How I Got Into Graduate Entry Medicine (UK) *with bad grades

This is exactly how I got into graduate entry medicine in the UK (with pretty average A Level grades) and how you can too :)
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Hey 👋🏼 I’m Daniela, a 27 year old Colombiana, graduate entry medical student, entrepreneur, explorer, gym-goer and follower of Jesus. This channel is a collection of my personal thoughts, experiences and ideas as I journey through medical school and try to live this life on purpose.
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If you’d like to talk, I’d love to hear from you.
IG - @danncb

[@joeshepherd7947]

This is a beautiful video and gives me great hope, I'm presently studying economics, but feel deeply driven to apply for GEM and am presently taking actions to do so. I hope to be applying next year. Hearing the journey's of others who have successfully applied for a GEM course is so important to me.

[@danielacbarragan]

Aw I'm so glad to hear this! I wish you all the best with your application

[@Makamoud]

Well done Daniella.. I’m a grad medic going into 4th year (3rd year GEM).. started grad med in my 30s - never too late to start and I got ABB for A level too. Well done on your progress so far you’re smashing it.

[@danielacbarragan]

Amazing!!! Thanks so much for sharing :)

[@Alishacrowe22]

First year Warwick med student here! I never believed I could have gotten in either!! Love this

[@Alishacrowe22]

Im also from a criminology background!

[@danielacbarragan]

Heeey!! Sooo nice to have you here :)

[@kiafokianos4660]

What grades did u have to get in ?? Mine are bad 😢

[@vane3330]

Congratulations 🎉 it's so great you are finally studying medicine. I'm also hoping for the same thing too 🙏

[@danielacbarragan]

Thank you!! I hope you do too ☺️

[@MpumeleloRedyrectionNwos-dd9rt]

Thanks so much for making this video!!! I am 25 now and I also feel like I let my life went past me. This is really encouraging! ✨

[@danielacbarragan]

I’m so glad!!!

[@starxflies10]

never too late to be a doctor! ive learnt from u thank u

[@danielacbarragan]

So glad!! Thank you for leaving a message x

[@mylesanthony8672]

This is an incredible story, I really didn’t think this was possible - so many barriers begin to form mentally if you weren’t incredibly dedicated since you were 16 sitting those first GCSEs.

[@danielacbarragan]

Thank you!! It’s so true, it can feel impossible but if I can do it anyone can!

[@25ahn]

I’ve finally got 4/4 offers on GEM courses, after reapplication. Can you please do more day in the life vlogs? I really enjoyed them when you did them, as Warwick is one of my options!

[@vane3330]

That's so good! Congratulations 🎉 what degree did you do first and what type of work experience did you do?

[@danielacbarragan]

Will defo try!!

[@danielacbarragan]

Also congrats on your offers 🥳

[@marymulan2659]

Can you elaborate on your GEM courses? Where did you get in?

[@25ahn]

@@vane3330 hello, thank you! I did Biomedical Sciences for my undergrad, got onto Physician Associate studies and did a year but very quickly realised it wasn’t for me. I left that to pursue GEM. I applied and got into Kings, Warwick, Soton and Newcastle. I wanted KCL but the rent aspect kinda drew me out of London, but Newcastle just was too far for me! Haha. I worked as a phlebotomist on bank for multiple years, some HCA shifts too, and I did some time as a dental nurse. It’s more about what you take from the experience - any hands on, clinical work really helps. You need two separate experiences for Warwick, only one can be as shadowing. I actually plan to start my own way of documenting medical school, yet to decide where this’ll be but Daniela was so inspiring in that sense!

[@vinthyaa]

Thank you so much for this! I am currently doing my A-levels and I am feeling so demotivated with no medicine offers, this made me feel so much better and hopeful about the future!

[@danielacbarragan]

Ah I’m so glad!! Thank you for watching x

[@Burakko04]

Currently in second year at Warwick and this has been a large motivation booster! I've started working on applying with some work experience already under my belt and this has been the exact type of optimism I needed, tysm!!!

