Studying Medicine/

Dentistry in the UK
SMSUK JC Talks 2018

 What will we be covering
today?
POSITIVES AND NEGATIVES OF
01 STUDYING IN THE UK

02 APPLICATION PROCESS

03 QUESTION AND ANSWER

 Why study in the UK?
Research Dissections Leading Doctors

Conferences Personal Growth

Cultural
Teaching Hospitals Schedule
exchange
 On the Flip Side
•  Higher tui7on fees and cost of living
•  Different style of teaching
•  Different culture, may be difficult to adjust to
especially at the start
•  Less familiarity with the Singapore system

 Timeline
2018 2019
Factors to consider:
a) SMC/SDC Accreditation
b) Entry requirements
c) Course Structure
d) Curriculum & Teaching
e) Cost
f) Possible Funding
g) Location
h) Rankings
a) SDC Accredita7on
14 Dental Schools

London Dental Schools

1)  Kings College London
2)  Barts and the London
a) SMC Accredita7on
22 Medical Schools
 b) Entry Requirements

Subject Pre-requisites A Levels IB

Cambridge Chem+ Bio/Phys/Math 4 H2 As 40-42

UCL Chem+ Bio 3 H2 As 39
Imperial Chem+ Bio 3 H2 As 38
Sheffield Chem+ Bio/Phys/Math 3 H2 As 36
Manchester Chem+ Bio/Phys/Math 3 H2 As 37
c) Course Structure
 d) Curriculum and Teaching
•  Subject-based learning
•  Teaching is based on Broad Subjects: Anatomy,
Physiology, Biochemistry, Ethics
Tradi7onal •  Pre-Clinical years: emphasis on Lectures and small
group Tutorials
Oxford, Cambridge •  Clinical years: may s7ll be Lectures and tutorials to
complement learning
•  Involves a lot of essay wri7ng

•  Systems based Learning

Integrated •  Teaching is based on a body system.
•  Combina7on of Lectures, Tutorials and Clinical
UCL, Imperial, Experience
Newcastle, Edinburgh, •  Basic medical sciences are taught concurrently with
Barts clinical studies
 •  Systems based Learning
Problem- •  Students are presented with a case study or ‘problem’
based •  Students will discuss and iden7fy the learning
objec7ves to solve the problem
Learning •  Informa7on is gathered through suppor7ng Lectures,
Self directed and learning
Glasgow, Manchester •  Students will present findings as a group to a
facilitator.
 Traditional Course

+ -
•  Detailed •  Lack topical integration
•  Strong scientific foundation •  Repetitive; Boring
•  Supervised small group learning •  Delayed patient contact

Integrated Course
+ -
•  Early patient contact •  Unprepared for early patient contact
•  Contextual Learning •  “Taking it seriously:” PBL vs Lectures
•  Application

PBL

+ ?

•  Learn ‘How to Learn’ •  Start-state: Highly self-motivated

•  ↑ motivation, ∵ problem-based •  Variable quality of learning
•  ↑ Teamwork and Comms skill
 e) Cost- Tui7on Fees
**Based on Academic Year 18/19
**Fees for AY 19/20 have yet to be released at the 7me of data prepara7on
 e) Average Cost of Living

… in London ≈ SGD 27,000/AY

… Wider UK ≈ SGD 22,000/AY

** Rough es7mates obtained from various university websites
Check individual university website for detailed figures
 f) Possible Funding
A*STAR National Science Scholarship
(MBBS-PhD)

MOHH Pre-Employment Grant

Others
 A*STAR National Science Scholarship
(MBBS-PhD)
Eligibility
q Excellent A level/IB results
q Apply and gain admission into YLLSoM or LKCSoM
q Must gain an offer from UK universities offering the
intercalated MBBS-PhD programme
q Strong interest in pursuing a career as clinician-
scientists

Coverage and Bond

•  Financial support for up to 9 years
•  6 year bond
 Pre-Employment Grant
Eligibility
q Apply before entering or during Medical school clinical years

Coverage and Bond

•  Either a 1, 2 or 3 year grant can be offered in the clinical
years
•  Covers up to 60% of the annual tuition fees for remaining
years of study, up to a cap of S$50,000 per annum
•  3-4 year bond with MOHH
More information found at:
http://www.physician.mohh.com.sg/PEG/application.html
 Other funding

•  Loke Cheng Kim Scholarship

- Full overseas scholarship with no bond
- Prefer other degrees to Medicine
•  The Lee Foundation Overseas Medical Bursary
Education Fund
- Eligibility: gross monthly per capita household
income S$1,900 or less
- Receive S$30,000 for only one year (either Year 2
or 3)
- Bond-free bursary
 h) UK Medical School Rankings
QS 2018 Times Higher EducaCon
2018
1 University of Oxford 1 University of Oxford

2 University of Cambridge 2 University of Cambridge

3 University College London 3 University College London

4 Imperial College London 4 Imperial College London

5 King’s College London 5 King’s College London/

University of Edinburgh
 Useful Websites
1. The Medic Portal
2. Get Me into Medical School
 APPLICATION

•  Deadline: 15 October
•  Choose a maximum of 4 Medical/
Dental schools although there are
5 choices given.
Cambridge Applications – 20 September
Deadline for UCAS applications from students wishing to be considered
for interview overseas in Singapore
Admission Tests
1. UKCAT – UK Clinical Aptitude Test
•  Required for most Medical and Dental
schools, except for those that require BMAT
•  Only allowed to take the test once in every
test cycle
•  Entry in 2019; cannot carry results forward
from one year to the next
 UKCAT Test Structure
•  Online MCQ Test
•  No scien7fic knowledge required
•  5 sec7ons
 Dates
May July
1 May
Registration opens 2 July
Bursary scheme Testing begins
opens

