Dental Students Face £60,000 Debts After University
Students starting a dentistry degree in 2013/2014 can expect to come out of university with debts of £60,000, according to new research.
The study, which was carried out by the British Dental Association, claims that students in their first year will come out with significant debts. Research also revealed that students who graduated last year had an average debt of £24,734.
The debts take into account tuition fees of £9,000 per year plus living costs. The BDA study estimates that students face a shortfall in the funding for living and accommodation costs of around £38,000.
Around half of dental students face difficulties paying bills and fees, according to the new study. Dr Paul Blaylock, chair of the association’s Student Committee, said that fees for students are an increasingly worrying issue, especially with the new tuition fees of £9,000 per annum.
In light of the research, the BDA is calling for higher maintenance loans to help students cover the cost of living while they are at university. Dentistry is one of the longest and most intensive courses on offer and the rising debts are likely to put some students, especially those from poorer backgrounds, off a career in dentistry.
Dr Blaylock said that it was important that steps are taken to make dentistry more accessible and ensure that the best candidates are able to study, regardless of their financial or social background.
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