[@danielacbarragan]

Ahh so glad it’s motivated you!! Wish you all the best with med school xx

[@fizzamohammad1315]

im in a very similar situation right now and seeing this video was very refreshing! thank you for sharing :)

[@danielacbarragan]

I’m so glad!! Thanks for watching :)

[@ipinkbat]

the one year of nursing is what im doing right now, hoping i'll get in to medicine next year :))

[@danielacbarragan]

Wish you all the best 🙏🏼

[@naturescape10]

Thank you for the video, lol. I'm 20 years old (about to be 21). The thing is, I have not qualifications (due to complications...). I know that medicine is what i want to do. I've looked at every other career-role in healthcare and the only one that aspires me is the role of a doctor. Thing is, odds are stacked against me because of my age, and the time it will take for me to get to the point when i can apply to med school. A-levels (most common route into med) I don't believe are an option for me due to the sheer expense of them (needing 3 A-levels- It accumulates to thousands). My only other options are an access to medicine course at UCEN (QAA approved- all units at distinction) (btw, I'm from leeds so its far) or graduate entry medicine (last resort if the access course doesn't work for whatever reason). Though, obviously, graduate entry med will take a lot longer, lol. Just my two cents i thought i'd share. Good luck on your current journey!

[@danielacbarragan]

Oh wow! Thank you so much for sharing your story. Wishing you all the best with your future career 🤍

[@ELPaso1990TX]

This is very interesting and hopeful. As a general rule most medical schools won’t consider your application unless you have been to grammar school. Especially Oxford and Cambridge who are very strict on entry. However pupils in mainstream secondary education can do the 12 plus or 13 plus exam to enable late entry into Grammar school and thus improve the certainty of getting a place in medical school. So there is hope. Good luck.

[@danielacbarragan]

Thank you for sharing!

[@ellabignell67]

Your videos are so motivating and inspiring to me as a Year 13 med applicant. I really hope you continue to post consistently because I genuinely think you will get far with youtube. ❤

[@danielacbarragan]

Aw thanks so much!!

[@khantsilin-yq9ye]

I want to be a doctor. So, I am thinking of joining biomedical science. But I am studying GED. Looking forward to your videos❤

[@danielacbarragan]

Thank you for the message & I wish you all the best!!

[@DevSharma-lg9gv]

I'm a student of Bsc. Cardiology in india. Currently doing an internship. Working in OTs, close to surgeons i realised this job is not for me, I'm made for something more. I started exploring career options, doing masters and PhD. But nothing gave me that excitement. I have spent 4 years in my bsc courses and I'm 21 currently, i thought of doing MBBS but it will take 5 years and it feels too much time. Today I found out about graduate entry mbbs. And I felt a little excited. Just need to figure out how the scholarships and entry works.

[@danielacbarragan]

You’ve got this! 🙏🏼

[@shanzzworld7514]

Sir is it valid in india after completing gem there?

[@mohammad.6177]

I learned a lot from your video. Great. Iam watching your video from Bangladesh. ❤❤

[@danielacbarragan]

I’m glad!! Thanks for watching 🥰

[@mohammad.6177]

@@danielacbarragan 💝💝

[@adamchapman7729]

How did you end up affording the GEM tuition in the end?

[@danielacbarragan]

I worked full time for a few years before going into GEM, so I was able to save up to pay for the tuition fee in the first year. After that the tuition is funded by the NHS. I also applied for student finance (bursary & loan) and I work part time currently

[@uxnne4492]

Thank you so much for making this video🥹 I really resonate with your journey, my journey has been quite convoluted as well. It helps so much to know there is hope and possibility + even though I've tried to apply in the past, I also never gave it my best shot. I still feel a calling for medicine even after 10+ years of trying to put it aside. This gives me hope. Looking forward to watching more of your content✨

[@Ofcraj]

Hie I m from India I want to do graduate entry medicine at UK so what I should do and what are the eligibility

[@danielacbarragan]

Hey! It depends on the universities you want to apply to. I’d look on their websites directly to find out what their min entry requirements are :)

[@Zeediaries2]

Hy I’m in 11th now still waiting for my igsce result of grade 10. I’ll choose bio,chem,phy/math in my a levels. Will hopefully drop all my grades as time goes buy and rlly want to be a medicine student in uk (from pak) !!

