Studying medicine as a graduate student comes with various options, each of which carries different costs.
In this article, we'll simplify graduate entry medicine funding information across Years 1, Years 2-4 and onwards!
This differs from other courses such as graduate entry dentistry,
We'll also discuss financial support for graduate entry medicine (GEM) courses, tuition fees and cost of living.
Graduate Entry Medicine GEM - What Are The Ways To Study?
For students who have already completed a previous degree and are considering a career in medicine, there are two main course options available from UK medical schools:
Graduate Entry Medicine (4 years)
Standard Entry Medicine (5 years)
The first is Graduate Entry Medicine (GEM), an accelerated 4-year programme designed for graduates.
It offers an intensive curriculum which utilises a graduate’s prior academic experience.
This course style is better for students who have studied a clinical sciences degree, such as biomedicine, or another healthcare course.
The second-course option is Standard Entry Medicine, which spans 5 to 6 years and provides a comprehensive education in medical science and clinical skills.
This course style is suitable for both school leavers and graduates who prefer a more traditional pace or have not previously studied a medically related subject at a degree level.
Both pathways ultimately lead to the same medical qualification but differ in duration and intensity.
4-Year Accelerated Graduate Entry Medicine
How Are GEM Tuition Fees Funded In England?
Year 1
For Year 1 of the degree, Graduate Entry Medical Students are charged a tuition fee of £9,250.
For UK students and those eligible, £5,785 is covered by Student Finance England, in the form of a partial tuition fee loan.
The student must cover the remaining £3,465 of the tuition fee themselves, which is why students often need extra support for graduate entry medicine.
Years 2 - 4
For Years 2 - 4 of the GEM degree, funding is provided jointly by NHS England, in the form of the NHS Bursary, and Student Finance England, as a tuition fee loan.
Unlike in year 1, tuition fees are completely covered in years 2 - 4.
The NHS Bursary pays £3,715, whilst SFE covers the remaining £5,535 for each of the student’s final 3 years.
How Are GEM Living Costs Funded In England?
Year 1
In Year 1, GEM students are provided with a non-means tested maintenance loan of £4,767, provided by Student Finance England. Eligible students can apply to Student Finance England for a further means-tested loan, which can increase this funding to up to £10,227. This value is based on parental household income unless the student meets specific criteria.
Years 2 - 4
From Year 2 onwards until the end of the degree, students are given a reduced SFE maintenance loan of £2,670. There is no SFE means testing for student finance loans for these years.
However, the NHS Bursary provides a £1,000 non-means-tested bursary, with up to £2,670 provided on a means-tested basis that students can apply for.
This maintenance loan is expected to fund students living costs for the year, including accommodation fees, food, bills and educational costs.
Many students find that their maintenance loan from student finance doesn’t fully cover these costs, and the remainder of this must be self-financed.
How Are Tuition Fees & Living Costs Funded In Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland For Medicine As A Second Degree?
For graduate entry medics studying in other UK regions, such as Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, the funding principles are similar.
Graduate Entry Medicine Funding In Wales
In Wales, the student loan company that provides student finance is Student Finance Wales.
Year 1
Like in England, Student Finance Wales provides a partial tuition fee loan. You will be required to pay the first £3,465 of your first-year tuition fee and apply to Student Finance Wales for a loan to cover the rest.
A maintenance loan is also available from SFW to help towards the living costs of studying in Wales.
Years 2 - 4
Tuition fees are paid in full by a combination of the NHS Student Awards Unit (£3,465) and a Student Finance Wales tuition fee loan.
Maintenance loans are provided by NHS Wales Student Awards Unit and are the same a student studying medicine as a first degree in their 5th year.
Standard Entry Undergraduate Medicine As A 2nd Degree Funding In Wales
Years 1 - 4
For the first 4 years of your medical degree, you will be expected to self-fund your tuition fees in full. In Wales, these range from £9,000 - £9,250.
A student loan for living costs is available from Student Finance Wales.
Years 5/6
In your final year, your tuition fees will be paid in full by the NHS Wales Student Awards Unit. You will also be eligible for a maintenance loan provided by NHS Wales Student Awards Unit.
Graduate Entry Medicine Funding In Scotland
In Scotland, tuition fees for the ScotGEM course are fully funded across all years. Student maintenance loans are also available to cover living costs.
Standard Entry Medicine As A 2nd Degree Funding In Scotland
Years 1 - 4
Unlike in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, studying medicine as a second degree at the undergraduate level in Scotland does not require you to pay full tuition fees.
For each year 1 to 4 of the medical degree, you will be required to pay £1,820 for tuition directly to the university.
A loan towards living costs can be provided by the Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS).
Years 5/6
Your tuition fee for year 5 is paid in full by SAAS and a maintenance loan can also be provided.
Medicine As A Graduate Student: Funding In Northern Ireland
In Northern Ireland, students studying medicine as their second undergraduate degree or on a graduate entry medicine course will be required to pay tuition fees of £9,250 per year, in full for all 4, 5 or 6 years of the degree.
