Clinical academia 07.06.2016

Staffing levels of medical clinical academics in UK medical schools (July 2015)

This 14th annual report by the Medical Schools Council provides a comprehensive overview of clinical academic staffing in UK medical schools as of 31 July 2015. It includes data on academic grades, funding, regional and specialty distribution, vacancies, demographics, and Clinical Excellence Awards.

Summary

The clinical academic workforce remains relatively stable at 3,103 FTE, with a headcount of 3,417. However, there are signs of concern, including a gradual decline in Reader/Senior Lecturer numbers, an ageing workforce, and recruitment challenges in several specialties. The report also highlights progress in gender diversity and outlines the importance of sustaining early-career academic pathways.

Key findings

Workforce size

3,103 FTE clinical academics, plus 1,995 FTE Researchers and Others (39% of total academic team).

Academic grades
  • Professors: 1,347 FTE (43%)
  • Readers/Senior Lecturers: 1,164 FTE (38%)
  • Lecturers: 593 FTE (19%), highest since 2003
Funding
  • NHS (including NIHR): 44%
  • Higher Education Funding Councils: 43%
  • Other sources (e.g. charities): 13%
Regional distribution
  • 81% in England, 13% in Scotland, 4% in Wales, 2% in Northern Ireland
  • London hosts 33% of the UK’s clinical academic workforce
Specialties
  • Largest: Physicians/Medicine (40%), Surgery (9%), Psychiatry (8%), General Practice (7%)
  • Smallest: Emergency Medicine, Medical Education, Occupational Medicine
Vacancies
  • 257 FTE vacancies (5% of total), with 11% at Lecturer grade
  • Recruitment difficulties in Oncology, Pathology, Psychiatry, Public Health, and Surgery
Demographics
  • 29% of clinical academics are women (up from 21% in 2004)
  • 16% are from BME backgrounds (vs. 33% of medical students)
  • 64% of the workforce is aged over 46
Clinical Excellence Awards
  • Sustain and expand early-career academic training pathways (e.g. NIHR, SCREDS, WCAT).
  • Address recruitment challenges in underrepresented specialties.
  • Promote gender and ethnic diversity, especially at senior levels.
  • Monitor the impact of funding changes and ensure continued support for academic medicine.
  • Encourage collaboration between universities and NHS partners to support joint appointments and flexible working.
Next steps

The report calls for continued investment in clinical academic careers, particularly at early stages, and highlights the need for strategic workforce planning to address the ageing profile and specialty imbalances. It also emphasizes the importance of maintaining diversity and excellence in academic medicine amid ongoing funding pressures.

Download this report
Staffing Levels of Medical Clinical Academics in UK Medical Schools July 2015 (PDF)
Download
Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.