Written question asked by James Clappison (Conservative) on Thursday, 3 July 2008, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 7 July 2008. It was answered by Bill Rammell (Labour) on Wednesday, 9 July 2008 on behalf of the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills.

Medicine: Education

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills pursuant to the answer of 11 June 2008, Official Report, column 321W, on higher education: medicine, which university medical schools are participating in widening participation schemes; what financial provision has been extended to them by the Government in respect of such schemes; what criteria or guidance has been laid down by the Government for such schemes; and how many students entered foundation years prior to undertaking medical degrees as a result of such schemes in the latest period for which figures are available, broken down by university.

Answer: The Government are determined to widen participation so that everyone with the potential to benefit from higher education has the opportunity to do so. The main scheme for widening participation is Aimhigher which aims to raise the attainment levels of young people, their aspirations towards university and improve progression. Most activities are not subject-specific, although some activities are designed to raise awareness of and encourage progression to specific subjects such as medicine.The total Aimhigher budget is £85 million in 2008-09. Guidance for Aimhigher Partnerships was published in February 2008 and is available on the Aimhigher website at:"http://www.aimhigher.ac.uk/practitioner"Several medical schools run schemes to encourage applications from bright students from disadvantaged or non-traditional backgrounds. These are entirely a matter for the individual medical school—no specific Government funding or guidance is provided for these schemes, and data on admissions, including foundation years, is not collected centrally.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 478 c1715-6W; 217156
Session: 2007-08
Related items: Higher Education: Medicine
Wednesday, 11 June 2008
Written questions
House of Commons
Subjects: Higher education Medicine
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk