Medical students from low-income backgrounds are graduating over £13,000 more in debt than their better off peers, a new report reveals.
The British Medical Association (BMA) survey also shows that the number of students from the lowest income brackets in medical school has declined in the past 12 months.
The findings are revealed in the BMA's Medical Student Finance Survey 2010/11, which surveyed more than 2,800 medical students. The BMA said the results raise concerns about the Government's plans to widen access to careers in medicine for low-income groups.
The report also reveals that the average medical student debt on graduation has risen from £23,909 to £24,092. Those from lower income brackets are graduating with a projected debt of £37,588, up from £26,324 in the past 12 months, the study found.
Graduate students, who study a first degree before studying medicine, had higher average debt of £30,748.
Elly Pilavachi, co-chairwoman of the BMA's Medical Student Committee and a medical student from Brighton, said: "Medical students are now facing extremely high levels of graduation debt.
"Many are clearly heavily dependent on financial support from their families and friends to get through the intensive, five to six-year medical course. However, the picture for those from low-income backgrounds is particularly alarming with their debt levels a staggering £13,000 higher than those from higher income brackets."
A spokesman for the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills said: "A medical degree remains a very good investment for students.
"Under the current university funding system, no eligible student has to pay in advance for tuition and there is a generous package of financial support to help with living costs in the form of loans and non-repayable grants.
"Our reforms will make the system even fairer, with more financial support and lower monthly repayments once you are in well-paid work."