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A-level students given first-hand insight into North Wales Medical School

Dr Harri Pritchard, Dr Esyllt Llwyd and Year 5 Medical Student Ffraid Gwenllian shared their insight into the development of the North Wales Medical School at Bangor University with Coleg Meirion-Dwyfor and Coleg Menai learners

A-level students were given an insight into the North Wales Medical School when representatives visited Coleg Meirion-Dwyfor’s Pwllheli campus.

Dr Harri Pritchard, Dr Esyllt Llwyd and Year 5 medical student Ffraid Gwenllian attended the college’s Pwllheli campus, with learners from the Dolgellau campus and Coleg Menai in Llangefni also joining by video link.

In September 2024, Bangor University launches its first Medicine programme to allow students to complete their studies entirely in North Wales.

The establishment of the North Wales Medical School reflects Bangor University's commitment to serving its local communities and its strategy to support health and well-being.

The new Medical School brings together educational and medical experts from across North Wales, and is a collaboration between the university, Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board and GPs.

Dr Pritchard, originally from Tudweiliog, near Pwllheli, enjoyed speaking to potential applicants from the area he grew up in, sharing his insights into the career of medicine in North Wales.

“From September 2024 the North Wales Medical School will deliver Medicine programmes for undergraduates and for graduate entrants,” said Dr Pritchard, Clinical Senior Lecturer at the Medical School and a practising GP in Amlwch.

“Whilst we have had Cardiff University students studying in Bangor since 2018, applicants studying A-levels had to complete Year 1 in Cardiff or complete a feeder-stream degree before joining us at Bangor.

“From September next year, it will be possible to study the entire Medicine programme in North Wales, and we need to get that important message across and encourage local applicants to apply.”

Dr Pritchard added: “The North Wales Medical School is especially eager to attract bilingual students, and a contextual offer will be given to attract first-language Welsh speakers.”

Entry requirements for undergraduate entry can be found here, and for graduate entry here.

Penny MacCall, who is studying Biology, Physics and Chemistry A-levels at Coleg Meirion-Dwyfor’s Dolgellau campus, was one of many students who found the discussion very useful in deciding on studying medicine at Bangor University.

Penny said: “The team explained the structure of the course year-by-year, with ideas on how best to prepare through voluntary activities and work experience."

For further information about school visits, contact medicineadmissions@bangor.ac.uk, or to visit the university and learn more, sign up for Bangor University’s next open day here.

For more information about studying A-Levels with Grŵp Llandrillo Menai, click here.