Akash Gandhi
Oct 18, 20238 min
Updated: Oct 22, 2023
Choosing to study medicine in the UK is a significant investment, both in time and finances. As an international student, understanding the cost of tuition fees is paramount.
So, whether you hail from Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, Canada, UAE, the EU, or beyond, this comprehensive guide will give you insights into the current international fees for medical schools in the UK.
We've meticulously designed this guide to equip you with a comprehensive understanding of the costs associated with studying medicine in the UK.
Our information is up-to-date for 2024 entry, and we've endeavoured to provide detailed insights into the fees associated with each university and medical school.
We've collated data on the international fees for medicine in various UK universities for 2024. (Refer to the attached table). From the elite Cambridge Medical School to the innovative Anglia Ruskin Medical School, we've covered every single medical school in the UK that caters to international applicants to their A100, A104, or A106 courses.
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The Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) is one of the most sought-after medical degrees in the UK. As seen in our table, MBBS fees in the UK can vary substantially. For instance, while Cardiff Medical School's fees stand at £43,700, Cambridge Medical School demands a heftier £67,194.
👉🏼 Read more: International Students Guide to Medicine in the UK
Table 1: Medicine Tuition Fees for Internationals at UK Medical Schools in 2024
👉🏼 Read more: Medical Schools in the UK: The Ultimate Guide
Most of the universities mentioned are public institutions, but there are also private medical schools in the UK. While private medical schools might sometimes offer more flexible entry requirements, their fees tend to be on the higher side. If you're considering this route, research is essential to understand the value and quality of education they offer.
The only private medical school of note in the UK is The University of Buckingham.
Full Student Funding: Since there's no government subsidy, the course relies entirely on student tuition. For instance, the fees for the Jan 2023 intake at Buckingham are set at £38,000 annually. This brings the total for a 4.5-year program to £171,000, though this figure may rise due to inflation.
Unrestricted International Enrollment: The course, being self-funded, isn't subjected to government constraints on the proportion of domestic to international students, unlike many UK universities that have a cap on international admissions. This framework is particularly favourable for international students.
GMC Accreditation: The 4.5-year course at The University of Buckingham is GMC accredited meaning graduates are eligible to apply for provisional registration and work in foundation programme posts just like graduates from any other medical school.
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Nottingham Medical School: £28,700 x 5 = £143,500 total
Lincoln Medical School: £28,700 x 5 = £143,500 total
Queen Mary's Malta: €35,000 x 5 = €175,000 (£144,300) total *not in the UK
Southampton Medical School: £28,900 x 5 = £144,500 total
Leicester Medical School: (£23,900 x 2) + (£41,750 x 3) = £172,850 total
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Cambridge Medical School: £67,194 x 6 = £403,164 total
Oxford Medical School: (£43,670 x 3) + (£57,690 x 3) = £303,180 total
Glasgow Medical School: £56,520 x 5 = £282,600 total
Edinburgh Medical School: (£37,500 x 3) + (£51,000 x 3) = £265,500 total
Manchester Medical School: (£34,500 x 2) + (£56,000 x 3) = £238,000 total
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Cambridge Medical School: £67,194
Glasgow Medical School: £56,520
Dundee Medical School: £52,105
Oxford Medical School: £50,680
Aberdeen Medical School: £50,100
Cambridge, Oxford, UCL, Imperial and Edinburgh have compulsory 6-year programmes due to their course structure (compulsory intercalation), consisting of 3 years of preclinical studies and 3 years of clinical studies. This leads to a higher overall cost for international students at these universities.
Many medical schools in the UK, apart from Cambridge and Oxford, offer an optional year called intercalation. This is an additional year of study, typically taken between the third and fourth or fourth and fifth years of the standard medical degree. During this year, students can study a subject in depth, often leading to an additional Bachelor's or Master's degree. If students opt for this, the total duration and cost of their medical education may increase.
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For international students, it's important to note that the NHS medical student bursary and certain grants available to domestic students aren't accessible. However, there are other avenues:
Some universities offer scholarships explicitly designed for international students. These can be merit-based or may consider other factors.
External Scholarships: There are organisations and philanthropic entities that provide financial support to international students pursuing medicine.
Educational Loans: Some banks and financial institutions in your home country might offer education loans for international studies.
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While the tuition fees are a significant portion of the expenses, international students should also account for:
Living Expenses & Accommodation: Cities like London might have a higher cost of living compared to others like Leeds or Cardiff. Consider accommodation, food, transportation, and other daily expenses.
Health Insurance: As an international student, you might need to have health insurance coverage, either from your home country or purchased in the UK.
Visa Fees: Studying in the UK will require a student visa, which comes with its own set of fees.
Study Materials: Medical courses demand a plethora of books, equipment, and other materials, which can add up such as stethoscopes and online question banks to revise for exams.
Travel: If you plan to visit home during breaks or travel around Europe, you should factor in these costs - especially for flights to and from university, and during breaks such as Easter and Christmas
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Here are some other factors that you need to consider about applying to study medicine in the UK as well as the tuition fees.
