A
female
age
36-40,
anonymous
writes:Hi all! Ok so my Question isn't really about relationship/ life related but I quite like the advice given on here anyway. So I'm 23 years old and just recently moved back home to the UK after living abroad for 7 years. After much debating and not knowing what to do with my life, being completely lost I decided to focus on things I have a real interest in, and what I want as a profession/ Career. I've always had a need to help people giving blood,registering to donate for bone marrow etc and that's when it finally clicked! I want to become a Surgeon. Now thing is where I was living abroad I only got 3 G.C.S.E's( that's all the school offered)which I know that G.S.C.E qualifications are basically meaningless! I do not have any A Levels. So my questions are; 1.) Am I too old to start studying to become a surgeon? 2.) Would I have to go to a local college first? If so what course/s would I have to study? 3.) Where could I go to find out more information? I know it won't be easy and that I would have to start from square one, and I can only imagine time and effort that has to be put in but I am determined, I have focused my mind and this is what I want to do :) All answers will be greatly appreciated! Thank You from Anna x Reply to this Question
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female
reader, k_c100 +, writes (4 January 2012):
 You are never too old to go back to school or change your life for the better - you are only 23 after all, you are not at all old yet so as long as you are prepared for the legnth of time it takes studying medicine (5 years) and add on the time for A Levels (2 years) plus any time for extra GCSE's (you typically need 4 GCSE's at C grade or above to do A Levels) then you will be fine.
This will all probably be quite expensive and time consuming but as long as you are willing to put in the effort and you have the money for all this further education then you will be fine.
This website might help you - shows you all the grades and subject combinations for Universities in the UK. http://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/wiki/Medical_School_A_Level_Requirements
Generally you need A grades at A level in order to get into a university to study medicine, and these must be Biology and Chemistry, with a third A level of your choice (preferred are maths or physics but not at all uni's). Some universities require 4 AS levels (A levels are split into 2 years, first year is AS second year is A2). So they require another half an A level so to speak.
So you will definitely have to go to a college to get your A levels before you can go to university. With regards to your GCSE's - I'm not sure on this so you will have to speak to your local college and find out their admissions process. I know my 6th form collegel at my school wouldnt allow anyone to study A levels unless they had 4 or more GCSE's at a grade of C or above, so there is a question of whether your 3 GCSE's will be enough. You need to ring up your local college that you would like to attend and speak to their admissions department and then take it from there.
Other websites that might help are:
http://www.ucas.ac.uk/students/wheretostart/maturestudents/admissions
http://surgicalcareers.rcseng.ac.uk/students/school-student/entry-requirements-how-do-i-train
http://www.nhscareers.nhs.uk/medical_entry.shtml
I hope this is helpful, I think your next step has to be contacting a college to find out whether your GCSE's will be enough or whether you are going to have to re-take these as well. Keep in mind that Universities do look at your GCSE grades so if you dont have a C or above in Maths and English at the very least then it will be worth re-taking these 2 as a minimum.
I hope this helps and good luck!
A
female
reader, chickpea2011  +, writes (4 January 2012):
 Hi,
You are absolutely not old to still go to medical school. I am actually impress that you've decided to pursue your goal and do not let anybody or nothing stop you.... I am not sure if you are qualify to go to university right away, however you can start getting classes and credits in a city college taking the necessary courses and eventually transferring to a respectful university when then you can get your real degree.
I hope you don't give up, like you said it's a long way, but never too late. Take small steps and I am sure you will accomplish your goals....
Best wishes, good luck!!!
Happy New Year!!!!
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A
female
reader, anonymous, writes (4 January 2012): Thank you orbiter :) And tiger the school I went to abroad I only took Art, Business studies and Math. They are the only qualifications I have I'm afraid :( The sciences I'm not too worried about as Ive always had an interest especially Biology, the only one is Math its my weak point if I'm honest! I was going to go to my local college tomorrow to see what they could help me with. Also yes I know it's ridiculous about the fees, I will struggle money wise as I'm not in the best position at the moment but I'm quite a strong willed person so I know even if it's the bumpiest most tiring thing Ill ever do, it would all be worth it :) Your advice has been sooo helpful! Thank you! Anna x :)
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A
female
reader, Orbiter +, writes (4 January 2012):
I'm not 100% sure but I'd guess first you would need to get at least 3 A levels in the sciences (I think you have to have biology and chemistry) and/or maths. and get As/Bs. If you think you could cope then you can do fast track A levels which only take 1 year instead of 2. I don't think most colleges are too fussy about gcses, especially if you explain your reasons for having 3.
After that you would need to apply to a university to study medicine. I think they are a little fussier about accepting older students for medicine but I think that's when you're nearer 30. So you're not too old but you really need to get moving.
I'm not sure but I got quite good careers advice from the college I applied to. It might also be worthwhile asking universities about their course, career prospects and if your age would have any impact.
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A
female
reader, celtic_tiger +, writes (4 January 2012):
 Hi Anna
Congratulations for having the drive to want to do something worthwhile like this, however I feel that you are in for a very tough challenge. Mentally, emotionally and also financially (uni fees have now gone up).
May I ask if you got any other qualifications at your school? Did they have their own national qualifications that you took alongside the GCSE's?
In the UK, before you can become a surgeon you will have to train as a medical doctor, at a degree level.
Now this is where the challenge will probably lie.
http://www.nhscareers.nhs.uk/details/default.aspx?id=561
Most medical degree courses require pretty high grades at both GCSE and A Level in maths and science.
http://www.nhscareers.nhs.uk/medical_entry.shtml
http://www.nhscareers.nhs.uk/nursing_entry.shtml
Before you even start on a medical degree you would need to obtain A Levels, mainly in pure science, so biology, physics, chemistry and maths, you could do this at a local college. Depending on your other qualifications you may also need to top up your GCSE's before this.
Once you get those you could join a degree programme (see the UCAS website)and work your way up from there.
It will not be easy, and it will be a very long process.
My advice would be to talk to a careers advisor at the NHS
http://www.nhscareers.nhs.uk/learning_skills.shtml
all the details are here, and they may be able to give you information and point you in the best direction for you.
A friend of mine trained as a nurse, and is now a specialist in burns treatments. Once you get the medical qualifications you can then specialise into other areas. You cannot just jump straight into a particular role.
Good luck!
Tiger x
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