World | UK
C-grade students train to be doctors
King's College, London. has accepted more than 200 students from inner-city schools with three Cs instead of the usual two As and a B.
- By Rashid Razaq, Evening Standard
- Published: 00:16 May 19, 2008
London: Students who have achieved no higher than a C grade at A-level are being trained as doctors.
King's College, London. has accepted more than 200 students from inner-city schools with three Cs instead of the usual two As and a B.
The Extended Medical Degree Programme was launched in 2001 to give those from disadvantaged backgrounds the chance to train as doctors.
To qualify, students must come from one of 100 state schools in the 15 most educationally deprived boroughs in inner London and pass a mental agility test along with a 30-minute interview.
The course is based on the standard medical degree but takes six years to complete instead of the usual five. The extra year allows the students to study at a slower pace and undertake remedial work.
Result
The British Medical Journal reported that the first intake of students have performed well with 12 per cent getting a first, 76 per cent an upper second and 12 per cent a lower second. The figures for those on the conventional five-year course were 28 per cent, 65 per cent and 7 per cent respectively. However, the BMJ's Hugh Ip and psychologist Professor Chris McManus have questioned the value of the scheme which costs an extra £190,000 (Dh1,366,455) a year. They write: "Is it worth our while to widen participation, particularly if this risks reducing standards?"
Do you think this will bring down the standard of healthcare in UK? What other steps would you suggest to encourage weak students to perform better? Tell us at letter2editor@gulfnews.com or fill in the form below to send your comments.
Share this article
UK
Emigrants come and go as jobs dry up
Health watchdogs demand action on dirty hospitals
Camilla condemns explicit videos in rare expression of views
Families angered by decision on July 7 inquest
Man shows a stomach for trouble
'US raised Iraq issue hours after 9/11'
Cars explode in massive London fire
Large fire hits London: 310 people evacuated
More from World
News Editor's choice
-
A year after 173 defenceless people were killed
Mumbai itself is far from safe from another deadly attack, even though the level of security consciousness of the average Mumbaikar has been raised since 26/11
-
Nato supports Obama's plea
European and other allies to send around 6,000 troops to Afghanistan
-
Official confirms mayor is the suspect
Many witnesses have come forward, justice secretary says
-
Into an oasis of values
A place to snuggle in the warmth of old manners away from the bustle of city life
