Cardiff University School of Medicine Admissions: Undergrad Requirements & Process, Slides of Medicine

Download Cardiff University School of Medicine Admissions: Undergrad Requirements & Process and more Slides Medicine in PDF only on Docsity! Page 1 of 14 School of Medicine Admissions Policy for Undergraduate Programmes in Medicine Entry 2022 Page 2 of 14 Contents Aims and governance ..................................................................................................................................... 4 1. The courses ............................................................................................................................................. 4 1.1 A100 5-year course ............................................................................................................................... 4 1.2 A101/A102 Graduate Entry to Medicine (GEM) 4-year course........................................................... 4 2. Entry requirements ................................................................................................................................ 5 3. UCAS applications .................................................................................................................................. 5 4. Extenuating Circumstances .................................................................................................................... 6 4.1 For all applicants .................................................................................................................................. 6 4.2 Performance at A-level or equivalent .................................................................................................. 6 5. International applicants ......................................................................................................................... 6 6. Graduate applicants ............................................................................................................................... 7 7. Mature applicants .................................................................................................................................. 7 8. Widening participation .......................................................................................................................... 7 9. Selection process .................................................................................................................................... 8 9.1 For all applicants (including graduates) ............................................................................................... 8 9.2 Academic .............................................................................................................................................. 8 9.3 UCAT/GAMSAT ..................................................................................................................................... 8 9.4 Non-academic requirements ............................................................................................................... 8 9.5 Interviews ............................................................................................................................................. 8 10. Unfair practice .......................................................................................................................................... 9 11. Other entry conditions ...................................................................................................................... 9 12. Confirmation of a place ..................................................................................................................... 9 13. Transfers ............................................................................................................................................ 9 14. Communication with the School of Medicine .................................................................................. 9 15. Complaints and appeals .................................................................................................................... 9 16. Applicant’s conduct ........................................................................................................................... 9 17. Further enquiries .............................................................................................................................10 APPENDIX - Academic requirements ...........................................................................................................11 A. GCSE requirements ..........................................................................................................................11 B. Level 3 requirements .......................................................................................................................12 B.1 A-levels ............................................................................................................................................12 B.2 Additional information on A-levels .................................................................................................12 B.3 Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate (WBA) ...............................................12 B.4 Graduates ........................................................................................................................................12 Page 5 of 14 Details of all the programmes are found in the Undergraduate Prospectus http://www.cardiff.ac.uk/for/prospective/ug/prospectus 2. Entry requirements For all applicants (including graduates) All applicants must have grade B/6 GCSE (or equivalent qualification, grade and subject) in Mathematics, English Language, Chemistry, and Biology (and Double Award Science (BB or 66). Applicants receive a score based on the four subjects above and the five best other GCSE (or equivalent level) results. No results below 6/B are scored. Applicants who have already achieved all three relevant A-levels receive additional points for these in the scoring process (A-levels must meet the minimum requirements listed in the Appendix). Applicants who are working towards a science degree may also receive additional consideration. Welsh- domiciled applicants are under-represented in applications to UK medical schools; additional consideration will be given to their applications. For A100, applicants must offer three A-levels (or equivalent) including Biology, Chemistry and a third subject (see Appendix). All applicants are required to take the University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT) during July to October of the year of application. Test results obtained in previous years are not accepted. The UCAT score may be used as part of the interview shortlisting or offer selection process. Graduate applicants are required to sit the GAMSAT (see Graduate Applicants). All applicants may be asked to participate in a trial of an online situational judgement test (CASPer). Should we pilot it, we may ask applicants to complete the test. There will be no cost to the applicant and the test result will not contribute to the decisions in the application cycle. Further information can be found at: www.takecasper.com Unsuccessful applicants are encouraged to reapply, providing they meet the minimum entry criteria for the year they wish to apply. 