Schools, colleges and community
Pathways to Medicine
If you are:
- In Year 12
- Thinking about studying Medicine at University
- Live within a one-hour commute to the University of Leicester by public transport
You could be a part of the Pathways to Medicine programme at the University of Leicester.
Starting in Year 12 and ending in Year 13, this 11-month programme will give you the opportunity to explore what it is really like to study medicine at university. You will have the opportunity to attend Medicine and Healthcare insight days hosted at the University of Leicester, as well as receive top tips for taking the UCAT test and the opportunity for a mock MMI.
You can also take part in a virtual work experience, as well as interact with a variety of doctors and healthcare staff giving you a real insight into the healthcare profession. This fantastic programme is run in collaboration with the Sutton Trust and supported by the NHS.
What does the programme offer?
The programme will give you an insight into various Medicine and Healthcare related university courses such as Medicine, Nursing, Midwifery, Pharmacy, ODP, Physiotherapy, Diagnostic Radiography and Optometry.
Students who complete the programme and apply to the University of Leicester will receive an offer up to two grades below the standard offer for that course (A*AA to AAA for Medicine)*, a guaranteed interview for those applying to medicine (subject to meeting minimum entry requirements and UCAT score) and a £1,000 University of Leicester bursary for each year of your course (up to 4 years) on successful registration.
Students may also receive a lower offer and additional scholarships from other universities in the partnership.
The programme is completely free with all public transport and mileage travel costs reimbursed.
*You must meet all minimum course requirements for the course you are applying for including GCSEs and Level 3 subject requirements. Courses excluded from the grade reduction and bursary include; Medicine with a Foundation Year (A199), Clinical Sciences (B990), LLB Graduate Entry (M102), LLB Law JD Pathway (M103) and LLB Maîtrise (M120).
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for this Sutton Trust Pathways programme hosted by University of Leicester, you must:
- Attend a state-funded, non-fee-paying school/college.
- Be in Year 12 and study in England.
Additional criteria considered includes academic achievements, being the first in your family to attend university, receiving free school meals, attending a school with below-average progression to higher education, living in a deprived area, or having been in care.
The more criteria you meet, the more likely you are to secure a place. You don’t need to meet all the criteria to be eligible.
If you are (or have been) looked after, accommodated or in care, you only need to meet the age, school and academic requirements.
Key Dates
To successfully complete Pathways to Medicine and be eligible for the benefits of the programme, you need to attend as many events as possible. The programme launch will take place on Saturday 14th November. This date will not be changed, so please make sure you are able to attend if you are accepted onto the programme. All other dates will be shared at the programme launch.
How to apply
Applications will open on Wednesday 2nd September 2026.
Applications close on Monday 26th October 2026.