Students at Queen Mary University of London’s Malta campus (QMUL Malta) have filed for a judicial review following new laws that mean they are less likely to secure the training places necessary for an NHS career.
After months of frustration, British medical students overseas are now challenging the Medical Training (Prioritisation) Act 2026 in court, with their lawyers arguing the new law, which came into force in March, breaches their human rights under the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR).
Two claimants have brought the case on behalf of 284 current medical students at QMUL Malta, an overseas branch campus of Queen Mary University of London. Students are also affected at other UK branch campuses, including Newcastle University Medicine Malaysia.
Until recently, studying a General Medical Council accredited degree at a branch campus of a UK university meant students would be eligible for the training places necessary to pursue a career in the NHS, on the same terms as those studying in the UK.
However, following growing concerns about British students losing out on limited training places to foreign-trained doctors, the government changed the laws to give priority to those who study medicine in the UK. This includes international students studying in Britain but does not include British citizens studying abroad.
