In response to the government’s announcement today that tuition fees will rise, Rob Tucker, Chair of the BMA’s Medical Students Committee, said:

“This announcement of tuition fee increases for already stretched medical students is frustrating and represents a continued failure to address the current medical student funding crisis. Undergraduate medical degrees take 5-6 years in the UK and we know that most medical students have suffered a large drop in maintenance loan support in recent years due to a complex and poorly managed bursary system. If the government wants to ‘build an NHS fit for the future’ then it must recognize that the future of the NHS is entirely dependent on the workforce and further medical student debt which can already exceed £100,000 threatens the future recruitment of doctors. .

“Ultimately, this decision risks discouraging bright and eager students from pursuing higher education because of affordability. It introduces yet another barrier for students from disadvantaged backgrounds to join the medical profession. The BMA has previously called on the government to cover loan repayments while doctors are employed in the NHS to prevent medical students from seeking better pay and conditions abroad. However, today’s decision may force many able-bodied students to choose shorter, three-year programs in other careers to avoid overwhelming debt.”

IT’S ENDING