[@danielacbarragan]

Ahh wishing you all the best 🙏🏼

[@bismab998]

Hi I hope you are well! I also did an undergrad degree first, I would love to read your personal statement as I know it slightly differs from the average personal statement for medicine! Of course, it's no problem if that's not possible! Thank you anyways

[@danielacbarragan]

Heya!! Thanks for the message :) I’ll try to make a video about it soon

[@Yongmeech]

@@danielacbarraganplease do 🙏

[@davidc4408]

Reason Buckingham has low entry ABB for undergrad medicine is due to cost as private university. Thing is spending over £200k , are you really going to get good return on investment been a doctor is UK as its not a upper high paid salary like USA.

[@danielacbarragan]

This is very true!

[@gavzer1660]

Hi could you pls make a video on how you setup your notion page? I think it is a really well designed layout and very easy to use, however I don't really know how to use notion enough to recreate some stuff.

[@danielacbarragan]

Hey! Thanks for the message :) I have a few videos about how I use notion: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bYe2i6Seec2Eo8U kzbin.info/www/bejne/f6PWeYF9Zc2pgpY kzbin.info/www/bejne/ipqyZWNpiqtgpMk Hope this helps :)

[@Khairah-j4e]

Thank you for this video! I was really disappointed with my UCAT score the first time around, but your video has been super helpful, and im hoping to give the test another attempt . I was able to hold an offer from the University of Buckingham this year, and as an international student, the tuition fee isn’t that different compared to other universities. However, I’m wondering if the quality of education or the value of my degree might be undervalued since it’s a private university. I’d love to hear your thoughts on this!

[@danielquizon7126]

Hi Daniela, congratulations on your journey! I’m hoping to apply this year for Warwick too. What was your UCAT score if you don’t mind sharing? Or, will you make a UCAT video for tips? Thanks!

[@danielacbarragan]

Heya! Thanks for the message. I can't remember my score exactly but it was around 2800 :)

[@sureshkumarturlapati1294]

Hello Daniela... This is Suresh Kumar Turlapati from India. A developer by profession. 34 now. I don't have Biology in my +2 India. It's my dream to become a doctor from my childhood but situations made me to join engineering. I am very much interested in the GEM program. Can you please guide me further?

[@arhinelizabeth7767]

Hi I'm a 4th year student pursing bsc.nursing in Ghana..I've been thinking about applying for Gem but i dont have any science backgrounds (didn't do chemistry, biology, ...) at high school Can i still apply? Please give me tips on the application process and requirements

[@iqraa3487]

Hi Daniela, I am planning on applying for GEM at Warwick and I'm very anxious about the application process (specifically the personal statement and the UCAT) I kind of feel I might not be good enough for it, I'm on my second year of Psych degree and I really want to go to Med school, any tips u could give me?

[@danielacbarragan]

Heya! I'd make sure that you get as much work experience as you can that you can reference, and try to score as highly as possible on the UCAT exam to help your application be as competitive as possible!

[@iqraa3487]

@danielacbarragan thank you for replying 😊, just wondering, what type of work experience would you say looks better in the application? As in, what type of roles

[@danielacbarragan]

Hmm definitely something that gives you experience working with patients directly (like volunteering at a care home, or working as a HCA). I'd also try to get some GP/hospital shadowing so you can get some insight into what working as a doctor is like!

[@iqraa3487]

@danielacbarragan I am struggling a lot finding a job as a HCA in the area I live, dk if this would be useful but I volunteer with a mental health crisis textline and I have applied for a job as a Cognitive Rehabilitation Assistant? I also volunteer in a nhs charity hub in the hospital but dk if that would count as it's in the shop and not a clinical role

[@shadimakani]

Thank you for your good video. How much is the tuition fee of your current university?

