A third of the University’s UK undergraduate students depend on financial aid to pursue higher education. One of the key funding sources available for students at the University of Liverpool is the Liverpool Bursary, which offers up to £2,000 per year of study. The bursary not only helps students secure their place at the University but also assists in covering the costs of their education.
We spoke with Rachel, a third-year Medicine and Surgery student and bursary recipient who talked about her experiences at the University, her recent trip to the US and the impact the bursary has had on her academic journey so far.
Tell us about your time at the University.
My university experience has been very enriching and fulfilling. I have a good group of friends from both within my course and outside of it and I enjoy going to university. Academically, I am very pleased with my progress.
I work for the University as a UK Recruitment Support Advocate, as well as on the Widening Participation (WP) panel which has been fun and great for my CV/portfolio. I am doing well in my course and actively engage in different societies and groups within the University as well as volunteering.
The most recent highlight has been my grade for my end of year exam as I was very proud of my score. I was also asked to speak at the Health and Life Sciences education forum about my journey to medicine through Widening Participation outreach programmes which was a full circle moment and something that I really enjoyed.
I was also asked to deliver some welcome talks for the Open Days at the University which I loved. Having my hard work and journey acknowledged has been amazing, and the feedback from people at the education forum and on the Open Days was incredible.
Socials within the medical school are another highlight as they are entertaining and allow you to feel like a part of a close-knit community.
What do you love most about being a student at Liverpool?
I was born and raised in Liverpool, and I have always loved this city and the people. The nightlife, the scenery, the architecture and the culture are all amazing and can’t be found in the same way in other cities. I love how the University is a campus university but is also close to the city centre. All the different social events and activities are fun and allow you to meet new people but also boost your CV.
The University is also very good at helping you add to your portfolio to make you more employable. I have just returned from the US this summer, where I was shadowing two medical professionals. One of these opportunities was offered by an alumnus of the University and the other by a current lecturer. It was an amazing and valuable experience and made me think more about specialising in Oncology.
How has receiving the Liverpool Bursary impacted you?
The Bursary has allowed me to be actively involved at the University. Paying to attend conferences to boost my CV and make connections with doctors wouldn’t be possible without it, and this is very vital to me as no one in my family is a doctor, so I often rely on these connections for work experience/shadowing.
It also helps me pay for the travel expenses to and from my placement in hospitals and for equipment such as my stethoscope and any books I might need.
Most of the people on my course come from families of doctors, and so have sufficient finances, connections, and knowledge about both university and medicine. This puts students like me at a disadvantage and sometimes means we don’t reach our full potential. The Bursary acknowledges that I did not have access to the same funds and resources as others and showed me that this shouldn’t hold me back. Receiving the Bursary means I can prove that I deserve to become a doctor just as much as anyone else.
In addition to the academic benefits, the Bursary has meant I can enjoy my time at university without the financial burden. As a medical student, I wouldn’t have the time to pick up a part time job, and my timetable changes weekly. I can enjoy all aspects of university, including going out with my friends, living in a student house, and making the most of my university experience.
If I had not received the Liverpool Bursary, I don’t think I would have had the same experience. I know that my grades would suffer tremendously as I wouldn’t have enough time to study for my exams and practise my clinical skills. My confidence would be majorly knocked, and I would have constant anxiety about saying no to social events, not applying to conferences/workshops, skipping lectures to work, and I would feel that I was missing out on my university experience.
I come from a working-class family in a disadvantaged area, being the first person in about 20 years to go on to study medicine at my school. I relied on reduced grade offers and bursaries, but I am thriving because of it. I am excelling in my studies and have opportunities that still amaze me. I have made connections that I’d have never thought would be possible and I am so excited for my future career. Being a doctor has been my dream for as long as I can remember, and I wouldn’t be able to give my all without receiving the Liverpool Bursary. Bursaries and scholarships give students like me a chance, which is all we need to prove how far we can go.
Looking back at how far I have come from when I first entered university, it still shocks me, and I know that my younger self would be in absolute disbelief about the things I have experienced and the opportunities that have been presented to me.
The success of many students at Liverpool is made possible through the generosity of alumni and friends. By supporting the Student Fund, you help provide crucial scholarships, bursaries, and emergency grants to students facing financial hardship. To learn more or to donate, please visit our webpage and help create opportunities for students to fulfil their academic dreams.