Points to consider:

• It is important to note that the widening participation programmes are designed for high achieving students with the genuine potential to study at one of these institutions. We do not want to raise false hopes of those who may not be credible candidates for undergraduate study at medical school. In order to enter onto the widening participation schemes it is important to emphasise that you have to be very good at science and for example, obtain both good GCSE and A-level results. Only a few medical schools will accept the new 14-19 Advanced Diplomas as a combination of qualifications. For entry levels and to check the qualifications accepted, it is best to check individual websites for the foundation/pre-clinical year, by clicking on the Medical Schools Councils’ website.
• Another route to consider is undertaking a science degree first (as they are easier to get onto) then going onto a Graduate Entry Programme (GEP) if you still then wish to become a doctor.
• You should also read all our pages in the “considering medicine” section to consider the pros and cons of becoming a doctor and to reflect on whether you have the right personal qualities.
• Getting some work experience in a medical or related setting is also essential, especially for your personal statement on your UCAS form. Start as early as you can, for ideas see our pages on volunteering.
• If you go to medical school you may be concerned about the financial implications around not earning any money for approximately five years while you are studying, and the level of student debt that you may acquire. However there are student loans and also some grants available; information on these can be found on the Money4MedStudents website.

If you come from a background which has led to a significant educational disadvantage, then it may be possible for you to study for a foundation/pre-clinical year at a medical school (or colleges that have a concordat with a medical school) prior to taking an undergraduate medical degree.

The foundation/pre-clinical year aims to better prepare applicants for undergraduate medical education. Often these courses are designed for those with no, or limited experience of, laboratory based science and who have not studied chemistry. However, some places may be reserved for those coming from adverse circumstances leading to significant educational disadvantage.

The medical schools council website gives you a list of existing foundation/pre-clinical year courses.

The Access to Medicine Programmes are distinct to the foundation/pre-clinical year programmes. They are typically one year full-time courses designed to help mature students that do not have the necessary qualifications to get into medicine. A pass at distinction level is normally required for entrance into medical school.

You should look for courses that:

• Have selective entry requirements
• Have a differential grading system e.g. pass with a distinction (or a % pass mark).

Several well-established Access to Medicine courses are:

• BSMS in partnership with Sussex Downs College

• West Anglia College, Kings Lynn

• The Manchester College

• Stow College, Glasgow

Sources: The Access to HE website: https://ava.qaa.ac.uk/SubSites/PublicSearch/search.aspx and http://www.scottishwideraccess.org/index.php?section_id=1

N.B. Not all medical schools accept this qualification and applicants should check the entry requirements of individual schools on the UCAS website (http://www.ucas.ac.uk/).

Typically the above courses run from September to June each year. The Manchester College course also runs a 2 year part-time option.

Medical schools are encouraging widening participation to attract, support and enable greater numbers of disabled students and so to encourage a more diverse medical workforce.

The Medical Schools Council also provides the following guidance:

'Applicants are encouraged to seek advice from the Medical Schools as early as possible to facilitate timely consideration. A history of serious health issues will not jeopardise a career in medicine unless the condition impinges on professional fitness to practise. In addition to the Medical Schools, the disability centre within the University can also advise disabled applicants'.  (See point 6 in Guiding principles for the admission of medical students).

GMC Gateway Guidance - October 2010

A useful resource which highlights how reasonable adjustments can be made to encourage disabled students to apply to medicine:

Gateways to the Professions: Advising medical schools: encouraging disabled students

Medical schools often take part in outreach work to schools and further education colleges, raising the awareness of medicine as a career. Medical students will go into local schools (or will organise events) where they will talk to young people:

• who have been identified as being having no previous family background in higher education and who have expressed a strong desire to study medicine and/or
• who excel at science and wish to explore a potential avenue for their talents.

A typical session will aim to increase confidence, motivation, and will expose you to a range of medical student role models, as well as providing practical guidance on issues such as financial planning, constructing personal statements and interviews.

You can ask the careers/connexions adviser at your school whether they can find out more about local schemes. In addition to this you may be able to find information about outreach work on your local medical school’s website.

BMJ Careers article on widening participation:

http://careers.bmj.com/careers/advice/view-article.html?id=20000808

For details about mentoring programmes see:

http://www.brightjournals.org/

http://www.purepotential.org/

http://www.brightsideuniaid.org/

http://www.socialmobility.org.uk/

Information on the ‘Aimhigher’ initiative:

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/EducationAndLearning/UniversityAndHigherEducation/DG_073697

The British Medical Association: http://www.bma.org.uk/careers/becoming_doctor/wideningparticipation.jsp

The BMA have also produced this really useful guide to widening access schemes in medical schools.

For information on grants and finance: Money4MedStudents

GMC Gateway Guidance - October 2010

Gateways to the Professions: Advising medical schools: encouraging disabled students