Five new medical schools are to be created by English universities in a bid to train more doctors.

Anglia Ruskin University is to start training medical students at its Chelmsford campus from September, followed by the University of Sunderland and a new partnership between the University of Nottingham and the University of Lincoln, based in Lincoln, the following year.

The final two medical schools – one at Edge Hill University, and another a collaboration between the University of Kent and Canterbury Christ Church University – will open in 2020.

The announcements were part of a wider initiative to increase the overall number of medical school places in England by 1,500 over the next three years.

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Madeleine Atkins, chief executive of the Higher Education Funding Council for England, said: “This significant expansion opens the door for many more students, including students from underrepresented groups, to gain high-quality medical education and training.

“Following a rigorous competitive process, an ambitious portfolio of places has been allocated across both new and established medical schools, which will offer innovative training and provision.

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“Universities and colleges across the country play a vital role in supporting their local and regional communities. This initiative will provide highly skilled professionals, many of whom will go on to serve communities in areas of greatest need.”

chris.havergal@timeshighereducation.com