# The UK cost-of-living crisis and its effect on students at a British medical school

## TL;DR

A UK medical school study found that the cost-of-living crisis is harming students' finances, mental health, and education.

## Contribution

This study provides new insights into how the cost-of-living crisis specifically affects medical students' financial and academic well-being.

## Key findings

- Most students reported that their maintenance loans covered less than half of their expenses.
- Many students had to work more, which negatively impacted their studies.
- Increased spending on essentials like rent and food forced students to cut back on necessities.

## Abstract

The current cost-of-living crisis in the UK has negatively affected wide sections of society, including university students.

To determine how the lifestyle, behaviors, mental health and education of students at an English medical school have been affected by the crisis.

Mixed methods cross-sectional study.

One hundred and forty-seven students responded to the questionnaire; 53% (n = 106) receiving maintenance loans reported that their loans only covering up to half of their costs; 72% (n = 103) felt the need to either gain employment or increase their current working hours; 75% (n = 110) reported gaining income through employment, 55% (n = 57) of which agreed or strongly agreed with their work having a negative impact on their studies; 83% (n = 87) reported significant increases in the amount spent on rent, household bills, and food; 69% (n = 73) restricted their spending on essentials such as food, heating, and clothing.

There is an urgent need for increased financial support for medical students in the current cost-of-living crisis, particularly those from lower-income families, first-generation students, and those entering through widening access programmes. The current financial aid structure, combined with the pressures of the cost-of-living crisis, is insufficient to meet students' basic needs and is compromising their education, well-being, and professional development.

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12909-025-07305-5.