Accreditation: It is important to check if the medical school is accredited by a recognised organisation. This will ensure that the school meets high standards of education and training.
Entry requirements: International students will need to meet certain entry requirements to study medicine in the UK. These requirements vary from school to school but typically include high academic grades, English language proficiency, and relevant work experience.
Graduation prospects: After graduating from medical school in the UK, international students can apply for a UK medical license. This will allow them to practice medicine in the UK or other countries that recognise the UK medical license.
Job prospects: The job prospects for doctors in the UK are very good. There is a high demand for doctors in the UK, and salaries are competitive in the NHS.
Quality of life: The quality of life in the UK is generally high. The UK is a safe and welcoming country with a strong economy.
👉🏼 Read more: Medicine Entry Requirements in the UK
International students aiming to study medicine abroad should be well-acquainted with tuition fees across various medical schools for effective budgeting. While the UK remains a sought-after destination for medical studies, numerous esteemed medical schools are spread across the globe. Each has its distinct fee structure tailored for international students. Presented below is a list of notable medical schools outside the UK, accompanied by their estimated tuition fees:
Harvard Medical School (USA): Approximately $65,000 per year (around £48,000)
University of Sydney (Australia): Approximately AUD 75,000 per year (around £41,000)
University of Toronto (Canada): Approximately CAD 90,000 per year (around £53,000)
University of Melbourne (Australia): Approximately AUD 80,000 per year (around £44,000)
Karolinska Institute (Sweden): Approximately €20,000 per year for non-EU students (around £17,000)
University of Tokyo (Japan): Approximately ¥2,500,000 per year (around £17,500)
Heidelberg University (Germany): Approximately €10,000 per semester for non-EU students (around £8,500 per semester)
University of Cape Town (South Africa): Approximately ZAR 200,000 per year (around £10,500)
National University of Singapore (Singapore): Approximately SGD 50,000 per year (around £28,500)
University of Buenos Aires (Argentina): Fees vary; public universities in Argentina often have minimal fees for all students.
University of Copenhagen (Denmark): Approximately €15,000 per year for non-EU students (around £12,800)
Sapienza University of Rome (Italy): Approximately €5,000 per year for non-EU students (around £4,250)
University of Amsterdam (Netherlands): Approximately €15,000 per year for non-EU students (around £12,800)
University of Zurich (Switzerland): Approximately CHF 40,000 per year (around £30,500)
University of Barcelona (Spain): Approximately €20,000 per year for non-EU students (around £17,000)
Charles University, Prague (Czech Republic): Approximately €15,000 per year for non-EU students (around £12,800)
Medical University of Sofia (Bulgaria): Approximately €8,000 per year for non-EU students (around £6,800)
University of Tartu (Estonia): Approximately €12,000 per year for non-EU students (around £10,200)
Complutense University of Madrid (Spain): Approximately €20,000 per year for non-EU students (around £17,000)
Medical University of Varna (Bulgaria): Approximately €8,000 per year for non-EU students (around £6,800)
Please be advised that these figures are approximations and may be subject to fluctuations based on various elements like course details, additional costs, currency exchange rates, and institutional revisions.
Students are advised to refer to official university websites or contact the respective admissions departments for precise and up-to-date fee structures. It's also prudent to investigate any potential scholarship or financial assistance opportunities that can significantly reduce expenses.
👉🏼 Read more: International Students Guide to Medicine in the UK
The international fees vary between universities. For instance, Cambridge Medical School charges £67,194 while Cardiff Medical School's fees are £43,700. Refer to the attached table in the article for detailed fees of various UK medical schools.
Private medical schools, such as The University of Buckingham, do not receive government subsidies and rely entirely on student tuition. This often results in higher fees. For instance, Buckingham charges £38,000 annually for its 4.5-year programme.
No, international students are not eligible for the NHS medical student bursary. However, many universities and external organisations offer scholarships and financial support for international students.
Apart from tuition fees, students should account for living expenses, health insurance, visa fees, study materials, and travel costs. Living expenses can vary significantly based on the city of residence.
The top 5 include Nottingham Medical School, Lincoln Medical School, Queen Mary's Malta, Southampton Medical School, and Leicester Medical School. Exact fee structures are detailed in the article.
The most expensive ones include Cambridge Medical School, Oxford Medical School, Glasgow Medical School, Edinburgh Medical School, and Manchester Medical School. Refer to the article for a detailed breakdown of their fees.
A GMC-accredited course, like the one at The University of Buckingham, ensures that graduates are eligible to apply for provisional registration and can work in foundation programme posts in the UK.
Both Cambridge and Oxford have compulsory 6-year programs due to their structure of 3 years of preclinical studies followed by 3 years of clinical studies. This leads to a higher overall cost for international students at these universities.
Many medical schools in the UK offer an optional intercalation year, allowing students to study a subject in-depth, leading to an additional Bachelor's or Master's degree. Opting for this can increase the total duration and cost of the medical education.
While the article does not directly address this, international students in the UK can typically work up to 20 hours a week during term time. However, medical studies are rigorous, so it's essential to balance work and academic commitments.
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