Preston Widening Access Programme at Manchester: eligibility, deadline and what it gives you
The Preston Widening Access Programme is run by Lancashire Teaching Hospitals' Health Academy with the University of Manchester for students at a small number of local colleges who want to study Medicine. It runs from January to July at Royal Preston Hospital, with sessions led by Manchester medical students, a health assignment and at least 50 hours of healthcare volunteering. Completers with a WP Plus flag get a priority interview, a lower UCAT threshold and a reduced offer at Manchester, and UKWPMED benefits elsewhere.
- Closes
- Not published
- For
- Year 12 students, medicine
- Where
- North West
- Gives you
- Priority interview, then ABB instead of AAA
What you get
Completing Preston Widening Access Programme gives you a priority interview and an offer of ABB instead of AAA for medicine at Manchester.
- Priority interview at Manchester (A106) and lower A-level criteria
- ABB offer through UKWPMED, with guaranteed interviews and ABB at Birmingham, Brighton and Sussex, Hull York, Keele and Plymouth; Hull York also gives 7 interview-selection points
- Manchester warns PWAP may not be recognised by UKWPMED in future
To get it, you must
- Hold a Manchester WP Plus contextual flag; without one you can take part but get no admissions adjustments
- Meet the reduced UCAT threshold
Who can apply
You need to
- Attend one of the partner colleges near Preston that can put you forward
- Check your eligibility with your college or by emailing thehealthacademy@lthtr.nhs.uk
Plus at least one of
- Free school meals
- Deprived postcode
- Low-progression school
- Refugee or asylum seeker
- Care-experienced
- Young carer
What it involves
- Collect 50 session units, write a health assignment and do at least 50 hours of healthcare volunteering
Dates
- Applications open
- Not published, colleges put students forward before the January intake
- Applications close
- Not published
- Programme runs
- Jan to Jul 2027 at Royal Preston Hospital
- Apply to university
- UCAS deadline 15 October 2027 for 2028 entry
How to apply
Apply through the Health Academy PWAP page page. It is run by Lancashire Teaching Hospitals Health Academy with Manchester Medical School. Questions go to Widening.Participation@lthtr.nhs.uk.
Frequently asked questions
Does Preston Widening Access Programme guarantee an interview?
Yes, if you complete the programme and meet its academic conditions. Priority interview at Manchester (A106) and lower A-level criteria.
Who is eligible for Preston Widening Access Programme?
Attend one of the partner colleges near Preston that can put you forward. You need to check your eligibility with your college or by emailing thehealthacademy@lthtr.nhs.uk, and meet at least one of its widening participation criteria, such as free school meals, deprived postcode, low-progression school.
When is the Preston Widening Access Programme deadline?
This cycle's closing date has not been published. Not published. Applications not published, colleges put students forward before the January intake.
What offer do Preston Widening Access Programme students get?
Students who complete the programme are made an offer of ABB instead of AAA. ABB offer through UKWPMED, with guaranteed interviews and ABB at Birmingham, Brighton and Sussex, Hull York, Keele and Plymouth; Hull York also gives 7 interview-selection points
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