An intercalated degree gives you the opportunity to incorporate a further degree (BSc or BA, or sometimes a Masters degree) 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 highest performing students.
Intercalated degrees are normally funded by the organisation which normally funds that year – so in England years 1-4 are funded by Student Finance England after which you move to NHS funding. This is normally straightforward if you do an undergraduate degree – i.e. if you intercalate after year 3 of your medical degree Student Finance England funds this as it is your 4th year of study, if you intercalate after year 4, NHS funds this as it is your 5th year of study. However if you do a masters degree this can be more complex.
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.
If you intercalate on an undergraduate course after year 3 of your medical course your intercalated year will be funded by Student Finance England, and you will move to NHS funding for year 4 of your medical degree.
If you intercalate after year 4 of your medical degree your intercalated year will be funded by the NHS.
If you intercalate on a post graduate course after year 3 of your medical degree, you will receive the Student Finance England Masters Loan – This is a flat rate of £13,206 towards fees and living costs. This replaces your final year of SFE funding and you will move to NHS funding in year 4 of your medical degree.
If you intercalate on a postgraduate course after year 4 of your medical degree you will be funded by the NHS. You will receive a grant of up to the standard undergraduate fees rate for fees, and the NHS bursary for living costs, but will not received the SLC reduced rate loan. You will move to standard NHS funding on year 5 of your medical degree.
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.
If you intercalate on an undergraduate course after year 3 of your medical course your intercalated year will be funded by Student Finance Wales, and you will move to NHS funding for year 4 of your medical degree.
If you intercalate after year 4 of your medical degree your intercalated year will be funded by the NHS.
If you intercalate on a postgraduate course after year 3 of your medical degree, you will receive the Student Finance Wales Masters Loan – This is a flat rate of up to £19,635 towards fees and living costs. This replaces your final year of SFW funding and you will move to NHS funding in year 4 of your medical degree.
If you intercalate on a postgraduate course after year 4 of your medical degree you will be funded by the NHS. You will receive a grant of up to the standard undergraduate fees rate for fees, and the NHS bursary for living costs, but will not received the SFW reduced rate loan. You will move to standard NHS funding on year 5 of your medical degree.
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.
If you intercalate on an undergraduate course after year 3 of your medical course your intercalated year will be funded by Student Finance NI, and you will move to DoH funding for year 4 of your medical degree.
If you intercalate after year 4 of your medical degree your intercalated year will be funded by the DoH .
If you intercalate on a postgraduate course after year 3 of your medical degree, you will receive the NI Masters Loan– This is a flat rate of up to £10,000 towards fees and living costs. This replaces your final year of SFNIfunding and you will move to DoH funding in year 4 of your medical degree.
If you intercalate on a postgraduate course after year 4 of your medical degree you will be funded by the DoH. You will receive a grant of up to the standard undergraduate fees rate for fees, and the NHS bursary for living costs, but will not received the SFW reduced rate loan. You will move to standard DoH funding on year 5 of your medical degree.
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, but your intercalated degree will use your +1 year – this can cause issues if you have repeated a year previously. If you study a postgraduate degree you can get the Scottish postgraduate funding of up to £7,000 fee loan and £6,900 loan for living costs.
Things to be aware of
If you already have a Postgraduate qualification you cannot normally get Student Finance postgraduate loans. If you complete a postgraduate qualification before your Student Finance funding runs out this (i.e after second year) could mean you cannot get fee funding for your subsequent years – though this is very unlikely to be an option to sit a PG programme this early.
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.
Money advice
The RMBF offers free personal money advice for medical students, which may be able to help you find funding and claim benefits you are entitled to. Just fill in the form and an adviser will reply to you.