Using data to improve medical training

Understanding how medical students and resident doctors progress through their education and careers is crucial for improving training systems, addressing workforce needs, and ensuring equitable opportunities in healthcare.

By using comprehensive, longitudinal data, researchers can uncover valuable insights into career paths, and drive evidence-based improvements in both medical education and workforce planning.

Understanding medical education through UKMED

The UK Medical Education Database (UKMED) provides researchers with a powerful tool to explore how individuals progress through medical education and training in the UK. By connecting data across the entire educational journey, from pre-university qualifications to postgraduate training and career outcomes, UKMED enables research that sheds light on the factors influencing medical careers.

UKMED supports a wide range of research topics, including:

• medical selection processes
• academic performance
• workforce planning and forecasting
• equality and diversity in medical education

Accessing UKMED data

Researchers can apply for access to the database through the UKMED website.

Applications are reviewed twice a year, and proposals must demonstrate a clear research purpose aligned with UKMED’s governance and data use policies.

Next application window is April 6 2026 - April 27 2026 at 12:00 noon GMT. See all upcoming application windows here.

The UKMED Research Flowchart