A medicine student in East Lancashire was given “the break she really needed” by being awarded a fully-funded scholarship for the duration of her studies.

First-year Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) student Sneha Shanthakumar at the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) is the 2024 recipient of the Mackenzie Scholarship.

It is offered annually by UCLan and East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust (ELHT) to students from underrepresented backgrounds and covers all tuition fees for the duration of the course.

The 22-year-old, who was born in India before moving to London and making Burnley her home two years ago, says the scholarship means the world to her as she has never been able to rely on family for help, so it was a relief to know her education has been taken care of.

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She said: “I was really happy and shocked that I had been chosen for the Mackenzie Scholarship, especially since I had been independent and providing for myself since I was 17.

“The University of Central Lancashire has given me the big break I needed, especially considering the background I come from.”

Sneha has fended for herself for the last five years after leaving the family home due to personal difficulties.

The aspiring doctor lived in a hostel for nine months after leaving home and got by working several jobs, including as a dry cleaner, a housekeeper, and at festivals.

She was then given a second chance by Richmond Upon Thames College in London to restart her A-Levels and this led her to complete a foundation year in medicine at UCLan, followed by her being accepted onto the MBBS programme.

“Sneha said: “Moving out at 17 was really difficult. I think when you’re young everyone sees the world with rose-tinted glasses, however, I learnt that there is so much more to adulthood.

“For example, I didn’t know how taxing, rent, bills, and having to work a 9 to 5 would be. I think at the time I did not really process how hard it was to fend for myself. I was just trying to get to the next day.

“For the last few years, I’ve felt like the world was against me and so this scholarship is life-changing. It will help me to focus more on my studies and my career without having to worry about debt.

“As I have been taking care of myself for some time, it helps me to relax and breathe a little bit, and not constantly stress about the future.”

The Mackenzie Scholarship is one of several medical scholarships offered by UCLan to provide opportunities to underrepresented students to study medicine, as well as recruiting and retaining local doctors to NHS employment in areas that struggle to keep hold of professionals, such as Lancashire.

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As well as living in Burnley, Sneha will also complete placements with ELHT.

Dr Colin Michie, associate dean of the School of Medicine and Dentistry at UCLan, said: “Sneha embodies everything the Mackenzie Scholarship stands for. She has the determination and passion to succeed and we are delighted to offer a helping hand to a future doctor.”

Sneha added: “I cried when I found out about the scholarship. I was so happy, and it felt like it had been such a long journey to get to this point.

“Some of the people I would have loved to share this news with are no longer here, so it’s bittersweet in some ways but I’m so excited for my life ahead.”