Aspiring medics from The Sixth Form Bolton have become the first sixth form students in the country to visit the brand-new University of Bolton Medical School — the only medical school in the UK based on a hospital campus.
Located on the site of Royal Bolton Hospital, the state-of-the-art £40m Institute of Medical Sciences is set to welcome its first cohort of UK medical students in September 2026. Year 12 students from the Medical Pathway in the Professional Growth Programme (PGP), along with Honours Programme students, were invited for an exclusive look inside the pioneering facility.
During the visit, students met with a team of leading academics who played a key role in developing the medical school. They also received a guided tour of the cutting-edge facilities, including:
Six Anatomage tables — advanced virtual dissection technology that allows students to explore human anatomy without the need for cadavers
Simulated hospital wards — complete with AI-powered mannequins that can cry, sweat, display laboured breathing, and present a variety of symptoms
Hands-on procedure training — including realistic catheterisation simulations using life-like mannequins
The visiting academics also delivered valuable insights into what students can expect from studying Medicine at the University of Greater Manchester and offered practical advice on navigating the competitive application process. Students learned what admissions teams look for in candidates and the benefits of studying medicine on a hospital campus.
With the medical school’s close ties to local NHS Trusts, future students will benefit from clinical placements at nearby hospitals such as Wigan, Preston, and Blackburn—ensuring strong links between academic learning and real-world medical experience.
Professor Arpan Guha, Dean of the Medical School, said:
“We were thrilled to welcome such an engaged and inquisitive group of students to our Medical School. It’s never too early to start thinking about a career in medicine and today’s visit can ignite a sense of purpose. We hope many of these young people will return to study with us in the future.”
The visit left a lasting impression on the aspiring medics, offering a rare glimpse into the future of medical education and helping them take an informed step toward their career goals.
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