Physiotherapists are being invited to apply to enrol on a new Healthcare Entry Medicine MBBS, a four-year course that allows ‘patient-facing’ professionals to transition into a career as a doctor.

Along with nurses, midwives, paramedics and physician associates, physiotherapists wanting to build on their existing clinical experience can apply now to join the innovative programme based at King’s College London.

Unlike King’s existing Graduate Entry Medicine course, the new programme is designed with current healthcare professionals in mind. The curriculum focuses on key areas such as bioscience and population health, with less emphasis on early clinical practice, which applicants will have already mastered in their current roles.

‘This new course opens the door to a diverse pool of talented professionals who are already making a difference in patient care and wish to take the next step in their medical careers’ [Nicki Cohen]

What are the course leaders looking for?

In order to apply, candidates need a 2:1 undergraduate degree (or equivalent), at least two years’ full-time experience in a patient-facing healthcare role and must sit the University Clinical Aptitude Test as part of the admissions process.

The programme will allow students to learn from some of the world’s most influential clinicians and scientists, who are global leaders in life sciences and medical research. Students will benefit from teaching at partner hospitals, including Guy’s, King’s College, and St Thomas’ Hospitals, and gain hands-on experience through clinical placements at district general hospitals across the south of England, as well as at over 350 general practices.

A ‘diverse pool’

Nicki Cohen, dean of medical education at King’s College London, said: ‘King’s has a long-standing reputation for excellence in medical education.’

Professor Cohen added: ‘This new course opens the door to a diverse pool of talented professionals who are already making a difference in patient care and wish to take the next step in their medical careers.’

As well as being the first Russell Group university in the UK to offer a fast-track medical degree for healthcare professionals, King’s was also the first UK institution to introduce a dedicated widening access to medicine programme and is now the only UK university to offer five distinct routes into medicine.

Applications for the new Healthcare Entry Medicine MBBS will open via UCAS in September 2025, with the first cohort starting in 2026.

Please note the programme will start during the week commencing 17  August 2026.

For more information, see: http://bit.ly/3IMq9Br

Image: Shutterstock