New doctors celebrated following innovative collaboration

July 7, 2023

The first doctors to qualify through an award-winning partnership between NESCol and the University of Aberdeen have celebrated their success.

Students who progressed through the Gateway2Medicine programme took centre stage during the university’s summer graduation ceremonies.

It marked the end of a six year journey for the group, who took their first steps in medicine when they joined NESCol in 2017.

NESCol Principal Neil Cowie said: “The Gateway2Medicine programme, which has gone on to win awards for its success in widening access to the profession, is a wonderful example of collaboration in action.

“The experiences of the first cohort have helped to shape the way future years have been developed and I’m very appreciative not only of their role as trailblazers but also of the colleagues at NESCol and the University of Aberdeen who have given them and their successors a springboard to fulfilling careers.”

NESCol and the University of Aberdeen, with support from NHS Grampian, developed Gateway2Medicine in order to help promising secondary pupils from rural and less advantaged background overcome potential barriers they may face in applying to study medicine.

These hurdles include some schools not being able to offer all the subjects required in one year for standard entry to medicine as well as challenges in accessing work experience opportunities.

In 2021 the joint initiative won the Pearson HE Innovate Award for Most innovative approach to widening participation in the curriculum. Since it was launched in 2017, more than 100 students have gone on to successfully apply to study medicine.

For further information on the programme click here.