Why I Chose To Study Medical Sciences

Onkgopotse Aphane is a second year BSc (Hons) Medical Sciences student at the University of Central Lancashire’s Burnley Campus in North West England. She moved to the UK from South Africa to chase her dreams of studying abroad – and explains why she chose to study Medical Sciences.

Nelson Mandela once said that ‘education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world’, and I believe it truly is powerful. I’ve always known that I wanted to work in a field that would impact communities and have a passionate career that would forever challenge me.

In school, Biology and Chemistry were subjects I undeniably enjoyed. Every day I was tackled with something new and exciting. After immense research, I decided that I would love to be a Doctor one day and that I want to study abroad. Everything in medicine honestly interests me greatly, it would be my greatest privilege to be a Doctor.

Understanding the academic demand of Medical School and the commitment it takes to obtain excellent results to become a Doctor, I applied to BSc (Hons) Medical Sciences specifically as it presented itself to be very helpful in getting a great foundation for MBBS.

This two-year accelerated course provides a diverse path and unique opportunity to gain a scientific degree that is clinically focused. Key subjects include Anatomy and Physiology, Molecular Medicine and Integrated Medical Sciences. The course delivers a complete degree in only two years, saving you both time and money. It’s a unique pathway that focuses on the development of the student’s clinical knowledge.

What stood out to me is the flexibility of this course, in terms of providing a great undergraduate degree that aids in the foundation of working in the clinical world.

I quickly learnt that everyone in my course is planning to do different things with this degree, which truly amazes me. For example, I will use my degree to apply to graduate-entry medicine. Some of my classmates are planning to do their master’s, some will apply to become physician associates and others plan to work right after the course.

To be fully prepared for the course, I would recommend revising certain subjects from high school, especially Biology and Biochemistry. Elsevier’s Medical Sciences, 3rd edition by Jeanette Nash and Denise Syndercombe Court is a great textbook that I found useful in preparation as well as during the course.

Overall, studying BSc (Hons) Medical Sciences was the best decision I’ve ever made. It provided me with a remarkable opportunity to gain a unique pathway to the medical world.

For further information about studying BSc (Hons) Medical Sciences at the University of Central Lancashire, visit the website or email: [email protected]. More shorter option Guest Blog