New online medicine summer school for Year 11 students

Hull York Medical School has launched a new online summer school to inspire and support prospective students interested in pursuing a career in medicine. It is offered as part of the Medical School’s commitment to ensure that all students who are interested in entering medicine have a fair opportunity to do so, regardless of their circumstances.  

Part of the national Medical Schools Council (MSC) Summer School programme, the Year 11 MSC Summer School will provide Year 11 students from areas with low engagement in medical school outreach with insight into the various clinical roles within the NHS as well as how to get into these career routes. 

Dr Paul Whybrow, Academic Lead for Widening Participation at the Medical School believes the programme is much needed. He said: "We know from working with students that they face many barriers to studying medicine — from limited educational opportunities, lack of role models or support from family, school and peers. Through our Year 11 MSC Summer School we hope to inspire those with the potential to study medicine to do so, irrespective of their background." 

The online Summer School runs from 4-6 July 2022 and offers a 3-day interactive experience. Students will have the opportunity to follow a patient journey from incident to recovery, to see how care is delivered in the NHS. They will get to work with doctors, health professionals and current medicine students to find out more about what their roles involve, and the steps they need to take to pursue a career in those fields. 

The online sessions will be supplemented by an optional visit to the Medical School’s University of Hull campus facilities on 11 July 2022. During the visit students will take part in practical hands-on workshops. 

Anyone participating in the Summer School will also have access to a suite of online resources that they can access at their own pace which will provide information about going to university, including what qualifications you need, how to apply and what to expect as a student.  

Professor Una Macleod, Dean of Hull York Medical School, believes widening participation is essential in ensuring the NHS meets the needs of its patients now and in the future. She said: "It is really important that we encourage those with the potential to study medicine, to do so, irrespective of their socio-economic circumstances. By doing so we can ensure our NHS comprises people who represent the patients they serve and who can understand the socio-economic factors which impact on health." 

Hull York Medical School has a proven track record of widening participation and supporting students from backgrounds typically underrepresented in medicine. It’s flagship Pathways to Medicine programme, delivered in partnership with the Sutton Trust, as well as other outreach and widening participation initiatives such as its annual Summer School, Medicafe webinars, and its Medicine with a Gateway Year programme, have all been designed to encourage students to consider medicine as a career and support them to realise their ambitions of studying medicine.  

Daisy Metcalfe, a previous participant in the Pathways to Medicine programme said: "Initiatives such as the Year 11 MSC Online Summer School offer much needed support to students. I knew I wanted to study medicine at university, however, I soon realised I was clueless about the whole process of applying to medical school. However, through the Medical School’s Pathways to Medicine programme, I was able to access a significant amount of help from UCAT workshops to guidance through the UCAS application process. I gained insight into medicine and the confidence to apply. I am now in my fourth year at Hull York Medical School and enjoying every minute."  

Elijah Work, who is a student on the Medicine with a Gateway Year Programme, also benefitted from support offered by the Medical School. Elijah said: "At first, I found the application process quite overwhelming, especially as I am the first generation to go to university, so I didn't have the knowledge from parents or carers. The Pathways to Medicine programme gave me a huge insight into the course and also the whole application process, and I was supported by members of staff and students at the Medical School the whole time. It took the pressure off what is already an extremely stressful year.  I would encourage prospective students to take advantage of the support offered through programmes like the MSC Online Summer School." 

The MSC Online Summer School is free of charge and all associated costs including the visit to the University of Hull campus will be covered by Hull York Medical School.  

Applications are now open and will close on the 24 April 2022.  

To be eligible for the Year 11 MSC Online Medicine Summer School, students must be currently studying at a state school and either be; in or have been in local authority care; an estranged student who is studying without the support and approval of a family network; an asylum seeker or refugee; or fulfil two widening participation eligibility criteria.  

Applications from students attending schools in specific areas which have been identified as having low engagement in medical school outreach will be prioritised. 

MSC Summer Schools are a Medical Schools Council initiative in partnership with medical schools across England. The initiative is funded by Health Education England.

For media enquiries contact: Stella Harkness, Media Relations Specialist, Telephone: +44(0) 1482 466837 or email s.harkness@hull.ac.uk