New research on how the cost-of-living affects recruitment and retention of healthcare students from an EDI perspective

While there have been widespread anecdotal reports on the cost-of-living impact on students across the UK, limited research has explored its effects through an equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) lens.

The EDI Strategic Policy Group has begun addressing this gap through qualitative research, capturing the perspectives of students and course leaders on student demographics, programme withdrawals, and broader recruitment and retention challenges.

The study offers recommendations for policymakers to strengthen recruitment and retention, while recognising financial constraints.