Cambridge Education Group acquires Irish medical pathway provider Castel Education

Cambridge Education Group (CEG) and Bridgepoint are delighted to announce the acquisition of Irish medical education pathway provider, Castel Education. This latest acquisition cements CEG’s position as a leading provider of world-class medical and healthcare education and further strengthens their commitment to Ireland following the acquisition of iheed in Q1 2021.

Established in 2011, Castel is focused on addressing the global demand for healthcare education and training pathways from rapidly developing economies and has established a number of strategic partnerships with government ministries, higher education institutions and professional training bodies. With an initial focus on Undergraduate Medicine, Castel now offers a wide range of pathway programmes including Pharmacy, Podiatric Medicine, Nursing, Paramedics, Speech & Language Therapy and Occupational Therapy at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels.

At undergraduate level and in partnership with several leading Irish higher education institutions including the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RSCI), Munster Technological University (MTU), the National University of Ireland Galway (NUIG) and the University of Limerick (UL), Castel has developed the innovative International Medical Commencement Programme (IMCP), offering progression to a number of healthcare degrees such as Medicine, Pharmacy, Podiatric Medicine, Paramedic Studies, Occupational Therapy, Speech & Language Therapy and Nursing. At postgraduate and professional level, Castel works with all of the Irish Postgraduate Medical Training bodies including the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland (RCPI), College of Anaesthetists of Ireland (CAI), Irish College of General Practitioners (ICGP) and the Irish College of Ophthalmologists (ICO),  to support their International Residency and Fellowship training programmes. The acquisition of Castel further strengthens and diversifies CEG’s expertise in the provision of world-class medical education. It also provides exciting opportunities for new programmes for its existing partnerships with UK universities. Castel will complement CEG’s pathways division, ONCAMPUS, who currently work with 23 universities across the UK, Europe and the US. ONCAMPUS offers international students a variety of opportunities to study medical programmes through its partnerships with the University of Central Lancashire Medical School, St George’s University, Grenada, University of Nicosia in Cyprus and the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland.       

Dr. Joe McGarry, CEO of Castel Education says:

“The entire team at Castel are really excited about the opportunities that come with being part of a group like CEG. Along with our exceptional partner Universities in Ireland, we are 100% focussed on maximising every student’s potential and we believe that tailored pathways delivered by experts is central to achieving this goal.” 

David Johnston, co-CEO of Cambridge Education Group says:

“We are delighted to announce this partnership with Castel who have a significant track-record of innovative program development and strategic partnerships with a number of leading Irish institutions. With a projected estimated global shortfall of 9.9 million doctors, nurses and healthcare workers by 2030, and some 57 developing countries facing a lack of medical professionals to meet minimum needs, the benefits of developing and delivering world-leading medical education online and on campus are compelling.  Cambridge Education Group aspires to be at the forefront of global healthcare training and this latest acquisition demonstrates our commitment to providing opportunities for the next generation of medical professionals.”