University of Central Lancashire’s School of Medicine enrols UK medical students for the first time

23 October 2017

Home-grown students begin medical training in Preston

The University of Central Lancashire’s (UCLan) School of Medicine, which opened its doors in 2015 to a small number of self-funded and sponsored international students, has now enrolled its first cohort of UK students for the first time.

In total, 12 places for UK undergraduate medical students were made available in September 2017, supported financially by the joint commitment of the University, the local Sustainability Transformation Partnership (STP)* and the East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust (ELHT) and North Cumbria University Hospitals NHS Trust (NCUHT).

Focused on the regional commitment and need to recruit and retain doctors in the North West, 10 of the places are supported by Lancashire and South Cumbria STP sponsorship.

The two remaining places have been on a full scholarship basis, jointly provided by the University and ELHT and NCUHT, targeting applicants specifically in the East Lancashire and Cumbria regions.

All 12 places have now been filled and the students commenced their studies during September 2017.

"We have enrolled some highly talented and motivated students who I know will go on to rewarding careers and justify the confidence that our NHS and STP partners have already shown in us."

Commenting on the news UCLan’s Professor StJohn Crean, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Clinical and Health) said:  “The provision of UK-funded undergraduate medical places is vital if we are to deliver on the region’s need to recruit and retain doctors. We have enrolled some highly talented and motivated students who I know will go on to rewarding careers and justify the confidence that our NHS and STP partners have already shown in us.”

In a separate initiative, the University has also been successful in its bid to the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) to secure an additional 15 UK-funded undergraduate medical places and the successful applicants will commence their studies in September 2018.

Underlining its commitment to the region’s health agenda and the limited number of places available in 2018, the University will only be accepting UK applications from the North West and additional weighting will be given to students from a widening participation** background.

"Our research shows there are many highly talented students out there who would love the opportunity to study medicine, become a doctor and help solve some of the health inequalities that our local communities face."

Professor Cathy Jackson, Executive Dean for the Faculty of Clinical and Biomedical Sciences, said the Government’s decision to award the University funded places for UK students for the first time from 2018 was fantastic news. “Our research shows there are many highly talented students out there who would love the opportunity to study medicine, become a doctor and help solve some of the health inequalities that our local communities face. We now have a great base on which to build.”

The University has already registered its interest and is ready to submit a further bid to receive some of the additional 1000 medical places promised nationally, as part of the Government’s plan to expand the number of doctors trained. If successful, these students will commence their study in the academic year 2019-20.

*Sustainability and Transformation Partnerships (STPs) The NHS and local councils have formed partnerships in 44 areas covering all of England, to improve health and care. Each area has developed proposals built around the needs of the whole population in the area, not just those of individual organisations.

**The University has a long history of encouraging participation in Higher Education (HE) by those who are academically capable, but whose participation in HE has been disadvantaged or not been encouraged.