Gateway to Medicine
This is an initiative for local students from diverse widening participation (WP) backgrounds whose predicted A level grades do not meet the standard entry requirement for current 5 year medicine courses.
Gateway to Medicine Programme is delivered in 4 stages:
Pre-entry Phase
Students who have the potential to become good doctors are identified in partnership with their school or college and participate in a programme of activities whilst at school/college. These activities include a compulsory three day non-residential summer school on 20th, 21st and 22nd August, 2013.
Eligibility:
Candidates must be studying in the North East of England and have a clear and demonstrable interest in medicine which is supported by a personal statement from the student and a testimonial from an academic member of their school or college. Candidates must also meet the WP, Academic and Aptitude criteria.
Widening Participation Criteria
Candidates must meet at least two of the following: First generation applicant including those who have a parent, or parents who graduated from their first degree within the last 5 years or are currently studying for their first degree; attend a school whose GCSE performance is below the national average; be in receipt, or have parents in receipt, of a means tested benefit; be resident in an area that falls within the lowest 40% of the Index of Multiple Deprivation; be currently in/about to leave the care of a local authority/foster home.
Academic Criteria
Candidate's predicted academic achievement must be three GCE A levels in the grade range ABB - BCC which would normally be completed within two years and taken in one sitting. They must include AS Biology and Chemistry and A2 Biology or Chemistry at grade C or above*. In order to progress to the Foundation Centre Phase final GCE A level grades must not fall below BCC.
Aptitude Criteria
A successful interview, a successful CRB check and a UKCAT score, all of which will be completed during the Pre-entry Phase.
*we do not accept Critical Thinking or General Studies as an A level entry qualification
Foundation Centre Phase
Up to ten successful Pre-entry Phase students will spend one year (Year 0) at Durham University's Foundation Centre gaining the necessary academic skills and knowledge for successful study in Higher Education.
Medicine Phase I
Successful Foundation Centre Phase students will spend two years at Durham University's School of Medicine and Health where they will establish the essential knowledge base for medicine in a clinical context.
Medicine Phase II
Successful Medicine Phase 1 students will spend three years under the aegis of Newcastle University's School of Biomedicine where they will acquire clinical experience in a wide range of NHS hospitals and community settings across the region.
If you would like to know more about the Gateway to Medicine Programme please call or email:
Telephone: 0191 3340172
Email: foundation.centre@durham.ac.uk
