Widening Participation in Medicine: A Collaboration of UK Medical Schools
We are proud to be part of UKWPMED (UK Widening Participation in Medicine), a collaboration of seven medical schools across the UK.
This collaboration provides an exciting opportunity for school leavers from socially and/or educationally under-represented backgrounds to improve their chances of gaining a place at one of the participating medical schools.
Advantage of the scheme for students
Eligible students will automatically receive an interview at any of the participating schools, and if successful at interview will be given a reduced offer which is currently ABB (this may be subject to change so candidates are advised to check Medical School websites before applying).
Who can apply?
Any student who completes any of the WP Programmes from the table below will be eligible to apply:
- Successful completion is defined by each WP programme.
- Applications may be made to one or more of the participating Medical Schools.
- The pre-A level academic requirements, for each school to which an application is made, must be met in full (Appendix 1)
- All students will be required to meet the UCAT requirements for each school (Appendix 1).
How to apply
All applications for UKWPMED must be made through UCAS in 2025.
The screenshots below shows the section of your UCAS application where you must enter the relevant data. They are displaying the 'Extra activities' section menu which is near the bottom of the side menu in the first screenshot.
Image 1 - Screenshot of the side menu of a UCAS application displaying the various sections to be completed
Open all sections
Accessible version of Image 1
The following sections are part of the UCAS application process and are showing as either completed, in progress or not completed:
Completed Sections:
- Personal details
- Contact and residency details
- Nationality details
- Supporting information
- English language skills
- Finance and funding
- Education
- Employment
In Progress:
Not Completed:
- Diversity and inclusion
- More about you
- Reference
When you open this menu you will see the screenshot below. This allows you to add activities. For UKWPMED, we recommend that you enter <Masterclass/subject insight> into Type of Activity. Then select <UKWPMED> from the dropdown in Activity provider. Then in Name of the activity/programme you should give the name of the course as above e.g. Steps2Medicine.
Image 2 - Screenshot of the form for Extra activities on the UCAS application form
Accessible version of Image 2
This section allows you to add extracurricular activities to your UCAS application. The form includes the following fields:
-
Type of activity (Required)
- Dropdown menu (e.g., "Masterclass/subject insight")
-
Activity provider (Required)
- Dropdown menu (e.g., "UKWPMED")
-
Name of the activity/programme (Required)
- Text box (Maximum: 100 characters)
- Example text: "List the WP programme you are taking part in here and the university this is in partnership with."
-
Start date (Required)
- Day (Dropdown)
- Month (Dropdown)
- Year (Dropdown)
Please note: By applying as part of UKWPMED through UCAS, you are consenting to allow each Medical School to check your eligibility by contacting the Medical School where you completed your WP Programme. This principle applies to any aspect of your application, which can be checked by the recipient universities.
Important information about the scheme
- The UKWPMED scheme as described here is open only to Medicine applicants who apply via the standard UCAS process in the 2025–2026 application cycle for 2026 entry or deferred entry in 2027.
- Medical Schools will consider only UKWPMED applicants who are eligible for Home (UK) fees, and each Medical School will follow their own procedures for determining this status.
- The scheme is only applicable to Medicine A100 (A106 at Manchester).
- Medical Schools may not consider applicants as part of the UKWPMED scheme if they have completed Year 13 at the time of application (check with medical school before applying).
- All Medical Schools will follow their own admissions procedures.
- An interview at one school does not guarantee an interview at another.
- Although the benefits of the scheme are largely similar between schools there may be some differences.
- At Birmingham and HYMS the benefits are contingent on a firm acceptance of an offer.
FAQs:
I am enrolled on one of the above WP programmes; how can I get more information about UKWPMED?
The organisers of your WP (Widening Participation) course should be able to give you advice about the scheme and answer any questions you might have.
I am a Year 11 student; how do I find out if I am eligible for one of the WP programmes?
These programmes normally cater for local widening participation students. If there is a course local to you then use the links to check your eligibility and who to contact.
If I am on the Keele STEPS2Medicine course and I apply to Manchester, for example, will students on the Manchester WP programme get preferential treatment?
