What is Widening Participation?
Widening participation (WP) in medicine involves initiatives that ensure individuals from underrepresented or disadvantaged backgrounds are encouraged and supported to pursue a career in medicine.
These efforts include tailored admissions policies, financial assistance, outreach programs, and mentorship opportunities. This is to make a career in medicine more accessible and available to everyone. In this week’s blog, we aim to provide more information about what programmes are available to you.
What groups does WP include?
These groups are often underrepresented in fields like medicine and may face additional barriers to higher education.
1. Students from non-academically selective state schools
2. Students from lower socio-economic backgrounds
3. Disabled students or those with an Education, Health, and Care (EHC) plan
4. Students who are estranged from their families
5. Looked after children (those in care)
6. Certain ethnic minority students, depending on the geographical area
7. Students with caring responsibilities
What are WP outreach programmes?
Outreach programs greatly help break down the barriers that stop talented students from getting into medical school. They give students, who might not normally have the opportunity, a real sense of what medical school is about, what’s expected in their applications, how to prepare for interviews, and even some advice from current medical students and admissions tutors. It’s all about giving them the guidance they need to succeed.
Widening participation programmes
Here are some programmes that you can apply to:
1. In the London region:
- King’s College London – The K+ Programme
- King’s College London – The online Medicine and Dentistry Lecture series
- UCL - UCL’s Masterclasses (Applications will open up soon for 2025)
- UCL - Medical School events (they are constantly updating these for lecture series/ talks you can attend. Keep a look out!)
- Queen Mary’s – Bridge the Gap
- Queen Mary’s – Webinar Series
- Imperial College London – WATCCH programme
2. Outside of London:
- Edge Hill University – The MSC programme, more information on the Medical School Council’s (MSC) website.
- University of Nottingham – Pathways to Medicine Programme
- University of Nottingham – Nottingham Summer School
Aside from these, The Royal College of Medicine has a great list of resources for aspiring medical students, these can be accessed here.
We hope this was helpful!
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