Part-time Medical studies

Dalas

hi guys,

I have a friend who is in full-time work but would like to start studying for medicine. I realise its virtually impossible but I was hoping someone might have some suggestions as to what he could do. He cant quit his job as he would have no way to support himself. any ideas or is this just insanity?

Vorsprung

Hey could look into working weekends and during holidays but it would be very very tough I'd imagine. There are good loans out there for Med students but they wouldn't really come close to supporting someone, not until the last few years anyway (when the loans increase a huge amount). There's a 4 years course in UCD for graduates but the hours are long enough I think, and they have shorter holidays. Worth a look

Dalas

Thats great. Really any information at all is fantastic. Thanks a mil.

DrIndy

The medical course is pretty gruelling as it is and it would be very difficult indeed to keep up a full time job as well.

There are other paramedical jobs out there with just as good job satisfaction, better pay and less hours than being a doctor. Does no harm checking those out rather than jumping for medicine.

Dalas

Where/how do i start looking into them? courses etc?

Vorsprung

There's a few med students here! I'm in 5th year UCD, DrIndy was in Trinity, few other UCDers knocking about and also others with knowledge of other courses.

You can ask the colleges themselves, get the prospectuses, and they'd have annual open days where you can ask questions about the course. UCD, Trinity, RCSI, UCC, NUIG and Queen's all have medical courses, and UL will be starting a graduate course soon (next year I think).

EDIT These courses are changing a fair bit these days, UCD started a revised course a few years ago and it's still being tweaked, so going to the universities themselves is essential to get the latest information.

AnnaStezia

Could you friend do a science degree first perhaps by distance learning ? This might also allow time to build up finances !!!

Dalas

Thats great!
Would a science degree mean he could skip a year? or would it just be to get a head start?

Vorsprung

Dalas wrote:

Thats great!
Would a science degree mean he could skip a year? or would it just be to get a head start?

It would mean that he might be able to do a 4 year course, but again best to check with the colleges themselves

tallaght01

I did a biomedical sciences degree before going to med school. I know my biomed degree was available as a part time degree, but there's no way medical school could be done on a part time basis. For a start, I'm pretty sure there isn't the option available in any medical school in ireland or the uk.. Secondly, when ur in ur clinical years ur expected to be in the hospital a lot, on various rotations, and that most definitely wouldn't be amenable to part time study..

Give the time again I'd be tempted to go for pharmacy or optometry. Equal or better pay, better conditions, and less stress, less unsociable hours.

Hope it works out for ur mate.