Veterinary Medicine Tuition Fees

Hi, my name is Rebecca Hands and I am 23 years old. I am raising money to pay for my university tuition fees to become a veterinary surgeon.

I have wanted to become a veterinary surgeon since I was a little girl, anyone who knows me knows that I have never considered a different career! I worked incredibly hard throughout school to achieve the GCSEs and A level grades required for university. I didn't achieve high enough grades at sixth form to study veterinary medicine straight away, so decided to complete an undergraduate degree in MSci Bioveterinary Science first.

After being told during sixth form that I should consider a different career because I wasn't clever enough, I felt even more determined to become a vet. I throughly enjoyed my degree, learning some veterinary content, however nothing deterred me away from wanting to be a veterinary surgeon. During my last year at university, I applied to four universities that offered veterinary medicine and attended interviews. I was delighted to be successful and get a place on a five-year veterinary medicine course.

Unfortunately, due to already holding an undergraduate degree, student finance does not provide a tuition fee loan to cover the cost of being taught. This is currently £9,250 a year, which is £46,250 in total for five years. Considering this is a route many students apply through as well as veterinary surgeons being on the UK occupational shortage list, it is shocking that the Government doesn't provide funding for this opportunity. Although this is a worry, I am not letting finance deter me away from my dream of becoming a veterinary surgeon. Thankfully, student finance does provide a maintenance loan to cover living costs whilst at university. I have been saving up money since I started working at 15 as I knew university was going to be expensive. I have had nine different jobs since I was 15 to save for this career and I currently work 3 jobs alongside my studies, but unfortunately I still do not have enough to cover over £40,000 of tuition fees. I will also be applying for scholarships, grants and bursaries go help fund.

I would be grateful if you could share among friends and family, and donate if you can! I understand the UK is experiencing extreme living costs at the moment and therefore do not expect large donations. Every pound raised is a pound closer to persuing my dream. Thank you for reading my story and helping me to contribute to high animal welfare standards, to inspire future veterinary surgeons and committing to being professional in a highly-rewarding career.

Thank you for visiting my GoFundMe page!

Rebecca