[@danielacbarragan]

Hey :) It's the standard Home (UK) tuition fee for university

[@anishachezhiyan5932]

I’m working towards this too! Was just wondering if it’s mandodary to work as a HCA? Etc.. I am trying to arrange a lot of volunteer work etc.. but its hard to work while being a uni student 😅 and jobs are getting harder to apply to due to lack of care experience etc.. So was wondering what you actually did for WEX or volunteering?

[@danielacbarragan]

Heya! I worked as a volunteer at a hospital for about 11 months, was a COVID-19 responder, and shadowed a paediatric consultant

[@millyb-fo3gc]

What did you get in ur first degree x

[@danielacbarragan]

I got at 1st class BSc in Biomedical Science

[@cookiebomb2571]

Hello there. I hope you are doing well. Your video is giving me hope. I got 3BBB in Alevel bio,chem and math. I am a final year undergraduate student studying bio at a Uk uni. My goal is to graduate with 2:1 hopefully but the thing its so hard to believe in myself and keep hope .I will also apply for med school next year hopefully and I have work experience as I work as volunteer in NHS. Can you tell me what was your bachelors grade like 2:2 or like 2:1 or any other grades.Only if you are comfortable. And also do you have any tips for me. Thank you so much. We are proud of you. Keep its up. You will be a great doctor 🫂

[@danielacbarragan]

Thanks for your comment!! I got a 1st in my BSc so try to aim as high as you can! I would also suggest getting as much clinical work experience as possible :)

[@cookiebomb2571]

@@danielacbarragan I am a bit scared. Cause I feel like I might graduate with a 2:1 and any idea how many hours in total will be good enough? Thank you for taking your time and responding

[@cookiebomb2571]

Some unis are happy with 70hrs (minimum and max) but I would recommended you to do as much as possible cause it will make your application stronger. So to conclude do 70hrs (minimum ) and for max do as much as possible as it will help you in the later future. Best of luck . If you are confused let me know

[@Nicole9_]

May I ask where were studying Biomedical Science and now Medicine?

[@Yongmeech]

Please how many years for the GEM ? 5:19

[@kurdo9256]

What did you get for GCSE’s? xx

[@danielacbarragan]

Hey! Ooo I did my GCSE's a long time ago so don't actually remember 😅 But I think I got 11 in total ranging from A*'s - B's

[@anwahmartins476]

Whats the process for med school like how was the interview etc and what did they ask

[@danielacbarragan]

I had to sit the ucat exam and submit a ucas application. The interviews were MMI and asked loads of different questions about my insight to medicine and work experience etc

[@studyxi268]

Which university did you do biomedical science and where did you go for Graduate entry medicine

[@ravirajmishra9445]

i am 28 yr old mechanical engineer ....... you think i should apply for this program because i think its too late for me .... but i really want to become doctor......elgible for this program

[@RamishaNawaz-o4o]

Hi I was wondering if you know any pharmacist on the GEM course? I am in my pre-registration year and after I am considering studying medicine? Any tips or advice?

[@danielacbarragan]

Hey!! Yes there are loads of pharmacists on my course. Tbh I think pharmacy is the most useful degree you can have before studying medicine. If it’s what you want to do then defo go for it!

[@Mama-dg9ic]

Is distance learning graduation allowed for gem???

[@Svitlana-bj8fh]

How can I contact you about the terms of cooperation?

[@danielacbarragan]

Hi! Cooperation with/for what?

[@Yongmeech]

What cGPA did you graduate with from the biomedical sciences pls?

[@OMRCHAUDHARY]

Hello I did Biomedical Engineering with 1:2 And have AAA in A levels Can i get admission in Dentistry ? Can you please tell me your score of UCAT??

