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Hello,

I have been accepted into Podiatry school this September however I don't quite meet the eligibility criteria as I have a uk passport but have only been in the country 2 and a half years. I will meet the eligible first of April 2017 however obviously the Bursaries are not being offered next year and September is the only start date for the course. I have contacted the bursary authority to see if I could get a partial bursary but they are very strict. And I have been in touch with the University who are waiting to hear back from the health authority that commissions the places at my University to see if I may still get my tuition fess paid or partly paid. I can see on the website that there are still places on my course and their is so much allocated funding for places so that give me some hope. The waiting is difficult I really want to give Podiatry a go but I think the financial stress will be too much without the extra funding support. Just wondering if anyone had any experience of still getting funding being just outside the eligibility criteria or if there was anyone else I could talk to? any suggestion support gladly appreciated.

 

save up or wait the rules are the rules . if you were not a british citizen 2.5 years ago nothing can be done most foriegn students pay full fees and this helps unis exist. i bet your country of origin would not let you train for free.

 

This brings up the question again does podiatry attract good candidates or just people who want a free course, all other students pay 9 grand a year why not podiatrists.

 

so you are a kiwi looking for a free ride at the british tax payers expense you have already done one degree and cant find gainfull employment. in nz . so come to uk have a student loan you will never pay back thats great.

 

I don't think it is too remiss of me to exhaust all avenues if there may be potential for getting my Degree funded. Initially I was enrolled in Podiatry school in N.Z and then had the opportunity to travel around the uk and Europe. I then found I could get the Degree funded over here so I think it is only reasonable to decide to do the same degree where you would get offered more financial support. I have also worked while I have been living here in various roles including for the NHS. I feel I have to add this due to your insistence that I am trying to commit such a disservice to all the hard working British taxpayers without contributing anything myself.

I get that rules are the rules but there are also individual exceptions in any case and I felt I was just really unlucky as I meet the criteria within the timeframe the Bursaries are still being offered but the start date of the course I would like to do is obviously in September. Therefore I asked if there was potential for a partial bursary from the first of April when I am eligible due to having resided in the country for the requisite period. It seemed reasonable to me (and at least worth asking) I know then I would have been studying prior but I would have been studying a course that the NHS would essentially fund me for if the start day was a bit later. It was my understanding that the NHS funded these courses because there was a shortage of Podiatrist and I intended to stay in the UK longterm and work for the NHS. I don't think wanting and seeking out funding to assist someone in their studies and training is indicative of a poor candidate. Also the NHS has so much funding allocated to Podiatry student places so I don't see how the University loses Money as they are still getting paid.

My question related to if there was anybody who knew of any exceptions to the rule or if there were other people I could contact and I think it was a fair enough question to ask. I have talked to a lot of people who have been very supportive and helpful even if I did not get funding it is not for lack of trying which I also think is fair enough. For what it is worth I am going back to N.Z to study there and then I plan on moving back to the UK to work for the NHS. I will be paying for my degree however I don't think the quality of my work or desire to be a Podiatrist has to do with the other. And in fact I think many people who would make extremely competent professionals are unable to train due to life circumstances including finances. For what it is worth I am really exited about eventually starting my training and becoming a Podiatrist and I hope to meet on here and in the workforce and my studies a supportive and encouraging group of professionals and students.

 

I wish you good luck . however paying abit of paltry tax in the uk does not give you the high moral ground to say oh ive paid abit of tax so ill fill my boots. i dont blame you for trying to get something for nowt. Enjoy nz you are a lucky person to be able to live or work in 2 great
countries.

 

Julia,
To train, as a Podiatrist, in the US will set you back circa 1/3 million dollars. Don't feel bad investing in your future.

I was lucky enough to have all of my British training, fully funded. Podiatry & Podiatric Surgery. I was not so lucky getting that education funded in the US and took the financial hit. My choice.

That free education is no longer available to the tax burdened citizen in the UK, is an outrageous travesty. Governments of many countries now seem quite happy to 'fund' hoards of immigrants, provide free housing, free health-care, free education and free money. And at the expense of the tax paying citizens.

Absolutely, you did right to try for that assistance. G'luck in your future. ;-)