Future doctors chosen for exclusive Pathways to Medicine programme

A cohort of future doctors from Birkenhead Sixth Form College have won places on a brand new and invaluable Pathways to Medicine programme by the University of Central Lancashire.

Emily Fielding, Sophie Eaton, Hannah Clements and Ross Morphy-Morris have all been selected for the scheme amongst tough competition, and will now take part in a range of activities to help support the strength of their applications to study medicine and related professional healthcare courses at university, and enhance their skills surrounding their chosen career path.

UCLan’s Pathways to Medicine programme is designed for students who are from backgrounds that are under-represented at university, particularly on ultra-competitive courses like medicine, and helps prepare students for both the application and interview processes.

They will now have a number of sessions, meeting academics, current students and members of the admissions team at the university to get pointers about making their applications stand out.

They will also take part in activities to support A Levels in Biology and Chemistry and have a medical degree taster session, along with interview preparation workshops.

The five students have also been accepted onto the equally competitive Intromed scheme by Wirral University Teaching Hospital, which helps students gain highly valued work experience at Arrowe Park Hospital before applying for university places. Emily Fielding was successful with her application for the Sutton Trust Summer School too, which puts her in a prime position when it comes to being accepted onto medicine degree courses.

Vice Principal at the College, Paula Blakemore, mentors the medicine cohort and she said: “These types of programmes add so much value to the students’ experience and preparation, and really make their UCAS applications stand out. Taking part also makes them eligible for scholarships and opens doors they might not have thought possible before.

“They are such a hard-working group and deserve these opportunities to come their way, which they’re grabbing with two hands. It’s both pleasing to see and very important to have under-represented groups getting the same chances as more privileged students, and their grit and determination to succeed is clear for everyone to see.”