A2M Fees 2012

**gloriamundi** · 05-09-2011, 04:38 PM

Does anyone have any idea on effects of the fee rises on the cost of Access courses in 2012?

Birkbeck have told me that their Life Sciences for Subjects Allied to Medicine course will be rising from £1200 this year to £4800 in 2012.

I have called COWA and Lambeth who both said that they will be unable to determine their new fees until the receive more funding information from the government.

**gloriamundi** · 06-09-2011, 02:06 AM

Spoke to Manchester College who said that while the MANCAT fees will be rising, they didn't expect that it would be by the same scale as they were a FE centre, while Lancaster's A900 Pre-medical Studies course will be the full £9,000.

Apologies if this has been covered elsewhere!

**EternalRose** · 07-09-2011, 11:52 PM

Im not sure, but the government have made a lot of changes in terms of concessionary rates. Unless you are on JSA, or between the age of 16-24 and do not have a level 3 qualification or 5 GCSES at C and above you will need to pay full fees. The SD course was only £800 for 2010 students, it is now £1100. COWA was only £180 a couple of years ago, but I think it is also £1100 so I would just expect the worst really...I have only just about afforded mine.

**gloriamundi** · 08-09-2011, 01:09 AM

The general upward trend is really worrying to be honest - unfortunately I get the feeling that over the next few years there will be gradually less and less of the success stories like those that I've been reading on here.

Personally I'm at the very beginning stage that many people on here are at - the wondering if I should take the risk of going for it. However my worry now isn't primarily the chance of even getting onto the course itself, but the fact that I may come out the other side of an access course to find that the SLC funding has gone completely!

EternalRose, this may be a somewhat silly question but would it be possible to 'sign on' to JSA just for the sake of missing out on these tuition fees?

**EternalRose** · 08-09-2011, 01:28 AM

Not silly at all, and believe me your question crossed my mind several times. But yes, you could in effect sign on, get confirmation of this and then you wouldn't have to pay anything. Although, 'you would need to be unemployed of course, or make yourself unemployed. There are two types, contribution based JSA or income based. Don't know what differentiates the two but all I know is that it don't make any difference which one 'you are on. Don't let them try to steer you towards a career development loan you would need to start paying it back once you are STILL training to become a doctor. It's madness. The govt changes have really made it harder for people to get out of the benefit system (by means of education) not good at all...

**EternalRose** · 08-09-2011, 01:37 AM

Edit to add: ^ I meant they have made it harder for single mums on benefits who want to educate themselves. Up until April they too would also be exempt from fees. Not anymore. Coalition govt, changes etc mean that they now have to pay full fees even though they are entitled to less than people on JSA.

**gloriamundi** · 08-09-2011, 01:41 AM

Would it be neccessary to remain on JSA for the duration of the course in order to be fully exempt?

**EternalRose** · 08-09-2011, 01:45 AM

No you could go back to work the day after the place of study have seen your confirmation letter. These just need to know your financial circumstances at time of application, no more no less.

**gloriamundi** · 08-09-2011, 02:31 PM

Well I'm genuinely surprised at that!

I'm not sure how long some of these access courses will be around if the costs do start heading for £4000+ - I'm sure the majority of people in the situation of needing to do the courses would struggle to find that upfront on top of the financial struggle they would be facing as med students anyway!

The Birkbeck course for example, while several people do seem to have high regard for it, doesn't seem to guarantee entry to med schools. While it would definitely be worth the current £1200, I personally could never justify spending £4800 on it!