Approval of new schools and programmes

We are responsible for deciding whether

• new medical schools and
• existing medical schools who want to introduce a new programme

meet our standards.

The list of bodies that can currently award UK medical degrees is available here.

If you’re proposing a new school or programme

Institutions proposing a new school or programme must complete an application form to provide information about the viability of its proposals, the expertise of its staff and its ability to provide adequate clinical experience for students.

This process will also generally apply for medical schools that have delivered undergraduate medical programmes jointly with other medical schools but wish to deliver a programme independently.

We expect institutions to make an application approximately three years before the first cohort of students is expected to begin.

If you would like to propose a new school or programme please contact us by emailing quality@gmc-uk.org for further information.

Moving forward with an application

GMC staff, associates and the Director of Education and Standards then make a decision as to whether or not to commit to a comprehensive multiyear quality assurance process.

Should we decide that the application is not sufficient, we will ask the medical school to delay the selection of its first cohort of students to undertake further preparatory work.

However, should we decide that the new school is viable to enter a multiyear quality assurance review, an intensive process of annual visits by a team of GMC associates and staff will begin.

The visit team will determine if the new school is meeting the standards set out in Promoting excellence: standards for medical education and training.

The visit process follows the first cohort of students to the point of graduation, at which point, if successful, the institution will be added to the GMC list of bodies entitled to award a UK medical degree.