"To Intercalate, or Not to Intercalate?"
The decision to intercalate (or not) is one that plagues many students as they enter their third year. Many end up intercalating without really knowing what to expect often only doing so “because everyone else is.” In this article we intend to provide some practical and down to earth advice on intercalating, particularly in reference to those wishing to pursue a career in surgery, to help you make an informed choice.
What is Intercalation?
Intercalation is the acquisition of a Bachelor's Degree in one year (rather than three) which is offered to medical students after they have completed at least two years of the M.B. Ch.B. course. It is most commonly undertaken after the third year, but increasing numbers decide to intercalate after year four. Intercalation is compulsory in some UK Medical Schools but is optional at Leeds.
The Intercalated B.Sc. (iBSc) has traditionally been undertaken by around 60% of the year. The argument goes that as it has traditionally been required to undertake research before reaching consultant level, an iBSc endows students with the key skills before the end of their undergraduate career. Quickly, a situation arose where a significant proportion of budding surgeons had obtained a B.Sc. and therefore, it became almost necessary to do an iBSc to keep up.
With the introduction of Modernising Medical Careers (MMC) and the removal of emphasis on research experience for all, the exact importance of an iBSc has become somewhat confusing. At the time of writing, the number of students opting for an iBSc has fallen and it appears that whilst it will always have the potential to increase your job prospects, it is no longer ‘necessary’ as perhaps it once was.
Therefore, it seems appropriate that you consider the positive and negative aspects of spending a year doing an iBSc before you make your decision.
Advantages
An iBSc provides a really unique opportunity in your undergraduate career to get to grips with basic science to a level not offered by the medical degree, and undertake real front line research. Much of the work you do will not be directly linked to clinical practice. As a result, it is more a question of the transferable skills you will acquire than the specific knowledge itself; although this can come into play once in a while.
The most valuable skills gained during most iBSc programmes are the ability to find appropriate literature, read it quickly and effectively critique it. To elucidate what it says, how well the work was conducted and therefore what influence it should exert upon clinical practice. Similarly you will develop a much more mature writing style which lends itself to publication far more than that necessary to succeed at medical school. Depending on the iBSc, you may also acquire basic laboratory skills, the ability to use software such as SPSS or even image manipulation techniques.
Disadvantages
Many students mistakenly see an iBSc as an 'easy year out of medicine.' Nothing could be further from the reality of what is an academically very challenging year. Succeeding in an iBSc requires very different skills from those picked up at medical school. As a result you find yourself lagging behind the B.Sc. students and have to fight hard and adapt quickly to these challenges.
The subject matter of the modules also causes some confusion. One assumes that all modules will specifically relate to the degree programme, but this is not always the case. In essence, you will do a selection of modules from the school of biomedical sciences, that may or may not directly relate to you degree programme, or area of interest. As a result, you may find yourself sitting modules for which you lack a particular interest, and for which you feel grossly under prepared.
Finally, do not forget the financial implications. It is an extra year at university and for some, can be the straw that breaks the camel’s back. That said, there is funding available if you look around hard enough.
The best advice I can offer is this: only intercalate if you are doing so for the right reasons and have an interest in the subject matter. It will be a tough year, but if your heart is not in it, it will be even more difficult.