The University of Aberdeen's Gateway2Medicine (G2M) programme won the coveted Widening Access Award at the Herald Education Awards 2026.
The accolade honours the University’s long‑standing commitment to expanding opportunities for students from under‑represented backgrounds to pursue a career in medicine.
Announced at a ceremony in Glasgow attended by more than 300 representatives from across Scotland’s further and higher education sectors, the award recognises the impact of the Gateway2Medicine programme - a joint initiative between the University of Aberdeen and North East Scotland College (NESCOL).
Established in 2017, Gateway2Medicine provides a supported and structured pathway into medical education for talented students who may otherwise face barriers to entry. Through academic preparation, mentoring, and clinical exposure, the programme helps widen participation in one of the country’s most competitive and high‑demand professions.
Professor David Blackbourn, Head of the School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition at the University of Aberdeen, said: “Gateway2Medicine has grown into a programme we’re genuinely proud of. It gives talented students a clear and supportive route into medicine, and we see the difference it makes every year. This recognition is a credit to the hard work of our staff, our partners at NESCOL, and, most importantly, the students who bring so much commitment and potential to the course.”
The Herald Education Awards celebrate excellence across Scotland’s tertiary sector, recognising initiatives that deliver positive social impact, innovation, and improved access to education.
Gateway2Medicine is a partnership between the University of Aberdeen, North East Scotland College, and NHS Grampian. The programme offers a one‑year, college‑based route into the University’s MBChB degree, designed specifically to support students who have the ability and ambition to study medicine but may not have had equal access to opportunity.