[@danielacbarragan]

Hey! You’d have to check with the universities to see if you meet the admission criteria :) I don’t remember my exact ucat score but it was around 2800

[@ккє-о6ц]

Everyone says they have low grades but mine are actually diabolical. GCSEs from 4-5 and I didn't even do A-levels...I did the BTEC that everyone looks down on. Just graduated with a 2.1 in Biomedical Science and failed my UCAT... I told my parents and they were distraught...this means...I have to wait for 2026 entry...2 years. I'll be 25. God I feel like such a faliure. Maybe this isn't for me...I'm too stupid....I'll be too old. Everyone is ahead of me. I've been looking at med schools abroad that are GMC approved but the comoanies linking them seem so shady and they seem expensive. Should I just work for 2 years? God I feel like I've messed it all up. Fml. My parent's depend on me. Idk...I just look at my friends and people younger than me and feel so awful.

[@cocomilk4846]

First of all, people of all ages are in uni and SO MANY choose to change careers throughout their life. You are 25! Young! if it’s what you want to do then do it!

[@cocomilk4846]

Although, can I ask, how did you get into biomedical science? (If you didn’t have a levels)

[@ккє-о6ц]

@@cocomilk4846 Thank you for the encouragement. I did BTEC Applied Sciences, which are accepted into universities if you get high grades and relate to Biomedical Sciences.

[@KavyaSriharan]

Hi sister 😊I have a doubt I’m from India can I take student loan

[@danielacbarragan]

Hello! If you apply as an international student you won't be able to apply for a tuition or maintenance loan as far as I'm aware

[@aabigirl1]

Thank you for sharing . Can you explain how the funding works did you get SFE for the graduate medicine

[@danielacbarragan]

Heya! I got a tuition fee loan from SFE and applied for a grant/bursary from NHS bursaries. It's a bit complex so I'll make another video talking about funding soon x

[@Zeediaries2]

What subjects do u suggest to take in a levels??

[@danielacbarragan]

The most common for medicine are biology, chemistry & maths!

[@Reeldiverge]

Hii im doing a undergrad course rn 1st yr but I wanna do gem, what yr do I apply on the 3rd yr of my course ( the last yr of my bsc) ?

[@danielacbarragan]

You apply at the end of your second year, as you start your third year

[@fatzzz761]

Hi, I’m in the same position you were in when you graduated and have to reapply next year due to my low ucat score. Did you get a 1st or a 2:1 and are there people on your course who got a 2:1

[@danielacbarragan]

I got a first!

[@natoyle]

Just wondering, were you ever considering undergrad medicine after your first degree or were you dead set on GEM due to the funding?

[@danielacbarragan]

I was dead set on GEM because I knew that it would be devastating to receive an offer for UG medicine and not be able to fund it 🥹

[@natoyle]

@@danielacbarragan thanks! 👍

[@Roses.lo03]

Hey, what about the funding? Did you have to pay to study medicine?

[@danielacbarragan]

Hey! Yeah you still have to pay a tuition fee

[@aguyusinginternet]

i am sorry if it is impolite to ask but how much was the tuition fees how were you able to pay it , i also want to apply for medicine but tuition fees seems too much , thank you awesome video

[@danielacbarragan]

Tuition fees are the standard £9250 per year!! But on GEM programmes you can apply for a tuition fee loan as well as a bursary and maintenance loan x

[@aguyusinginternet]

@@danielacbarragan thank you for answering

[@kauserjabeen4587]

Hi

[@AwaisAhmedMalik]

Hi! I have completed my 5 years of Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) undergraduate program from Pakistan with 2.6 CGPA, and I move to the UK on EU Pre-settlement Indefinite leave to remain visa, And I am looking to get into Biomedical Science undergraduate because I think by completing my 3 years of Biomedical Science, enable me to get into Medicine or Dentistry. Can you please guide me? Also I have done Matriculation = O level with 74% marks And Higher Secondary School Certificate = A level with 65% marks All from Pakistan

[@danielacbarragan]

Hey! Well done for doing all of that :) I recommend that you check out official university websites to make sure you meet their entry requirements

[@AwaisAhmedMalik]

@@danielacbarragan okay, Thanks!!

