15 extra places on new graduate medicine course

An extra 15 places have been made available for students on Scotland’s new graduate entry medical course, increasing the intake from 40 to 55.

Students on the ScotGEM course will be offered a “return of service” bursary, a grant worth up to £16,000, in exchange for working in NHS Scotland for up to four years.

This will lead to an additional 330 medical graduates by 2028.

Scottish students will also get their fees paid by the Scottish Government.

The course, which is run by the universities of Dundee and St Andrews with support from the University of the Highlands and Islands, has a particular focus on general practice and rural working. Earlier this month, Health Secretary Shona Robison  announced funding of £7.5 million in 2018-19 to recruit and retain GPs, particularly in rural areas.

Ms Robison  said:

“The additional places are another step towards the Scottish Government’s aim of increasing the number of GPs in Scotland by at least 800 over the next decade, with particular focus on general practice and rural working.

“Earlier this month, I announced £7.5 million funding for 2018-19 to recruit and retain GPs, particularly in remote areas, as part of a package of support that will ensure the long term sustainability of general practice.”