New schools and programmes process

Initial screening

An initial screening application should be submitted alongside supporting documentation including financial assurance.

Following a review of the application the organisation will receive a letter to confirm the next steps. This will depend on the type of application, eg new medical school, overseas programme or new programme at existing medical school.

The majority of applications will result in the steps below being undertaken, however for some new programme applications from existing medical schools it may be possible to monitor this through their existing proactive quality assurance (PQA) process.

SAQ completion

The organisation will be asked to submit a self-assessment questionnaire (SAQ) alongside supporting documentation to demonstrate how they intend to meet the standards set out in Promoting Excellence. This is the same assessment that approved medical schools complete each year as part of the PQA process.

The SAQ will be reviewed by a small team of GMC staff and associates who will agree whether they are assured that the organisation can move to the next stage of the process or if further information on the SAQ is required.

Screening visits

Once the team is satisfied with the SAQ submission, an initial screening visit to the organisation will be arranged. The purpose of this visit is to further explore the organisation’s plans. The organisation will receive feedback following this.

If the team agree that the organisation is on track for the planned commencement date the organisation will receive a letter from the Director of Education and Standards to confirm this.

Following this letter the organisation will be asked to provide regular updates on progress and there will a follow up visit/meeting prior to the first cohort of students being admitted.

Rolling QA

Once students are admitted, there is a a rolling quality assurance cycle until the first cohort of students graduates.

During this process the organisation will submit an annual SAQ providing updates on progress towards meeting GMC standards, supplemented by visits from a team of GMC staff/associates to explore the SAQ responses and triangulate these with various stakeholders (students, educators and LEPs). The team may also observe assessments and visit LEPs.

The organisation will receive an annual summary which outlines the quality activities undertaken each academic year and the organisation's progress towards meeting GMC standards.

GMC Council sign off

The organisation must demonstrate that it meets GMC standards by the time that the first cohort of students is due to graduate, including MLA.

During the final academic year for the first cohort of students, if the GMC team feels the organisation is sufficiently meeting GMC standards, a recommendation to GMC Council will be made for the organisation to be added to the GMC's list of bodies able to award a PMQ.

A letter confirming GMC Council's decision will be sent to the organisation prior to graduation of the first cohort.

Proactive QA

Following successful completion of the process, the organisation will enter the annual PQA process which existing medical schools already undertake.