Funding

Funding to study medicine as a second degree depends on two critical factors:

1. The length of course you apply to

When applying to a four-year accelerated programme, for eligible students* there is typically significantly more funding available (from Student Finance or the NHS). In England and Wales there are bursaries or funding to cover most of your costs, for eligible students*. In Scotland funding is different for second degrees and the most cost-effective route is via the accelerated programme ScotGEM.

If applying to a five-year ‘undergraduate’ programme, eligible students* may have access to a Student Finance means-tested maintenance loan but there is no funding for tuition fees (until year 5 when there may be an NHS bursary).

*eligibility is largely related to point 2 - your usual country of residence.

For a breakdown of the fees to study medicine as a second degree the Royal Medical Benevolent Fund (RMBF) has some clear explanations for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. The RMBF also offer hardship funds to those in economic difficulties whilst studying medicine.

2. Your usual country of residence

The funding you can access is dependent on your usual country of residence.

UK residents / ‘home’ students
In the case of UK residents this means whether you usually live / study in England, Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland as funding is offered differently in the four nations of the UK depending on your usual residence address.

European Union residents
If applying to begin studies in the UK for the first time after Jan 2021 then you will be considered as an ‘overseas’ student (see below) and pay significantly higher fees, usually without access to any UK-based funding (Institutional bursaries may still be available).

If you have completed your first degree in the UK, have settled or pre-settled status and providing you meet key criteria the UK Government Student Finance will consider you as a ‘home’ student for the purposes of fees and access to loans.

International residents / ‘overseas’ students
As an international candidate the available Medical School places are limited due to a UK Government capping policy.

Funding is limited and you can expect to self-fund the majority (if not all) of both your tuition fees and living expenses. Institutional bursaries may be available.