GEM in London without much in savings?

Can anyone give me an indication on how easy or hard it is living in London to study for GEM at Barts, Imperial or Kings? I'm talking financially of course.

I thought I'd get a higher paid job this week but alas no, so I'm stuck on 14950 or so until next September if I get in.

That would mean I'd be able to save up around £2500 after the £3500 for first years tuition fees is out the way.

Is this realistically enough to afford to live in London off a maintenance loan and no grant? I may be eligible to get the full loan which approaches £7000 but maybe a tad less. Given the extortionate rents in inner London that doesn't seem enough.

Help?? What do current London GEM students do?

Reply 1

fazz

I'd also be interested to hear any answers for this!

Reply 2

OneDayDoctor

12

Sorry no answer, just also interested in this!

Reply 3

lcsurfer

18

I'm a London GEM'er

I can only tell you for year one...
I get £9k in student loans (maintanance) - the full amount (5k unassessed and 4k income-assessed)

I had about 5k in savings which is paying for my fee's and to help me out a bit and I am also slaving away in wonderful retail working weekends (nothing like working sat and sunday to keep you grounded...) to stay financially well - As in No debt occured what so ever, I'll even come out with some profit if i work for a year, which I'll either blow in the summer going away or use in the 2nd year (more likely the former...)

Some people have really supportive parents/partners that are helping them and a lot of people are on about locuming etc. But to be honest London is sooooo worth it!

Reply 4

manupalace

11

Original post by lcsurfer

I'm a London GEM'er

I can only tell you for year one...
I get £9k in student loans (maintanance) - the full amount (5k unassessed and 4k income-assessed)

I had about 5k in savings which is paying for my fee's and to help me out a bit and I am also slaving away in wonderful retail working weekends (nothing like working sat and sunday to keep you grounded...) to stay financially well - As in No debt occured what so ever, I'll even come out with some profit if i work for a year, which I'll either blow in the summer going away or use in the 2nd year (more likely the former...)

Some people have really supportive parents/partners that are helping them and a lot of people are on about locuming etc. But to be honest London is sooooo worth it!

Is this with the extended weeks allowance? Otherwise that seems like a huge amount as the usual max is £7675.

Original post by MJK91

Can anyone give me an indication on how easy or hard it is living in London to study for GEM at Barts, Imperial or Kings? I'm talking financially of course.

I thought I'd get a higher paid job this week but alas no, so I'm stuck on 14950 or so until next September if I get in.

That would mean I'd be able to save up around £2500 after the £3500 for first years tuition fees is out the way.

Is this realistically enough to afford to live in London off a maintenance loan and no grant? I may be eligible to get the full loan which approaches £7000 but maybe a tad less. Given the extortionate rents in inner London that doesn't seem enough.

Help?? What do current London GEM students do?

I'm not sure how much I can help as I am currently and will be for most of my course, living with parents.

The max this year in London is £7675 plus an extra weeks allowance, as your first year will almost certainly be an extended one. Especially if you go to KCL which makes you start in August!!

As far as money is concerned many people manage to work on weekends (or focus on family if they have kids) by planning their time well. So flexible job is possible at least in the first year or two. Great examples are retail and HCA jobs with agencies/NHS professionals/hospital staff banks. You can make good money quickly by working weekends (and nights when you can). During my first degree I worked as a HCA during the holidays (one of the trusts I worked at was Whipps Cross which is linked to Barts), which provided good money. I could have worked weekends/nights easily (especially as I was volunteering 16 hours a month with the MPS, I could have quit this and earned money). On quiet days and during most night shifts I would have been able to study. Not ideal but not impossible. One great thing about London is the number opportunities available for casual work.

Thinking ahead to clinical years when you are living off the NHS bursary (definitely look this up and assess how much you would get. It is 100% means tested and you don't instantly become 'independent' at 25) With the London medical schools compared with, Warwick (one of your other options iirc) the hospitals used for clinicals are far less spread out. Those that are far away (for KCL, and Barts there are a few of these) you invariably get free (or cheap) accommodation and can get help with travel expenses and accommodation expenses from the NHS bursary. There are also helpful things in London, like the student oyster card and the young person's railcard (think this is national). There is also cycling (though you have to be very brave for this!)

If you still struggle there are uni hardship funds, and various medical student's bursaries/charities that can help (a website called money for med students gives more info). Obviously these are a last resort.

Living in London is expensive and is a struggle but I think it all balances out due to increased loans and other assistance and increased flexible job opportunities. Also if you aren't fussy about where you live you can get shared accommodation for reasonable prices. I think East/North East London (around Barts) is quite reasonable and many areas not too far from KCL/GKT aren't too bad. Around North west London (once you get away from South Kensington/Imperial main campus) its not too bad. You can also live (eat, socialise etc) quite cheaply if you avoid the tourist traps (very easily done).

GEM in London without much in savings?

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