No, as part of the collaborative project, all students will get the same consideration whether they are from the host WP course or from another.
I am doing a WP course from a Medical School that is not listed. Can I still apply to UKWPMED?
No, unfortunately we can only offer the benefits of the scheme to students from a participating university medical school.
We hope in time to add more schools to the collaboration. However, depending on your WP credentials, you might still get some benefits from the above medical schools. Check their websites for details.
I am considering a gap year; will I still be eligible for the scheme?
If you wish to take a gap year, either you should apply for deferred entry, or if your application is successful, request that your offer is deferred.
For deferral requests received after an application is submitted, each medical school will consider those requests according to its own policy.
Do I need to advise each Medical School in the scheme that I am applying as a UKWPMED candidate?
No, this will be picked up from your UCAS application.
What should I do if I think my UKWPMED course has not been taken into consideration at one of the participating schools?
Speak to your WP course organiser about it and if they agree that this is likely then the Medical School should be contacted to check what has happened.
What if I have to re-sit my level 3 qualifications (A Levels)?
Each Medical School has its own policy regarding re-sits. You will need to discuss with the school you are applying to whether they will be able to offer you any benefits under the scheme.
What happens if I apply to a Medical School that is not part of the scheme?
You will not be entitled to the benefits of this scheme. However, depending on your WP credentials, they may be able to offer you some benefits. The details should be available on the website of the School.
Will the scheme continue in the future?
Each year the programme will be reviewed and may change as a result. Also, the Medical Schools and WP programmes involved may change.
Will I have to attend an interview?
All successful applicants to the scheme will have succeeded at interview. No applicant will be given a place without an interview.
Appendix 1 - Pre-A Level academic requirements
Pre-A Level academic requirements for application to UKWPMED medical schools
| Medical School | GCSE | UCAT | Predicted A-Levels | Other |
|---|
| BSMS |
Maths and English at Grade 5 or higher |
No cut of at present but have to achieve at least band 3 in SJT |
ABB to include Biology and Chemistry |
Successful completion of relevant UKWPMED scheme |
| Leicester |
Grade 6 in Maths, English Language, Chemistry and Biology |
In top 7 deciles (so score varies each year) and SJT 1-3 |
ABB (A in Chemistry or Biology) |
All results at first sit; and will only still consider UKWPMED status in first gap year with achieved grades. |
| Birmingham |
A minimum of seven GCSEs at grade 4 or above, to include English Language, Maths, Chemistry, and Biology (or Double Award Science) at grades 7755 in any order |
Has to be taken but no threshold score has to be achieved |
BBB (to include Biology/Human Biology and Chemistry) |
Successful completion of relevant UKWPMED scheme. |
| Manchester |
6 GCSE’s at Grade 7 or above (to include Maths and English Language at minimum grade 6). |
UCAT total score in the 5th Decile (For example, in 2023, our reduced threshold was 2500) AND a band 1 or band 2 SJT score. |
Studying three A-Level subjects or IB (we don’t look at predicted grades) that meet our science subject requirements. |
|
| HYMS |
6 GCSE grades 4-9
6 in English Language
6 in Maths
HYMS - Entry Requirements for Medicine
|
4th decile or above in year of application SJT band 1,2,3 |
ABB predicted required with Biology and Chemistry |
UKWPMED offers are only eligible for 1 application cycle and for the A100 course at Hull York Medical School. |
| Plymouth |
A minimum of seven GCSEs at grade 4 or above, to include English Language, Maths, and 2 sciences from Biology, Chemistry and Physics or Double Award Science |
No preset. SJT section not considered. |
ABB at A level with A in Biology and B in a second science from Chemistry, Physics, Maths or Psychology. |
Successful completion of relevant UKWPMED scheme. |
| Keele |
5x grade 6/B, including combined science or three separate sciences; minimum of grade 5/C in English language and maths |
Minimum of 2,280 and SJT band 3 |
Predicted grades not used in selection. |
Successful completion of a UKWPMED programme (non-medicine WP programmes at partner universities not accepted); will accept applications during year 13 or the following year but must not be currently enrolled on a university course. |
Please note: if you apply to a school where you do not meet their requirements, your application will fail.