Biomedical Science - Ireland v UK

Yillan

I see there's another Biomed thread, but I'd like to ask my own questions in this one if it's alright. I'm currently looking to do a Biomedical Science Degree in the UK next year. I've been going through the different universities by order of the merit awarded them by the guardian website here. I have made my way through the list and find myself lacking in most of the entry requirements. I did Chemistry for my LC, but unfortunately only got a C1. My LC grades were ABBBCC. I have just finished up my LLB at UL, but that does not supplemement my application in any significant way.

I'm looking at these foundation courses as offered by some universities, but many of these seem to be like returning to do Biology and Chemistry at Leaving Cert level all over again often in English Secondary School type institutions, which I would consider somewhat demeaning considering that I have a law degree.

If I go further down the list, it seems that universities are more inclined to accept me, for instance Queens University Belfast. I like the idea of this college as it has a medical programme which might be more inclined to accept me if I happen to swing that way in the future. However, its Biomed is not accredited by the Institute of Biomedical Science although this is being sought.

I have applied to do Biomedical Science in Galway through the CAO, however I have reservations about this. I would prefer to study in the UK for a change. After 4 years away from home, returning to my hometown of Galway does not appeal. It is more expensive to study in Galway than the UK. The science degrees in the UK seem somewhat more advanced/specific than those in Galway particularly. Does anyone know how Galway and Maynooth compare? The IT portion of Galway Biomed seems like a bit of a waste of time. Likewise I would prefer to steer clear of physics.

I have not applied yet however through UCAS for a degree in the UK, so in any case I would be relying on Clearings.

Basically I'm looking for the best degree in the UK which can be achieved with next to no relevant science qualifications.

Can anyone shed any light on any of these issues? Thanks a lot.

tallaght01

There's ALWAYS biomedical spaces left at the end of the year in the UK, when it comes to clearing. They nearly all reduce their requirements at that point.

A C1 in honours chemistry won't stop you doing biomed in the UK. I wouldn't pay a blind bit of notice to the guardian ratings. Their weightings rely heavily on the research ethos within the university. As an undergraduate that's not so important for you. The institute of biomedical science thingey isn't relevant unless you want to be a hospital lab tech.

Your grades as listed will get you into a good uni in the UK to do biomed.

There are some great places in the UK to study. London is fantastic, if you have the money to live there. Bristol is also lovely. Glasgow is great fun to love in, and Edinburgh is really nice. Newcastle have a very good biological sciences dept, but most of the North England cities are kips to live in. I'd go south, or to Scotland.

If you email the Biomed schools in some of the good unis in the UK, I htink you'll get some encouraging replies.

Yillan

That's great thanks. Are you saying that I'll find a place in the UK, or do you think that I could well have my pick of places? You mention London and Bristol, but do you think with my qualifications that I would have any possibility of getting a place in those places, such as St George's or York or Surrey?

I'm afraid I don't understand the Clearing system either. Whose place am I taking if I take place under clearing? Are these people who have been granted a place, but given them up, or people who have dropped out of their course creating a place for me. Therefore would it mean that I would be joining some courses a month or two late and with some catching up to do? Could it also create the situation where I would be turning down a place in Strathclyde in the hope that I would be offered a place in London, or do all the clearing offers come out at the same time.

Also do you agree that the courses in the UK are more advanced than those in Ireland

Thanks again

Bottle_of_Smoke

I'm doing Human Nutrition in University of Ulster Coleraine but did all the same lectures as Biomedical Science this year, I could even transfer into it if I wanted to.I only did Physics and math in LC and they accepted me

You need BBBCC to get in so you'rer well covered. There's decent nightlife here and its pretty cheap to live. Its the Coleraine Campus. Not too far from Belfast (hour 20min on train, Derry is 50 min away)

http://prospectus.ulster.ac.uk/course/?id=6860

Big biomed research centre here too if you considering further study

Yillan

I looked at University of Ulster, but they want Bs in two science subjects. I don't satisfy this requirement. I have C1s in Chemistry and Geography, which is close to their requirement, but no cigar.

I emailed Aston University, but they tell me that I wouldn't even qualify for the science preparation course because I have no Biology. I'll send a few more emails, but I just sent the email to Aston as a sort of middle ground test. Not looking too good as far as I can see.

drzhivago

tallaght01 wrote: »

There are some great places in the UK to study. London is fantastic, if you have the money to live there. Bristol is also lovely. Glasgow is great fun to love in, and Edinburgh is really nice.

? Freudian slip or are you telling us about your LOVELY or LOVE IN days in college