Russell Group comment on medicine places

23 July 2021

In response to reports that some university applicants have been offered deferrals following a record number of students applying to study medicine this autumn, Dr Tim Bradshaw, Chief Executive of the Russell Group, said:

"Students getting their A-level results this year have had a difficult time with their studies and exams disrupted by Covid, but we know they have been determined to succeed and we look forward to welcoming many of them into our universities this autumn.

"The significant increase in applications this year and the uncertainty generated by the introduction of teacher assessed grades means it has been much harder for all universities to anticipate the number of students accepting their offers and achieving the required grades. This is particularly the case for medicine where the number of places is capped by the Government.

"While our universities are being as fair and flexible as possible to students, ultimately the Government decides the number of doctors that can be trained. Given its long term ambition to raise the number of NHS staff trained domestically, the Government could capitalise on the extra demand this year by expanding the number of places available and providing extra funding and clinical placements accordingly."

Notes

The latest UCAS undergraduate application data following the 30 June 2021 deadline can be found here.