[@patrickbateman6080]

Email them about your information

[@millyb-fo3gc]

Hey what did u get for ur ucat x

[@danielacbarragan]

Hey! I can’t remember the exact score but it was around 2800 B1

[@vigneshwarveera9818]

Hi This is Vigneshwar from India Im doing my final year Bsc Zoology Can i join medicine through graduate entry

[@danielacbarragan]

Hi! As long as you meet the entry requirements for your chosen universities then yes you can :)

[@JaveriaShah-kq4ul]

how much in UCAT is good enough for GEM ?maam

[@danielacbarragan]

Each university has its own UCAT cut off/threshold

[@JaveriaShah-kq4ul]

​@@danielacbarraganthnx❤

[@komalkaur4364]

Do you need to have above 65% in your degree to get into GEM?

[@danielacbarragan]

Hey! Typically you need to have at least a 2:1 in your degree

[@komalkaur4364]

@@danielacbarragan is there a specific % you need to get in the degree as a whole? Thank you for answering.😊

[@komalkaur4364]

@@danielacbarragan would you need a high 2:1 for example?

[@sadesekoni1231]

@@komalkaur4364think just a 2:1 in general hun, don’t think unis are going to calculate percentages like that 😊

[@komalkaur4364]

@@sadesekoni1231 thank you so much😊

[@anwahmartins476]

How old were u when you started medical school?

[@danielacbarragan]

I was 25

[@l-2267]

Hi I was wondering if you don't mind saying your ucat score, I'm applying for gem at Warwick :)

[@danielacbarragan]

Heya! I actually can’t remember 😂 but I wanna say around 2800 B1

[@l-2267]

@@danielacbarragan thank you so much!

[@rosahz9510]

What university did you do your biomedical science degree?

[@danielacbarragan]

University of East London

[@mukil983]

Hi i am now studying in year 12. With 2 non science Alevel and btech . Can i get into med school ? Or with a foundation degree. But most universities entry requirements need science Alevel. Can you suggest any possible ways to get in med school.

[@danielacbarragan]

Hi! I would say make sure you research potential medical schools and look at the entry requirements. You need to meet the minimum requirements to make sure your application can be successful

[@Aja.aasms.]

Newcastle university accepts any alevels

[@kins5445]

Dude, GEM programs are not recogised in EU countries. Medical degree is 5/6 years.

[@sadesekoni1231]

What????? Graduate Medicine is still medicine but accelerated, they are accepted world wide because you are getting the same degree and even then, there are EU Med School who have shorter grad systems as well…. Please do better research Also not all GEM are 4 years, depending on the uni you can be 5+ years.

[@kins5445]

@@sadesekoni1231 check European Commission website, medicine is 5/6 years programme

[@danielacbarragan]

GEM programmes are recognised in the EU!

[@kins5445]

@@danielacbarragan But only 5+ years programs, check EU directive on higher education

[@sadesekoni1231]

@@kins5445 Again, the years it has taken you to do Med school does not matter, as long as you have real, accredited medical degree from the UK, you can literally work anywhere…. I think you have read false information or are making up lies for whatever reason.

[@personal9686]

does Universtiy of Warwick offer scholarships to graduate entry international medical students?

[@danielacbarragan]

Mmm I don’t think so. I’d double check on their website, or try to email/phone them to make sure!

[@ZohoraIram]

I did bs zoology I m also eligible for study medicine

[@danielacbarragan]

Nice!

[@خيمةفيالصحراء]

I clicked on this video to find out the guidelines to get into medicine only to find a typical 304 talking about herself, thank you for wasting my time

[@danielacbarragan]

Thank you for the comment! I’ll make another video about the guidelines to get into Medicine as that wasn’t the aim of this video. As the title suggests, this was how I got into GEM, so naturally I would be speaking about myself & my own experience :)

[@angjelinam9122]

needless for you to worry because with your attitude you should stay far away from patients

[@mxnsoonn76]

So rude for what wtf ew you’re so disgusting for that

[@mdnahidseo]

My gmail

[@mdnahidseo]

kskairun

[@Ms.crowne]

Can i get scholarship in UK? Whej i just did my bachelor's in Nursing when i want to do Medicine?