The cost of medical education in the UK must be viewed from two perspectives - the cost to the student and the cost to the taxpayer. Both numbers are intricately connected, and they affect each other. Thus, it is vital to investigate both perspectives to reach a satisfactory answer.

Medical Education Price Vs Medical Education Cost

The price of medical education is defined by how much a student pays to study at the university. It is represented by the tuition fees, which cover basics such as lectures, facilities, libraries, and most compulsory events. 

In contrast, the cost of medical education represents how much the government pays to supply all required for studying. These costs include investments and expenses such as building facilities, teachers’ salaries, utilities, and amortisation.

In the UK, local students usually pay less in tuition fees than what a medical degree actually costs. The underlying agreement is that the government is indirectly “sponsoring” future professionals. Thus, taxpayers pay for the long term interests of society.

That’s why international students pay much higher tuition fees. They will return to their home countries after graduation, and there will be no taxes from them in the future. Thus, there is no solidarity principle in the pricing of their education. 

How Much Does Studying Medicine Cost to the Taxpayer?

According to The Telegraph and YouGov, the taxpayer pays an additional £230,000 to what students already pay in tuition fees. This amount was so impressive that the government intended to mandate a 4-year service in the NHS for graduating doctors.

However, independent investigators determined that the actual amount the government was paying was much lower. In reality, studying medicine in the UK costs around 163,000 to the taxpayer. This sum goes directly to students, healthcare providers supporting clinical years, and universities.

While this amount is still impressive, it also reflects how vital medical professionals are to society. Therefore, the cost of studying medicine in the UK is borne by both the taxpayers and the student.

Budget-Friendly Path to UK Medical Degree with Medlink Scholarship

Many students wish to speed up their studies, secure their Medical degree and start practicing in the UK. The fastest route, in this case, would be to sign up for a graduate degree and take advantage of a condensed 4-year course rather than the conventional 6-year programme offered by most medical universities.

The Medlink Students' team closely works with students and recognizes the need to present them with the opportunity of having a fast-track education on a budget. That's why, in keeping with our mantra of 'Sun, Sea & Study Medicine', we've established a special partnership with a few Caribbean Medical Universities and we are now able to present our student candidates with exclusive scholarships based on their academic performance.

Get in touch with our student advisors regarding eligibility and scholarship availability.

How much does it cost to become a doctor in the UK?

In summary, the cost of becoming a doctor is different to the medical student and the taxpayer. A future physician pays around 55,000 in tuition fees for 6 years. On the other hand, the government pays close to 163,000 in grants to “produce” a medical graduate.

People should consider additional costs for both sides. Living costs in the UK can be between 72,000 and 144,000 for 6 years. Naturally, the expenses would be significantly lower if students lived with their parents.

On the other hand, the government provides a lot of financing as student loans. These loans have somewhat favourable interest rates and service conditions. Therefore, there is a high opportunity cost for issuing such a loan.

In the end, becoming a doctor means a lot more than what it costs. There is a real hunger for medical professionals in the UK, and the educational system is currently unable to provide a sufficient number of doctors.

More and more students decide to study abroad to achieve their dreams. British nationals look to Europe as a source of reliable, prestigious, and safe education. 

Schedule a free consultation to check your options in Europe.