New data from the Medical Schools Council show that, against all measures, the MSC Summer Schools programme has recruited students who are the most underrepresented in medicine and higher education.

Access the press release & full report here: https://bit.ly/3foZtnD 

Participating medical schools recruited 735 students to the summer schools, exceeding their set target of 560 students by 31.25%. All the students on the programme met the tightly defined eligibility criteria.

Importantly, it can be seen that the students were overwhelmingly positive about the summer school experience. The greatest change was detected in students feeling more confident in applying their thoughts and ideas (up 12%).

Following the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic the programme was delivered online in 2020.

An IT accessibility survey was taken by participants to inform this shift and therefore a recommendation of the report is to identify how remote delivery can be optimised if used again.

The attitudinal gain survey found that year 11 summer schools had the greatest impact in preparing students to develop the skills and attributes they will need as a student doctor, whereas the Year 12 summer schools supported students in considering their future career paths.

Whilst the final university destinations of the summer school students will not be known until 2022 for the first cohort, this report provides welcome confirmation that the programme has boosted students’ confidence in applying to medical school.

The MSC Summer Schools initiative will continue in 2021 with dates & host medical schools to be announced soon.

We would like to thank @NHS_HealthEdEng for their continued support of this vital work.