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Brian Wang, University of Oxford, United KingdomAbstract
Persistent inequities in access to medical education remain a major challenge in the United Kingdom, where students from working-class backgrounds constitute fewer than 5% of medical school entrants despite forming a substantial proportion of the population. Evidence also shows that a small number of schools account for a disproportionate share of medical applicants, reflecting structural barriers rather than differences in ability or aspiration. In2MedSchool, a national widening participation charity founded during the COVID-19 pandemic, provides free mentorship, school-based programmes, and educational resources to support aspiring medical students from disadvantaged backgrounds. This study presents a mixed-methods evaluation of In2MedSchool’s impact, demonstrating that students engaging with the programme are approximately twice as likely to receive a medical school offer compared with national averages. The findings highlight how mentorship, early exposure, and sustained school partnerships can enhance confidence, belonging, and application success in under-represented groups. By positioning widening participation as both an educational and workforce strategy, this work illustrates how scalable, community-led initiatives can contribute to a more representative healthcare profession and promote social mobility through education.
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