As an international student, it is very important that you plan your finances for the whole of your degree course. A medical degree normally lasts 5 years but some universities have 6 year courses, so you need to be prepared. The amount you pay in tuition fees and the support you receive depends on whether you are a student from the EU or elsewhere.
Please note, we have made every effort to ensure that the information we provide is correct. However, you should always check your eligibility with official agencies.
The availability of financial support varies between individuals and arrangements may change periodically. The information provided below is intended to be a starting point only. Please refer to the UK Council for International Student Affairs website to check that the information below has not altered since the page was last updated.
Students from the EU
Tuition fees: Students from the EU are likely to be charged the same tuition fees as home students. For 2014 entry, this will vary up to a maximum of £9,000 per year.
Help with fees: Students from the EU may be eligible for a loan to cover the full cost of their tuition fees.
Living costs: Many students from EU countries may not qualify for a maintenance loan to help with living costs, however some may qualify for extra help. For more information on Student Support, please visit the UKCISA website.
Further information: For further information, please visit the UK Council for International Student Affairs.
Non-EU students
Tuition fees: Students from outside the EU are likely to be charged higher tuition fees. The amount varies between medical schools. You should expect to pay up to £18,000 per year for pre-clinical years (normally the first 2-3 years of the course) and more for each clinical year (normally the last 2-3 years of the course). You should contact the medical schools directly to find out how much they charge as this may vary greatly.
Help with fees: Students from outside the EU do not normally qualify for help with tuition fees.
Living costs: Most students from outside the EU will not qualify for a maintenance loan to help with living costs.
Further information: For further information, please visit the UK Council for International Student Affairs website.
Living costs whilst studying
In addition to the cost of tuition fees, you also need to budget for your day-to-day expenses whilst at university. The amount of money you will need depends on both your lifestyle and the part of the UK you choose to live in. Most students live in shared rental accommodation close to their university. An average student room in 2012-2013 cost between £95 and £170 per week, but this very much depends on the part of the country and the quality of the accommodation. Private rentals shared with other students are often cheaper than University or Private halls, however many students would choose to live in halls for the first year for social reasons. In London, prices are usually within the higher end of the bracket with an average student accommodation costing £135 per week.
For a full breakdown of student accommodation costs, including by accommodation type and area of the UK, please see the NUS Accommodation Costs Survey.
There is a budget planner available on a website called Money 4 MedStudents which may help you work out what your living costs are likely to be.
Part-time work whilst you study
Many medical students are able to work part time to help to fund their studies. The medical timetable is very busy but it is normally possible to work a few hours per week, particularly in the early years of the course. A typical student job (such as bar work, health care assistant jobs or administrative work) would be paid around £6-7 per hour in the UK. The UK Council for International Student Affairs provides advice for international students hoping to work during their studies. Click here for more information.
Other sources of funding
Other funding may be available from the government in your home country, from scholarship funds or charities or from private bank loans. It is really important that you research such funding yourself as your eligibility will be dependent on your individual circumstances.
Further information
The following websites provide useful information for international students:
UK Council for International Student Affairs
The details on this page were last updated on February 15th 2014. Whilst every effort has been made to ensure its accuracy, please do verify across other sources as the information may have changed since this time.
