Selection 07.05.2016

Implementing Selecting for Excellence – A progress update

This report outlines the progress made by the Medical Schools Council in implementing the recommendations of the 2014 Selecting for Excellence final report. The project focuses on improving selection to medical school, with a particular emphasis on widening participation.

Summary

The MSC has established the Selection Alliance to lead on implementing the report’s recommendations. Key areas of progress include governance, widening participation, data analysis, selection methods, qualification reform and outreach. The report also includes a national outreach feasibility study, mapping engagement across the UK and proposing a blended national programme.

Key findings

Governance

The MSC Selection Alliance and its elected board are now in place, supported by an independent oversight group chaired by Professor Tony Weetman.

Widening participation
  • Entry requirements have been standardised and published in a single document.
  • Research into contextual admissions is underway to identify effective measures and data sources.
  • Outreach mapping shows 40% of secondary schools are engaged with medical schools, but cold spots remain in areas such as Cumbria, Norfolk and parts of Wales.
  • The Who’s in Health? campaign has been launched to support primary school outreach.
Data analysis
  • Work is ongoing with UCAS and UKMED to improve data collection and tracking.
  • A report on medical student demographics is planned for 2016.
Selection methods
  • Research supports the use of academic attainment, multiple mini interviews (MMIs) and aptitude tests.
  • A shared MMI item bank is being developed.
  • New research is examining the impact of selection process sequencing and weighting on widening participation.
Qualification reform
  • Changes to GCSEs and A-levels in England are being monitored.
  • MSC is supporting medical schools in adapting to these changes.
 
Recommendations
  • Continue to support and expand the Who’s in Health? campaign.
  • Develop a national outreach programme using a blended model.
  • Improve data analysis capacity to track widening participation and inform policy.
  • Facilitate collaboration between medical schools on outreach and selection practices.
  • Maintain engagement with national stakeholders and funding bodies to support implementation.
Next steps

The MSC will continue to implement the outreach strategy, support contextual admissions research, and publish updated data on medical school demographics. A fully costed proposal for a blended national outreach programme will be developed, with potential pilot funding from Health Education England.

Download this report
Implementing Selecting for Excellence - A progress update (PDF)
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Further reading
Selection 07.05.2014
Selecting for Excellence Final Report
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