Fund Cambridge Medical School Fees #DoctorLiz

*University deadline - 24th September 2020*

Hello everyone!

My name is Elizabeth from east London, and I am fundraising, so I can continue studying my medicine degree at Cambridge for the remaining 4 years of my degree.

I am currently an affiliated medical student at the University of Cambridge and the only black medic in my year at my Cambridge college. In addition to my background, medicine is already an extremely competitive course to obtain a space on and is costly due to the length of the course. I have been lucky to obtain a place to study medicine which will lead me to pursue my dream career as a physician and a public health advocate. My long-term goal alongside improving the quality of life of my future patients is to work on standardising the quality of medical care on a global scale and improve access to medical care particularly within low income countries.

As an affiliated mature medical, Student Finance England (SFE) do not provide a loan to cover your tuition fees thus you are required to self-fund the course. The number of scholarships available to mature medical students is highly limited, nevertheless, I have applied to many small and large scholarships, but I have been unsuccessful due to their limited and competitive nature. During the first year of the course, I also worked alongside my studies (despite restrictions) to financially support myself, but the stress associated with this had a major negative impact on my mental health, physical health and studies which is something that could continue hinder my progression through medical school and would be hard to sustain throughout the remaining 4 years of my medical degree as the course becomes challenging as it progresses.

Why I need your help?
Medicine is an expensive course and as a medical student at Cambridge, there are restrictions on taking on part time work due to the demanding nature of the full-time course. The £20,580 fund will be used to cover £5145 of my £9250/year tuition fee for the remaining 4 years of my course. I hope to fund the left-over cost by working during holidays (outside of term time) throughout the year. This would relieve financial pressures off of me by allowing me to focus on my studies during term time and cover my tuition fee so I can pursue my dream of becoming a doctor. This would also be of massive benefit to my health as the physical and mental impact of my financial worries would be relieved.

Academic Background:
GCSEs – 11 A*s-As
A levels – A*A*AA in Mathematics, Chemistry, Physics and Biology
Undergraduate: Biomedical Sciences at the University of Birmingham – 2.1 (Hons)
Affiliated Degree: Medicine (MB BChir) at the University of Cambridge, Lucy Cavendish College

I have been wanted to be a doctor since I was 13 and 9 years later, I am still extremely driven to complete my degree and become a junior doctor within the national health service (NHS). I do not want to give up my nearly a decade long dream and cut my degree short due to the financial burden of the course.

Thank you so much for taking the time out to read my story, donating & supporting my medical journey. Every single donation is appreciated!
 

Elizabeth x