Prior to returning to university as a mature student, I worked in the NHS for eight and a half years across several departments, including the Outpatients Appointment Centre, Ophthalmology, Audiology, Radiology, Oncology Clinical Trials and IBD Clinical Trials. Throughout this time, I served patients with dedication, compassion and a genuine commitment to making a difference.
Despite my extensive experience and continued commitment to the NHS, I am not eligible for any financial support from Student Finance England (SFE) because I already hold a previous equivalent degree. This situation affects many mature students who return to university to pursue a career change or follow their passion.
The funding gap pharmacy students face
Initially, I believed this would be manageable, as healthcare students are eligible for the NHS Learning Support Fund (NHS LSF). However, to my shock, the MPharm degree is not included in the list of healthcare courses eligible for the full NHS LSF. I found this deeply disappointing, especially at a time when the role of pharmacists is expanding rapidly through initiatives such as the Pharmacy First Service, the New Medicine Service, Healthy Living Pharmacy, Hypertension Case Finding and more. MPharm graduates are also now qualifying as independent prescribers to help the NHS manage increasing pressures and patient demand.
The NHS urgently needs a strong, well-supported pharmacy workforce. Yet, without financial support, this becomes increasingly difficult to achieve. Although pharmacy students have recently been included in the NHS LSF Travel and Dual Accommodation Expenses (TDAE), I am still not eligible because this requires being in receipt of an SFE loan; something mature students like me cannot access. This creates a vicious cycle that leaves many pharmacy students without any meaningful financial support.
Many pharmacy students, including mature students, face significant financial pressures throughout their studies. Many work part-time and take on as many hours as possible to cover basic living costs. With the rising cost of living, this pressure is becoming unsustainable. Including pharmacy students in the full NHS LSF would make a meaningful difference to those striving to enter a profession that the health service relies on more than ever.
Why equal support matters
Pharmacy students deserve to be treated equally to other healthcare students. Even those who enter community pharmacy continue to serve NHS patients and contribute directly to the wider healthcare system. Providing full NHS LSF support to all MPharm students would significantly reduce financial hardship, encourage more students to enter the profession, and help build a cohesive, well-supported NHS workforce aligned with the vision of delivering high-quality healthcare for all.
By Hasmath Montgomery, MPharm student at King’s College London
Learn more
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