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| Leeds Medical Students Intraschool Committee |
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Frequently Asked Questions
This website is no longer being updated. If you are interested in managing this website, or in finding out more about the Leeds BMA ISC please e-mail isc.chair.leeds@bma.org.uk If you have any questions (or answers!) that you would like added to this page, please contact us.
Should I intercalate? |
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What does MTAS mean and how
does it work? MTAS stands for Medical Training Application System. It was a computerised application system for training posts used in 2007 which experienced problems including security breaches and was thus withdrawn from applicant use. The MTAS was part of an approach called Modernising Medical Careers (MMC; see below). The application system will operate differently this year. For more information click here. What is Modernising medical careers all about? Modernising Medical Careers (MMC) was designed to improve and reform medical education in the UK. Following the poor performance of the MTAS in 2007, Patricia Hewitt commissioned an independent inquiry into the MMC approach. The Tooke Report from this enquiry was published in January 2008. The BMAs response to the Tooke Report can be viewed here. Who are we? Please see the about us section. What are we planning to do this year? Please see the about us section. What is the Medical Students Committee (MSC)? Please see the about us section. What is the role of the MSC Representative? Please see the about us section. Top of page Research and develop? According to some, BScs in medical research can give graduates the edge in a crowded job market. Others fear that delayed qualification will mean they miss out on employment. Erin Dean sifted the views of 109 respondents about intercalated degrees Have you done an intercalated degree or are you planning to do one? 48% said Yes 46% said No Here are some of your thoughts: Yes: ‘I am currently doing an intercalated degree and think that it is one of the best decisions that I have made. It has given me the time to explore a field in a lot more detail than would have been the case otherwise.’ Brighton third year Rachel Brown No: ‘Having made the decision not to intercalate, I am becoming increasingly concerned that this will impair my chances of getting a job.’ Bristol third year Emily Brooke Yes: ‘I did an intercalated degree and really enjoyed it. My reasoning for doing it was not the few extra points [on the foundation programme application form], but the transferable skills I learnt — especially research skills.’ Edinburgh fourth year Andrew Bretherick No: ‘I chose not to intercalate because I came to medical school to study medicine, not a different degree. Had there been an intercalated degree on offer that appealed to me. I might have reconsidered, but six years at university is a very long time.’ Bristol third year Jennifer Dawes No: ‘Financial barriers are the main reason why I will not consider intercalating. Five years of debt is too much as it is. I really can’t afford another year of loans.’ Liverpool second year Elizabeth Denny No: ‘As a graduate with a masters degree, it would be ludicrous for me to intercalate. Rumours that GKT, London, is going to be making the intercalated BSc compulsory is devastating, because it will mean reducing the possibilities for graduates to study medicine.’ GKT second year Donna Tooth Yes: ‘Intercalating gave me the chance not only to experience research but also to be my own boss and manage my own time. I was able to spend six months in the emergency department, and would not have got on a shorter placement otherwise. I hope doing thiswill help me to follow my dream of working in emergency medicine.’ Leicester fourth year Stephen Corry Should students who want to do intercalated degrees be allowed to transfer temporarily to different universities to do so? 94% said Yes 2% said No Here are some of your thoughts: Yes: ‘At my medical school, people who are interested in applying to other universities are encouraged to do so if they want to study something not available here. I know of a number of students who have done this.’ Dundee third year Simon Menelaws Yes: ‘I attempted unsuccessfully to transfer from Cardiff to Leeds to study international health. I think it should be made easier for students to intercalate. At Cardiff, only students who are fairly brilliant academically are given the opportunity, which I don’t think is fair. I also think that each university offering intercalated degrees should [advertise them more effectively].’ Cardiff final year Catherine Thomas Yes: ‘I intercalated in international health at Leeds last year, as this course was not offered at Birmingham at the time. For me, it had nothing to do with however many extra [foundation programme application] points were available. It was an opportunity to develop research skills in a field that I find exciting. I believe that should be the principal reason for doing any intercalation.’ Birmingham final year Arun Ahluwalia do intercalated degrees, because their own universities might not offer subjects that they want to study. It could also provide links with other universities in terms of undergraduate research.’ Belfast second year Brian Murphy Do you think intercalating adds value to your CV? 74% said Yes 14% said No Here are some of your thoughts: No: ‘The uncertainty with medical training and getting jobs has put me off doing an intercalated degree next year. I feel I would be at a disadvantage when applying for the foundation programme due to returning to a larger year with more competition.’ Liverpool fourth year Alison Blair Yes: ‘At Imperial College, London, intercalated BScs are compulsory. I think this is highly beneficial in a world where jobs are harder to come by. The course adds valuable [foundation programme application] points and can help you secure a job.’ Imperial fifth year Ektoras Georgiou Yes: ‘An intercalated degree does add weight to a CV but, when compared with a degree of normal length, it should be treated very differently. A degree in nine months in a subject the components of which are not covered in a medical degree is of less value than a traditional three- or four-year degree.’ Cardiff final year James Sangster No: ‘It is ridiculous to ask medical students, who should be doing medicine, to ape science students during their most demanding year. The degrees they receive at the end lack the substance of a full three- or four-year BSc.’ St George’s University of London fourth year Nicholas Lelos Yes: ‘At a time when competition for training posts is increasing, the value of an intercalation degree is greater than ever before. It also provides invaluable experience in different working environments, promotes independent learning and offers an insight into areas of personal study interests.’ Cardiff final year David Samuel Yes: ‘The decision to intercalate can be the bane of a medical student’s life. There is such conflicting advice about the benefit to CVs and how having a year out is viewed by future employers. Having a BSc should not be a criterion for skimming off job applicants because not all students can afford to undertake an extra year — especially in the unsteady current climate of job security.’ Leeds fourth year Kathryn Topley Yes: ‘Given the competition for jobs today, having something like an intercalated BSc makes you stand out and shows that you are a rounded individual with interests in both clinical and academic medicine. Also, doing an intercalated BSc provides a nice break from hospitals and clinics.’ Imperial fifth year John Wahba Back to top |
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Last updated 10th October 2008 |
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