From 2012 - Will Graduate entry Medicine become less competitive

**Dr..** · 19-09-2011, 08:47 PM

Hello,

Considering the changes which are being implemented in regards to the funding of university courses, do you think graduate entry medicine will become less competitive?

Yr. 1 - £9000.00 fees and then living costs
Yr. 2, 3 and 4 - approx. £5700 and living costs (I’m not sure whether a bursary will be available, during these years)

**persianmd** · 19-09-2011, 09:40 PM

Yes. Dont apply lol

Not sure whether there has been some further news on this but last i heard nothing had been decided by the government. this year the doh will continue to provide funding via nhs bursaries and this will be reviewed in the following year... unless good ol' two brains has mentioned anything else in the last few weeks.

i would suggest that you dont let it affect your study for gamsat, get to work on passing the test, then tackle the funding issue after you have passed the 1st hurdle.

**arh88** · 20-09-2011, 12:15 AM

I actually thought it GEM courses would be MORE competitive in 2012. People who want to study medicine are usually so driven they wouldn't be put off by debt- however they would be put off by 5-year courses as many cannot afford the fees upfront as required. So I had thought that all the potential graduates applying for 5-years as a back up would now not have that option and so perhaps there will be an increase in applications for GEPs of around 20%.... If true, it sucks :-(

**snakefisch** · 20-09-2011, 02:26 AM

A loan is available to cover the tuition fees, so unless paying ~ £3K up front in the first year affects many people, I don't think the chances will make it less competitive.

**new2newmedia** · 20-09-2011, 04:11 PM

Originally Posted by snakefisch

A loan is available to cover the tuition fees, so unless paying ~ £3K up front in the first year affects many people, I don't think the chances will make it less competitive.

I would be surprised if no graduates were put off by the incurred debt - especially older career switchers who have less time to pay it off. The personal cost of the course has gone from 3k to 26kish (I believe). Even though the upfront cost remains the same it would be quite miraculous for this not to have some effect.

That said I agree that many applicants would not let this stop them as choosing studying medicine feels (to me anyway) like more of an emotional decision than a rational one.

Only time will tell.

**Chwirkytheappleboy** · 20-09-2011, 11:17 PM

I think it'll become more competitive because 5 year courses will be so ridiculously expensive up front that they just won't be an option for graduates, so the people who previously would have applied to 5 year courses can now only consider GEP

**Martigan** · 21-09-2011, 12:22 AM

Chwirky - Glad we got in when we did! I do feel sorry for future years.

**Chwirkytheappleboy** · 21-09-2011, 04:16 AM

Indeed, it's a shame that so many potential medics will be priced out of the field. How are you enjoying George's?

**rachyroo** · 21-09-2011, 05:24 AM

agree with new2newmedia. although applicants are extremely committed, I don't think that an extra 17k of debt will have no impact on applications for GEP, particularly for those with mortgages, children, substantial debt from previous degrees etc. Leaving a stable career and not earning for 4 years is a luxury that not everyone will be able to afford, regardless of how badly they want it, especially given that the cost of food, energy bills and petrol seems to be rising much faster than maintenance loan available.

But of course many of the grads applying for 5yr would be now inclined to apply for GEP so who knows how it will turn out? IMO a 20% increase sounds a bit much (or maybe I'm just hoping it does!). would be interesting if anyone had the stats on how many graduate applications are recieved on average for the 5yr courses. If any information has been published yet on how many people took GAMSAT compared to last year that might give us some indication of how things will go...

so frustrating to have no idea what's going to happen!

**mikuro** · 26-09-2011, 05:48 PM

I'm hoping to get in in 2013 and it's not put me off...student loan debt isn't like *real* debt, as it gets wiped off after 30 years, is taken out your salary before you even see it, is relevant to your pay and if you're not working you don't have to pay it. So all I'm concerned about is the £3.5 K I have to find before I start...!!