UHI Inverness has launched an innovative new health course to provide senior Highland pupils with a route to studying medicine or pharmacy degrees at universities in Aberdeen.
The Highland Pathway to Healthcare: Medicine and Pharmacy programme is open to sixth-year pupils across the region and guarantees students who pass the course an interview at the University of Aberdeen for medicine or at Robert Gordon University (RGU) for its pharmacy degree.
It has been developed through a unique partnership between the University of Aberdeen, RGU and NHS Highland to open up learning and career opportunities in healthcare for Highland students who might otherwise face barriers to accessing degree programmes.
The partnership represents a significant step in strengthening the future local healthcare workforce and addressing long-standing challenges around access to higher education in the Highlands, such as limited engagement with advanced science education and university preparation resources in rural schools.
The pathway has been designed to widen access for non-traditional students and those from rural communities who aspire to pursue careers in medicine, pharmacy and other medical professions.
It is open to current sixth-year pupils in the Highlands who are leaving school in June, or current S5 pupils who are due to start S6 in August.
Applications are particularly welcome from young carers, care-experienced pupils or those who receive either an Education Maintenance Allowance or free school meals.
Dr Lindsay Snodgrass, Interim Principal and Chief Executive at UHI Inverness, said:
“We’re very excited to be introducing this new course as a pathway to a career in medicine, pharmacy or other healthcare areas for young people in the Highlands.
“It will allow them to remain in their home region while giving them access to healthcare professionals who will share their expertise, providing an excellent academic foundation for their next steps in education.
“An important focus of this course is improving access to higher education for under-represented and disadvantaged groups, which is a priority for us at UHI Inverness as well as a national priority.
“I’m very grateful to all the academic and public sector partners who have shared their knowledge and expertise to help us design a course that I am sure will prove to be a valuable talent pipeline for future doctors, pharmacists and healthcare professionals from across the Highlands.”
The course will be taught on campus at UHI Inverness from August 2027 as part of its Schools Programme, comprising HNC Applied Science and degree-level modules.
It will offer hands-on experience through workshops and simulation activities in Inverness and Aberdeen, and guest lectures will introduce students to expert professionals working in medicine and pharmacy.
Students who complete the one-year programme will gain a Certificate in Higher Education.
Professor David Blackbourn, Executive Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, Health and Life Sciences at the University of Aberdeen, said:
“The University of Aberdeen’s foundational purpose is to be ‘open to all and dedicated to the pursuit of truth in the service of others’, and this is never more important than when supporting potential students from our remote and rural communities.
“We are delighted to support UHI Inverness’s innovative programme to enable young people in the Highlands to gain the qualifications needed for entry to medicine and look forward to working alongside our partner university in supporting these ambitions.”
Professor Susie Walsh, Dean of Pharmacy, Applied Sciences and Public Health at RGU, said:
“We welcome this opportunity to work with UHI Inverness to facilitate wider participation in our pharmacy degree at Robert Gordon University via progression from the innovative Highland Pathway to Healthcare.”
Dr Boyd Peters, Medical Director for NHS Highland, said:
“The Highland Pathways to Healthcare course will help young people from across the Highlands explore careers in medicine and pharmacy while building a future workforce close to home.
“This programme will play an important role in developing the next generation of healthcare professionals for the Highlands.
“I hope there will be a strong uptake, as the Highland area needs future doctors and pharmacists.”
Kate Lackie, The Highland Council’s Assistant Chief Executive People, said:
“We welcome the development of the Highland Pathway to Healthcare course and the valuable opportunities it will offer our young people interested in medicine and pharmacy.
“It’s crucial that young people have the chance to develop their skills and talents here in Highland, and to fully explore all the pathways open to them for their future career and study.
“Widening access to medicine and pharmacy today will develop the well-skilled and educated workforce of tomorrow, in turn helping to sustain and enhance the health services on which we all rely.”
For more information about the programme: Highland Pathways to Healthcare: Medicine and Pharmacy – UHI Inverness
