UKWPMED: Widening Participation in Medicine

Birmingham Medical School buildingWe are proud to be part of UKWPMED (UK Widening Participation in Medicine), a collaboration of seven medical schools across the UK.

UKWPMED provides an exciting opportunity for students from a widening participation background to improve their chances of gaining a place at a participating medical school. UKWPMED is reviewed every year, and the information on this page is valid for the 2024-25 UCAS application cycle.

Participating Medical Schools

Students are eligible for UKWPMED if they have completed one of the widening participation programmes listed below:

Participating Medical Schools

WP Programme

Birmingham Medical School

Routes to the Professions: Medicine

Brighton and Sussex Medical School

BrightMed

Hull York Medical School

Pathways to Medicine

Keele University School of Medicine

Steps2Medicine

Manchester Medical School

Manchester Access Programme
Preston Widening Access Programme (for Medicine)

Peninsula Medical School

Peninsula Pathways

Leicester Medical School*

AccessLeicester:Medicine

Benefits

  • Eligible students that meet the academic entry requirements for participating Medical Schools will be guaranteed an interview
  • Eligible students that are successful at interview will be given a reduced offer which is currently ABB (this is subject to change so candidates are advised to check Medical School websites before applying). Please note: at Birmingham and Hull York Medical School (HYMS) this is contingent on a firm acceptance of the offer.

How to apply

All applications for UKWPMED must be made through UCAS. Please speak with the organisers of your widening participation programme for guidance on how to do this. Please note:

  • The scheme is only applicable to Medicine A100
  • Applications can only be made to one or more of the participating Medical Schools
  • The UKWPMED scheme as described here is only open to Medicine applicants who apply through the standard UCAS process in the 2024-25 application cycle
  • Medical Schools will only consider UKWPMED applicants who are eligible for Home (UK) fees, and each Medical School will follow their own procedures for determining this status
  • Students that have completed Year 13 at the time of applications are not guaranteed UKWPMED consideration. They should check this with the 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 benegits of the scheme are largely similar between Schools, there may be some differences.

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.

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. You must make sure that you record UKWPMED correctly on your UCAS applications. Please speak with the organisers of your WP scheme for guidance on this.

What should I do if I think my UKWPMED courrse 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. The Medical Schools and WP programmes involved may also 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.