Medicine Preparation Programme

MEDICINE PREPARATION PROGRAMME

PERSONALISED MEDICAL PREPARATION DELIVERED BY DEDICATED HEAD OF MEDICINE Medicine is one of the most competitive courses in the UK to gain entry on to. As with any competitive university application, good grades alone are not enough for success and there are a number of other areas that students need to confidently demonstrate proficiency in.

At Abbey College Cambridge all aspiring medic students will follow a specially designed programme through their two years of sixth form study to ensure they are prepared in every aspect required for a successful medicine application.

We are experienced in preparing students from a wide range of backgrounds to progress to a Medicine degree via a number of different application routes.

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How does the Medicine Preparation Programme work?

The programme starts in the first term of Year 12. This is known as Medicine Preparation Year 1.

Through their two years with us, students will receive regular individual progress reviews with our dedicated Head of Medicine, where the best medicine application routes for them will be discussed and their bespoke Medicine Preparation programme developed.

Medical preparation students start on four A Levels when they join us in September, to allow them a term to secure their decision to study medicine. In January of Year 1, medical students will reduce this to 3 A Levels, as well as English classes to allow focus on their medical preparation and to follow the timetabled medicine curriculum. This programme is in addition to academic studies, however the Head of Medicine will be monitoring academic progress throughout the programme.

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SPECIALIST MEDICAL CURRICULUM DESIGNED FOR YOUR SUCCESS Through the Medicine Preparation Programme, students will study: • • • • • • • •

Carefully designed medicine preparation curriculum delivered in timetabled lessons from January in Year 1 Medical Pre Degree Diploma programme Specialist support in securing work experience Medicine degree application support, both via UCAS and non-UCAS routes BMAT and UCAT preparation support Interview preparation support Additional English support Weekly Medic Club

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“THE TEACHERS WERE SUPERB AND SUPPORTIVE AND ALWAYS KEPT ME MOTIVATED TO REACH MY GOALS. THEY HELPED ME SECURE FIVE MEDICINE OFFERS AND I FEEL READY TO PURSUE MEDICINE THANKS TO THEM.” YOUSSEF FROM EGYPT. NOW STUDYING MEDICINE AT THE UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL LANCASHIRE. www.abbeycambridge.co.uk

YOUR JOURNEY The additional support programme is highlighted below.

Term 1 Year 1 • Head of Medicine (HofM) will meet students who plan to apply for medicine. She will work with the students to create their personalised pathway based on background, academic results to date and work experience / volunteer work*.

• Possible medical application routes start to be discussed • Weekend of work experience with investIN online – The Young Doctor Weekend. (cost covered by Abbey College Cambridge) • Students will also attend English medic club; whereby prospective medic students improve their English by mentoring younger students in English language.

Term 2 Year 1 • Timetabled Medicine Preparation work begins, Students will receive 6 timetabled lessons a week dedicated to preparing for their medical application. (see page 8 for details) • Students will attend Medic Club for UCAT and BMAT prep and gaining and reflecting on work experience and volunteer work, plus opportunity to speak to guest speakers • Students attend the Pre Degree Diploma programme • Continue with 1:1 meetings with the HofM to discuss progression Term 3 Year 1 • All of the above continues • Students will sit end of year assessments and results reviewed and discussed • UCAS fair - course choice, personal statement writing and references • 1:1 meetings to continue www.abbeycambridge.co.uk

Summer Holidays • UCAT and BMAT exam preparation at home by students Term 1 Year 2 • The UCAT and the BMAT exams taken • UCAS application finalised and sent by October 15th • Some non-UCAS submissions in November and December • Mock interviews for early interviews • Post interview debrief with HOM Term 2 Year 2 • Other non-UCAS deadlines • Mock interviews • Post interview debrief with HOM Term 3 Year 2 • Focus on end of course Examinations and IELTS * As part of the work experience and gaining volunteer work training, we offer CV writing advice, the contact details of GP surgeries, hospitals and volunteer work. We will also coach them on how to communicate with these external parties.

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UNIQUE CURRICULUM This specific curriculum is designed for International Students to ensure they have the knowledge required for an UK medical application. It includes: • • • •

• • •

Extended reading of articles in scientific journals Learn basic medical topics (anatomy, cardiovascular system, respiratory systems, diabetes, antibiotic resistance) Study extended science topics (biochemistry, cancer, genetic diseases) NHS structure (it is important that students understand how the NHS in the UK works and to be able to compare and contrast to the health system in their own country). This unit includes; » History and Founding principles » NHS constitution » NHS structure- hospital service, primary care, community services » Health and social care act » Challenges facing NHS and solutions » NHS university interview questions » Working for the NHS » The function of the British Medical Associate and the General Medical Council Multiple Mini Interviews rehearsal Course choice finder and Self–assessment to enable best course choice Further BMAT/UCAT preparation

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HEAD OF MEDICINE Sephora Day ‘I really enjoy teaching the highly motivated and friendly Abbey students, and learning about the diverse cultures they come from.’

Sephora was born in Malta, but grew up in Australia. She received her BSc Science and a Diploma in Education from the University of Melbourne.

Before joining Abbey, Sephora worked for many years as a science teacher in comprehensive schools in London and for one year in Bedford.

Outside of the college, Sephora enjoys travelling, taking long walks in the Cambridgeshire countryside, listening to music and photography.

Sephora has vast knowledge and experience of the medical application process and works with all our aspiring medics to help them fulfil their dreams.

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APPLICATION ROUTES

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In 2021 we had a 94% success rate in that 17 out of 18 students applying to medicine, dentistry or veterinary science received at least one offer.

NAME

COUNTRY

COURSE TAKEN

DESTINATION

Farbod

Iran

International Foundation Programme

Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland

Artin

Iran

A Level

University of Central Lancashire

Youssef

Egypt

International Foundation Programme

University of Central Lancashire

Richard

Myanmar

A Level

University of Buckingham

Sun Woo

South Korea

A Level

University of Central Lancashire

Shania

Hong Kong

A Level

University College Dublin

Gracelyn

Nigeria

International Foundation Programme

University of Central Lancashire

Sana

Iran

International Foundation Programme

University of Central Lancashire

Ivan

Myanmar

International Foundation Programme

St George’s University, Grenada

Joecelyn

Indonesia

A Level

University of St Andrews

Hian Hui

Malaysia

A Level

University of Central Lancashire

Hasti

Iran

International Foundation Programme

University of Central Lancashire

Jessica

Myanmar

International Foundation Programme

University of Central Lancashire

Amir

Russia

International Foundation Programme

University of Central Lancashire

An-Chi (Dentistry)

Taiwan

A Level

CEU San Pablo, Madrid

Thi Ngoc Lanh (Dentistry)

Vietnam

A Level

University of Poznan, Poland

Napatsorn (Veterinary Sciences)

Thailand

A Level

University of Edinburgh

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Abbey College Cambridge Homerton Gardens Cambridge CB2 8EB Tel: +44 (0)1223 578280 www.abbeycambridge.co.uk

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