1st Faculty Charles Uni Medicine & EU Tuition Fees

[!PsyChirurgus!]

I just would like to ask if, under the EU policy/law, students who are EU residents applying for the Medicine program taught in English would only have to pay the same amount as the Czech Republic students? I think Charles Uni is run by their government and so they are a public university.

Thanks for any information.;)

[Back_To_School]

No. I'm afraid not.

It's my understanding that the only way to not pay tuition fees is to enroll on the Czech speaking course. Which is probably not an option for you unless you are very much fluent in Czech.

There are others on here who will know much more then me about it, but I am almost certain as I'm planning on going there myself in a year or two.

[shrey]

Hey there, 80sLoveChild!,

You will still have to pay tuition fees. The no-tuition fee policy only applies to those studying in Czech.

In fact we have a lot of greeks, portuguese, and other EU nationalities studying here in the English faculty and they all are paying the same as we do. I did come across a couple of international students studying in Czech (for free) but they stiill have to pay for accomodation and other things like that (but they get discounted prices for dorms and also scholarships/grants to help out with living expenses).

[!PsyChirurgus!]

Thank you. I appreciate your replies.

I have been looking at banks (private or not), government loans and private companies over the Internet if they could fund my Medical fees outside the UK but I couldn't find any. And I am convinced that I wouldn't be able to qualify for this chevening scholarship thing for example that Czech-UK is offering.

If only someone could suggest me any company/bank that would be willing to offer me a student/study loan/Student Healthcare Loan?...oh yeah and with the least amount of monetary interest please :(

Most of you might say that if I can't fund my education then don't go. But surely, there must be at least one company willing to help a UK student fund his education abroad? I really need direction. :(

[shrey]

I'll try and find out from my friends and let you know about the funding options. I do known some irish students taking loans but I don't really know if it's a government or a private loan.

[!PsyChirurgus!]

Cheers so much! *fingers-crossed* Please do let me know if you found any:)

[Mr Pop]

I know some stuff on loans in the UK.

Its my understanding that unfortunately no government loan exists for students wishing to study abroad from the United Kingdom.

In terms of private loans, thats a completely different ball game and will depend on your relationship with the bank and your own personal situtation (age, degree history, financial status / history).


If your looking for ways to fund your education,

make sure 100 % you WILL NOT have any financial difficulties at the country / school you go to. This will probably mean ignoring the medical schools in Prague.
consider help from your family or the prospect of working a little over the summer holidays as you'll get a lot of holidays.

[xxatti]

If you think you can learn the language, I'd study in the Czech language program for free. I think the tuition at 1st faculty is like $11,000 per year. I'd take that 11,000 and go to Prague for a year to take language classes. If you study your *** off for a year, you should be able to pass the Czech exam. It's not an easy language to learn, but I know people who have done it. In the long run you'll save 50K in tuition fees.

[shrey]

If you think you can learn the language, I'd study in the Czech language program for free. I think the tuition at 1st faculty is like $11,000 per year. I'd take that 11,000 and go to Prague for a year to take language classes. If you study your *** off for a year, you should be able to pass the Czech exam. It's not an easy language to learn, but I know people who have done it. In the long run you'll save 50K in tuition fees.

First of all, it's $16,690 (11500 Euros). I wouldn't really recommend learning the language unless you want to settle in this country. I would also like to mention that czech is not the easiest languages to learn (in fact, it's the 4 hardest european language most similar to polish in it's difficulty). Secondly, if you want to return back to the US/UK/Canada, you would have to prepare for their respective board exams which will not be that easy (as you would have to re-learn everything in english). So it sort of saves time.

And about the student loans, I found out that the UK government doesn't fund any student loans for students wanting to study abroad. Although it is possible to find these loans privately. You might want to check out this link and try to see if you fit into any of the criteria:

Education Loans - Blog Toplist (http://www.blogtoplist.com/rss/education-loans.html)

[!PsyChirurgus!]

First of all, it's $16,690 (11500 Euros). I wouldn't really recommend learning the language unless you want to settle in this country. I would also like to mention that czech is not the easiest languages to learn (in fact, it's the 4 hardest european language most similar to polish in it's difficulty). Secondly, if you want to return back to the US/UK/Canada, you would have to prepare for their respective board exams which will not be that easy (as you would have to re-learn everything in english). So it sort of saves time.

