Bangor University to recruit students for the North Wales Medical School in 2024

As part of the approval process for the accreditation of the independent North Wales Medical School, an expert panel from the General Medical Council (GMC) visited Bangor University earlier this month and confirmed that the School was meeting the required standards at this point in the process. The University is now recruiting medical students.

Having reached this important milestone, Bangor University is delighted to announce that it is now actively recruiting students for its September 2024 intake. This marks a significant step in the University’s journey towards formal accreditation of the new North Wales Medical School.

Bangor University has been delivering Cardiff University’s C21 Medicine programme in North Wales since 2019 in collaboration with Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board and GPs from across the region with the first cohort graduating this year.

The new programme will remain closely aligned with Cardiff University’s C21 medical curriculum, following strong support from Cardiff University’s School of Medicine for the GMC approval and monitoring process.

The establishment of the North Wales Medical School reflects Bangor University's commitment to providing educational opportunities that are deeply connected to the local community, in partnership with its healthcare partners across the entire North Wales region.

The North Wales Medical School benefits from the support of the Welsh Government, Cardiff University, Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board and local General Practitioners. It aims to address the region's healthcare staffing needs by training doctors entirely within the region. Earlier this year, the Welsh Government confirmed funding for the North Wales Medical School, with an initial intake of 80 applicants set to increase annually until reaching its maximum intake capacity of 140 by 2029. This incremental growth in student numbers will help assure a high quality of education and student experience through University and GMC quality monitoring processes.

The establishment of a new Medical School at Bangor University is one of the most significant developments for this institution, and for the health and well-being of North Wales, since the University was established almost 140 years ago. By addressing the longstanding absence of a medical school in the region, this development will strengthen our local healthcare provision by creating a pipeline of healthcare professionals who have an understanding of local needs while also increasing the number of those able to practice in Welsh. The Medical School will provide a huge boost to the local economy and help ensure that the people of North Wales live longer, healthier and happier lives.

Marian Wyn Jones, Chair of the University Council commented, “This is a game changer for Bangor University and North Wales. There is compelling evidence that medical graduates choose to work close to where they have trained. The establishment of the Medical School will help reverse the declining number of GPs and address workforce shortages across the medical professions in our region”.

Professor Mike Larvin, Executive Head of the University’s School of Medical and Health Sciences, added, "The GMC visit marks a significant milestone in our journey towards a fully independent medical school for North Wales. Bangor and Cardiff Universities, Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board and General Practitioners across North Wales are unwavering in our shared commitment to deliver exceptional training and support to our future medical students, shaping them not only into compassionate, competent medical professionals but also future NHS leaders. We are very grateful to the Cardiff University School of Medicine for their steadfast support in helping us to reach this milestone, and for the continuing support they have kindly agreed to provide for the future North Wales Medical School programme."

On Tuesday, 8th August, the national Eisteddfod will feature a session focusing on the North Wales Medical School at Bangor University’s stand from 12:30 to 13:45. Additional information will be available on our new Medicine programme, including live demonstrations and an opportunity to meet and ask staff questions. We warmly welcome everyone to join us and find out more.