As a medical student at Lancaster University, I am deeply concerned about the increasing financial burden placed on us due to mandatory electives. These electives, while valuable in theory, have become a significant barrier for working-class students who aspire to complete their MBChB course.

The cost of these mandatory electives is prohibitive for many students. This not only hampers individual dreams but also deprives our society of potentially excellent doctors.

Moreover, the removal of generous bursaries that once provided much-needed support has further exacerbated this issue. It's disheartening to see how these changes are effectively barring talented individuals from pursuing their passion for medicine due to financial constraints.

We also call for democratic control of the university by both students and staff. This would ensure that decisions made are in the best interest of all stakeholders involved - not just those at the top echelons.

Lastly, we demand transparency through open books policy. It is crucial that we understand where our tuition fees are being spent so we can hold our institution accountable.

In light of these concerns, we urge Lancaster University to end mandatory electives or make them financially accessible for all students regardless of their socio-economic background; reinstate generous bursaries; implement democratic control by staff and students; and adopt an open books policy for full transparency. Please sign this petition if you believe in equal opportunities in education and want your voice heard!