University partnership inspires doctors of the future

Published on 1, October, 2025

The Universities of Sunderland and Lancashire have teamed up to highlight medical school opportunities for underrepresented students. 

The 2025 Medical Schools Council (MSC) Summer School, jointly run by Sunderland and the University of Lancashire, allowed 50 young people to spend four days gaining valuable insight into life as a medical student, the career paths available to them and advice on navigating the competitive admissions processes.

Funded by NHS England, the MSC and Dental Schools Council, the event – which took place at Lancashire’s Westlakes Campus in West Cumbria – brought together year 11 students from across the country who come from backgrounds that are underrepresented in medical schools, whether that’s because they the first person in their family to apply to university, are held back because of financial constraints or for other reasons that cause them to feel excluded from exploring a career in medicine.

Ella Benard Okewu, 16, from Middlesbrough, said: “Being the first in my family to aim for medicine feels like a big step, but the summer school showed me that it’s possible and made me more determined to get there.

“My favourite part was practicing patient communication and speaking to current medical students about their journeys. It gave me a real insight into the challenges and rewards of medicine and made me even more motivated to follow this path.”

It is the first time the Universities of Sunderland and Lancashire have teamed up to host a Medical Schools Council (MSC) Summer School, which is part of a national initiative to help 500 students UK-wide. 

Alice Roberts, Lecturer in Anatomy at the University of Sunderland, who led the online elements, said: "The summer school provided a fantastic opportunity to partner with the University of Lancashire to deliver medicine-related outreach initiatives to year 11 pupils across England.

"Watching the students grow in confidence throughout the programme, develop support networks with likeminded individuals, and build their social capital has been extremely rewarding."  

The scheme’s success means the institutions are already planning the 2026 event.

Professor Scott Wilkes, Head of the School of Medicine and Professor of General Practice and Primary Care at the University of Sunderland, said: “We are delighted to team up with the University of Lancashire to further our ambitions together of making medicine accessible to those with talent who may not have had the opportunity.

“This builds upon Sunderland’s already successful student recruitment strategy which is delivering 80% from state schools and 30% from socioeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds.”

Chris Smith, Deputy Associate Dean from the School of Medicine and Dentistry at the University of Lancashire, said: “This initiative is powerful step towards making medicine more inclusive. In just a few days, students who had never imagined a future in medicine left with confidence, clarity, and ambition. The University is proud to be part of a national effort that is genuinely transforming aspirations.”

For more information on studying Medicine at the University of Sunderland, click here.

>