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Medical students' debt 'set to nearly double'

30/05/2008

New medical students could graduate with debts of £37,000, the British Medical Association (BMA) claimed today.

The doctors' group says the rise in debt is due to the introduction of variable top-up fees and could result in the medical profession being the "preserve of the wealthy".

The projected figure of £37,000 is nearly double the current average debt of £20,000.

The BMA medical students committee report also warns that if the government decides to lift the cap on university tuition fees in 2010 then the average medical debt could almost triple to over £57,000.

Ian Noble, chairman of the BMA's medical student committee, said: "We think it is best for patients and the NHS if doctors represent the society they serve.

"But it's very likely that many able sixth form students, who want to become doctors, will be put off by the idea of such large debts when they graduate.

"Becoming a doctor must not become the preserve of the wealthy, yet if something isn't done, that is the way it could go."

Tom Foley, chairman of the medical students finance subcommittee, added: "We're worried that medical students are being unfairly penalised and more importantly, that this will put off prospective students from even applying to medicine.

"There has to be an independent review looking into the specific issues surrounding medical student finance."