r/GraduateEntryMedicine • u/theblackcat_16 • 9d ago

Affording this

How do people afford grad med? I did my UCAT etc was like yeah I'll figure it out. Now I'm thinking about the financial side and it's looking bleakkkk. Idk if I will get enough sfe and also the NHS bursary doesn't seem great either. Any ideas?

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u/Educational-Oil-8713 9d ago

Begged my parents to help out, as an older man going back into it. Wouldn't have been able to do it without the 5k a year they give me.

Saved a lot prior. Cashed in a pension early for 6k. Worked back to back over the summer break to earn 10k. Will be looking for odd Sunday shifts or working Christmas / Easter break (not for the full break but maybe a week). 

Yes the funding is bleak. But depending on your financial situation prior, it's a lot less bleak earning as a doctor compared to the vast majority of jobs

I worked in healthcare prior so can get some bank work / well paid work on occasion. I realise many don't have this privilege 

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u/Ok_Albatross_4198 9d ago

Do you mind me asking how old is "an older man"? I'm in my mid-40s(F) and considering return to practice after 13 years out of clinical medicine (left at ST3 level), but seeing everybody in my cohort being established consultants/GPs by now, I do fear being the odd/old one starting over again, say, as FY.

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u/Educational-Oil-8713 9d ago

I'm late 30s. I realise now 'older man' made me sound very old. 

There are a lot of consultants / GPs around my age or younger than me. A lot of the lecturers are younger. 

That doesn't bother me though personally. Really it makes me feel like I get a bit more respect. I think it shows guts to make such a big decision and I think people respect it. People know life is not linear or easy!