University fee changes may deter poor students from studying medicine

Proposed changes to university fees in England may deter students from low income families from studying medicine.

The Higher Education Bill, presented to parliament last week, will enable different universities to charge variable “top up” tuition fees for degree courses. Different fees can also be charged for different courses. Currently most students pay an upfront fee of £1125 ($2080; €1630) a year. About 30% of students from the poorest families are exempt. However, the fee barely covers the real cost of tuition.

From 2006 universities will be able to charge up to a maximum of £3000 a year in fees, with payment deferred until after students graduate and are earning at least £15 000 a year. The BMA has warned that medical schools would be likely to charge the highest level of fees permitted under the scheme, because of the high demand for places, making it particularly expensive to study medicine.

Daniel Gibbons, deputy chairman of the BMA's medical students committee, said: “Fear of debt will mean that many students, particularly those from working class backgrounds, will decide against studying medicine.”

He pointed out that medical students could potentially incur a total debt of up to £18 000 in tuition fees during their six year degree course, in addition to debts accrued for living expenses. The Department of Health currently pays tuition fees of £1125 each year from the fifth year of a medical degree, but the new bill does not indicate what will happen to this arrangement.

Students demonstrate in central London

Credit: REUTERS 2003/DAVID BEBBER

The government claimed that top-up tuition fees would provide more income for universities—with further arrangements in the bill aimed at helping the poorest students, by providing at least £3000 each year for living costs based on parental income. Further arrangements in the bill aim to help the poorest students.

Presenting the recommendations to parliament, Charles Clarke, secretary of state for education and skills, said that the reforms would “protect the poorest students and graduates, help parents of students, and give universities the investment and freedom they need to compete with the best in the world.”

He estimated that on average students should expect to pay off their loan in around 13 years. “However, for some it may take longer,” he acknowledged.

The BMA warned that the high fees accrued by studying medicine may put some doctors off workingfor the NHS because of the time it will take them to repay their debt. “With one in four medical graduates already considering not going on to practise medicine, it is likely that many potential doctors will decide against providing a vital public service in favour of something more lucrative,” said Mr Gibbons.

Details of the Higher Education Bill can be found at www.dfes.gov.uk