Brighton and Sussex Medical School (BSMS) has launched a fundraising campaign to support final-year medical students facing significant financial hardship, with the aim of raising £100,000 for a dedicated hardship fund.
Medical students typically graduate with considerable debt after their five-year course, but their final year presents an acute challenge. During this time, student loans are replaced by a means-tested NHS bursary and a reduced student loan, leaving students an average of £3,674 worse off according to the 2025 BMA student survey. This financial gap comes at a critical point, when students are preparing for final exams and have little time to earn money through part-time work.
BSMS is committed to widening access to medicine, with around 30% of its students coming from lower-income backgrounds. For many, the financial pressures of the final year are overwhelming, with some even resorting to food banks or considering deferring their studies.
To address this, BSMS is encouraging donations from alumni, staff and healthcare professionals. Regular giving – such as £20 a month – can make a meaningful difference, with Gift Aid increasing the impact of each donation. Higher and additional-rate taxpayers can also benefit from tax relief on their contributions.
Dean of BSMS, Professor Richard McManus, has led by example, pledging £200 per month to support the fund. He said: “Providing access to a medical career for the widest possible group of students is a key goal at BSMS and supporting students when they get here has to be part of this. This will fund three £1,000 hardship grants per year, and I urge colleagues to join me in donating to this important cause.”
To support the BSMS hardship fund and help future doctors complete their training, visit the website here.