Cumbrian GP reflects on his medical school journey, as applications for Cumbria’s first graduate entry medical school launch.

As applications are now open, Dr Amit Paik shares his graduate entry experience of medical school and how he has made Cumbria his home.

Dr Amit Paik is a GP at Carlisle Healthcare and Clinical Lead for NHS England Primary Care Training Hub, North Cumbria.  Originally from Leicestershire, Amit was told at school that his dream of attending medical school was not something they saw happening for him. Through hard work and dedication, Amit went on to study Medical Science at Leicester University and upon graduating he went to work in an administration role in an Accident and Emergency department.

Amit soon sparked the attention of his colleagues, and the consultants he met knew he wanted to become a doctor but had previously been told he was not good enough. The team took him under his wing and helped mentor and support him, and he gained admission to the graduate entry programme at St. Georges, University of London.

The application journey for Amit included sitting a graduate medical school admissions test, known as GAMSAT, testing humanities, biological sciences and written communication, followed by a series of interviews resulting in a successful place on the course.

“I knew I wanted to do something healthcare related following some mentorship I received when I was working in an admin role in A&E. I was encouraged to think about medicine and applied for a graduate entry scheme, which was really exciting.

I got through the programme and moved back to the East Midlands and did some of my early (Foundation) training there, but ultimately felt I wanted to settle and live in an area where I would have a nice work-life balance, access to national parks and beautiful scenery so I could enjoy my spare time really well.”

The outdoor lifestyle and Lakes attracted Amit to Cumbria compared to busier cities which allowed him to seek additional opportunities.

“Equally, I wanted to be based in an area where there's plenty of opportunity. There are real opportunities available to new doctors in the region as there is a workforce need. Knowing there are opportunities to take you in the direction you want to go is great. If you’re considering coming to work in Cumbria, go for it – there’s no better place to be!”

The Pears Cumbria School of Medicine is a unique partnership between the University of Cumbria and Imperial College London, with generous support from the Pears Foundation.

The graduate-entry programme will open in August 2025 at the University of Cumbria’s Fusehill Street campus in Carlisle. The cohort of 58 students will study a bespoke four-year curriculum designed to train doctors who will help to improve health outcomes in Cumbria and the North West.

The curriculum blends expertise from the highly rated MBBS programme at Imperial College London, with University of Cumbria’s longstanding reputation in training allied health professionals. It has been created with regional NHS partners to truly reflect the future workforce, skills, health, and social care needs of the region and beyond.

Students will gain early exposure to clinical practice alongside research-informed medical sciences teaching. Students will also complete a community-based project, linked with preventing disease and healthcare delivery. Clinical skills training and interprofessional collaborative learning will occur throughout the four-year programme.

To join the next PCSM open event please visit: https://cumbriamed.ac.uk/events/

To apply for PCSM visit: www.cumbriamed.ac.uk