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A survey of 1,900 medical students by the British Medical Association has found that on average students owe more than £20,000 by their final year, an increase of 5 per cent on last year.
More than 100 students said they owed more than £30,000 and one in 10 more than £25,000. Nearly all had a student lone (92 per cent), and almost 60 per cent had an overdraft.
A fifth of students had a bank loan, with the average loan standing at £8,580 – a 12 per cent increase on last year.
The BMA said additional expenses for books and equipment, as well as the cost of travelling to hospitals, could be contributing to the increasing levels of debt.
Kirsty Lloyd, chair of the BMA's medical students committee, said the case for greater financial help for medical students was very clear.
"Making the grade as a doctor should be about talent, compassion and commitment, not on how much money you're prepared to borrow," she said.
"On top of studying hard for five or six years, medical students are expected to take on these massive debts, and from next year those who have a first degree are also going to have to pay upfront top-up fees.
Sabrina Talukdar, chair of the BMA's Scottish medical students committee, said that financial hardship was preventing less affluent people from choosing a career in medicine.
"Widening access is essential so that people, from all backgrounds are encouraged to study medicine to provide the diverse medical workforce that Scotland needs," she said.
"However, with ever increasing debts, this aim will prove difficult."
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