This report responds to national policy priorities on social mobility and widening participation, particularly the need to improve retention, academic achievement, and career progression for students from lower socio-economic backgrounds. The guidance is informed by best practices across UK medical schools and aims to support both universal and targeted interventions.
Summary
This guidance document, part of the Medical Schools Council’s “Selecting for Excellence” initiative, focuses on supporting medical students—particularly those from underrepresented backgrounds—throughout their journey from admission to graduation and into clinical practice. It outlines strategies to foster belonging, academic success, and smooth transition to professional life, while also promoting a culture of inclusive support within medical schools.
Key findings
- Students from underrepresented backgrounds benefit from early and sustained support, including peer mentoring, tailored induction, and academic guidance.
- A strong sense of belonging is critical to student retention and success. Outreach, induction, and inclusive teaching methods help foster this.
- Academic success is enhanced by student-centred learning, proactive mentoring, and clear feedback mechanisms.
- Transition to practice is best supported through integrated career planning, extracurricular engagement, and reflection on skills and experiences.
- Leadership and culture within medical schools play a vital role in embedding student support and ensuring all staff are engaged in fostering student success.
Recommendations
The report offers a “Top Ten Tips” for medical schools, including:
- Evaluate whether to offer universal or targeted support based on institutional culture and student needs.
- Foster a sense of belonging from the earliest stages, including during outreach.
- Use peer mentoring, especially with thoughtful matching of mentors and mentees.
- Encourage student responsibility for learning and reflection on academic development.
- Promote meaningful staff-student relationships.
- Monitor student outcomes and consider targeted career support.
- Integrate career planning into the curriculum.
- Support and recognise the value of extracurricular activities.
- Ensure leadership explicitly values and resources student support.
- Engage students as partners in curriculum development and institutional governance.
Next steps
Medical schools are encouraged to:
- embed student support in strategic planning and staff development
- appoint senior leads for student support
- use data and evaluation to monitor the impact of interventions
- promote student engagement at all levels of academic and community life
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