Government urged to lift the cap on medical student places

The government is under pressure to remove the limitations on the places to study medicine in English universities.

In a letter to the education secretary, Gavin Williamson was asked to provide assurances that he would discuss increasing the cap of medical students with the Department for Health by Universities UK.

Universities that can offer placements for students wanting to become doctors or work within the medical field may not be able to grant all students who have the correct entry grades without changes to this limit and financial aid.

The restriction of the number of medical students in England is in place because of the cost of training students to become doctors exceeds fees that undergraduates need to pay.

This comes as ministers on Monday changed the way A level results grades were awarded to students by relying on teachers estimates rather than by an algorithm.

Scotland made a similar move back at the beginning of August after facing backlash from students about their grades.

The move has seen several results risen and allows students to move up to their first-choice university offer.

However, even if students have the necessary entry grades for the top universities, they may be still required to defer their choice if there is no room on their requested course.

Gavin Williamson, the education secretary, has apologised for the U-turn on A-level results.

Later on this week, students will receive their GCSE results as scheduled.