And about the student loans, I found out that the UK government doesn't fund any student loans for students wanting to study abroad. Although it is possible to find these loans privately. You might want to check out this link and try to see if you fit into any of the criteria:

Education Loans - Blog Toplist (http://www.blogtoplist.com/rss/education-loans.html)

Thank you very much for the link. It kind of gives me some hope to still pursue Medicine.:rolleyes:

In response to the Czech Republic Medicine graduates entering the UK: I thought European Union Medicine graduates e.g. from the Czech Republic can register here without taking the PLAB exams? Maybe I am mistaken.

If only I did Spanish at GCSE & A Levels then I would have a good chance of getting into a Spanish Medical School and enjoy their free education. bangs head on a wall*:(...same goes with Germany.:(

[shrey]

Oh I'm sorry I included UK in the category. Yes, if you're an EU citizen, then you wouldn't have to take the PLAB exams at all. You continue with your FY1 (and I read somewhere that there have been quite a few medical graduates from the Czech Republic, who skipped their FY1 and FY2 and directly went on to FY3...I think it was some czech medical university website...can't remember). But if that's the case, then it works up to your advantage.

[Mr Pop]

If you really want to study medicine then don't give up. Opportunities do exist, and I strongly urge you to do it and qualfiy and go back and work in the UK because if you don't, then their are 20 other IMG doc's who don't have English as their first language and are neither British and / or EU citizens waiting to take that place.

But you might have to be realistic about your situation. Whats your age and background?

Have you tried getting into a UK medical school? And if unsuccessful maybe try again 1 more time?

You must have some idea about your budget. How much are you able to afford for your tuition fees to medical school abroad? Even studying in the UK will cost you £3000 per year to be paid to the medical school.

[!PsyChirurgus!]

Oh I'm sorry I included UK in the category. Yes, if you're an EU citizen, then you wouldn't have to take the PLAB exams at all. You continue with your FY1 (and I read somewhere that there have been quite a few medical graduates from the Czech Republic, who skipped their FY1 and FY2 and directly went on to FY3...I think it was some Czech medical university website...can't remember). But if that's the case, then it works up to your advantage.

Oh I heard that as well!:) Since the Medicine course is 6 years long (6th Year being the equivalent to a 'foundation training') in Czech Republic or Romania for example then candidates who would like to do their training course with an EU Citizenship 'skip' F1 (Foundation Year 1) over here. But still, EU Medicine graduates would need to compete for training posts/places against British Medicine graduates. (Yeah, fiercer than ever:rolleyes:).

And yeah, I should use this advantage. But then my ultimate goal is to work in any state in the USA:(.

[!PsyChirurgus!]

If you really want to study medicine then don't give up. Opportunities do exist, and I strongly urge you to do it and qualfiy and go back and work in the UK because if you don't, then their are 20 other IMG doc's who don't have English as their first language and are neither British and / or EU citizens waiting to take that place.

But you might have to be realistic about your situation. Whats your age and background?

Have you tried getting into a UK medical school? And if unsuccessful maybe try again 1 more time?

You must have some idea about your budget. How much are you able to afford for your tuition fees to medical school abroad? Even studying in the UK will cost you £3000 per year to be paid to the medical school.

Hey Mr Pop. Thanks really for your concern. Very much appreciated. You are right. I shouldn't give up on my dreams, though it may sometimes seems impossible to achieve.;)

I'm twenty years old; done GCSEs & A Levels; Applied to medical schools last year; A Medicine re-applicant this year because I didn't get in last year; got 2 rejections from 2 UK Medical schools this year; still waiting for Kings college School Of Medicine & Lancaster Centre For Medical Education to reply and hopefully give me an interview before the term starts this September 2007. I don't want to take a gap year this year and reapply again for next year co'z I've already wasted 4 years of my life.:(

Yeah, UK tuition fees at university is 3070 pounds. But, we are all entitled to apply for a student loan from a government. We don't have to pay the loan not until we are earning more than 15000 pounds. The APR/interest rate is very low.

I am just a student who is at a college doing an intensive course for one year. I can't work part-time due to the nature of my course. My parents couldn't be able to fund my studies abroad. So yeah, I'm looking for ways to fund my education myself i.e. by borrowing money/private student loans but with higher APR/interest rate.:(

If only my grades were high enough for me to qualify for any scholarship lol. And besides, I'm too late to apply now. Oh well.

