BANGOR University is now recruiting students after the General Medical Council visited the medical school and confirmed it was meeting the required standards so far.

Bangor University is now actively recruiting students for its September 2024 intake, marking a significant step in its journey towards formal accreditation of the new North Wales Medical School.

It has been delivering Cardiff University’s C21 medicine programme in North Wales since 2019, in collaboration with Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board and GPs from across the region, with the first cohort graduating this year.

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Universities agree new partnership in step towards North Wales Medical School

The new programme will remain closely aligned with Cardiff’s C21 medical curriculum, following strong support from the university’s school of medicine for the GMC approval and monitoring process.

The North Wales Medical School will benefits from the support of Welsh Government, Cardiff University, Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, and GPs in the area.

It aims to address the region's healthcare staffing needs by training doctors entirely within the region.

Earlier this year, Welsh Government confirmed funding for the North Wales Medical School, with an initial intake of 80 applicants set to increase annually, until reaching its maximum capacity of 140 by 2029.

This incremental growth in student numbers will help assure a high quality of education and student experience through university and GMC quality monitoring processes.

Vice chancellor, Professor Edmund Burke, said: “The establishment of a new medical school at Bangor University is one of the most significant developments for this institution, and for the health and wellbeing of North Wales, since the university was established almost 140 years ago.

“By addressing the longstanding absence of a medical school in the region, this development will strengthen our local healthcare provision by creating a pipeline of healthcare professionals who have an understanding of local needs while also increasing the number of those able to practice in Welsh.

“The medical school will also provide a huge boost to the local economy and help ensure that the people of North Wales live longer, healthier and happier lives.”

Marian Wyn Jones, chair of the university council, added: “This is a game-changer for Bangor University and North Wales.

“There is compelling evidence that medical graduates choose to work close to where they have trained.

“The establishment of the medical school will help reverse the declining number of GPs and address workforce shortages across the medical professions in our region.”

On August 8, the national Eisteddfod will feature a session focusing on the North Wales Medical School at Bangor University’s stand from 12.30-1.45pm.

Additional information will be available on its new medicine programme, including live demonstrations and an opportunity to meet and ask staff questions.