September October
1 Oct
18 Sep
Booking/
Registration closes
rescheduling closes
Bursary deadline
2 Oct
Last testing date
Resources

•  Official website
www.ukcat.ac.uk
• Guide
• Medify (paid portal)
• Practice tests
• Question tutorials
 Tips
•  Be very familiar with the test format and online
interface (especially the calculator)
•  Do practice questions (at least all the free ones
available)
•  Practice under timed conditions
 2. BMAT – Biomedical
Admissions Test
Required for
•  Medicine for Cambridge, Oxford, Imperial,
UCL, Leeds
•  Dentistry for Leeds
 Test Structure
•  2h Written Paper
•  No Calculators Allowed
•  3 Sections Section Items Time
Aptitude and
Skills
35 MCQ 60 min

Scientific
Knowledge and 27 MCQ 30 min
Application

Writing Task 3 choose 1 30 min

 Dates
September October November
1 Oct
Standard entry fee
1 Sep closing date 23 Nov
Registration opens 15 Oct Release of results
Registration closes
31 Oct
BMAT Test

Register for the test at: relc.org.sg/eb/bmat

 BMAT Resources

Find free specimen and past year papers on

www.admissionstestingservice.org
 BMAT Tips
•  Revise O Level content for Science and Math
•  Practise past year papers under timed
conditions
•  Start early, BMAT during A Level exam period
 Personal Statement Tips
•  Why medicine? •  Enthusiasm for the subject
•  Academic and/or What have you done?
Professional Interest? •  Future career plans

Why are About the

you subject and
applying? course

Other
Volunteering
Achievements
and Work
and
Experiences
AGributes

• What was interes7ng •  CCAs?

about them? •  What sets you apart?
• What did you learn? •  How can you contribute
to the school
 Writing Tips
•  Genuine engagement and enthusiasm
- Admission tutors may be skeptical about exaggerated
descriptions of a revelatory moment or a lifelong
desire to become a doctor.
- If difficult to pinpoint a defining moment, write about
what you have done or experienced to sustain your
interest
•  Avoid overused opening statements and cliches
❌ From a young age I have always been interested in
❌ For as long as I can remember I have been interested in
❌ I was born to be a doctor
❌ Biology is my life
❌ It has always been my dream to be a doctor
 Writing Tips
•  Show that you have carefully considered the
demanding nature of a career in medicine/dentistry
and have a realistic view of it
•  Demonstrate the qualities expected of a medical
professional through relevant experiences
- Dental applicants should include skills that
demonstrate manual dexterity, e.g. musical
instruments, cross-stitching, jewellery making
•  Show a life outside of studying
•  Don’t simply describe and list out your experiences
but REFLECT on them (What insights did you draw
from them? What have you learnt about the role?)
 Types of Interviews
1. Multiple Mini Interviews (MMI) – many
short independent assessments in a timed
circuit
2. Panel – Traditional
3. Academic – Oxbridge
 Multiple Mini Interviews (MMI)
•  Number of stations vary
•  Evaluates various aspects
- Medical Ethics
Ø  Read about a short ethical situation and answer
what you would do as a doctor
- Teamwork
Ø  Perform an instructed task as a group
- Healthcare System
- Communication Skills
- Personal Statement
- Data Interpretation
- Standard Interview Questions
 Oxbridge Interviews

•  A range of questions including scientific and

ethical problems
•  Does not focus on ‘why medicine’

‘It is the ability to see both sides of an

argument, think on your feet, explain
your views to others, present
information and cope with pressure’
 Interview Preparation

•  Prepare and practice standard questions

•  Anything in your personal statement can be
asked, so be very familiar with it!
•  Do prior research on your school and course
•  Be updated on recent medical research,
healthcare and social issues
 Den7stry
Entry Requirements: Bio + Chem

Admission Tests: mostly UKCAT, a few none, Leeds BMAT

Teaching Style
- Much smaller cohort size: most below 100 except
King’s
-  Pre-clinical content similar to medicine: physiology,
biochemistry, pharmacology, neuroscience, with a lot
of focus on the anatomy of the head and neck
-  Early exposure to clinical serng from year 1


 Den7stry
Interview: MMI or Panel
-  Standard ques7ons similar to medicine
-  Usually no specific dental ques7ons

Tips:
-  Make sure you know why you want to do den7stry well
-  Reflect on work experience
-  Personal statement: go onto the school’s website to find
out what they are looking for in students, reflect them in
your statement

SMSUK Dental Officer Email: dentalofficer@smsuk.com

 Life after Graduation?
Singapore
PGY1 Residency (Specialties)
1 Year 3-7 Years

UK
FY1
FY2 Specialist Training (ST)
GMC Registration
1 Year 3-7 Years
1 Year
 What’s Next

•  Clinical attachments
•  Volunteering
•  Individual research and browse forums
(BrightSparks, The Student Room)
•  Slides and other resources available at:
http://www.smsuk.com/studying-in-the-uk/
All the Best!
We want to hear your feedback!
www.7nyurl.com/jctalksfeedback

SMSUK Official Email: sms.unitedkingdom@smsuk.com

SMSUK Liaison Officer Email: liaisonofficer@smsuk.com
SMSUK Dental Officer Email: dentalofficer@smsuk.com
QR code for the Uni
Informa7on Booklet