Ground-breaking medical course turns out first qualified doctors
Description
A group of students from disadvantaged backgrounds celebrate the completion of their undergraduate studies in medicine.
The thirteen new doctors are the University of Leicester's inaugural medical class with the foundation course starting in 2017.
It is aimed at those who want to become doctors but whose background makes it unlikely that they will meet the very high entry requirements.
Students were accepted for their potential and not just for their grades.
The University of Leicester created the Medicine with Foundation Course to encourage more young people from poor backgrounds and state schools to take up medicine.
Students typically achieved three B grades at A level compared to three A grades in a standard medical degree programme.
Dr Sam Adcock, who leads the foundation course, said: “Classically, students from disadvantaged backgrounds did not know any doctors and were less likely to go into medicine.”
Students complete the Foundation Year – which includes a unique Clinical Empathy program – before continuing on to a standard five-year medical degree.
Reece Saxton, 24, grew up in a single parent family and was one of the students to benefit from the course.
"I enjoyed science at school but never really considered a career in medicine," he said.
"I knew I didn't want to be in a lab and wanted to be surrounded by people.
"Without this course I don't think I'd be able to do this career."
Mr Saxton, from Shirebrook in Derbyshire, was the first person to go to university in his wider family.
He said his family and friends were "really proud" of his achievement.
Sara Sabur, 24, also completed the course and said it was a long but rewarding experience.
Each student received a £19,000 scholarship, part-funded by the Stoneygate Trust, which she said made going to university possible.
"I grew up on a council estate and the cost of university definitely added to my apprehension," she said.
The first group of students to emerge from the course comes as the government prepares to double the number of places in medical school.
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