[Chemist_11]

Hey Mr Pop. Thanks really for your concern. Very much appreciated. You are right. I shouldn't give up on my dreams, though it may sometimes seems impossible to achieve.;)

I'm twenty years old; done GCSEs & A Levels; Applied to medical schools last year; A Medicine re-applicant this year because I didn't get in last year; got 2 rejections from 2 UK Medical schools this year; still waiting for Kings college School Of Medicine & Lancaster Centre For Medical Education to reply and hopefully give me an interview before the term starts this September 2007. I don't want to take a gap year this year and reapply again for next year co'z I've already wasted 4 years of my life.:(

Yeah, UK tuition fees at university is 3070 pounds. But, we are all entitled to apply for a student loan from a government. We don't have to pay the loan not until we are earning more than 15000 pounds. The APR/interest rate is very low.

I am just a student who is at a college doing an intensive course for one year. I can't work part-time due to the nature of my course. My parents couldn't be able to fund my studies abroad. So yeah, I'm looking for ways to fund my education myself i.e. by borrowing money/private student loans but with higher APR/interest rate.:(

If only my grades were high enough for me to qualify for any scholarship lol. And besides, I'm too late to apply now. Oh well.


May I ask, are you on an access to medicine course? and also what made you apply to the A105 at Lancaster? I applied and got accepted this time last year - Lancaster has a fantastic campus from what I saw at my interview.

P.s. depending upon your household income, you may be eligible for a grant to cover your tuition fees by the LA

[!PsyChirurgus!]

May I ask, are you on an access to medicine course? and also what made you apply to the A105 at Lancaster? I applied and got accepted this time last year - Lancaster has a fantastic campus from what I saw at my interview.

P.s. depending upon your household income, you may be eligible for a grant to cover your tuition fees by the LA

Hey! how did you know that I'm on an Acess to Medicine course right now?

Yeah, I'm currently studying at the college of West Anglia. I went in straight after doing my A Levels lol.

Oh are you at Lancaster then at the moment? I am still waiting for Lanc...they are too slow for me!:(:( I aplied there co'z I know not many people know of the course = less competition lol. Plus they don't look at my ugly UKCAT score lol.:rolleyes:

Could you tell me, from your memory, what questions you got asked on? Pwease?:D

Yeah, the NHS gives grant to medics who have a household income of 17k and below but no I'm not eligible for that.:( And besides you apply for it before the 2nd year of your Medicine course begins, right? So it basically can cover your 2nd-5th year tuition fees.

[Chemist_11]

Hey! how did you know that I'm on an Acess to Medicine course right now?

Yeah, I'm currently studying at the college of West Anglia. I went in straight after doing my A Levels lol.

Oh are you at Lancaster then at the moment? I am still waiting for Lanc...they are too slow for me!:(:( I aplied there co'z I know not many people know of the course = less competition lol. Plus they don't look at my ugly UKCAT score lol.:rolleyes:

Could you tell me, from your memory, what questions you got asked on? Pwease?:D

Yeah, the NHS gives grant to medics who have a household income of 17k and below but no I'm not eligible for that.:( And besides you apply for it before the 2nd year of your Medicine course begins, right? So it basically can cover your 2nd-5th year tuition fees.

Hey, I just guessed at the premed as you mentioned a one year intensive course. No i'm not at Lancaster, I had them as my third choice - i'm actually down south studying medicine at the moment.

I had my interview at Lancaster over a year ago now, but from memory an emphasis was placed upon my reasons for wanting to actually study medicine rather than my knowledge of the profession - although its pretty obvious that they expect you to know quite a substantial amount about persuing medicine as a career.

This year Lancaster was expected to receive the same amount of applications per place as other medical schools, but for much fewer places - so by the looks of it, competition will be fierce (Just as any other school really though). However, having said that, the fact that you are on an access course may well stand you in good stead. I'm guesssing that the college advised you on which universities you stood the best chance of being accepted to?

[!PsyChirurgus!]

Hey, I just guessed at the premed as you mentioned a one year intensive course. No i'm not at Lancaster, I had them as my third choice - i'm actually down south studying medicine at the moment.

I had my interview at Lancaster over a year ago now, but from memory an emphasis was placed upon my reasons for wanting to actually study medicine rather than my knowledge of the profession - although its pretty obvious that they expect you to know quite a substantial amount about persuing medicine as a career.

