Medicine as a second degree if you live in Wales

The funding you can receive studying medicine as a second degree differs according to which scheme you are enrolled on. You can study a standard 5 year programme (some universities also have a 6 year programme with foundation) or an accelerated 4 year programme which may require some experience in a medical setting and/or a science-based first degree.

This information relates to students normally living in Wales.

Standard 5 + years medical degree

Years 1-4

You will have to pay the tuition fees (£9,790) yourself for the first four years.

Check the amount with individual medical schools before you commit yourself to the course and check with Student Finance Wales and the NHS Wales Student Awards Unit on the latest position before you make a decision.

For living costs you’ll be eligible to apply to Student Finance Wales for:

  • Student loan for maintenance
  • Adult Dependants’ Grant
  • Childcare Grant
  • Parents’ Learning Allowance
  • Disabled Students’ Allowance
  • Travel Expenses for medical students

Year 5

You’ll be eligible for support from the NHS Wales Student Awards Unit for living cost and tuition fee support, i.e. your tuition fees will be paid in full. This support is the same as that received in year 5 by students doing medicine as a first degree depending on when you start your course. See the article on financial support for students in Wales for more detail.

Accelerated 4 year graduate entry programme

First year

You can be charged up to a maximum of £9,790 for the year in tuition fees, depending on where you study. You’ll have to pay a portion of the tuition fees yourself and then you can apply to Student Finance Wales for a tuition fee loan to fund the difference  to a maximum of £9,790. Student Finance Aales does not publish these figures so you will need to contact them directly.

For living costs you’ll be eligible to apply to Student Finance Wales for:

  • Student loan for maintenance
  • Adult Dependants’ Grant
  • Childcare Grant
  • Parents’ Learning Allowance
  • Disabled Students’ Allowances
  • Travel Expenses for medical students

Years 2-4

You’ll be eligible for support from the NHS Wales Student Awards Unit.

The NHS Student Awards Unit will pay a portion of your yearly tuition fees which can be up to £9,790 per year. You can finance the difference between the two amounts with a tuition fee loan from Student Finance Wales.  Your living cost support will be the same as that received in year 5 by students doing medicine as a first degree. For exact amount that the NHS Student Awards Unit will pay, please contract them directly.

Living costs

See the article on financial support for students in Wales for more details.

Related articles

External links