6 days ago
Aspiring doctors with only BCC grades can still enter medicine due to diversity and inclusion scheme
Aspiring doctors who only get BCC grades can still find a route to medical school in Clearing this year thanks to a scheme to make the profession more diverse.
Bradford University runs a foundation year for those with lower grades to catch up – transferring 20 of these students per year directly to a full medical degree at nearby Sheffield University.
The course, 'foundation in clinical sciences and medicine', still has places available and is being advertised on the official Clearing website.
It means students who miss their grades to attend regular medical school – which typically asks for AAA – could find another route in to train as an NHS doctor.
This Thursday, hundreds of thousands of sixth formers will receive their A-level grades, and discover whether they secured their first choice university place.
Those rejected can enter Clearing, which matches unplaced students with unfilled places.
Bradford's course, which has entry criteria of BCC but 'no specific subject requirements', teaches a range of relevant content including chemistry and biology.
The course page says its focus is 'to encourage progression into medicine and healthcare education from under-represented groups.'
Historically, 20 have transferred per year thanks to the 'established partnership' between the two universities.
Those transferring must achieve at least 70 per cent in a chemistry module, meet the medical school's UCAT test criteria, and go through an interview process.
They must also be able to demonstrate they are from a disadvantaged or 'underrepresented' background.
It comes following political pressure to make the profession more diverse, with the Medical Schools Council committed to 'widening participation'.
However, Chris McGovern, of the Campaign for Real Education, said: 'The quality of medical care is being sacrificed to promote EDI (equality, diversity and inclusion).
'This is totally unacceptable. It is putting the well-being of vulnerable patients at risk.
'We do need to train more doctors but not by diluting entry requirements.
'It is a national disgrace for any university to surrender to the woke tyranny that is currently plaguing our country.'
Previous graduates of the foundation year have also successfully entered Leeds, Hull, York, Brighton and Sussex and Norwich medical schools, according to the course page.
Anyone not transferring to medical school can continue onto Bradford's 'clinical sciences' three-year degree.
A Bradford spokesman said the course is 'designed to support students from under-represented backgrounds in accessing careers in medicine and healthcare.'
They added: 'While the entry requirements reflect our commitment to widening participation, progression to medical school is not automatic.
'Students must meet rigorous academic and admissions criteria, including performance in key modules and competitive selection processes.
'The programme is academically demanding.
'Widening participation is a national priority and programmes like ours play a vital role in ensuring that talented individuals from all backgrounds have the opportunity to contribute to the future of healthcare.
A Sheffield spokesman said: 'Our partnership with the University of Bradford is a dedicated access pathway, specifically for students from under-represented and educationally disadvantaged backgrounds, which allows them to apply to our medical school after successfully completing a rigorous foundation year and demonstrating performance equivalent to our existing A-level requirements.
'This ensures we maintain our high academic standards while promoting a more diverse medical profession.
'Students who successfully progress from this pathway are highly capable and have demonstrated the academic rigour, commitment and personal qualities required to become outstanding doctors.'
The Bradford course is the only route into medicine available in Clearing this year.
However, recent research has shown 16 other medical schools not entering Clearing also run similar schemes.
For example, Bristol University's medical school has its own foundation year specifically for disadvantaged students, with grade requirements of just BBC.
A report by the Sutton Trust in February found only 5 per cent of medical school entrants were from disadvantaged backgrounds in 2021, compared with 75 per cent from advantaged backgrounds.
At the time, Clare Owen, director of education at the Medical Schools Council (MSC), said: 'By 2032, medical schools aim to have 33 per cent of students from disadvantaged backgrounds.
'Achieving this goal will require a sector-wide effort.'
