested in academic potential as well as previous achievements. We do not specify a minimum number of A* grades at GCSE. Please see our website selection criteria.
Candidates must have a minimum grade *C in English Language, Mathematics and Double Science. It is important to remember, however, that many of our applicants have achieved a very high standard at GCSE.
*Non-eu students - GCSE/IGCSE English Language at Grade B.
Q. What about AS resit applicants? (A100)
A. We do not consider applications from candidates who are resitting the full year of AS levels unless there are significant mitigating circumstances and prior agreement has been sought from the Admissions Tutor.
Q. What about A2 resit applicants?
A. We do not accept resit applicants. However, we will occasionally accept applications from candidates who are repeating their A-levels if they previously held a conditional firm offer with us and major mitigating circumstances are submitted to the Medical School.
An alternative would be to take another Honours Degree and apply for a shortened medical course. We strongly recommend that you consider this route.
Q. I have a degree. Am I eligible for the 4-year medical course?
A. Yes. The 4-year course at Leicester is specifically designed for graduates with a degree in any discipline with experience working in a caring role for a minimum of one year following graduation.
Students in the final year of a degree course who have a background in Biology and Chemistry, or graduates who have not worked in a caring role may apply for the five year course.
Q. I have a 2:1 degree but will someone who has a 1st degree have more of a chance of getting a place? (A100)
A. Your degree level will contribute to your score. However a poorer score in this section of the UCAS form can be compensated for by excellence in other areas.
Q. Do you consider graduates with a 2:2?
A. We do not consider any graduates with a lower second class degree for either the 4 or 5 year medical courses.
Q. What if I have a 2:2 and a Master degree?
A. Higher qualifications are not considered to ameliorate a 2:2 for either the 4 or 5-year medical courses.
Q. Do you consider applications from mature students?
A. We are prepared to consider applications from mature candidates who are able to meet our usual entrance requirements (in the case of a graduate, a first or upper second class honours degree in a relevant subject). There is no upper age limit.
Q. Do you consider applications from candidates who have previously been rejected?
A. If you have applied to us before and been rejected you are advised to contact the Medical School for feedback and advice before making a further application.
Q. What if my application is late?
A. We do not consider late applications.
Q. Do you accept applications through clearing?
A. No
Q. I have no formal qualifications - is there any other way I could be considered?
A. No
Q. What about Access courses? (A100)
A. We do consider applicants offering the Access to Medicine course from the following colleges only:
- College of West Anglia, Norfolk
- City College, Norwich
- Lambeth College, London (Access to HE Medicine)
- Manchester College, Manchester (Access to HE Medicine)
- Sussex Downs Adult College, East Sussex (not pre-med course)
- Stafford College/New College Telford (Access to HE - Medicine and Health Professions Diploma)
We require a distinction in every subject (over 70%).
Q. What about Foundation courses? (A100)
A. We do not consider any foundation courses, including the Foundation in Clinical Sciences/Medicine from the University of Bradford.
Q. What about the Pre-Med programme from the University of Sussex? (A100)
A. We do not consider this or any other pre-med courses.
Q. What about overseas qualifications?
A. Most of our overseas students still apply with A-level qualifications and requirements are, of course, the same as for home students.
Q. International Baccalaureate
A. The most popular qualification outside of A-levels is the International Baccalaureate. The minimum level of 36 points, including Chemistry and Biology, plus one other subject at HL and 3 subjects at SL is required.
At least grade 6 is required in each subject.
There are a wide variety of individual national qualifications, all of which have equivalents to the two 'gold standard' qualifications, (A-levels and International Baccalaureate). Enquiries should be made in writing to the Medical School Office.
Q. American and Canadian qualifications
A. USA - High School Diploma; (including Chemistry, Biology, Maths and English) – at least grade 4 PLUS 3 Advanced Placements (AP); (including Chemistry) – each subject should be scored at Grade 5.
CANADA - We consider 6 x Grade 12 subjects including Chemistry and Biology. Each of the 6 subjects should be a minimum 85%. Please note: British Columbia minimum 86%
We also consider applicants offering a degree with a minimum 3.6/4 gpa or 7.5/9 gpa, which is equivalent to the US system.
Q. Can I be classed as a home fee paying student if I was born in the UK, but now live abroad?
A. No - you need to have resided in the UK for at least 3 years prior to the start of the course for other than educational purposes.
Q. Studying and working in the UK
A. Applicants should check the UK Border Agency website; www.ukba.homeofffice.gov.uk/ for up-to-date information.
Q. What scores do you require for IELTS and TOEFL?
A. IELTS - An overall minimum score of 7.5 with 7.0 in each component
TOEFL - An overall minimum score of 110 (internet)
Q. Can I defer my application?
A. You may, if you wish, apply for deferred entry. If you have not applied for deferred entry but subsequently wish to defer, you should notify us immediately.
We are happy to accept deferrals for the 5-year course. However, we do not consider deferred entry to the 4-year course.
Q. If I decide to take a year out for work experience, would this help my application? (A100)
A. We are happy to consider candidates who take a 'gap year'. This does not influence our decision.
Q. Is it acceptable to include non-medicine courses on my UCAS form? (A100)
A. Yes. The inclusion of such courses will make no difference to our consideration of your application for medicine.
Q. I have additional information regarding my application - can I send this to you?
A. For the majority of applicants, additional information is not required.
However, graduate and mature applicants may have additional experience, which does not readily fit into the UCAS form. We are, therefore, willing to consider additional information in such cases.
When contacting the Medical School, please quote your UCAS ID number and full name.
Q. I have no hospital work experience - is there anything else you may consider helpful?
A. We acknowledge the difficulties in finding work experience placements in hospitals. There are many ways in which you can gain experience of dealing with people, either in a voluntary or paid capacity.
We do not make specific recommendations as to the type of work experience you should follow; the important point about work experience is what you learn from it.
Q. Will I be expected to live in Leicester if I am accepted onto the 5-year course?
A. Students usually reside in Leicester during term-time. Given the demanding nature of the course, we would not recommend the additional burden of lengthy commuting.
Q. Can I apply if I have a criminal record ?
A. The University is required to use the enhanced disclosure service of the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) to assess the suitability of applicants to medicine. Applicants are also required to declare all cautions and convictions.
Candidates who have previous or pending convictions are advised to contact the Medical School in writing. All information will be treated in the strictest confidence.
Q. Why was I not called for interview?
A. The minimum entry requirements are surpassed by many more candidates than the number of places available. Attaining the minimum entry requirements does not guarantee an interview.
Applications are assessed by the admissions tutors on the basis of academic attainment and potential, the report from the school or college, the personal statement and the UKCAT. A high rating in all of these areas is required in order for a candidate to be considered for interview.
Q. If I have been rejected after interview can I reapply?
A. Yes you can reapply through UCAS but would need to sit the UKCAT again.
