Imperial leadership joined partners and supporters ahead of the new medical school’s launch in 2025

The Pears Cumbria School of Medicine – a partnership between the University of Cumbria and Imperial College London, with support from the Pears Foundation – hosted a celebration to mark the countdown to its launch in August 2025.

The new medical school will focus on delivering the highest standard of training to improve health outcomes in Cumbria and the North West. It will produce doctors committed to delivering cutting-edge healthcare and serving the needs of their local communities.

This month’s Carlisle event brought together partners with guests from across healthcare, education and local government, all of whom have played crucial roles in supporting the school to become a reality.

Professor Hugh Brady, Imperial President, said: “I am thrilled that this innovative partnership between Imperial and the University of Cumbria in medical education is attracting such a high level of interest in government, healthcare and higher education circles. Together we recognise our common strengths but also our differences to create something absolutely world class and this is what is what this is about.

“When I saw the quality of the simulation labs established on [the University of Cumbria’s Fusehill Street] Campus, I could say they are up there with the very best in the world. If I went back to my old stomping ground at Harvard now, you would not see better. It is incredibly exciting.”

"A genuine partnership"

Sir Trevor Pears, Executive Chair of the Pears Foundation that generously donated £5 million to the school in November 2023, emphasised the importance of collaboration and innovation in healthcare education.

In his speech, Sir Trevor said: “The most important element that I have witnessed and that I was ultimately persuaded by, was the depth of understanding, respect and appreciation that all the individuals representing the two universities showed for each other and a genuine partnership that existed between Cumbria and Imperial.

“There are clearly so many potential wins from this fabulous project for the students who are lucky enough to come here to study, for both universities, Cumbria itself, for its residents and for the huge number of visitors. My family and I are just so proud to be involved in this initiative.”

Professor Julie Mennell DL, Vice Chancellor at the University of Cumbria said: “Thank you to Imperial College London, for being both our advocate and partner in delivering transformational change. Our medical school will do so much more than the obvious, contributing to our workforce, economy, and wider health and growth. 

"Thank you to all our supporters, stakeholders, partners and colleagues will play their role in ensuring University of Cumbria doesn’t just survive but thrives”.

Other speakers included Professor Mary Morrell, Head of School at the Pears Cumbria School of Medicine; Professor Jonathan Weber CBE, Co-Director of the Research Hub at the Pears Cumbria School of Medicine; and Nik Hardy, Assistant Chief Executive, Cumberland Council.

A place to make a difference

Head of School, Professor Mary Morrell said: “We're looking to attract students who, will want to be in the Cumbria area and know about the Cumbria area, even if they're not from Cumbria. We want to attract students who, first and foremost, want to work within the NHS in Cumbria, either in primary, secondary, or mental health. It has been a delight to welcome everyone to this event and to see the vision become a reality.”

Applications to the School closed on 15 October, with numbers exceeding the intended target. The next phase for aspiring students includes interviews and offers that will be made to the pioneering first cohort in Spring 2025.  

For more information about the Pears Cumbria School of Medicine, please visit www.cumbriamed.ac.uk