News

The Medical Schools Council Selection Alliance has published an update on its work in selection and widening participation between 2020 and 2023.

Data from the report shows positive changes in the number of applications and representation of students from disadvantaged backgrounds, especially in Gateway courses. In the context of Covid-19, it is heartening to note that the pandemic has not adversely impacted the progression of widening participation activities.  

In his foreword to the report, Dr Paul Garrud, Chair of the Selection Alliance, said:

“Outreach and admission to medical schools has been very challenging over the last three years of theCovid-19 pandemic. However, this report shows that the considerable investment by UK medical schools to widen access and participation in medicine has continued to facilitate more applications and entrants by young people from disadvantaged and underrepresented backgrounds.”

The report presents the available information on current demographics of medical students, such as ethnicity and measures relating to social and educational background and explores the impact the pandemic has had on the demographic profile of entrants to medical school. It also provides detail on the Alliance’s outreach work, innovation in selection methods, and an update on the Selecting for Excellence project.

MSC Selection Alliance Annual Report 2023 - An update on the Medical Schools Council’s work in selection and widening participation

In December 2024, MSC will publish its 10-year review of Selecting for Excellence, and reflect on the work MSC, and medical schools, have done to widen access and participation to medicine over the last decade. It will also set out its vision for the future, considering the current Government’s call for expansion and the NHS Long Term Workforce Plan.

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Notes to editors

1. The report released today is a progress report on the Medical Schools Council’s work to carry out the recommendations of the Selecting for Excellence Final Report (2014). To learn more about Selecting for Excellence and widening access in medicine, visit www.medschools.ac.uk/our-work/selection/selecting-for-excellence.
2. The Medical Schools Council represents the interests and ambitions of UK medical schools as they relate to the generation of national health, wealth and knowledge through biomedical research and the profession of medicine. For further information about the work of the Medical Schools Council please see www.medschools.ac.uk.
3. For more information about this press release please contact press@medschools.ac.uk