• Aston University and the University of Wolverhampton have signed a strategic partnership agreement to establish the Black Country Medical School
• The new medical school will address regional and national healthcare workforce needs within a diverse and under-represented region
• Aston Medical School will provide curriculum advice, support with quality assurance assessments and translation to clinical practice

Aston University has signed an agreement with the University of Wolverhampton to help set up the new Black Country Medical School.

The agreement was signed by Aston University Vice-Chancellor and CEO Professor Aleks Subic and the University of Wolverhampton Vice-Chancellor Professor Ebrahim Adia in a ceremony at the University of Wolverhampton on 2 February 2026.

Aston Medical School will advise on the content of the curriculum for the Black Country Medical School, and support the school as it passes through the various quality assurance assessments conducted by the General Medical Council (GMC). The support will continue until the Black Country Medical School successfully attains GMC approval.

This new medical school will provide a modern, innovative learning environment designed to meet the needs of diverse communities and contribute to tackling the regional and national shortages of medical professionals. Recruitment of the first student cohort is planned following GMC approval, with teaching scheduled to begin in 2027.

The University of Wolverhampton is already an important provider of nurses, midwives, paramedics and social workers in the Black Country and the wider West Midlands. The addition of a medical school is a natural extension of this provision.

Professor Subic said:

“We are proud to support the establishment of the Black Country Medical School. This partnership reflects our shared commitment to widening access to high‑quality medical education and addressing the urgent need for more doctors across our region and the country. Aston Medical School will bring its expertise in curriculum design, innovation and quality assurance to help ensure the new school is built on strong academic foundations. Together with the University of Wolverhampton, we are investing in the future of healthcare for our diverse communities and creating new opportunities for the next generation of medical professionals.”

Professor Adia said:

“This agreement marks a significant step forward in our journey to establish a medical school that is deeply rooted in the community and focused on improving health outcomes. Our partnership with Aston University demonstrates a collective commitment to supporting the next generation of doctors and the future of healthcare in the region.”