Uxbridge and South Ruislip MP Danny Beales visited Brunel University of London’s Medicine Summer School to meet Year 12 students from non-traditional backgrounds who are exploring a career in medicine.
Hosted at Brunel’s campus in Uxbridge, the programme supports students from backgrounds under-represented in medicine to experience university life, build confidence and learn about routes into a career in medicine.
Part of the national Medical Schools Council initiative, the programme is delivered by Brunel in partnership with Imperial College London and funded by NHS England.
Danny heard about students’ ambitions, experience so far and the support available to help them prepare for their next steps.
The programme combines online learning with a residential stay at Brunel, practical clinical sessions with clinical educators from a local GP practice and NHS trusts including North West London and Frimley Health and a cardiology workshop, admissions talk and campus tour at Imperial College London.
Students also explored the campus, met Brunel’s diverse medical student ambassadors and enjoyed a West End trip to see Lion King.
“I really enjoyed having a taste of university life at the summer school, the taster class and interacting with the medical ambassadors – they were really helpful in learning more about medicine,” said Sarah Adams, 17, from Brighton.
Students who complete the summer school are guaranteed an interview for Brunel’s MBBS Medicine programme if they meet entry requirements.
Danny saw how the programme is helping young people locally and nationally picture themselves in medicine.
“It was inspiring to meet the students and hear about their ambitions to become doctors,” said Danny Beales MP “Programmes like this can make a real difference by showing young people what a future in medicine could look like.”
Katie Petty-Saphon, Chief Executive of the Medical Schools Council, which leads the national initiative said:
“It was fantastic to see the impact of Brunel's work in delivering this summer school and to meet so many students who were engaged and enthusiastic about the prospect of a future career in medicine. We want every young person, regardless of background, to have the opportunity to pursue medicine and programmes like these are essential to widening access and strengthening outreach. We are grateful to NHS England and Brunel University for their partnership and support.”
The programme, now in its second year, is led by Brunel’s Dr Chinedu Agwu, whose work supports widening access to medicine and bioscience for young people from under-represented communities.
Brunel’s long-established links with NHS trusts and healthcare providers across London support its commitment to helping talented students from all backgrounds progress into medicine.
Dr Chinedu Agwu, Lecturer in Biosciences and Academic Lead for Widening Participation at Brunel Medical School, said:
“At Brunel, we want students to feel that medicine is a realistic ambition, whatever their background. This programme gives them the chance to experience university life, build their social capital, understand what studying medicine involves and inspire confidence to take the next step.”