To Intercalate or Not to Intercalate?
Author: Cara Clow
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.
Why I Chose to Intercalate
I’m currently a first-degree medical student, and I chose to intercalate in anatomy between my third and fourth years of medical school. I was drawn to the subject because, throughout my pre-clinical years, I found the complexity and detail of human anatomy fascinating.
I also knew I was interested in surgery, particularly OMFS, and I wanted to explore anatomy in greater depth than the standard medical curriculum allowed. Intercalating gave me the chance to:
Deepen my anatomical knowledge through extensive dissection.
Focus on a topic I was passionate about.
Complete a dissertation, which allowed me to explore a specific area of interest in detail.
What I Gained From the Experience
Looking back, I found intercalating extremely valuable. Some of the key benefits included:
Hands-on anatomical experience: Dissection sessions allowed me to engage with human anatomy in a way that textbooks and online resources simply can’t replicate.
Research skills: Learning how to critically evaluate literature, structure academic writing, and work on a dissertation has set me up well for research projects in the future.
Greater independence: The self-directed nature of the course helped me develop time management and critical thinking skills that I now use daily in clinical years.
Academic opportunities: The chance to pursue presentations and publications also helped build my surgical portfolio.
Some Possible Downsides
That said, there are a few considerations to be aware of:
Cost and time: Intercalating means an additional year of tuition fees and a delay in graduation. It’s worth weighing this carefully, especially if you’re considering postgraduate study or have to factor in the financial side of things.
Academic momentum: I did find that I forgot some of the medical content I’d learned in earlier years, but this came back quickly once I returned to clinical placement.
Choosing the Right Intercalated Degree
If you’re considering intercalating, here are some things to think about:
Explore your options: Start by checking which degrees your university offers. If nothing stands out, you may be able to apply externally to another university.
Align with your interests: Choose a subject you’re genuinely curious about, whether it's anatomy, medical education, global health, or another field.
Speak to course leads and previous students: This gave me a better understanding of the workload, teaching style, and dissertation topics.
Understand the assessment style: Every course varies, some are heavily research-based, others exam-heavy. Make sure the format suits your learning style.
Final Thoughts
For me, intercalating was a rewarding experience. It allowed me to explore a subject I love, sharpened my academic skills, and gave me time to grow personally and professionally.
However, whether or not to intercalate is a very personal decision. If you're motivated by genuine interest or career goals, rather than feeling like you "should" do it, it could be one of the most enriching parts of your degree.
