Become a doctor, surgeon, dietician, psychiatrist... Each year, medical studies are among the most requested courses via Parcoursup by high school students: very demanding, long (10 to 12 years of study at university) and fascinating;
here's everything you need to know before you embark on this path.
To avoid too many failures in the medical competition leading to students being left behind, having “lost” 1 to 2 years of first year of medicine, a major reform of access to medical studies took place in 2020. To encourage rebounds after a failure in the competitive exam, there are now 2 paths of access to medical studies: the PASS (Specific Health Access Pathway) and the LAS (Health Access License) representing respectively 70% and 30% of access to MMOPK studies .
What are the PASS and LAS for medical studies?
The creation of PASS/and LAS therefore follows the
2020 health studies reform
.
This reform also put an end to the notion of “numerus clausus”, which limited access to universities and higher education.
The methods of selecting students evolve according to the establishments and their needs with a “numerus apertus”.
You now have two main routes to health studies (accessible via a competitive examination at the end of the first year): the PASS and the LAS.
What does the PASS consist of?
Succeeding the PACES (first year common to health studies), the PASS designates the
specific health access course
.
This is a first year of medicine to prepare for the competitive examination, which gives the right, in the event of failure, to a reorientation towards LAS.
However, it is not possible to repeat a grade.
The PASS includes a majority of subjects dedicated to the field of health.
As for general disciplines, they are in the minority.
For example, it can be scientific or literary subjects.
What are the main specificities of the LAS?
Regarding the LAS (Health Access License), it constitutes an alternative whose program is significantly different from the PASS.
Unlike the latter, the health and medical sector is one of the minor subjects.
The major field depends on your initial choice, and may have no connection with medicine.
This is the case, for example, of NICTs (new information and communication technologies), history, literature or economics.
Please note that
repeating a year is authorized in LAS
, provided you opt for a reorientation towards a classic License.
All students have
two chances
to enter medical studies: either once in PASS then in LAS, or twice from LAS.
How do the PASS and LAS for medical studies work?
Although they have the common objective of starting medical studies, the PASS and the LAS present different content.
Hence the importance of distinguishing between them, and knowing the courses to
ensure you make the right choice
.
The progress of a PASS program in general
The PASS takes place over one academic year, or two semesters.
As mentioned previously, almost
two thirds of the program covers the health sector
.
Among the specialties to consider, we find:
human and social sciences;
pharmacology and chemistry;
anatomy and genetics;
biology and biophysics…
The last third concerns general subjects such as mathematics, economics, physics, management, or even literature, law or foreign languages.
At the end of the course, you have 60 ECTS credits (European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System) to continue your studies.
Thus, you can begin MPOM
(medicine, pharmacy, odontology and midwifery) or
MMOPK
(medicine, midwifery, odontology, pharmacy, physiotherapy)
training .
Also readMedicine: L.AS or PASS, how to choose?
The components and content of an LAS
Also within a university course, the LAS can be completed over one to three years of study.
You must then choose a major discipline outside of the health or medical sector.
As for the minor discipline, it can relate to health professions and systems, basic health sciences or medical sciences.
In addition to lectures, you are required to
carry out group work
.
How to access PASS/LAS medical studies?
Whether it is the PASS or the LAS, there is no specific path to
embarking on medical studies
.
If scientific profiles are preferred, the main prerequisite is to hold a baccalaureate.
Then, it is necessary to formulate your wishes on the Parcoursup online platform, in order of priority.
What are the selection criteria for studying medicine?
The establishments make their selection according to the quality of the files (school grades, chosen specialties, cover letter, etc.).
They also take into consideration the consistency between the chosen specialties and your strengths.
Ideally,
develop your study project according to your professional ambitions
.
This allows you to better determine your career opportunities for your higher education.
Who are PASS/LAS studies for?
The specific health access route (PASS) concerns you if you are focusing on a health profession.
Your study and career plan is perfectly defined.
In addition, you also master the fundamental sciences.
For its part, the LAS is a
License which offers an option for health access
.
This path is best suited for students who are hesitating between several professional opportunities.
If you are in this situation, you can do a first year to confirm your expectations or, failing that, consider a reorientation towards a different sector.