3. UCAS applications For all applicants (including graduates) All applicants must complete all sections of the UCAS application and should include information supporting their suitability for a medical course in their personal statement. The personal statement should include insight into a career in medicine, evidence of experience and reflection in a caring environment, evidence and reflection of personal responsibility, evidence of a balanced approach to life, and evidence of self-directed learning. All applicants should note that the medical school requires an academic reference. All applicants must be age 18 or over by 20th September of the year of entry to the course, as students are in a clinical environment from the start of the course (see Under 18s Policy). Applicants who wish to be considered for a deferred entry must state this on their UCAS form by indicating the year of admission. Applicants can only defer for 12 months. Applicants who request a deferral after accepting an offer from the School of Medicine will be considered by the Admissions Group on a case-by-case basis. Page 6 of 14 4. Extenuating Circumstances 4.1 For all applicants Should you think that something has significantly impacted upon your academic performance, you may submit extenuating circumstances. This must be provided prior to application by the applicant and not a third party. For extenuating circumstances to be considered we must receive a completed ‘Extenuating Circumstances form’ with supporting evidence (a letter from a medical professional if health related, or a letter from faculty at current school) before the end of September 2021. This form can be found on the website at http://www.cardiff.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/applying/admissions- criteria/medicine/medicine or can be requested via email to [email protected]. The School cannot consider extenuating circumstances presented on a UCAS form without prior notice via the Extenuating Circumstances form’. 4.2 Performance at A-level or equivalent Applicants who have failed to achieve AAA (or equivalent qualification) at first attempt will not usually be considered. AS results, where taken as part of a two-year A-level course, are not taken into consideration for selection for interview. We will consider applications where modules have been re-sat in either AS level or A-level, on the understanding that they are completed within the standard two-year A-level period. Re-sits for applicants who have previously applied to medicine at Cardiff, whose A-levels have been completed and the grades awarded will only be considered in exceptional circumstances. Those whose underachievement was due to extenuating circumstances, and have previously applied to study Medicine at Cardiff, should complete an extenuating circumstances form which can be downloaded from http://www.cardiff.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/applying/admissions-criteria/medicine/medicine . This must be submitted before the end of September 2021. Individuals will be informed whether their circumstances will allow consideration, and if subsequently successful at interview, will usually be given a conditional offer. Applications where additional Level 3 Qualifications are undertaken post A-level will not be considered unless there are extenuating circumstances and previous agreement is in place with the Admissions Group. 5. International applicants We welcome UCAS applications from international students. Applicants offering qualifications other than A-level or International Baccalaureate should contact the Admissions team [email protected] and provide full details of their qualifications to obtain advice on eligibility before making an application. Applicants offering non-standard qualifications must clearly state the subjects and grades on their UCAS application as they are written on their certificates/transcripts. Do not attempt to convert these to GCSE grades. All international applicants must indicate on their application form that they have or are taking an acceptable English language qualification for entry to Medicine. If the qualification is pending, it will form part of an offer. Re-sits for English language qualification may be accepted but must be achieved prior to confirmation of an offer. Details of acceptable English language qualifications and grades required can be found at http://www.cardiff.ac.uk/study/international/english-language-requirements/undergraduate All places on the courses are conditional upon success at interview. This includes international applicants who should be prepared to attend for interview at Cardiff University. Cardiff University does not reimburse travel expenses for any applicant. All applicants with a fees status of overseas are sent a Page 7 of 14 questionnaire during the application process to confirm funding arrangements. If an individual receives the questionnaire, completion is required. If you are an international student and your qualifications do not meet our entry requirements, you may wish to consider a Foundation Year. Cardiff University has partnered with Study Group to provide an International Foundation Year in Health, Medical and Life Sciences academic pathway to Medicine. This is taught at the International Study Centre in the centre of our campus. To find out more about the programmes available and for information about how to apply, please complete an enquiry form at: https://isc.cardiff.ac.uk/university-referrals/. Once registered, colleagues at the Study Centre will provide more information. 6. Graduate applicants Science graduate applicants should refer to all areas of the policy prior to making an application. Graduate applicants not on one of the four feeder stream degree programmes listed on page 4 should apply for admission to the five-year (A100) according to their previous academic experience in the sciences. Students who have already embarked on a degree course and are not in the final year of the course, will not normally be considered unless there are evidenced considerable and/or unforeseen extenuating circumstances which prevented completion of the initial degree programme. Potential applicants in such circumstances should complete an extenuating circumstances form and the form will be considered by the Admissions Group. Applicants who have failed to complete a course for academic reasons or matters of probity will not be considered. Academic qualifications obtained before entering university will also be considered and graduate applicants will need to meet the minimum entry requirements (listed in the Appendix) and will need to have either achieved a BSc Honours degree 2:1 or above in their first degree or be working towards it. All graduate applicants are required to take the Graduate Medical School Aptitude Test (GAMSAT) by September of the Year of application. https://gamsat.acer.org/university-admission/admission-uk A GAMSAT result in the previous year prior to application will also be considered. The information stated in this section also applies to those with a PhD and Masters. 