According to Professor Louise Dubras, foundation dean of the school, this marks a significant step in addressing the regional shortage of doctors and strengthening healthcare in the area.

The medical school, located on the university's Derry campus (formerly Magee), opened in 2021 after years of delays. It offers a four-year MBBS (Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery) degree and was established to expand access to medical education in the region. Before its launch, Queen's University Belfast was Northern Ireland’s only medical school.

Students from a variety of backgrounds entered the graduate-entry programme, including Aoife O'Donnell from County Donegal, who plans to specialise in ophthalmology and hopes to return to Derry as a paediatric eye consultant. Ellen McCauley, from Derry, emphasised her desire to give back to her community by working in local hospitals, while Australian student Roland Pecson said he had a “unique” training experience and is open to staying in Northern Ireland.

Professor Dubras, who has led the school since its founding, expressed pride in the programme’s achievements ahead of her upcoming retirement. She credited a broad range of health professionals and educators from across the region for contributing to the students’ development.

The school’s success represents more than academic achievement—it reflects a community-driven initiative to train, retain, and inspire a new generation of doctors committed to serving Northern Ireland’s healthcare system.