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Dept for Education and Skills

Answer

Mr. Clappison: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills (1) how many schools are taking part in widening participation schemes for entry to university to read medicine; [198256] (2) what estimate he has made of the cost of programmes for widening participation in the study of medicine at university; [198400] (3) which universities (a) offer and (b) plan to offer extended medical degree programmes or their equivalent for students seeking to study medicine with a view to registration as a doctor under the Government's widening participation schemes; [198401] (4) how many students have been admitted to universities this year to read medicine under widening participation schemes; and what estimate he has made of the number of students who will be admitted in each of the next five years. [198402] Dr. Howells: The Government's aim is that everyone with the potential to benefit from higher education should have an opportunity to do so. The main scheme for widening participation is Aimhigher, a programme jointly funded by the Department for Education and Skills, the Learning and Skills Council and the Higher Education Funding Council for England. Since August 2004, Aimhigher has been a national programme, operating most intensively in disadvantaged areas. Aimhigher aims to raise the attainment levels of young people, their aspirations towards university, and improve progression. Most activities are not subject specific, although some locally arranged activities are designed to raise awareness of and encourage progression to specific subjects such as medicine. The Department does not collect information on the exact nature of locally arranged activities, their cost, or the number of schools involved. Aimhigher does not include the delivery of degree or other higher education programmes. Foundation Years may contribute to the widening participation activities undertaken by universities. Foundation Years in medicine are designed to assist potential students to gain the knowledge and learning skills needed for degree study, including allowing students with good grades in non-science subjects to study the basic science needed to start a medical degree course. Information on the number of students who have entered a degree programme in medicine having completed a foundation year is not available.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

426 c2140W;426 c2146W; 198256;198400;198401;198402

Session

2003-04

Subjects

Access Degrees Admissions Costs Doctors Higher education Medicine Universities Schools Students

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk