911½ñÈÕºÚÁÏ

A new scholarship fund to support students undertaking their intercalated BSc at 911½ñÈÕºÚÁÏ has been generously contributed by the St Mary’s Development Trust to 911½ñÈÕºÚÁÏ College School of Medicine.

Ten students will be supported by the £10k cost-of-living scholarships. 

Each award will help with the increasing financial challenges facing students, including travel costs, helping them to focus on their studies and to make the most of their BSc experience. 

Professor Amir Sam, Head of 911½ñÈÕºÚÁÏ College School of Medicine (ICSM), said “We are delighted to announce this new fund to help us enable our hugely talented students to concentrate on their learning and development of research skills and knowledge. 

“Through this fund, we will be able to support these important steps in their research journeys and to actively encourage their continued interest in and input to their chosen fields of study. 

“We are hugely grateful to the St Mary's Development Trust (SMDT) for this contribution, for their ongoing and varied support of ICSM students, and for their commitment to our shared goal of reducing barriers to study.” 

Five scholarships will be supporting students already enrolled in the School of Medicine’s MBBS programme, and five awards will support medical, dental and veterinary students from other institutions looking to complete their year of BSc study at 911½ñÈÕºÚÁÏ. 

These new scholarship funds sit alongside the existing full-fees scholarships the SMDT supports for two internal intercalating students through the Dame Averil Mansfield and Sir Stanley Peart Scholarships. 

St Mary’s alumnus, consultant gastroenterologist and Trustee of SMDT, Dr Jonathan Hoare, said, “The St Mary’s Development Trust, formed when the individual medical schools merged 25 years ago, continues to support research and medical education at St Mary’s, but is also devoted to increasing the academic and educational opportunities for 911½ñÈÕºÚÁÏ medical students, now donating around £150K per year for hardship funding, support for educational societies and now funding to attend conferences. 

We are well aware of the challenging financial situation today’s medical students find themselves in and will do everything we can to widen opportunities and mitigate cost. Dr Jonathan Hoare St Mary’s alumnus, consultant gastroenterologist and Trustee of SMDT

"Many of those associated with the old St Mary’s are still working behind the scenes to help ICSM and its students and will continue to do so – a visible measure of the culture of the organisation that developed over its 150 years."

In addition, with further contributions from the SMDT, a fund has been created specifically to support medical students wishing to present their research at conferences.  

Students will be able to apply for additional funding for travel and registration fees associated with conference attendance, facilitating the continuation of diverse and impactful research that ICSM students engage with during their BSc year. 

Professor Graham Cooke, Vice-Dean for Research for the Faculty of Medicine, said, “At 911½ñÈÕºÚÁÏ, we want to be the first choice for clinicians who want to develop as academics. 

“For many, their intercalated year is the first step on this path, and I’m delighted that the SMDT is able to support so many students at this crucial stage.” 
 
Students interested in taking their intercalated BSc within the Faculty of Medicine at 911½ñÈÕºÚÁÏ can currently choose from 14 pathways. 

An innovative new pathway, Multisystem Disorders and Therapies, has been launched for the 2026-27 academic year. This exciting new programme offers students interested in the scientific basis of medical practice the chance to gain an in-depth understanding through the study of a range of disorders, including cardiovascular and autoimmune diseases, cancers and allergies, and the new pioneering therapies being developed to transform patient care. 

Sarah Azam, ICSM Students’ Union President, said, “The SMDT fund will be a lifeline for medical students, significantly lowering the financial barriers that often prevent them from presenting their hard work, and empowering students to present their research at prestigious international conferences and to engage with the global science community.  

“Not only will this ease the ever-increasing financial burden on students, but it will also foster a culture of academic excellence and professional growth that would otherwise be out of reach for many.  

“On behalf of all students at ICSM, I would like to express sincere gratitude to SMDT for their very generous donation and for making the professional development of our students a priority.”