Today, the MSC works closely with medical schools across the UK to promote fairness, inclusivity and excellence in education. Through national initiatives and policy leadership, we help shape the future of medicine by ensuring that tomorrow’s doctors are fully prepared to meet the health needs of the population.
During the early years of the Second World War several heads of medical schools across the UK would meet to discuss the impact of the war on medical education. These meetings grew into what was formally known as the Conference of Deans of Provincial Medical Schools in 1947.
The founding of the National Health Service (NHS) in 1948 had a major impact on medical education. Medical schools continued to use the conference to discuss how best to train future doctors and address the health needs of the growing population. Around the same time, the Conference of Deans of London Medical Schools was established to focus on the specific challenges faced by medical schools in London.
By 1989, it became clear that the challenges faced by medical schools across the UK were strikingly similar. This led to the decision to merge the two conferences—one for provincial medical schools and one for London—into a single body: the Conference of Deans of UK Medical Schools.
In 1991, we transitioned from being a discussion forum to a fully-fledged Council, dedicated to driving change and shaping policy. We renamed to the Council of Heads of Medical Schools and became affiliated with the Committee of Vice Chancellors and Principals (now Universities UK).
Council of Heads of Medical Schools in 1998
In 2006, we rebranded as the Medical Schools Council (MSC) to better reflect our broader role in advancing undergraduate medical education across the country.
To ensure high standards in medical education, we formed the MSC Assessment Alliance in 2011. This group supports medical schools in planning and implementing assessments that maintain consistency across institutions.
In 2015, we took a further step in shaping medical school selection with the formation of the MSC Selection Alliance. This initiative focuses on national work in admissions, aiming to widen access to medical education and ensure fair representation for students from diverse backgrounds.
Recognising the importance of inclusivity, the MSC Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Alliance was formed in 2021. This group provides practical guidance to help medical schools become more inclusive, ensuring that all students have the opportunity to thrive in an environment that supports their growth and success.
Medical Schools Council at Ditchley Park in the 2000s
Today, the Medical Schools Council continues to serve as a vital advisory body, uniting experts from across the medical education community. Through collaboration, we support medical schools in addressing the challenges of healthcare training, ensuring that the doctors of tomorrow are fully equipped to navigate an ever-changing healthcare landscape.
