1. Intercalated degrees at
Barts & The London
http://www.smd.qmul.ac.uk/un
dergraduate/intercalated/index
.html
Go to SMD web page, click on
‘undergraduate’ and follow link
to intercalated degrees
6. Outline
• Why intercalate?
• Eligibility.
• When to intercalate.
• Courses on offer at SMD & their structure.
• How to choose a course.
7. Outline
• Why intercalate?
• Eligibility.
• When to intercalate.
• Courses on offer at SMD & their structure.
• How to choose a course.
• How and when to apply.
8. Outline
• Why intercalate?
• Eligibility.
• When to intercalate.
• Courses on offer at SMD & their structure.
• How to choose a course.
• How and when to apply.
• How intercalated places are allocated.
9. Outline
• Why intercalate?
• Eligibility.
• When to intercalate.
• Courses on offer at SMD & their structure.
• How to choose a course.
• How and when to apply.
• How intercalated places are allocated.
• External intercalated degrees.
10. Outline
• Why intercalate?
• Eligibility.
• When to intercalate.
• Courses on offer at SMD & their structure.
• How to choose a course.
• How and when to apply.
• How intercalated places are allocated.
• External intercalated degrees.
• How to make a good application.
11. Outline
• Why intercalate?
• Eligibility.
• When to intercalate.
• Courses on offer at SMD & their structure.
• How to choose a course.
• How and when to apply.
• How intercalated places are allocated.
• External intercalated degrees.
• How to make a good application.
• Funding.
12. Outline
• Why intercalate?
• Eligibility.
• When to intercalate.
• Courses on offer at SMD & their structure.
• How to choose a course.
• How and when to apply.
• How intercalated places are allocated.
• External intercalated degrees.
• How to make a good application.
• Funding.
• Appeals.
14. Should I intercalate?
YES
• Learn more about the
science behind medicine
• Learn more about subjects
which interest you and in
which you might specialise
• Widen your interests
• Get more FPAS points
15. Should I intercalate?
YES
• Learn more about the
science behind medicine
• Learn more about subjects
which interest you and in
which you might specialise
• Widen your interests
• Get more FPAS points
NO
• Qualify and practise clinical
medicine sooner
• Study specialised subjects
from a broader base
• Save money while a student
• Start earning sooner
16. Should I intercalate?
YES
• Learn more about the
science behind medicine
• Learn more about subjects
which interest you and in
which you might specialise
• Widen your interests
• Get more FPAS points
NO
• Qualify and practise clinical
medicine sooner
• Study specialised subjects
from a broader base
• Save money while a student
• Start earning sooner
Search Ovid or PubMed “intercalated degree” for more information
17. Acquired/transferable skills
• Specific lab. or clinical skills
– (According to the nature of the project)
• Critical appraisal of the literature.
• Data processing and statistical analysis.
• Presentation.
• Coherent writing… at least for some.
19. Eligibility
Eligible
• 2nd
, 3rd
or 4th
year MBBS, including graduates)
• 2nd
3rd
or 4th
year BDS
• Normally no referrals
Very rare exceptions to the above rules can apply.
