London School of Medicine for Women

The London School of Medicine for Women (LSMW) established in 1874 was the first medical school in Britain to train women as doctors. The patrons, vice-presidents, and members of the committee that supported and helped found the London School of Medicine for Women wanted to provide educated women with the necessary facilities for learning and practicing midwifery and other branches of medicine while also promoting their future employment in the fields of midwifery and other fields of treatment for women and children.

In 1877 the Royal Free Hospital accepted women students from LSMW to complete their clinical studies there, and by 1896 it had been renamed as the London Royal Free Hospital School of Medicine for Women, becoming part of the University of London. In 1947 the school became co-educational and was renamed as the Royal Free Hospital School of Medicine.

In 1998, the school merged with the University College Hospital Medical School under the new name of Royal Free and University College Medical School. In 2008, this name was shortened to UCL Medical School.