Medical schools are accepting disadvantaged students with lower grades to boost ‘diversity’ among doctors, a report has found.
Research by the Sutton Trust found some courses are taking students with BBC grades, rather than the standard AAA or above.
The lower offer is given to students who have suffered learning barriers, such as low income, living in a deprived area, or having been in care.
Courses with big grade reductions tend to offer an extra ‘foundation’ year before the degree starts, to help those students catch up.
Examples include Leicester and Bristol Universities, which have requirements of BBB and BBC respectively for such courses.The Sutton Trust’s report, produced in partnership with University College London, called for more universities to adopt the schemes.
It pointed out only 5 per cent of medical school entrants were from disadvantaged backgrounds in 2021, compared with 75 per cent from advantaged backgrounds.
The report said: ‘Medical schools should make more ambitious use of contextual offers, including reduced grade offers.
‘Disadvantaged young people with high potential often do not achieve results that reflect their ability in the English school system, which medical schools should take into account…
Medical schools are accepting disadvantaged students with lower grades to boost ‘diversity’ among doctors, a report has found. Picture: Stock image
Research by the Sutton Trust found some courses are taking students with BBC grades, rather than the standard AAA or above. Picture: stock image
‘This should also be accompanied, where necessary, with additional support for these students during their time at medical school.’
However, Chris McGovern, of the Campaign for Real Education, said: ‘Medical schools should place patient safety ahead of boosting diversity.
‘It is not acceptable for schools to blame below-par academic attainment on social background.
‘The way forward is to improve the quality of teaching.’If universities continue their current drive for diversity ahead of intelligence when recruiting students we will see a collapse in professional competence across the professions.’
The report includes an analysis of nearly 94,000 applicants in England to UK medical schools between 2012 and 2022.
It found applicants from private schools were 1.5 times more likely to receive an offer to study medicine compared to those from non-selective state schools.
The study found that a ‘major factor’ was prior educational attainment, as poorer students had, on average, lower GCSEs, predicted A-levels, and lower results on the University Clinical Aptitude Test (Ucat) for medical schools.
But the report found that ‘most’ medical schools now give ‘contextual offers’, with the most common being AAB, which would represent a drop of one or two grades.
It found applicants from private schools were 1.5 times more likely to receive an offer to study medicine compared to those from non-selective state schools
The report said: ‘Medical schools should make more ambitious use of contextual offers, including reduced grade offers’
Seventeen medical schools have ‘gateway’ courses – which have lower grade requirements and an additional foundation year.
The report said any lower grade offers should still be high enough to ensure a student could cope with the course.
Nick Harrison, chief executive of the Sutton Trust, said: ‘Patients benefit from doctors who reflect the diversity of the communities they serve, but it’s clear that we’re a long way from that today.
‘If you have the ability, where you grow up or your parents’ income shouldn’t be a barrier to becoming a doctor.’Working-class entry into medicine is in a critical condition. The profession urgently needs a shot of equality.’
Clare Owen, director of education at the Medical Schools Council (MSC), said: ‘By 2032, medical schools aim to have 33 per cent of students from disadvantaged backgrounds, representing almost 6,000 students annually.
‘Achieving this goal will require a sector-wide effort, and we look forward to working closely with the Sutton Trust and other key stakeholders to improve access to the medical profession.’
A spokesperson for Bristol University said: ‘We want to attract students from all backgrounds…
Seventeen medical schools have ‘gateway’ courses – which have lower grade requirements and an additional foundation year. Picture: stock image
‘Our Gateway to Medicine course is aimed at students with the potential to become doctors who do not meet the standard academic entry criteria to apply directly to our five-year Medicine course.’
Many students who get a place at Bristol with a contextual offer go on to achieve outstanding grades and we’re extremely proud of the important work they go on to do within the NHS.’
Dr Sam Adcock, head of foundation year at Leicester’s Medical School, said: ‘There are numerous barriers to entering into Medical School, and the workforce has historically not represented the population and communities that we live in.
‘By reducing some of these barriers, and instead of recruiting primarily to attainment at a certain point of life, focusing on recruiting to potential – allows a more diverse group of students to aspire and enter the medical profession and as a consequence, enrich the diversity and perspective of our workforce.
‘This is not about reducing quality or standards within medicine, and many students entering through [these] pathways go on to excel academically in university and beyond – outperforming those from more traditional backgrounds.’
