Lecturer writing on a whiteboard. Plastic anatomical skeletons are visible in shot.

Access to Medicine

What is Access to Medicine?

Access to Medicine helps you to discover medicine as a future career and supports you to understand what is needed when you apply to medical school. On the programme you will discover what it is like to learn through the Problem-Based Learning curriculum at Lancaster Medical School as well as receive expert advice and guidance about what makes a successful application to study medicine. The programme also provides limited opportunities for clinical work experience with local NHS partners.

Only students in Y12 are eligible to apply to Access to Medicine through the Lancaster Access Programme; those who are successful in gaining a place on Access to Medicine will also be part of the Lancaster Access Programme and will have access to its activities, resources and support.

If you successfully complete all aspects of the programme, you may be offered a guaranteed interview should you choose to apply to Lancaster Medical School in the future.

Tab Content: Who is it for?

Access to Medicine is for students in Year 12 who are interested in studying medicine at university. In order to be eligible to take part in the Access to Medicine programme, you must meet the following criteria:

  • Have completed 8 GCSEs at Grade 6 or above (with at least one subject at Grade 7). This must include Maths, English Language and either triple (biology, chemistry, physics) or both core and additional science
  • Be on track to achieve a minimum of BBB at A-Level in Chemistry and Biology, or ABB including Biology, Chemistry or Psychology
  • Meet two or more of our widening participation criteria (see Am I eligible?)
  • Be able to commit to attending all events (see What does it look like?)

Tab Content: Why take part?

On the Access to Medicine programme you will experience Problem-Based Learning, the way in which Lancaster Medical School teaches medicine, including clinical skills, anatomy and understanding the wider determinants of health. You will also develop a range of transferrable skills beyond medicine such as teamwork, confidence and independent study skills.

By taking part, you will gain an excellent insight into what it is like to study medicine and learn to become a doctor. You will receive detailed information, advice and guidance that will help you understand the selection process for Lancaster Medical School, including advice about making the most of work experience, preparing for the UCAT test and for Multiple Mini Interviews.

If you successfully complete the Access to Medicine programme, you may be offered a guaranteed interview should you choose to apply for a degree in Medicine and Surgery at Lancaster Medical School in the future.

Activities will be offered via a mix of online and on campus events. The exact number of activities you need to take part in will be confirmed when you begin the programme – please contact us for further details.

Tab Content: Am I eligible?

We use a range of indicators to determine whether you are eligible for entry to our Access to Medicine programme. The criteria that we prioritise are:

  • Living in an area where a low proportion of school leavers go on to Higher Education (we will assess this by checking your postcode against a measure called POLAR4).
  • Living in an area that is less advantaged (we will assess this by checking your postcode against the Index of Multiple Deprivation or the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation).
  • Being a care leaver or care experienced, including being in local authority care for three months or more, residing within a secure or children’s care home, being in foster care or kinship care.
  • Being or having been a Young Carer to a parent or sibling.
  • Living in a low-income household.
  • Being in receipt of the 16-19 bursary.
  • Being eligible for Free School Meals.
  • Being the first in your family to go to university, except if a parent/guardian attended university as a mature student. First in family refers to parents/guardians and not to siblings.
  • Being a Refugee or Asylum Seeker.
  • Having done your GCSEs and A Levels at a low-performing non-selective state school (we will check this based on your school/college’s average performance).

We may also take into account other factors as part of your application alongside the priorities above, so if you think you have circumstances that you would like us to consider then we encourage you to fill out the application form and we will assess each application on a case-by-case basis.

If you have any questions regarding your eligibility, don’t hesitate to get in touch at lap@lancaster.ac.uk.

Tab Content: What does it look like?

Access to Medicine will run between January and September 2025. The Launch Event will be held at Lancaster University Bailrigg campus in January 2025. You may be asked to come on to campus a minimum of two other times throughout the programme, with other events being offered online.

Please see the provisional schedule of events below and keep an eye on this page for any changes:

Saturday 25th January 2025 – Launch Event and Problem Based Learning (PBL) Session 1 (in person)
Saturday 8th February – Medicine Experience (PBL Session 2) (in person)
Wednesday 2nd April – Admissions & Work Experience Session (evening, online)
Saturday 5th July – MMI Mock Interviews (location TBC)
Saturday 6th September 2025 – Celebration Event (in person)

As well as the schedule above, you will have access to online wraparound guidance that is specific to studying Medicine. You will also be asked to complete a piece of reflective writing as part of your successful completion of the programme.

If you have any questions on the above, please contact lap@lancaster.ac.uk.

Tab Content: How do I get involved?

Applications for Access to Medicine in 2024/25 have closed.

Applicants will then be informed of the outcome of their Access To Medicine application by 20th December at the latest.