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The effect of an intercalated BSc on subsequent academic performance
Nishanthan Mahesan1, Siobhan Crichton, Hannah Sewell
1School of Medicine, Guy's Campus, King's College London, London, UK. nishanthanm@doctors.org.uk
BMC Medical Education
|October 5, 2011
Summary
Undertaking an intercalated Bachelor of Science (BSc) degree significantly improves medical students' exam performance and foundation programme application success. This degree enhances academic ranking and boosts chances of securing a preferred Foundation School post.
Area of Science:
- Medical Education
- Student Academic Performance
Background:
- The decision to pursue an intercalated Bachelor of Science (BSc) is critical for medical students.
- It can impact academic ranking and competitiveness for foundation posts.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the effect of an intercalated BSc on medical students' academic outcomes.
- To evaluate its influence on final year exam results and foundation programme applications.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 1158 anonymised medical student records.
- Used regression models to assess the impact of intercalating on exam scores, application metrics, and Foundation School placement.
- Adjusted for covariates including course type and baseline performance.
Main Results:
- Intercalated BSc students showed significantly improved Year 5 exam results (P = 0.004).
- Higher foundation application scores (P < 0.0001), academic quartile scores (P = 0.0003), and overall foundation scores (P < 0.0001) were observed.
- Increased success in securing first-choice Foundation School posts (p = 0.0220).
Conclusions:
- An intercalated BSc enhances subsequent examination performance and application skills for the foundation programme.
- It improves students' success in obtaining preferred Foundation School positions.
- Internal intercalators generally outperformed external ones, potentially due to course structure or adaptation.
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