Not eligible
•Failure in preceding end of year exams & resits
•Incomplete SSCs
•Previous intercalated degree
22. When to intercalate
After year 2
•More science before moving to the more clinically
orientated part of the MBBS course
•Post 2nd
year students not eligible for all courses
23. When to intercalate
After year 2
•More science before moving to the more clinically
orientated part of the MBBS course
•Post 2nd
year students not eligible for all courses
After year 3
•More time towards end of course for finals revision
24. When to intercalate
After year 2
•More science before moving to the more clinically
orientated part of the MBBS course
•Post 2nd
year students not eligible for all courses
After year 3
•More time towards end of course for finals revision
After year 4
•More knowledge to build on
•Break and change after clinical period
No financial difference either way
25. Courses on offer
• Biomed. Engineering & Clin. Materials (BSc)
• Experimental Pathology (BSc)
• Infections Disease & Epidemiology (BSc)
• Global Public Health & Primary care (BSc)
• Medical Education (BSc)
• Molecular Medicine (BMedSci)
• Molecular Therapeutics (BMedSci)
• Neuroscience (BSc)
• Oral Biology (BSc)
• Sports & Exercise Medicine (BSc)
• Pre-Hospital Medicine (BSc)
26. Courses on offer
• Biomed. Engineering & Clin. Materials (BSc)
• Experimental Pathology (BSc)
• Infections Disease & Epidemiology (BSc)
• Global Public Health & Primary care (BSc)
• Medical Education (BSc)
• Molecular Medicine (BMedSci)
• Molecular Therapeutics (BMedSci)
• Neuroscience (BSc)
• Oral Biology (BSc)
• Sports & Exercise Medicine (BSc)
• Pre-Hospital Medicine (BSc)
27. Courses on offer
• Biomed. Engineering & Clin. Materials (BSc)
• Experimental Pathology (BSc)
• Infections Disease & Epidemiology (BSc)
• Global Public Health & Primary care (BSc)
• Medical Education (BSc)
• Molecular Medicine (BMedSci)
• Molecular Therapeutics (BMedSci)
• Neuroscience (BSc)
• Oral Biology (BSc)
• Sports & Exercise Medicine (BSc)
• Pre-Hospital Medicine (BSc)
Post year 3 or 4 only
33. Mol. Medicine & Mol. Therapeutics
course structure
• Compulsory (core) modules
– normally in term 1. (60 units)
• Option modules
– term 2. Choose 1 from several. (15 units)
• Projects
– term 2. Linked to option module. (45 units)
34. Other course structures
60, 75 or 90 taught units + project of 60, 45 or 30 units
• Biomed. Eng. & Clinical Materials. Choose 4 out of 15
• Experimental Pathology. Do 3 + 1 out of 2
• Infection Disease & Epidemiology. Do 5 out of 5
• Medical Education. Do 5 out of 5
• Neuroscience. Do 5 out of 5
• Oral Biology Do 4 out of 4
• Sports & Exercise Medicine. Do 5 out of 5
• Global Public Health & Primary care. Do 5 out of 5
6 taught units+ 2 unit project plus 1 out of 4
35. Other course structures
60, 75 or 90 taught units + project of 60, 45 or 30 units
• Biomed. Eng. & Clinical Materials. Choose 4 out of 15
• Experimental Pathology. Do 3 + 1 out of 2
• Infection Disease & Epidemiology. Do 5 out of 5
• Medical Education. Do 5 out of 5
• Neuroscience. Do 5 out of 5
• Oral Biology Do 4 out of 4
• Sports & Exercise Medicine. Do 5 out of 5
• Global Public Health & Primary care. Do 5 out of 5
6 taught units+ 2 unit project plus 1 out of 4
Not all combinations feasible, subject to timetabling
36. How to choose a course
• Interest
• Strategy
– Ranking
– Demand for course of first choice
• A few students get places on 2nd
choice course but most
get their first choice.
38. How are the places allocated?
Exam results Interview
39. How are the places allocated?
Exam results Interview2:1
40. How are the places allocated?
Exam results Interview2:1
41. How are the places allocated?
Combined Rank
Exam results Interview2:1
42. How to apply
• Application through MySis Live by end of January
• Include personal statement
• Max three choices (external choice(s) count as
one)
• You will almost certainly be interviewed by
organisers of your first choice course (possibly
later by second choice organisers)
• Ranking adjusted on basis of combined exam and
interview marks (weighted 2:1)
• Applications for external places (see next)
43. If applying externally…
• Go though our application process as described
– obtain a letter giving you permission to intercalate
externally
• We will interview you adjusted ranking
• You must also go through whatever application
process the external institute requires
44. If applying externally…
• Go though our application process as described
– obtain a letter giving you permission to intercalate
externally
• We will interview you adjusted ranking
• You must also go through whatever application
process the external institute requires
– What if the timing of the external application process
overlaps ours?
– We will give you letter giving you provisional
permission to intercalate.
