Sheffield students call for government to ‘Stop the Drop’ in med student finance as part of national BMA campaign

A BMA report on medical student finance, due to be published that morning, lays bare the damage this gap in funding has on many students – with many struggling to afford food or heating. The report finds the existing system fails many students, with the severe pressure on their finances forcing some to consider dropping out of their course.

The ‘Fix our Funding’ forum events, led by the BMA’s Medical Student Committee, will bring the campaign directly to campuses across England, raising awareness of how this drop in funding harms students’ wellbeing, education, and career prospects.

Unlike most undergraduates, medical students study for five or six years, and in the later years of their degree they lose access to full student finance maintenance loans, and move onto a reduced rate loan, alongside a much smaller NHS Bursary. In the 2025/2026 university year alone, some students moving from full student finance to the NHS Bursary will see a drop of more than £4,500 - forcing many into financial hardship.

A BMA survey of more than 3,500 medical students, published in the report, found that financial pressures are already taking a serious toll. Four-in-ten students said they’ve considered leaving or pausing their course because they’re worried about being able to pay for it. Nine-in-ten said it has a detrimental effect on their mental health.

Many reported cutting back on essentials such as food and heating, relying on overdrafts or private loans, juggling multiple jobs alongside full-time study, or turning to family, friends, and hardship funds to get by. Over 100 respondents reported using food banks.

Anusha Gajanan, the BMA medical school committee's deputy co-chair for finance, studies at the University of Sheffield. Speaking ahead of the events, she said:

“This awareness day is not about disruption or confrontation. It’s about awareness, education and unity. By bringing the campaign onto campus, students can show just how widespread and serious this issue has become, and why the Government needs to pay attention and act.

“Making sure medical students receive full maintenance funding for the entirety of their studies is a small change that would make a real difference - not just for us students, but for the sustainability and diversity of the future NHS workforce.”

Fellow co-chair Yalna Pouya said:

“Too many students are struggling to afford the basics while they’re studying hard to become the doctors of the future. They’re burning out trying to work multiple jobs to keep afloat, and in too many cases questioning whether they can continue training as doctors at all. The NHS can’t afford to lose them.”

The BMA says restoring full maintenance funding throughout medical degrees would cost the Treasury £29 million, around 0.147% of Student Finance England’s annual lending, but would make a significant difference in helping students complete their training.

Failing to address the funding gap risks undermining the future medical workforce, the BMA warns, as financial hardship deters students from less advantaged backgrounds from entering or remaining in the profession at a time when the NHS is under intense pressure.