When it comes to adult education, virtually none of it is free. That’s why people on low incomes think about loans, and others make financial sacrifices to achieve their goals. It may be that you want a career in the medical world, but are wondering about the costs. If so, this article discusses whether it’s expensive to study medicine.
What Is Medicine?
Medicine is the field of both health and healing, and it includes the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of disease. It encompasses a range of health care practices designed to maintain and restore people’s health. This involves addressing environmental factors, lifestyle modification, counseling patients, preventative healthcare, medications and surgery.
Some example jobs in the area of medicine include:
- Doctors
- Nurses
- Pharmacists
- Paramedics
- Dentist
- Surgeons
It Depends On The Type Of Course
An undergraduate degree in medicine will be cheaper than a postgraduate qualification. Additionally, the length of the course can affect how much it costs. Generally speaking, medical programs tend to last anywhere from four to six years. Of course, there are some exceptions (e.g., some countries have an eight-year program for becoming a neurosurgeon). However, some courses (like MBAs with a medical focus) can be very expensive.
There are other study options besides being NHS trained or attending a university. Some people study medicine at summer school when they’re aged 16-18, so they can gain advanced pre-university insights. They enjoy class sizes of around 7 people, 1:1 tutorials, academic workshops and world-class tutors. In instances such as these, the fees are going to be significantly cheaper than the full-time study options.
It Depends Where You Study
Medicine is an expensive field to pursue, but the cost of tuition and living expenses can vary significantly depending on your location. In America, for instance, the average cost of medical school is over $55,000 per year (for private schools), and over $35,000 per year for public universities. This makes US medical education some of the most expensive in the world. In contrast, it’s cheaper in Asia than in most other regions of the world.
If you choose to study in London, you can expect to pay a lot more in tuition and living costs than if you live in the North of England.
It Depends On Your Career Path
The costs also vary depending on what type of career you’re interested in pursuing within medicine. For instance, training to become a pediatrician is generally less expensive than becoming a heart surgeon. However, even different specializations within the same field can have different costs. For instance, a neurosurgeon might need to spend more than an orthopedic surgeon because he’ll require additional training and surgical techniques.
A general rule of thumb is that your total education cost will be higher if you want to become a specialist or sub-specialist in medicine. In fact, this isn’t unique for medical careers since it also applies for engineering degrees and other similar fields too.
It Depends Whether You Receive Help With The Tuition Fees
Your tuition fees are designed to cover the cost of the teaching that you receive your course. These costs alone will be many thousands of pounds per year in the United Kingdom. However, there are a number of ways to offset these fees. For example, many universities offer scholarships and bursaries which can reduce the amount that students have to pay. In addition, the government offers loans and grants which help students finance their education.
Data for 2022 shows medical school tuition fees of £9,250 annually. This applies to Wales and England, but the figures vary for Northern Ireland and Scotland. Fortunately, help is at hand for UK or EU students because they can apply for tuition fee loans through Student Finance.
It Depends Whether You Receive Help With Maintenance Fees
Maintenance fees are what it costs you to live in accommodation while studying. This covers rent, bills, food etc. In 2018/19 in England, if your household income was under £25k per year, you may have received up to £11k in support. If the household income was between £25k and £42k, the loan would decrease incrementally – and if your parents earned over £42k per year, you wouldn’t have been eligible. In Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland the calculations were slightly different.
In 2022, undergraduate students are eligible for maintenance loans, and if they apply through Student Finance, they can apply for means-tested maintenance grants.
It Depends On Any Additional Help You Receive
It may be that you can receive financial support from your family in order to complete your course. Other possibilities in England include:
- Universities that provide means-tested bursary systems
- NHS bursaries
- Medical awards
- Armed Forces bursaries/cadetships
It Depends If It’s Residential/Non-Residential, And Travel
Residential schools are more expensive to attend than non-residential ones. Medical students often have to live on campus, however, which can drive up the costs. Online courses are cheaper than both residential and non-residential medical schools.
If you have to move away from home to attend medical school, your travel expenses will add up quickly. However, if the school is close enough that you can commute, your travel costs will be reduced or eliminated altogether. In this scenario, students who remain at home with their parents are able to save considerable money.
It Depends If You Can Work Part-Time
One way to reduce the cost of adult education is by working part-time alongside the course. Many undergraduates take up jobs like waitering, waitressing or bar work to bring in some extra income. Having said that, this option may not be available to everyone, as many medical schools require students to attend classes full-time.
There may be other costs that you need to factor in, such as childcare fees or the cost of books and supplies. No matter where you study and what financial assistance you receive, it’s important to remember that it will be worth it in the long run. You’ll be investing in your future career and the improved health of all those you help.
