The University of Lancashire is celebrating 10 years of creating medical doctors. Since the start of the Medicine and Surgery (MBBS) course, 516 doctors have graduated and many of those have gone on to work in NHS hospitals throughout the country.
The five-year course has seen undergraduates study at the Preston, Burnley and Westlakes campuses. As part of their studies, they undertook clinical placements in a wide variety of locations including Lancashire Teaching Hospitals Foundation NHS Trust, East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust and North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust.
Placements offered help build confidence and expertise
2025 graduate Misha Oukrainski spent part of her degree studying at Westlakes Campus and is now working as a Foundation Doctor at Cumberland Infirmary. As part of her training, she undertook courses in pre-hospital trauma and life support, hiked in the Lake District, and visited the mountain rescue team.
She said: “These were vital to my training as I developed the confidence to manage acutely unwell patients in resource limited settings and was a firsthand witness to how creativity can save lives.
“The MBBS programme’s emphasis on early patient contact stood out to me as I have always thrived in environments where hands-on learning is encouraged. This was fulfilled with three weeks of placement in my first year followed by weekly placements in second year. These experiences allowed me to build strong clinical and communication skills from the beginning of my training.”
Dean Hardy, a first-class honours 2022 graduate, is now using his skills as a Senior House Officer Doctor for East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust. He described his course as the perfect preparation “to deal with any scenario as a doctor”.
Dean commented: “I have been in multiple emergency scenarios, particularly during night shifts on-call, where I have initially been the only doctor managing a life-threatening situation. The University prepared me well for this and I have been able to deal with them all confidently and effectively.”
Initially international, now only UK students train here
The MBBS course, which is recognised by the General Medical Council, was initially open to international students only but the course received backing from the Government to allow UK students to apply.
Dr Takanayi Mureyi, a First Year Resident at Oxford University Hospitals Trust, graduated in 2024. The Zimbabwean praised being part of the international student community and said: “My time at the University was transformational. I quickly realised that a sharp mind was simply not enough to become a doctor. My course involved me developing a strong work ethic, and a host of multifactorial skills which included good communication and a team working spirit. The experience of learning whilst having fun was unforgettable.
“I recently received great end of year feedback regarding my performance in practice – this goes to show that I was trained very well at the University.”
Dr Haya Nasser graduated in 2024 and is working as a First Year in Plastic Surgery in John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford. She added: “The University didn’t just help me become a doctor, it helped me become a more confident and well-rounded individual.
“The MBBS course offered the opportunity to gain early clinical exposure, which I felt was essential to becoming a confident and competent doctor. Additionally, its commitment to supporting international students made me feel welcome even before I arrived.”
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the first cohort of medical graduates had to use modern technology to recite the Declaration of Geneva, which is usually reserved for graduation day.
The University offers diversity and small class sizes
Dr Ummulkhulsum Ibrahim, who graduated in 2021, is currently a second year Specialty Trainee in Obstetrics and Gynaecology in Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust. She said: “I decided to study at the University due to its diverse nature coupled with the small class sizes. The early patient contact and practical nature of the course was invaluable in building my confidence to thrive in the clinical environment and also gain non-technical skills. The spiral curriculum also helped me reinforce and retain the knowledge I acquired.”
The School of Medicine, as it was named at the time, was officially opened by the late Dr Kate Granger MBE, who started the #hellomynameis campaign.
Other courses at the University of Lancashire
In addition to the MBBS cohorts, the School also produces dentists, optometrists, physician associates, audiologists, medical scientists and clinical dental technologists. It also runs extensive postgraduate programmes in medicine and dentistry.Professor Alison Carr, Dean of the School of Medicine and Dentistry, added: “I am immensely proud we have reached our 10th anniversary and have produced more than 500 doctors. They have taken their excellent qualification and added much needed resources into hospitals around the country.”
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