The cost of living has risen sharply in the past year. Food, bills, and fuel costs seem suddenly extortionate and yet student loans haven’t budged an inch – meaning students are paying more for food, bills and other essentials than ever before, with relatively less financial aid.
Vet students in particular are no strangers to stretching the pound – we’re in it for the long haul after all, so five to six years of rent, utilities and food, with little to no income is something most of us have to accept as par for the course.
The tricky thing is that while food bills can be lowered by steering free of Deliveroo and “Taste the Difference”, and opting for the simpler things in life, and a couple of extra jumpers helps lower heating costs in the winter, there’s really no way of getting around the current fuel crisis.
You’ll go far
The reality of EMS in the current climate is that many students are still trying to replace pre-clinical and clinical placements that were cancelled during the pandemic, and a lot of veterinary conglomerates have contractual obligations to a specific university.
With the number of vet schools on the rise, “freelance” placements are going to become thinner on the ground, and if (like me) you live close to one of these vet schools, you may need to travel farther afield for your EMS placements.
This means not only has the cost of living increased for students in general, but the cost of education for veterinary students is also on the up.
Automotive breakdown
For the average engine, the cost of a mile’s journey in June was 16p (according to the RAC Fuel and Mileage calculator), whereas placements can range from within walking distance to over an hour’s drive away. If a student has a daily commute of just 13 miles (roughly a 15 to 20 minute drive) each way, for two weeks – even if they let their car run right down to the red – they’d still be spending more than £40 on fuel.
For longer commutes, or ones where vets expect students to follow in their own cars on callouts, it’s easy to see how the costs can get out of control.
Covering costs
Veterinary students are required to fulfil a minimum 26 weeks of work experience during their clinical years. For those unable to find placements near their university or home accommodation, or unable to find affordable accommodation near the placement itself, commuting is a necessity to gain the experience and accreditation needed for their degree.
For a long time the veterinary industry has been striving to improve its inclusivity and accessibility, but with fuel prices hitting an all-time high this year, travel bursaries may be a real necessity in ensuring the degree is not made unaffordable.
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