British Adult with non traditional academic background looking for guidance
Hey everyone.
I have a long term goal of becoming a psychiatrist. I’m 31 now so I was hoping to do so by the time I’m 45 but I’m looking at the academic side of things and thinking I might need to shift the goalpost to 50.
Anyway, I’m a UK national. I left school at 11 with no qualifications. At 16 I got a BTEC Level 2 in IT and some associated qualifications but I got a D in maths. I was 3 points off of a C. After multiple re-enrolments and dropping outs due to personal situations and undiagnosed neurospiciness until I was in my late 20s, I ended up not returning to academia.
Since then, I’ve worked in specialist units with complex needs and challenging behaviours with learning disabilities and autism. I became a senior support worker and shift lead, administered meds etc. Anyway, long story short, I’m a band 3 working in the psychiatric intensive care unit now. I decided I’d like to stay in this role for another 2 years to sort out my funds and save then focus entirely on academia.
So I’m trying to work out the academic path to med school. I believe I have enough experience but it’s the qualifications I’m lacking.
My idea was to do my A-Levels; Maths, Biology and Chemistry. Maybe online and do them alongside my job otherwise I’ll need some time to save up and go become a student again though I’m concerned online learning will be looked down upon in the application process. Anyway, I’ve been looking at uni requirements and many seem to want a huge list. Now I was wondering if I did a-level maths, would I still need gcse maths?
Basically I’d like to know if any of you have any suggestions or knowledge and experience that may be able to help guide me a bit because I’m honestly just looking at the requirements then closing the web page again. I’ve contacted multiple admissions teams for advice and received no response and as it’s a Sunday, I can’t call anyone. So I’m turning to Reddit.
I’d really appreciate any suggestions, thanks.
Edit I’ve worked a lot of different wards on bank and I’m fascinated by medicine as a whole, it’s just psychiatry is where I see myself ending up but I’m honestly open to whatever comes my way.
Also I’d just like to add, I’m not looking at any prestigious uni or anything as I know with my background that’s unlikely. I was considering Cardiff as it’s closest to home but honestly, I’m more focused on my best chances of getting in and how to streamline the process of getting the qualifications I need to reach the point that I could apply. That’s what I’m foggy about I guess.