Are intercalated degrees better?

Editor - Earlier this year I had to decide whether to do an intercalated degree in medical science during my third year. The advantages of a year out allows you to have a break from medicine and to gain key research and laboratory skills and experience. There is, however, another aspect to consider.

Aside from the academic benefits, whether another degree will add to our CVs is a subject of debate among students at present. There is the suggestion that some consultants recruiting preregistration house officers for competitive posts make two piles of applications: those who have done an intercalated year and those who have not. The latter are binned. As one senior house officer told me, “you should definitely intercalate if you want to go for competitive jobs or a career in surgery.” he added, “Apart from your personality, there are few ways to single out a few from hundreds of applicants.”

In contrast, lecturers are advising students not to do an intercalated year just to lengthen their CVs because they will regret it in terms of enjoying and completing the course. Many medical students are understandably confused. Taking on another year of an already costly course is a significant step, and when there are no straight answers to seemingly simple questions the decision is a difficult one to make.

What is the real advantage of an intercalated year? Does it really make a difference in the real world? No lecturer, professor, or doctor has given me a satisfactory answer yet.

Nirav patel, intercalated medical student, university of Birmingham
Email: niravpatel@doctor.com


studentBMJ 2001;09:357-398 October ISSN 0966-6494