Undergraduates and Foundation doctors

The College is committed to maintaining and developing the knowledge of pathology that underpins medical, dental and veterinary curricula across the United Kingdom.

The College developed an Undergraduate and Foundation Education Strategy which was approved by Council in November 2018. 

The College also works with other professional organisations including the Pathological Society and the British Division of the International Academy of Pathology to ensure that all undergraduates have an adequate knowledge of pathological principles and practice so that, on graduation, they have the competencies required to request appropriate laboratory tests and interpret their results. We hope that early exposure of undergraduates to enthusiastic pathologists will encourage recruitment to the specialty in the future.

Become an undergraduate member

Undergraduate membership of the Royal College of Pathologists is open to all undergraduates currently studying a relevant degree in the UK and Republic of Ireland for the entire length of their course. 

Key benefits

  • Access to members' area of the website (MyRCPath)
  • Discount for College conferences
  • President's newsletter
  • Access to Science Communication training
  • Access to the Bulletin (online), the College's quarterly magazine

Undergraduate Pathology Education Lead

  • Dr Alison Finall

    Dr Alison Finall is an Honorary Associate Professor at Swansea University and a consultant cellular and molecular pathologist at Swansea Bay University Health Board.

    She is interested in experiential learning for trainees and medical students alike. In collaboration with colleagues, she has designed a delivered a new mode of teaching pathology to medical students in clinical apprenticeships that aims to give a better understanding of the role of a diagnostic cellular pathologist in NHS practice. She has used qualitative research methods to examine ways to improve developing autonomy in training for histopathologists as part of her MSc in Medical Education.