An additional option for those students studying on Biomedical Sciences BSc(Hons) and the Masters Degree in Pharmacy (MPharm) who wish to change direction during the course, is to be able to apply for other healthcare professional courses, including medicine (BMBS) at Brighton & Sussex Medical School. Students have the guaranteed opportunity of an interview provided you meet the required criteria, as outlined below.
Due to the course size there is an upper limit on the number of guaranteed interviews that can be offered at each stage for pharmacy students; it is not similarly limited for biomedical science students.
Conditions for guaranteed interview in year 1
Academic
- GCSE grade B or equivalent in Maths and English
- AAAB grades in three A levels and one AS level (including Biology and Chemistry and excluding General Studies etc)
- 70% weighted overall average for specified semester 1 courses and assignments
Other
- Taken UKCAT in the previous summer (possibly specified minimum score, but not set high)
- Made a UCAS application to BSMS
- Specified level of professional experience completed by February of year 1
- Excellent semester 1 class attendance record
Timetable
Nominations of qualified applicants by Brighton in February
BSMS interview in late February. Interviews would be standard BSMS interviews (50% success rate) and the interview panel would not know that these candidates were in any way unusual.
Conditions for guaranteed interview in year 3 (or year 4 if applying via the MPharm route)
Academic
- GCSE grade B or equivalent in Maths and English
- Subject qualifications (from A level or degree) in Biology and Chemistry
- 70% weighted overall average for year 2
Other
- Taken UKCAT in the previous summer (possibly specified minimum score, but not set high)
- Made a UCAS application to BSMS
- Specified level of professional experience completed by October of year 3
- Excellent record for class attendance & assignment submission by deadline
Timetable
Nominations of qualified applicants by Brighton in October
BSMS interview in November. Interviews would be standard BSMS interviews (50% success rate) and the interview panel would not know that these candidates were in any way unusual.
Professional experience requirements (typically)
At least X [3-4] qualifying observational or learning placements (minimum 5 days each), to include at least one placement in an acute care setting and at least one placement in a primary or acute care setting.
At least X days [say 30 for year 1, 60 for year 3] work experience providing hands-on care as volunteer or employee dealing with common patient groups [e.g. HCA role in acute or community sector; in elderly care or nursing home; with special needs or disabled patients; in a community pharmacy].
For year 3 applicants a proportion of experience required within the previous 12 months.
