30 July 2002
8.Subsection (1) of section 1 of the Act allows the University to hold examinations, whether oral or written, and to award research degrees in medicine to people who satisfy the criteria set down in subsection (2). Subsection (1) partially dis-applies paragraph 17 of Schedule 6 to the 1966 Act which currently prevents the University from awarding any degrees in medicine. This Act does not permit the University to hold examinations for, or award any qualifications other than degrees for postgraduate medical research. It remains the case that the University cannot hold examinations for, or grant any undergraduate degrees in, medicine or taught postgraduate courses in medicine. Nor can the University hold examinations for, or grant any degrees in, surgery, midwifery and dentistry.
9.Subsection (2) of section 1 sets out the categories of people who can study for the degrees allowed by subsection (1).
10.Subsection 1(2)(a) provides that people who are registered, or who are entitled to be registered as fully registered medical practitioners under section 3 of the Medical Act 1983 (c.54) (“the 1983 Act”) can be allowed to study for the postgraduate degrees. Section 3 of the 1983 Act states that persons holding certain United Kingdom qualifications or primary European qualifications are entitled to be fully registered as medical practitioners. This Act does not require applicants for the postgraduate courses to be fully registered medical practitioners; people who are entitled to be fully registered medical practitioners under section 3 are also allowed to study for the degree.
11.Subsection 1(2)(b) permits the admission to the postgraduate course of people who are fully registered medical practitioners under section 19 of the 1983 Act. That section provides that, if the General Medical Council thinks fit, people who:
hold one or more recognised overseas qualifications;
have the necessary knowledge of English;
are of good character; and
satisfy the requirements of section 20 of the 1983 Act in relation to experience;
can be fully registered as medical practitioners.
12.This Act also allows people who are not fully registered under section 19 of the 1983 Act to study for the postgraduate qualifications if, in the opinion of the University, they would be fully registered as medical practitioners by the General Medical Council under that section if they were to apply.
13.Subsection 1(2)(c) allows overseas doctors who, under section 22 of the 1983 Act, hold limited registration to study for the degrees allowed by subsection (1). Section 22 provides for the limited registration of people who have gained their primary qualification from an overseas institution not listed as recognised for full registration, this includes some medical schools in the USA.