This year Lancaster was expected to receive the same amount of applications per place as other medical schools, but for much fewer places - so by the looks of it, competition will be fierce (Just as any other school really though). However, having said that, the fact that you are on an access course may well stand you in good stead. I'm guesssing that the college advised you on which universities you stood the best chance of being accepted to?

Hmmm, apparently, most UK medical school give low preference to Access To Medicine students who have just done their A Levels, co'z they didn't get at least ABB.

That's the sad truth. COWA did not really advice me on which medical schools to apply, but we were informed that only 24 medical schools accept the A2M course - they gave us a list and we have to research each unis ourselves (research skills; independent learning baby:rolleyes: urghhh!:mad: annoys me lol).

Them unis I've applied to don't look at A Levels but concentrate on my A2M grades instead. They told me that via e-mail.

Lancaster is now asking for an 80% overall for A2M. 70% is distinction. Clearly they've raised the bar as more and more A2M people know about their medical centre.:(
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I phoned up every company suggested by the Education Loans - Blog Toplist (http://www.blogtoplist.com/rss/education-loans.html) site but they told me that I wouldn't qualify for their unsecured student loans.:(

Looks like International Student Agencies are my final option.:mad:
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When does Charles Uni 1st Faculty start its term by the way? September or October? And which date (for 2008)?

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I contacted Abbey College to book for an entrance exam but I knew it, they're the same as other scam sites. C.M.U.C.A.S. - English Medical Degree Courses, Czech Republic (http://www.cmucas.com/fees/):mad:

[Chemist_11]

Hmmm, apparently, most UK medical school give low preference to Access To Medicine students who have just done their A Levels, co'z they didn't get at least ABB.

That's the sad truth. COWA did not really advice me on which medical schools to apply, but we were informed that only 24 medical schools accept the A2M course - they gave us a list and we have to research each unis ourselves (research skills; independent learning baby:rolleyes: urghhh!:mad: annoys me lol).

Them unis I've applied to don't look at A Levels but concentrate on my A2M grades instead. They told me that via e-mail.

Lancaster is now asking for an 80% overall for A2M. 70% is distinction. Clearly they've raised the bar as more and more A2M people know about their medical centre.:(
---------

I phoned up every company suggested by the Education Loans - Blog Toplist (http://www.blogtoplist.com/rss/education-loans.html) site but they told me that I wouldn't qualify for their unsecured student loans.:(

Looks like International Student Agencies are my final option.:mad:
---------

When does Charles Uni 1st Faculty start its term by the way? September or October? And which date (for 2008)?

---------

I contacted Abbey College to book for an entrance exam but I knew it, they're the same as other scam sites. C.M.U.C.A.S. - English Medical Degree Courses, Czech Republic (http://www.cmucas.com/fees/):mad:


RE: Your UK applications, I do believe that a lot hangs on how old you actually are, and if you class as a mature student or not?

[!PsyChirurgus!]

RE: Your UK applications, I do believe that a lot hangs on how old you actually are, and if you class as a mature student or not?
Yeah, generally, people who do the A2M courses are mature students who have years and years of medical-related and/or life experience. I'm not classed as a mature student and I haven't got years of life experience too:(. If you are asking whether I've made a right decision by entering A2M course...well only time will tell.:( *to be continued:rolleyes:* lol.

Medical schools who teach PBL are in favour of A2M students such as UEA and Liverpool.

Which med school you go to? You enjoying your medic/uni life? MTAS (now scrapped) for the win:D lol.

[Chemist_11]

Yeah, generally, people who do the A2M courses are mature students who have years and years of medical-related and/or life experience. I'm not classed as a mature student and I haven't got years of life experience too:(. If you are asking whether I've made a right decision by entering A2M course...well only time will tell.:( *to be continued:rolleyes:* lol.

Medical schools who teach PBL are in favour of A2M students such as UEA and Liverpool.

Which med school you go to? You enjoying your medic/uni life? MTAS (now scrapped) for the win:D lol.

Did you say that the unis you have applied to only look at your access score and not A levels? I'm just curious because I was under the impression that if you weren't seen as a mature student, then you were still required to meet the minimum A levels requirements for the school?

I will reply to the rest of your post a bit later on - I have just passed my semester one examinations and it was a v heavy night last night!