NHS Doctor Apprenticeships – A New Pathway To Medicine

Medical school isn’t for everyone. For whatever reason, some students may not be able to get into medical school or may not enjoy the teaching methods. If that’s the case, the NHS’s brand new apprenticeship scheme may be a better option for those who still want to become doctors. This guide explores everything you need to know about the new initiative.

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In 2024, a new pathway into med school will be available for students – the NHS Medical Doctor Degree Apprenticeship. This apprenticeship aims to offer a new method to get into medicine, especially for those who may not be able to afford standard medical schools.

In this guide, we’ll explore what this new apprenticeship is and how it could benefit students and the NHS as a whole.

Written by Sharon Daniel

What Are NHS Medicine Apprenticeships?

Normally, to become a doctor, you’ll need a medical degree from a university which is either a five-year course or a six-year course (graduate with an extra degree due to completing an intercalated degree). These courses have less time spent on placement and are typically expensive degrees to fund, meaning some students from lower socioeconomic backgrounds have been disadvantaged.

There are other routes into medicine but, starting in September 2024, the first students will participate in the NHS Doctor Apprenticeships. The medical apprenticeship scheme means that students will receive a wage without tuition fees while carrying out practical work and academic tuition.

This scheme aims to improve access to careers in medicine and to make it accessible for students from all backgrounds. This is in keeping with the NHS long-term plan, which emphasises a need for more workforce diversity to address our patients’ ever-changing healthcare needs.

When Will Medicine Apprenticeships Start?

The initial cohort will include 200 medical doctor degree apprentices in September of 2024, but according to the NHS Long Term Workforce Plan, there is hope that this will increase to 2000 by 2031/32.

How Long Do Medicine Apprenticeships Last?

The Medical apprenticeship programme lasts five years, but the NHS employs participants. They must still complete all the academic requirements for medical training, such as obtaining a medical degree and completing the Medical Licensing Assessment, but they will also be earning an income alongside this training.

The apprentice role will involve rotating through different medical departments, with each placement having its own job description. Placements can happen at hospitals, primary care, specialist areas, and community health centres.

In terms of pay, apprentices receive 60% of the Foundation Year 1 salary in the first year, and this increases each year. As well as this, they will not have to pay tuition fees for the duration of the programme.

How To Apply For A Medicine Apprenticeship

Traditionally, Medical students apply using UCAS, which then leads to admissions tests and interviews. However, candidates for the NHS apprenticeships should check the NHS jobs to apply for medical apprenticeships.

It’s important to bear in mind that spaces will be very limited for this over the first few years of its running. As stated, 200 apprentices will start in 2024, but the increase for places is currently planned to cap at 2,000 in 2031/32. More spaces will likely be offered if the scheme is successful, but this will not become clear until we see the impacts it has on the NHS.

Medicine Apprenticeship Entry Requirements

The entry requirements for medical apprenticeships are ABB at A level with at least one science subject or, for those with a degree, a 2:1 or higher in a science or allied health degree. Applicants will also be required to complete an interview similar to those for traditional medical degrees.

Which Medical Schools Offer Apprenticeships

So far, the medical schools piloting the apprenticeships include the University of Plymouth, Queen Mary University of London, Anglia Ruskin University, and the University of Central Lancashire.

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Pros and Cons of Medicine Apprenticeships

This is a new scheme, so it’s essential to consider some advantages and disadvantages.

Advantages Of Medicine Apprenticeships

Apprentices will not have to pay tuition fees and will also receive a wage. This helps to remove some financial barriers to studying for a medical degree and widens access to medical careers for those who may not be able to pursue a traditional medical degree. It also helps improve diversity in the workforce.
The scheme helps to address the recent staff shortages in the NHS by creating an alternate path for training future doctors.
The apprenticeship will give students the chance to get lots of hands-on experience from an early stage in the course and help integrate apprentices into the workforce.
Apprentices will receive the same qualifications as those pursuing a traditional degree, but the method of learning may be beneficial for some.
The entry requirements are manageable for most capable applicants.

Disadvantages Of Medicine Apprenticeships

It may be difficult to achieve a good work-life balance, as apprentices will need to manage the demands of academic study and clinical work.
The apprentices may not always be supported to the desired level because there is not always enough capacity to do so.
Some initial negative opinions may be associated with the medical apprenticeship compared to the traditional degree, which may cause some workplace difficulties.
It may be difficult for apprentice providers to ensure that apprentices receive the same quality of education as students pursuing traditional medical degrees.
The current limits to apprentice numbers mean that entry to this scheme will be difficult due to the lack of places.

Conclusion

The NHS medical apprenticeships are an exciting development that may help strengthen the NHS workforce. This scheme will help widen access to medical training, increasing diversity in the workforce and making it more representative of the communities it serves.

The key features of the apprenticeship scheme you should know about:

If you are interested in the medical apprenticeship scheme, you must stay current with the application openings. You can periodically check the NHS jobs and government websites for UK-based apprenticeships.

I hope this guide has been helpful to you. If you’d like to learn more about studying medicine in the UK, be sure to explore our extensive library of guides, covering everything you need to know about medical school. We also offer comprehensive tutoring bundles to those looking for support in their medical school application, so check them out if you want to boost your chances of getting a place! Thank you and good luck!

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