Medical schools admit disadvantaged students with lower grades to improve diversity

key takeaways

Medical schools are admitting disadvantaged students with lower grades to promote diversity, according to a report.

The Sutton Trust, a social mobility charity, examined UK medical school admissions from 2012 to 2022 and found that most now offer “contextual offers” to expand access.

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While standard A-level entry requirements are usually three A*s or three As, universities are accepting lower grades for “widening participation applicants.”

A few medical schools have reduced entry requirements to three Bs for disadvantaged students, while most have lowered them by one or two grades.

The charity noted that the most common adjustment allows disadvantaged students to secure a place with two As and a B.

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‘Gateway’ courses

Newcastle University, part of the prestigious Russell Group, is among those offering places to students who achieve three Bs at A-level.

This applies to disadvantaged students who complete a special summer school before enrolling in its five-year medicine course, according to the university’s website.

Bristol University, also a Russell Group member, provides “contextual offers” to disadvantaged students with at least an A and two Bs at A-level. Applicants must secure an A in chemistry and a B in either biology, physics, maths, or further maths.

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The Sutton Trust found that 17 medical schools now offer “gateway” courses to attract a wider range of applicants. These programs have lower grade requirements and require students to complete a foundation year before starting medical school.

The charity urged universities to expand the use of “contextual offers,” including reduced grade requirements, to further improve access.

It highlighted that in 2021, only 5% of UK medical students came from working-class backgrounds, while 75% belonged to higher socio-economic groups.

The study, which analyzed 94,000 applicants in England, also revealed that private school students were 1.5 times more likely to receive an offer than those from non-selective state schools.

‘Diverse pipeline of talent’

Nick Harrison, CEO of the Sutton Trust, criticized the fact that only 5% of medical students come from working-class backgrounds, calling it “outrageous” given the NHS’s severe doctor shortage and reliance on overseas recruitment.

“The medical profession is under immense strain, and urgent steps must be taken to expand access and build a more diverse talent pipeline from all sectors of society,” he said.

Medical school courses are among the most competitive in the UK due to high teaching costs and limited laboratory resources.

Currently, there are around 9,500 medical school places across Britain, but as part of its long-term workforce strategy, the NHS aims to raise this number to 15,000 in England by 2031.

The Medical Schools Council (MSC), which represents 41 medical schools across the UK, recently suggested that institutions should take teenagers with arts A-level subjects to make their courses less elitist.

In a report published in December, the MSC also said universities should be more open-minded about pupils’ prior work experience, instead of maintaining a narrow focus on healthcare.

Clare Owen, director of education at the MSC, said: “By 2032, medical schools aim to have 33 per cent of students from disadvantaged backgrounds, representing almost 6,000 students annually.

“Achieving this goal will require a sector-wide effort, and we look forward to working closely with the Sutton Trust and other key stakeholders to improve access to the medical profession.”

‘Baked-in inequalities’

A Government spokesman said: “While we inherited an education system with a number of baked-in inequalities, our ambitious Plan for Change sets out our clear mission to break the link between background and success.

“We will act to address the persistent gaps for different student groups and to break down the barriers to opportunity.

“We will work with partners including NHS England and the university sector to ensure that everyone has an opportunity to study medicine – regardless of their background.”