The LAS also offers other solutions in the event of failure of admission to MMOPK studies (medicine, midwifery, odontology, pharmacy, physiotherapy).
It is in fact
an open door to other courses
.
In general, you must have a good academic level, all subjects combined.
An interest in science and research is an advantage.
Which PASS/LAS medical studies to choose?
How to choose between PASS and LAS?
Orientation towards medical studies is based on many personal factors and criteria.
It all depends on your study plan and the profession you want to pursue.
Your strengths and weaknesses must also be taken into consideration.
Depending on the targeted field, you must
plan between 4 and 10 years of study, or even 12 years,
to become a specialist doctor (pulmonologist, ENT, cardiologist, surgeon, etc.).
You select your major and minor options when registering your wishes on Parcoursup.
During this process, you can choose several PASS or LAS.
The distinction is made according to your minor options.
You can also
submit your applications to the same university establishment
.
Some examples of LAS to consider for your graduate studies
If you choose a
Health Access License (LAS)
, you can choose the following university degrees:
the Bachelor of Science and Techniques in Physical and Sports Activities;
the Bachelor of Psychology;
the Bachelor's degree in economics and management;
the law degree…
Again, take your preferences into account.
The possibilities also depend on the establishment you want to join, as well as the places available depending on the reception capacity.
The selection of applicants may possibly be done on the basis of a written and oral test.
Some universities require validation of the year without having to take make-up exams.
There must also be
no elimination marks
.
Getting started with a PASS: a choice that concerns major and minor options
The specific health access course constitutes
a first general year
.
The PASS is characterized above all by the choice of major and minor options.
For your major, you could look into cell biology, biostatistics, or embryology, for example.
“Minor” or fundamental lessons can relate to law, economics or even physics.
In order to succeed in your PASS year, it is essential to validate these two aspects of the program.
The 3 possible results at the end of PASS or LAS
As a general rule, universities offer direct access to MMOPK for students who are in the first half of the ranking (highly eligible).
If you are at the end of the list, access to the second year may be conditional on an oral test.
From one university to another,
admission thresholds vary
.
Please note that for your success in PASS and LAS, you can benefit from tutoring, purchase courses, or benefit from course donations.
Also read: Succeed in PASS and LAS: the prep business
Depending on your results in the series of written tests during the year (first and second semesters), here are the 3 possible results.
Not eligible for oral exams: failure
If your results are lower than the minimum eligibility score set by the university.
60 validated ECTS (equivalent to at least 10/20 between major and minor).
For PASS students: access to the 2nd year of the discipline followed as a disciplinary minor (L2) or transfer to LAS 2 (to try Medicine a second time)
For LAS students: access to the 2nd year of a disciplinary major (classic L2 without health access) or LAS 2 (to try Medicine a second time)
Eligibility for oral exams: 2 options
Failure: access to the 2nd year of the discipline followed as a disciplinary minor (if PASS) or disciplinary major (if LAS).
Success: results allowing admission to the 2nd year of MMOPK.
Large eligible: the must!
Results above the minimum direct entry mark set by the university.
Direct admission into the 2nd year of the MMOPK sector.
What are the opportunities for PASS/LAS medical studies?
Concretely, a first year in PASS or LAS does not offer immediate professional opportunities.
This is about confirming your direction and
starting your health studies
.
You will therefore have to continue your studies before being able to work in the health and medical sector.
In this context, the possibilities are particularly diverse.
What to do after a first year of PASS/LAS validation?
For studies in LAS, you must validate your first year of License, as well as your minor discipline.
Thanks to the ranking (a substitute for the competitive examination), you can then access health studies, or
continue your LAS towards an L2 or an L3
.
For PASS students, the conditions are similar.
However, the number of ECTS credits may differ.
What careers should you consider at the end of your medical studies?
At the end of your higher education, there are
five main sectors of activity
where you can work.
These are medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, physiotherapy and midwifery.
Depending on your background and the specialties chosen, the following professions are available to you:
dentist ;
general practitioner;
psychiatrist;
gynecologist;
surgeon;
midwife;
cardiologist…
Many other disciplines are also possible, for example, cardiology, anesthesia, pediatrics or radiology.