Good morning / 12.10.08
Consumer Home
Consumer Home
19 December 2005
Medical students are seeing their debt figures rocket, according to the British Medical Association (BMA).
Students in their fifth and final year of training to enter the medical profession are now lumbered with an average debt of £20,172 - and those involved in six-year courses are racking up £22,365.
The latter figure is a 17 per cent increase in last year's - and the survey's worrying statistics did not end there.
It also found that over 100 of 1,877 students surveyed owed over £30,000, with one individual having debts of £55,000. Average bank loans taken out by medical students have also increase in size - by 12 per cent to £8,580 - and often go to supplement a sizeable student loan.
Kirsty Lloyd, chairwoman of the BMA's medical students committee, said: "Making the grade as a doctor should be about talent, compassion and commitment, not on how much money you're prepared to borrow.
"On top of studying hard for five or six years, medical students are expected to take on these massive debts, and from next year those who have a first degree are also going to have to pay upfront top-up fees. The case for greater financial help for medical students is very clear."
As well as taking out increased numbers of loans, 67 per cent of medical students have at least one credit card, according to the survey.
© Copyright Adfero Ltd