Students are still eligible for a maintenance loan towards living costs from Student Finance NI.
Standard Entry Undergraduate Medicine As A Graduate
How Are Tuition Fees Funded For Graduate Students Studying A 5 or 6-Year Standard Entry Medicine Course?
If you choose to study medicine as a 2nd undergraduate degree, Student Finance England will not provide funding for your degree.
This means that for the first 4 years, you will be expected to finance the annual £9,250 tuition fees yourself. You will not be able to apply for a tuition fee loan.
For years 5, and year 6 if you studied a foundation course, your tuition fee loans will be covered in full by the NHS Bursary.
How Are Living Fees Funded For Graduate Students Studying A 5 or 6-Year Standard Entry Medicine Course?
Graduate students studying a 5 or 6-year medicine course are eligible to apply for a student maintenance loan from SFE for their first 4 years. They are eligible for the same level of maintenance funding as a traditional undergraduate student.
For years 5 and 6, a £1000 non-means-tested NHS bursary is available, as well as up to £2,670 provided on a means-tested basis. A Student Finance England reduced maintenance loan of £2,670 is also available.
GEM Vs Standard Entry Medicine As A Second Degree: Funding & Fees
Studying Graduate Entry Medicine, you will only be required to pay £3,465 in tuition fees in your first year, as well as living expenses above the cost of the maintenance loan that you are eligible for.
Whereas if you study it at an undergraduate level as a second degree, you will be required to pay for the first 4 years of tuition, priced at £9250 per year.
If you want to know more about how much it costs to become a doctor in the UK, our handy guide explains this in detail.
What Additional Bursaries And Grants Are Available To Graduates Studying At Medical School?
Graduates studying medicine in the UK may be able to access bursaries and grants to support their education.
These are provided by either Student Finance England or the NHS Business Services Authority, depending on the student’s year of study.
The Adult Dependants’ Grant offers financial aid to students with an adult who depends on them financially.
The Childcare Grant helps cover childcare costs for students with children.
The Parents’ Learning Allowance provides additional support for student parents.
Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA) is available for students with disabilities to cover extra study-related costs, such as printing costs for those with visual impairments.
Medical students may also receive Travel Expense reimbursement for clinical placements, and Hardship Grants are available for those facing financial difficulties.
Some universities further offer scholarships to particular groups of students, and you can find these on the university website.
What Additional Costs Are Associated With Studying Graduate Medicine?
There are several additional costs associated with studying medicine that you may not have considered. Below we have listed several costs that you may face:
Textbooks and Study Materials:
Whilst access to most of the textbooks and journals you’ll need are provided by your university, there are additional study aids such as flashcards, anatomy models, and review books which may be helpful.
Clinical Placement Expenses:
Whilst clinical travel costs are covered for final years, students in earlier years may still need to budget for commuting expenses to and from placement.
Packing lunch for placement may not always be possible, so it’s important to consider the extra costs of buying a coffee or some lunch at the hospital cafes.
Clothes For Placement:
Clinical placements have a professional dress code, which may require you to purchase new outfits which are appropriate for the working environment.
On placement, students can find themselves stood up for hours, so most students invest in a good, comfortable pair of shoes. Unfortunately, these can be pricey!
A Stethoscope:
All medical students are expected to have their own stethoscope, and these cost around £90.
Technology:
All medical students need access to a computer or tablet to be able to engage in the learning resources of the course.
How Can Students Self-Fund A Graduate Medicine Degree?
As above, studying medicine either at the undergraduate level as a second degree or at the post-graduate level can carry a significant financial burden, due to reduced funding available to students.
Self-funding a degree requires careful financial planning and a proactive approach. You should make the most of means-tested maintenance loans from student finance bodies.
Many students take a year out before starting their course to save money, working full-time jobs to build up their savings.
Early planning is crucial to ensure you have a clear understanding of the costs involved and how to manage them.
During the course, students often take on part-time jobs or freelance work to supplement their income, balancing their studies with work commitments. However, this becomes more difficult in the latter years of the degree, as the workload increases.
Opportunities such as tutoring, research assistant positions, and shifts in healthcare settings can provide valuable experience while also helping to finance their education. Many students work part-time as healthcare assistants in a hospital where they are on placement.
Additionally, students may explore scholarships, grants, and bursaries specifically for medical students to ease the financial burden. Universities often advertise upcoming funding opportunities to their students.
The Royal Medical Benevolent Fund is a charity set up for doctors and medical students and is an invaluable resource for finding financial help with living costs and funding support.
Conclusion
Navigating the financial landscape of Graduate Entry Medicine (GEM) in the UK can be intricate, but a clear understanding of the available funding options and associated costs is essential for prospective medical students.
Beyond tuition fees and living expenses, students should also account for additional costs such as clinical placement expenses, study aids, and professional attire. Effective financial planning, including seeking out scholarships, bursaries, and grants, can significantly ease the burden.
Additionally, part-time work opportunities and advice from university financial support services can be invaluable.
By preparing thoroughly and utilising all available resources, students can pursue their medical ambitions with greater financial confidence and stability.
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