Will a doctor ever pay off their student loan?
5-year degree · Estimated total loan: £100,370
Repayment at starting vs mid-career salary
On a starting doctor salary of £36,616/year, monthly repayments are £87. The loan would not be fully repaid before the 40-year write-off. Total repaid over 40 years: ~£41,760 of a £100,370 loan.
At a mid-career salary of £55,000/year, repayments rise to £225/month and the loan could be fully repaid in ~38 years.
Monthly take-home impact
Student loan repayments come out via PAYE before your salary hits your account. You budget to your take-home, not your gross salary.
Starting salary take-home
Mid-career take-home
Estimates based on 2025/26 tax rates and personal allowance of £12,570. Does not account for pension contributions, student loan interest, or salary sacrifice schemes.
Bursary note
Medical students study 5–6 years. Loan totals are higher. NHS bursaries apply from Year 5.
Salary data
What does a doctor actually earn in each city?
Full salary breakdown by region, experience, and sector →