Financial barriers to higher education “airbrushed" out of Mandelson strategy, says BMA
(issued Tuesday 03 Nov 2009)
The government’s higher education strategy announced today (Tuesday, 3
rd November 2009) risks failure unless ministers acknowledge the growing financial barriers to university education, especially for those from low income families.
The new strategy
1, unveiled by the First Secretary of State, Lord Mandelson, sets out a series of policies for higher education in England that are to be introduced over the next fifteen years. Proposals include measures to increase social mobility and choice, as well as providing more information about the impact of studying particular degrees.
Responding to the strategy, Tom Foley, Co-Chair of the BMA’s Medical Students Committee said;
“Unfortunately, the high levels of debt and cost associated with a degree have been airbrushed out of this strategy. All students are already paying substantial sums that are becoming prohibitive to those from low income families – a fact that will undermine any other attempts to encourage students from lower socio-economic groups into higher education or introduce a consumer culture.
“Medical students are being hit particularly hard, as their intensive and expensive degree – which is five to six years rather than the usual three – restricts time for part time paid employment. Current undergraduates, paying annual fees of £3,225, can expect to leave university with estimated debts of £37,000– those in London could be faced with debts of over £60,000
2.
“This is one of the reasons why just one in ten medical students comes from a low income background
2 and why four in ten students from these groups would consider not going to university if the tuition fees were increased
3.
“If we want to create a modern, dynamic university system, Lord Mandelson has to address these real issues. We must be open with the facts by including estimated debt levels in the new information to be provided with degrees. Financial support to lower income individuals also needs to be further entrenched. Most importantly, we must not overload the next generation of students by raising the cap on tuition fees – a move that could plunge many into a further crippling cycle of debt.”
Ends
Notes to Editors
If you require a medical student debt case study from any part of the country please contact the BMA Press Office on 020 7383 6165 or
pgadsby@bma.org.uk
1. A copy of the new Higher Education strategy for England can be found at:
http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/hegateway/
2. Figures from the BMA’s
Need for Change research document:
http://www.bma.org.uk/careers/medical_education/student_finance/needforchange.jsp
http://www.youtube.com/BMAtv#p/u/23/uslW2sqgLjc
3. Survey results from the charity Pure Potential:
http://www.purepotential.org/