An intercalated degree gives you the opportunity to incorporate a further degree (BSc or BA) into your medical course. It takes different formats at different universities. It usually takes one year, which could be after your second or third year. At some medical schools it is compulsory, making the course 6 years in total, while some offer it as an option to all students, and at some universities it is only offered to the most academically able students.
If you intercalate on a postgraduate course you may be entitled to a loan of up to £12,471 if you live in England, £18,950 if you live in Wales, £7000 if you live in Scotland or £6,500 in NI to assist with the costs of this from Student Finance England. Be aware if you intercalate on a masters it can also affect future funding entitlement from Student Finance according to the equivalent level qualification rule – you could not get a fee loan for any further undergraduate years. Therefore if you wish to intercalate a Masters, it is worth doing so between your Student Finance and NHS funded years.
You can normally receive fees funding for an intercalated Masters course from the NHS if you are in an NHS funded year.
Financial Support
The financial support available for intercalated degrees varies depending on where in the UK you live.
England
If you live in England, wherever you study, if you do an intercalated degree this is taken into account for funding purposes. You’ll receive financial support from Student Finance England in the usual way for the first four years of your course.
You’ll be eligible for funding from the NHS Bursaries Unit from the fifth year of your period of study, irrespective of the year in which you intercalate. For example, if you intercalate in year 3 of your medical course, you’ll be eligible for NHS funding from the fifth year of study, which will be year 4 of your medical course. If you intercalate after the first four years of your course, you’ll be eligible for NHS funding from the fifth year of study even though it is not part of your actual medical course.
Wales
If you live in Wales, wherever you study, if you do an intercalated degree this is taken into account for funding purposes. You will receive financial support from Student Finance Wales in the usual way for the first four years of your course.
You will be eligible for funding from NHS Wales Students Awards Services from the fifth year of your period of study, irrespective of the year in which you intercalate. For example, if you intercalate in year 3 of your medical course you will be eligible for NHS funding from the fifth year of study, which will be year 4 of your medical course.
Northern Ireland
If you live in Northern Ireland, wherever you study, if you do an intercalated degree this is taken into account for funding purposes. You will receive financial support from Student Finance NI in the usual way for the first four years of your course.
You will be eligible for the Department of Health bursary from the fifth year of your period of study irrespective of the year in which you intercalate. For example, if you intercalate in year 3 of your medical course, you will be eligible for the DoH bursary funding from the fifth year of study, which will be year 4 of your medical course.
Scotland
If you live in Scotland, wherever you study, if you do an intercalated degree this is taken into account for funding purposes. You will receive financial support from the Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS) in the usual way for the length of your course.
Other forms of funding
Your own University may have scholarships available for intercalated funding. Other organisations may also offer financial support. Also some organisations offer grants or bursaries for intercalated study. Have a look at our article section on competitions and awards for more information on this.