28/05/2019
Cambridge Assessment Admissions Testing, developers of - the BioMedical Admissions Test (BMAT) - is supporting the UK Medical Applicant Cohort Study, one of the largest studies ever undertaken into what motivates future UK medical students. The Study is led by researcher Dr Katherine Woolf, of UCL and funded by the National Institute for Health Research. It was launched in response to current shortfalls in NHS doctor numbers. By giving insights into what interests and engages future medical students, the Study will help improve the support given to future medical applicants.
Cambridge Assessment Admissions Testing is promoting the Study directly to its prospective UK BMAT test-takers- students hoping to study at a medical school where BMAT is part of the admissions process which includes the Universities of Cambridge, Oxford, Brighton, Lancaster and Leeds. BMAT test-takers will be invited to complete the study questionnaire, which they can do any time from now until 15th October 2019.
‘We were delighted to be asked to actively promote the Cohort Study to our BMAT community,’ comments Andy Chamberlain, Head of Cambridge Assessment Admissions Testing. ‘The Study will help shape the future application process for NHS doctors, a process in which BMAT continues to play an important role.’
A UK Medical Applicant Cohort Study participant commented: 'I found this questionnaire helpful, it reminded me of why I wanted to apply to a medical school in the first place and my current set of skills to see what else I need to for my application. I hope my answers can help future medical students in any way.'
Notes to editors
- For about the UK Medical Applicant Cohort Study (UKMACS) go to: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/medical-school/research/uk-medical-applicant-cohort-study and by reading the information sheet (click the link to download): https://ukmacs.files.wordpress.com/2019/05/2019-04-29-informationsheetquestionnaire.docx . The questionnaire is best completed on a laptop or desktop, not a phone. This study is NOT part of any medical school application process. The information given will NOT be used to make any decisions that will affect the student’s education or career, and will only be used for academic research.
- The UK Medical Applicant Cohort Study is funded by the National Institute for Health Research (Grant Reference Number CDF-2017-10-008). The views expressed are those of the researchers and not necessarily those of the NIHR or the Department of Health and Social Care.
- This study has been approved by the UCL Research Ethics Committee Reference 0511/014.
- The National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) is the nation's largest funder of health and care research. The NIHR:
- Funds, supports and delivers high quality research that benefits the NHS, public health and social care
- Engages and involves patients, carers and the public in order to improve the reach, quality and impact of research
- Attracts, trains and supports the best researchers to tackle the complex health and care challenges of the future
- Invests in world-class infrastructure and a skilled delivery workforce to translate discoveries into improved treatments and services
- Partners with other public funders, charities and industry to maximise the value of research to patients and the economy
- The NIHR was established in 2006 to improve the health and wealth of the nation through research, and is funded by the Department of Health and Social Care. In addition to its national role, the NIHR supports applied health research for the direct and primary benefit of people in low- and middle-income countries, using UK aid from the UK government