Medical students 'living in crisis', relying on food banks after final year funding cuts

Anusha Gajanan and Yalna Pouya (Matt Saywell/BMA)

By Daniel Pye

Medical students are resorting to food banks and considering dropping out just months before becoming a doctor over a dip in funding in their final year.

Students will put on events at campuses across England as part of their campaign pressuring the government into ensuring they receive the same amount of funding in their final year as their maintenance loans.

Yalna Pouya, BMA medical school committee’s deputy co-chair for finance, said some students were “living in crisis”.

In a survey of more than 3,500 undergraduates, many reported cutting back on essentials such as food and heating, relying on overdrafts or private loans or juggling multiple jobs alongside full-time study. They also reported having to turn to family, friends and hardship funds to get by. Over 100 respondents reported using food banks. 

Until their fourth year, those studying medicine receive the same loans as other students. They transition to the NHS bursary in their final year, receiving less from their Student Finance England maintenance loan.