The School of Medicine at St Mary’s University, Twickenham (SMU) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with award-winning healthcare provider Circle Health Group.
The agreement will see Circle provide placements to students from the University’s new School of Medicine. The placements provided under the MOU will:
- Offer students hands-on clinical experience aligned with the learning outcomes of their medical curriculum
- Develop students' clinical reasoning, patient management, and professional skills
- Foster students’ understanding of the NHS's structure, patient pathways, and healthcare delivery
Circle Health Group is Britain’s largest network of independent hospitals, working with the NHS and insurance providers to deliver innovative patient focused healthcare.
The School of Medicine at St Mary’s, which will welcome its first cohort in September 2026, will train students to be complete doctors, integrating medical expertise, compassionate care, and ethical practice. Students will be taught the latest medical curriculum in bespoke new facilities, utilising the latest medical technology.
A key advantage of the programme at St Mary’s School of Medicine is the diverse range of clinical experience students will get from their first year. They will gain experience in contemporary settings including hospices, refugee medicine, international healthcare, and the independent health sector, as well as NHS Hospitals and GP Clinics.
Speaking of the partnership, Interim Founding Dean of the St Mary’s School of Medicine Prof Mike Bewick said, “One of the core benefits for students studying medicine at St Mary’s is the diverse range of placements available. I am delighted we will be partnering with Circle Health Group to deliver this, and I am sure our students will greatly benefit from their placements with them.”
Group Medical Director at Circle Health Group Dr Peter James said, “Partnering with St Mary’s University is an incredible opportunity to support the next generation of medical students as they begin their training. Speaking as a doctor myself, I know first-hand how important those early years are for building a solid foundation to a successful career. We look forward to working closely with our colleagues at the School of Medicine and the university more broadly.”