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.

Authors:
Brian Wang, University of Oxford, United Kingdom

About the Presenter(s)
Dr Brian Wang is an Academic Clinical Fellow in Cardiology at the University of Oxford, with interests in cardiac physiology, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, and widening participation. He leads the national charity In2MedSchool.

Connect on Linkedin
https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianwang01/

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