​The MSC (medical students committee) represents medical students in the UK. We consider and address issues of importance to medical students and make sure your views are represented in wider BMA policy.

Updates from the MSC

Changes to UKFPO Applications for Specialised Foundation Programme (SFP)

Following the review into the foundation programme allocation system that took place last year, we are extremely disappointed by UKFPO’s announcement on 14th February 2024 from the UK health bodies, that all applications for SFP are to be brought within the Preference Information Allocation (PIA) system from 2025.   

BMA MSC always aims to act in students’ best interests. We fundamentally disagree with the decision by the UK Health bodies and will fight for students by resisting this change in any way that we can going forwards. 

Read the full statement from the BMA medical students committee and the medical academic staff committee.

Reconsidering the allocation process to UK foundation training

• BMA view on the UKFPO’s stakeholder engagement exercise on proposed changes to the UK Foundation Programme allocation process.
• Watch the recording of our latest webinar with UKFPO and Prof. Sam that explores the pros and cons of the current allocation method and what an alternative to ranking could look like.

MSC wellbeing checklist

The medical student wellbeing work aims to contribute towards the standardisation of medical student support services throughout the region.

The MSC has created this welfare checklist on medical school welfare systems and policies to make the medical student experience a better one.

To be part of these improvements we would like to scope your opinion and feedback from your medical school experience. Please complete the survey form below.

BMA Welfare checklist survey

Our priorities

MSC policy is set by the annual medical students conference and the BMA's ARM (annual representative meeting). As future doctors, we want to safeguard our NHS. As such, our four main priorities are:

Finance

• Lobby for the protection of the NHS bursary for AHP and medical students.
• Lobby for sufficient and equitable travel expenses for medical students on placement.
• Lobby against increase of fees for international medical students.

Welfare

• Addressing racial harassment and other harmful behaviours at medical schools

• Improve awareness of student mental health issues.
• Lobby for improvements to support systems.

Education

• Contribute to the development of the UKMLA (UK medical licensing assessment).
• Increase medical student places.

Widening participation

• Support students from a widening participation background, including mature students.
• Engage the wider BMA and relevant stakeholders in widening participation, making recommendations and/or developing resources.

Our people

Each UK medical school elects a representative to the MSC for one year. To find out who the MSC representative for your medical school is, please contact the MSC secretariat at [email protected] or download the full list below.

The MSC also has an executive subcommittee, which is entitled to take decisions in between meetings of the MSC.

Co-chairs: Chinelo Nnadi and Shivani Ganesh

Associated committees

• Welsh medical students committee.
• Northern Ireland medical students committee.
• Scottish medical students committee.

Our meetings

The committee meets four times a year to discuss the latest issues affecting medical students. Our meetings are open to all elected medical student representatives for each medical school across the UK, but non-members can apply to attend via the committee visitors scheme.

Committee meetings:

• Saturday 18 November 2023 (Microsoft Teams)
• Friday 23 February 2024 (Hybrid meeting at BMA House)
• Friday 14 June 2024 (Microsoft Teams)

For more information, please email [email protected].

Conference

The MSC annual conference is an opportunity to discuss the current issues affecting medical students and to pass motions based on these debates.

BMA members from all medical schools across the UK are invited to attend, with each medical school allocated a certain number of conference places.

Any policy passed at the conference directs the MSC’s work for the coming year.

2024

The 2024 conference dates are 12 and 13 April 2024.

2023

Watch the MSC 2023 conference:

Day 1
Day 2 - AM
Day 2 - PM

How to join

There are many advantages to becoming involved in our committees. You can actively influence BMA policy-making and negotiations, represent your colleagues' voices and develop your leadership skills. 

Each committee has a few routes to becoming an elected member. In the case of the Medical students committee, this is: 

The election section below is kept up to date with details about any running elections, so make sure you keep checking it throughout the year.  

Elections

Elections for representatives to Medical Student Committee – 2024/25

Please note that elections for the above positions in your medical school for the 2024-25 academic year are now open.  

Only BMA student members may vote in MSC elections. In order to receive ballot notifications by email, you must ensure your contact information is correct on My BMA. 

Election schedule

Nominations open – 12pm Tuesday 2 April 2024

Nominations close – 12pm Tuesday 30 April 2024

Voting open – 12pm Wednesday 1 May 2024

Voting close – 12pm Wednesday 29 May 2024

Results will be published – shortly after voting closes. Please refer to the election guide for more details.

Get in touch

If you have any questions or would like to find out more about the work of the MSC, please email [email protected].