1. What is the West London Postgraduate Medical School?

WLPMS is a not-for-profit organisation responsible for candidate recruitment, administration of the courses and provision of the interface between UK Hospitals and Universities to enable the introduction and delivery of innovative postgraduate medical courses.

2. Which university is involved?

The University of Buckingham. 

3. Who will award the diploma and degrees?

The university. The candidates will enrol, register and receive the degree award with the university.

4. Which hospitals are involved in these courses?

Ealing Hospital, London, St. Richard's Hospital, Chichester and The Royal Gwent Hospital, South Wales are currently involved.  Several additional hospitals will be coming on board in near future.

5. Where are candidates recruited from?

Candidates are enrolled on a worldwide basis by advertising in international medical journals and via British Council/Libraries overseas.

6. Do the candidates pay for their training?

Yes. The tuition fees are kept as low as possible and will be subject to annual review.  The tuition fee reflects the true cost of the course without any subsidy.  For candidates who are sponsored for full registration by the GMC, an additional administrative charge will apply each year on the programme over and above the standard tuition fee.                   

7. Has any market survey been done anywhere to test the desirability of these courses?

Yes, ACNielsen, an internationally renowned marketing company has conducted  a major market research exercise in India.

8. Is WLPMS or its directors making money from this venture?

No.  WLPMS is strictly a non-profit company with no share capital and with no dividends to pay.  This venture is strictly academic and not commercial.  The company cannot be sold to other parties.

9. What is the course structure of the Clinical MDs?

Two or three year modular courses covering all sub-specialities of Internal Medicine, both theory and clinical.

10. What structures are in place for assessment and examination of candidates?

Each candidate’s progress is assessed on an ongoing basis and the degree will be awarded subject to successful completion of the course and passing exit examinations at the end of each module.  These involve external examiners to maintain consistent, comparable and high standards.

11. What happens if a candidate is not eligible for MD degree?

Every effort will be made to help and support the candidates.  Candidates will be eligible for the Diploma in Medicine award if deemed unsuited for the MD degree.

12. Where do the students stay?

Fully furnished residential accommodation for students is provided at the prevailing market rent.

13. At what stage are the students be in their career at the point of enrolment on these courses?

All candidates will have completed their undergraduate training and be fully registered with the Medical Council in their respective countries.

14. Will the candidates be registered with the General Medical Council, UK?

Yes, some candidates will be.  There is no necessity to pass the PLAB test but candidates may find it useful to do so. However, selected candidates on the MD programme can be sponsored for full registration with the GMC.  The application for sponsorship is made by the University of Buckingham School of Medicine at the end of the first 3 months of the MD programme so that the candidates can enrichen their clinical experience while being on the programme.  The registration, once granted, is valid indefinitely providing the candidate's performance during the MD remains satisfactory.

15. What is the need for such degree courses?

The recently introduced MMC programme for junior doctor training in UK with subsequent changes in some of the Home Office rules and  changes taking place in countries like India have made it very difficult for international medical graduates to get structured medical training in the UK.  Increase in the number of UK medical graduates competing with a large number of IMGs on the Highly Skilled Migrant Programme for a shrinking number of training posts means tougher competition for training posts in future years.  These courses are designed to service that need on a non-profit basis.

16. What will the doctors enrolling for these courses do at the completion of their training?

It is envisaged that doctors will return back to their home countries being able to better care for people in their own countries. Those who pass PLAB test during their stay in the UK or those awarded full registration by sponsorship will be eligible to enter further postgraduate training in the UK with the possibility of making a long term career in medicine and stay in the UK.  This may be in the form of obtaining Staff Grade, Trust Grade, Clinical Research Fellow or Teaching Fellow posts. The Clinical/Research + Clinical MDs should also put candidates at an advantage, both for entering the junior doctor training system as well as in helping them obtain possible exemptions for 1-2 years of formal Foundation and Core Medical Training.  These courses may also put candidates at an advantage for further training in Australia and the United States.

17. Who actually provides theory teaching and clinical training?

Dedicated teaching fellows are appointed to assist module directors and external consultants, many of national and international eminence, will be invited to deliver high quality lectures.  Some teaching is also provided by Specialist Registrars on each medical firm.

18. Is the training programme recognised for higher professional training?

Yes. Higher education at the University of Buckingham, like at all UK universities, is assured by Quality Assurance Agency which ensure meticulous standards.

19. Will the candidates get permission from British government to stay in UK for these courses?

The respective universities sponsor the candidates enrolled for the programme for a 2 or 3 year student visa and stay in the UK.  No work permit is needed or will be applied for.  Students are entitled to work upto 20 hours each week during term and full-time during holidays should they so want.  In addition, spouses of students are entitled to work full-time providing they are not taking up permanent employment in the UK.  Please check with the Home Office, UK, website.