Information from the University of Glasgow:
We appreciate that students applying for Medicine, Dentistry and Veterinary Medicine for 2021 entry are now beginning work on their UCAS applications in time for the 15 October application deadline. Given the current situation we know applicants have some concerns around admissions tests, work experience, grades and more, and as such we wanted to give you a University of Glasgow 2021 Admissions Update for Medicine, Dentistry, Veterinary Medicine and UCAT.
Medicine (MBChB)
Our Medicine course at the University of Glasgow is a fully professional 5-year degree, which will allow students to become a Medical Doctor. The Medicine degree at Glasgow utilises a mixture of teaching styles and methods within a spiral curriculum, and includes clinical skills and experience throughout. The University of Glasgow Medical School is one of the largest in the UK and is ranked 1st in the UK (The Complete University Guide 2021).
Medical School Admissions information and FAQs: www.glasgow.ac.uk/schools/medicine/mus/admissions
UCAT information: please see below under ‘UCAT’
Work Experience statement, 2021 entry: We appreciate that work experience can be difficult to arrange, especially for high school students, but please note that work experience in a medical setting is not a necessary precursor to studying medicine at Glasgow. We would expect that applicants would have at least spoken to a doctor about a career in medicine – but that could be their own GP for example – and have researched the career path via the careers office as a starting point. An awareness of current issues facing the medical profession and the NHS is also expected, which can be obtained from newspapers, medical journals and the internet. Many applicants do demonstrate an interest in caring for others through voluntary work in a medical setting, such as a care home or hospice, but such experience could be equally well demonstrated by involvement in mentoring younger students, brownies/guides, working in a charity shop or involvement in local community initiatives such as foodbanks or helping the homeless for example.
Dentistry BDS
Our Dentistry degree is a fully professional 5-year programme, which will allow students to become practising dentists and is ranked 1st in the UK (The Times & Sunday Times Good University Guide AND The Complete University Guide 2021). The degree is taught at the Glasgow Dental Hospital & School in the city centre, 1 mile from campus, providing integrated teaching & learning with clinical skills in a professional and interactive environment.
Dental School & Dentistry Admissions information: www.glasgow.ac.uk/schools/dental/undergraduate
Dentistry Person Specification for applicants: www.glasgow.ac.uk/media/Media_719069_smxx.pdf
UCAT information: please see below under ‘UCAT’
Work Experience statement, 2021 entry: For entry in September 2021 we are not asking applicants to carry out work shadowing. In an effort to keep things as straightforward as possible whilst there is so much uncertainty around, we will not be replacing this with any additional requirements. We do realise that this will mean a huge change to personal statements, particularly with the cancellation of many other extra-curricular activities, our BDS person specification contains a list of the attributes we look for at interview and we do hope that the majority of applicants will have alternative experiences, out with a dental environment that they can draw on to demonstrate these attributes. We would also recommend that applicants take a look at our Be a Dentist app, which is available for iPhone and Android which contains some excellent videos from dentists in a variety of career tracks to gain some additional information on the profession. The Dental Schools Council has also published information on the ways applicants can learn about what a career in Dentistry will involve.
www.glasgow.ac.uk/schools/dental/undergraduate/workshadowing
Veterinary Medicine BVMS
Our Veterinary Medicine & Surgery degree is also ranked 1st in the UK (The Complete University Guide 2021) and is one of only six Vet Schools in Europe accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association, meaning our graduates can practice in multiple countries as well as the UK. A fully professional 5-year degree, we have full range of dedicated teaching, clinical and animal facilities at our Vet School (which is located at our Garscube campus, 3 miles from our main campus) and beyond. The degree includes clinical skills and experience alongside interactive animal handling and care.
Veterinary Medicine Admissions information: www.glasgow.ac.uk/undergraduate/degrees/veterinarymedicine
Veterinary Medicine information in relation to Covid-19: www.glasgow.ac.uk/schools/vet/studentstaff/covid-19-info
Work Experience statement, 2021 entry: We are aware that some applicants may currently be unable to complete work experience due to the restrictions imposed by COVID-19, we are therefore going to REDUCE our requirement for 6 weeks work experience. We would like applicants to have at least ONE week with a veterinary surgeon. The COVID-19 situation is continually evolving and when the picture becomes clearer, we will publish further guidelines relating to work experience and any other changes to our admissions process for applicants in 2020 for entry in 2021. We will update our web page regularly. Applicants are also advised to conduct their own online research into areas where they have been unable to gain practical experience to boost their knowledge and understanding of the veterinary profession. www.glasgow.ac.uk/schools/vet/studentstaff/covid-19-info/#
UCAT Information
Glasgow ask for the UCAT test as part of the admissions process for both Medicine and Dentistry.
UCAT have now provided an update for the test in 2020 (for 2021 entry). One of the key changes is that students will be able to sit the UCAT test from home or at a Pearson VUE test Centre. There are no changes to the test content and the test will be the same regardless of whether it is taken at home or at a test centre. Registration for UCAT opens on 1st July 2020, and students are encouraged to book their test as soon as possible. Testing will take place between 3 August – 1 October 2020.
UCAT resources:
Important Information Leaflet: www.ucat.ac.uk/media/1425/ucat2020-key-information-leaflet.pdf
UCAT Preparation Plan video: www.youtube.com/watch?v=g0o4nTJs-V4&t=2s
UCAT FAQs: www.ucat.ac.uk/faqs
Upcoming events and resources:
· UCAS Medicine, Dentistry and Veterinary Medicine virtual event
· Thursday 23 July, each university will have their own availability between 7am – 11pm.
www.ucas.com/events/virtual-exhibition-15-october-deadline-veterinary-medicine-and-dentistry-375316
University of Glasgow Virtual Open Days & Events: www.glasgow.ac.uk/explore/visit/undergraduateevents
