The EMDP is a full medical degree but, by extending the first year of a medical degree over two years, it allows students more time to develop subject knowledge and confidence, and gives greater access to pastoral and academic support from staff.
The programme helps widen participation to medicine and reflects a nationally held consensus (including the General Medical Council) that clinicians ought to better reflect the populations they serve.
The EMDP is the largest and longest running course of this type. Since its inception in 2001, over 750 students have graduated. It has grown from 10 places on offer in its initial year (for students from greater London) to our current intake of 80 students from across the UK. All students all come from non-selective state education.
Completion rates are very high and are broadly comparable with standard rates at King’s, with a 96% completion rate for EMDP students compared to 98% for those on the standard MBBS route.
Anyone from a non-selective state school in the UK can apply. Grade requirements are ABB at A-level (cf. A*AA on the standard programme). Selection is highly contextualised, taking account of each individual’s socio-economic and educational background and using a range of widening participation markers, including care-leaver status.
This ensures the most competitive candidates – in light of their backgrounds – are selected. UCAT is used lightly as a final filter, rather than a primary determinant of eligibility. Clinical work experience is not mandatory. Instead, demonstration of commitment to the community is preferred.
90% of students from the EMDP are from black and minority ethnic backgrounds, with 85-90% of EMDP students from households with less than £40K income. Around 90% are the first in their family to progress to higher education.
Often keen to give back to their home communities, graduates from the EMDP are more likely to apply to general practice and return to work in their local area than those from the standard course. As one student said: “I now work in the same community my parents and friends live in, which is important to me.”