45. Application timing (2015)
2016 dates will be similar
Recruitment fair
(Jan 30th
)
Application
deadline
(Feb 16th
)
Offer based on
combined exam &
interview marks (2:1)
Waiting list
(May)
Interview
(late Feb - Mar)
2nd Interview
(April)
Offer
(Late May)
46. How are the places allocated?
Course 1 Course 2 Course 3 Etc.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Rank
47. How are the places allocated?
Course 1 Course 2 Course 3 Etc.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Rank
48. How are the places allocated?
Course 1 Course 2 Course 3 Etc.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Rank
49. How are the places allocated?
Course 1 Course 2 Course 3 Etc.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Rank
50. How are the places allocated?
Course 1 Course 2 Course 3 Etc.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Rank
51. How are the places allocated?
Course 1 Course 2 Course 3 Etc.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Rank
52. How are the places allocated?
Course 1 Course 2 Course 3 Etc.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Rank
53. How are the places allocated?
Course 1 Course 2 Course 3 Etc.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Rank
54. How are the places allocated?
Course 1 Course 2 Course 3 Etc.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Rank
55. How are the places allocated?
Course 1 Course 2 Course 3 Etc.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Rank
56. How are the places allocated?
Course 1 Course 2 Course 3 Etc.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Rank
57. How are the places allocated?
Course 1 Course 2 Course 3 Etc.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Rank
58. How are the places allocated?
Course 1 Course 2 Course 3 Etc.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Rank
Waiting list
59. How are the places allocated?
Course 1 Course 2 Course 3 Etc.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Rank
Appeal
Waiting list
60. How are the places allocated?
Course 1 Course 2 Course 3 Etc.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Rank
Appeal
Waiting list
61. How are the places allocated?
Course 1 Course 2 Course 3 Etc.
Same for each year according
to target number
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Rank
Appeal
Waiting list
62. Projected numbers for 20016/17
(Rough estimates only at this stage)
Post year 2 20 – 30
Post year 3 80 – 120
Post year 4 50 – 70
TOTAL 170 – 190
• Approximately 20 – 30 students permitted to
intercalate externally.
• Number depends on how many externals accepted
• Numbers from each year proportional to total
number of applicants for each year
63. Applying for an external place -1
• You will be interviewed and re-ranked in the
same way as internal applicants
• External application counts as 1choice
• You can mix internal and external choices
E.g.
Space medicine (KCL)
Film Studies & Nuclear Physics (Dundee)
Homeopathy & Voodoo Medicine (Imperial)
Global & Public Health (Barts & The London)
Experimental Pathology (Barts & The London)
} 1
2
3
64. Applying for external places -2
• If you fail to get an external place your
first internal choice will be treated as a
normal first choice
• If necessary, obtain provisional
permission to intercalate from student
office
• We interview up to the top 50 potential
applicants
• Top 20 - 30 (or thereabouts) given
permission to intercalate externally
65. • You must also go through whatever
application process the external
institute requires
– What if the timing of the external
application process overlaps ours?
Applying for an external place -3
66. • You must also go through whatever
application process the external
institute requires
– What if the timing of the external
application process overlaps ours?
– Apply to student office for a letter giving
you provisional permission to intercalate.
Applying for an external place -3
67. How to make a good application
• Form
– Concise account of reasons for intercalating and
your choice of course(s)
• If more than 1 choice, give reasons for each
– Talk to course organisers and current students
68. How to make a good application
• Form
– Concise account of reasons for intercalating and
your choice of course(s)
• If more than 1 choice, give reasons for each
– Talk to course organisers and current students
• Interview
69. How to make a good application
• Form
– Concise account of reasons for intercalating and
your choice of course(s)
• If more than 1 choice, give reasons for each
– Talk to course organisers and current students
• Interview
– Make sure you know about the course
70. How to make a good application
• Form
– Concise account of reasons for intercalating and
your choice of course(s)
• If more than 1 choice, give reasons for each
– Talk to course organisers and current students
• Interview
– Make sure you know about the course
– Give some thought to possible projects
71. How to make a good application
• Form
– Concise account of reasons for intercalating and
your choice of course(s)
• If more than 1 choice, give reasons for each
– Talk to course organisers and current students
• Interview
– Make sure you know about the course
– Give some thought to possible projects
– Don’t waffle.
72. Funding
• Students who intercalate between years 4 and 5
– All undergraduate home and EU intercalating students will get
their fees paid and basic student loan (£2500)
– All are eligible for a (means tested) NHS bursary.
73. Funding
• Students who intercalate between years 4 and 5
– All undergraduate home and EU intercalating students will get
their fees paid and basic student loan (£2500)
– All are eligible for a (means tested) NHS bursary.
• Students who intercalate between years 3 and 4
– will get whatever funding/loans they got in years 1 to 3.
– When you return to the MBBS/BDS course years 4 & 5 will be
funded as normal.
