Costs of Studying Medicine

How Much Does Medical School Cost?

As a Medical Student, you will have two main costs to meet: tuition fees and living expenses. There may also be extra course costs, for example if you chose to take elective courses. But for now let’s focus on the basics.

Most medical schools in England and Wales charge home students tuition fees of £9,250 per year. Schools in Northern Ireland and Scotland differ, depending on where you are from.

This may seem like a lot, but every full-time UK or EU student is entitled to a tuition fee loan to fund these costs.

You can apply for a loan even if you haven’t received an offer yet. The process is quite simple:

1. Start by setting up a Student Finance online account

2. You may need to provide evidence of your household income and some other supporting information from your parent or guardian.

3. You may need to send in proof of identity.

 Can I Get Help With Living Expenses?

On top of your fees, you will need to work out how much you expect your living costs to be. These will include things like accommodation, travel, course materials and books.

All undergraduate students are eligible for maintenance loans and can apply for means-tested maintenance grants through Student Finance.

You don’t have to pay maintenance grants back but getting a maintenance grant will reduce the amount of loan you are eligible for. The income threshold for getting a maintenance grant is lower than for getting the loan. You can check the threshold amounts to see if you might qualify here.

To apply for a maintenance loan or grant, you must be a full-time UK student. You will have to give details of your household income.

Finally, if you get or are eligible for Income Support or Housing Benefit, you might qualify for the special support grant. This is instead of the maintenance grant, but doesn’t affect the amount of loan you can get. You can also apply for this through Student Finance.

Is Extra Financial Help Available?

Many universities also have their own means-tested bursary system, which you can find out about on their websites.

Other sources of funding specific to medical students to assist with the costs of studying medicine include:

• NHS bursaries. These can be means-tested or non means-tested, but are not available in the first year of your medical degree. The rules on when you can apply for NHS bursaries can be found here.

• Armed Forces Bursaries/Cadetships. If you are willing to commit to a number of years working as an Army, Navy or RAF doctor, you may be able to get a generous bursary to fund your medical degree through one of these institutions.

• Medical Awards can supplement your income as a medical student. These generally involve essay-writing competitions set by professional medical associations. Keep an eye out for details of these once you’re enrolled to help with the costs of studying Medicine.