7. Mature applicants Applications from mature students are welcome but should be aware of the Standard Period of Relevance Policy for academic qualifications. 8. Widening participation Cardiff University is committed to widening participation. We welcome applications from students of all backgrounds, and we use contextualisation data when considering applications. Applicants who are participating in widening participation initiatives listed below will be offered an interview so long as they meet the minimum entry requirements: • Cardiff University Step-Up programme • Sutton Trust attendees to Cardiff University Summer School • Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol (specifically the Doctoriad Yfory scheme) • Coleg Gwent Certificate Page 10 of 14 17. Further enquiries For further enquiries regarding admissions to Cardiff University School of Medicine undergraduate medical degree programmes please contact: School of Medicine Admissions Team 2nd Floor Neuadd Meirionnydd Heath Park Campus Cardiff University Cardiff CF14 4YS Telephone: (029) 2068 8113/8073 Email: [email protected] Page 11 of 14 APPENDIX - Academic requirements All applicants must provide evidence of prior academic capability in externally moderated, publicly validated examinations, e.g. GCSE, IGCSE or equivalent qualifications. For applicants with UK qualifications, only those that are defined in the National Database of Accredited Qualifications are acceptable: http://www.accreditedqualifications.org.uk/office-of-qualifications-and-examinations- regulation-ofqual.html A. GCSE requirements GCSE Subjects Minimum requirements English or Welsh Language Grade B or 6 Note: International applicants must also meet UKVI requirements for English language. Mathematics or Numeracy Grade B or 6 Note: Applicants taking GCSE/IGCSE examinations under the numeric grading system are required to have Mathematics at a minimum of grade 6. Applicants taking GCSE/IGCSE examinations under the alphabetical grading system are required to have either Mathematics or Numeracy at a minimum of grade B. For all exam boards we will also accept one extra Mathematics subject alongside either Mathematics or Numeracy from Additional Mathematics, Further Mathematics or Statistics, if it is to the advantage of the applicant. Science Either BB or 66 in Science and Additional Science or equivalent OR BB or 66 in Chemistry and Biology OR BB or 66 in Core Science, and one of Additional Science or Further Additional Science Note: GCSE Human Biology is accepted, but not in conjunction with standard GSCE Biology. Other subjects Applicants must offer a total of nine subjects including the minimum requirements above. Where an applicant cannot take nine GCSEs due to school policy, they must offer a minimum of 7 GCSEs and are advised to email [email protected] for advice. A single GCSE short course is not considered alone. If, however, there are two short courses which taken together would give the applicant an advantage, then this can count as one whole GCSE. Level 2 certificates such as the Certificate in Digital Applications (CiDA), Applied Business, ICT (examining board) and the Diploma in Digital Applications (DiDA) will be considered as contributing one additional, separate subject in lieu of a GCSE during academic scoring. Not considered Level 2 BTECs and NVQs GCSE resit policy We will only accept GCSE resits within 12 months of the original sitting except English Language which has no time limit for resit. Page 12 of 14 B. Level 3 requirements B.1 A-levels The offer will be AAA grades at A-level. Students must offer three A-levels, which should include Chemistry and Biology. Applicants undertaking science A-levels where a separate practical endorsement is reported will require a pass in this element. Applicants who are offering only one of Biology or Chemistry at A2 and a second science subject eg., Physics or Maths, may still be considered for the A100 course, if they achieve an A grade at AS level in the subject (Biology or Chemistry) not offered at A2 level. Such candidates are advised to contact the Admissions Team, to confirm the acceptability of this arrangement prior to applying. B.2 Additional information on A-levels Only one Mathematics subject at A-level (from Maths, Further Maths and Statistics) will be considered. Human biology and biology will not be considered as separate A-levels. General Studies and Critical Thinking are not accepted. Applicants offering applied subjects should contact Admissions Team for advice [email protected]. B.3 Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate (WBA) The WBA will be considered in lieu of an A-level. Applicants must also satisfy the A-level subject and grade requirements in Biology and Chemistry. B.4 Graduates All graduate applicants should have achieved a minimum of grade B/6 in GCSEs listed in the table above, in addition to BBB or ABC grades at A-level and have achieved a BSc Honours degree 2:1 or above or be working towards it. All graduates should have Biology and Chemistry at GCE A-Level. Those who do not hold A-Level qualifications in Biology or Chemistry may be considered for the A100 course, however, they are required to provide details of specific modules (as evidence that they have sufficient level of Biology and Chemistry) from their degree courses directly to the School at the time of application and will then be considered individually by the Admissions Group. Further details can be obtained from the Admissions Team. Applicants who have completed a PhD who wish to apply for Medicine must meet the minimum GCSE entry requirements specified in this section and should contact the Admissions Group for advice. Graduates will be required to sit the GAMSAT. Graduate applicants must have completed their degree or must be in the final year of their current degree programme for their application to be considered. Degree results must be awarded and conferred by 31st August of the year of entry to the course. B.5 Graduates applying for A101 and A102 Individual academic performance required to maintain eligibility to apply to the A101/A102 course is set by each Feeder Stream course. It is the responsibility of the University providing the Feeder Streams to check the entry requirements and ensure that applicants who subsequently apply to the A101/A102 are competitive. B.6 International Baccalaureate Applicants applying prior to having achieved the IB qualification must include details (including a breakdown of subjects and grades) of their achieved Level 2 examinations, GCSE/Middle Years Programme (MYP), in the Education section on their UCAS application to be considered. We accept performance from the MYP in English qualification (either at SL or HL) as indicative of the expectation of