74. Funding
• Students who intercalate between years 4 and 5
– All undergraduate home and EU intercalating students will get
their fees paid and basic student loan (£2500)
– All are eligible for a (means tested) NHS bursary.
• Students who intercalate between years 3 and 4
– will get whatever funding/loans they got in years 1 to 3.
– When you return to the MBBS/BDS course years 4 & 5 will be
funded as normal.
• Students intercalating between years 2 & 3
– will get whatever funding/loans they got in years 1 to 2
75. Funding
• Students who intercalate between years 4 and 5
– All undergraduate home and EU intercalating students will get
their fees paid and basic student loan (£2500)
– All are eligible for a (means tested) NHS bursary.
• Students who intercalate between years 3 and 4
– will get whatever funding/loans they got in years 1 to 3.
– When you return to the MBBS/BDS course years 4 & 5 will be
funded as normal.
• Students intercalating between years 2 & 3
– will get whatever funding/loans they got in years 1 to 2
i.e. no financial penalty for intercalating (apart from extra
year’s and maintenance).
Further details from Kate McFarlane
76. LATEST FROM KATE. JAN 2015
• Students intercalating after year 2:
– Will receive their normal student finance from SFE during
the intercalated year and MBBS year 3. During MBBS years
4 and 5 they will be NHS funded and can only obtain a non-
assessed student maintenance loan.
• Students intercalating after year 3:
– Will receive their normal student finance from SFE during
the intercalated year. During MBBS years 4 and 5 they will
be NHS funded and can only obtain a non-assessed student
maintenance loan.
• Students intercalating after year 4:
– Will be NHS funded during their intercalated year and the
final year of MBBS. Again, they can only obtain a non-
assessed student maintenance loan when NHS funded.
77. Additional funding
• A limited number of bursaries awarded on the basis
of academic merit and, in a few cases, financial
need.
• Available from various sources such as ARC, Path.
Soc., Jean Shanks Foundation
• Minimum £500; maximum £13,500 (only 1 of these)
– Those doing external degrees not eligible
– Those from outside medical schools not eligible
• (Approx. 30 awards in total?)
- Talk to Kate McFarlane at the Intercal. Degrees fair.
78. Additional funding
• A limited number of bursaries awarded on the basis
of academic merit and, in a few cases, financial
need.
• Available from various sources such as ARC, Path.
Soc., Jean Shanks Foundation
• Minimum £500; maximum £13,500 (only 1 of these)
– Those doing external degrees not eligible
– Those from outside medical schools not eligible
• (Approx. 30 awards in total?)
- Talk to Kate McFarlane at the Intercal. Degrees fair.
79. Appeals
• Exceptional circumstances, illness, or other relevant
factors were not made known at the time for good
reason, or were not properly taken into account.
• Procedural error, including alleged administrative or
clerical error, and bias in the operation of the procedure.
• Appeals against the academic judgement of the selectors
shall not be deemed a legitimate ground for appeal.
• Written statement
– no more than 2 sides of A4 paper, outlining reasons
– supporting evidence e.g.medical certificates, letters from senior
tutors etc.
80. Appeals
• Exceptional circumstances, illness, or other relevant
factors were not made known at the time for good
reason, or were not properly taken into account.
• Procedural error, including alleged administrative or
clerical error, and bias in the operation of the procedure.
• Appeals against the academic judgement of the selectors
shall not be deemed a legitimate ground for appeal.
• Written statement
– no more than 2 sides of A4 paper, outlining reasons
– supporting evidence e.g.medical certificates, letters from senior
tutors etc.
• In 2015, 10 Students appealed, of whom 4 were
successful.
81. What does intercalation do for
students in the longer term?
McManus et al. (1999) Intercalated degrees, learning styles, and
career preferences: prospective longitudinal study of UK medical
students. BMJ 319:542-546
Nicholson JA, et al. (2010) Why medical students choose not to
carry out an intercalated BSc: a questionnaire study. BMC Med
Educ;10:25. (Background section has much useful information.)
Key messages:
•Improved performance on returning to MBBS studies
•Final year students who had taken an intercalated degree were more
interested in medical research, and had higher deep and strategic learning
style scores than other students.
•More likely to have a career in academic medicine and more likely to
practise evidence based medicine anyway.
