Congratulations! You have been accepted into the University of Leeds to study medicine as a direct entrant to third year. Direct entrants have a ‘catch up’ lecture series with the head of third year a week before university is due to start. It will involve teaching sessions with various doctors on common medical topics – ECGs, physical examinations, chest x-ray interpretation etc. You can also practice some of these skills on suitable patients if time allows. It’s a really useful few days so I would advise you to plan ahead and make the most of it by brining any questions you may have.

For many doctors and dentists considering a career in OMFS, the path may seem to be almost predetermined – complete your first degree, undertake foundation, and core training, and apply for a three-year second-degree programme. These courses are well known, highly competitive, and naturally attract those pursuing a career in OMFS. However, having almost completed a four-year medical degree after previously qualifying in dentistry, I would like to offer an alternative perspective that I feel is often overlooked.

Is taking a year out for an intercalated degree really worth it?

With competitive training pathways and the added cost of an extra year, taking time out of medicine or dentistry to intercalate may seem like a risky move. For many students, it’s an opportunity to explore a subject in greater depth and grow both academically and personally. This bulletin post explores the potential benefits and drawbacks, and helps you decide whether intercalating could be the right choice for you.