The journey to becoming a doctor in the UK involves multiple stages of training in the NHS designed to provide the practical skills, experience and knowledge required to become specialists in a particular field.
In this article, you’ll learn about the stages of training required to become a consultant doctor in the UK or a general practitioner (GP).
This is extremely useful to know, especially if you are applying to study medicine in the UK, as this can help you develop your answers during your medicine interview.
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Medical School: Undergraduate Medical Training To Become A Doctor
Length: 4 - 6 years
The first step to becoming a doctor in the UK is to take an undergraduate or postgraduate medical degree at medical school. This is called Undergraduate Medical Training.
Students who have completed a previous degree before joining medical school may apply for a condensed 4-year Graduate Entry Medicine (GEM) course.
Some students may complete an additional year at the beginning of medical school, known as a foundation year, to develop their science-based knowledge. This will extend their degree to 6 years long.
The classical medical degree at university is a 5 year undergraduate degree.
Some universities have an optional or mandatory intercalation year which can extend training by one year. Mandatory intercalation occurs at some medical schools such as UCL, Cambridge, Imperial and Oxford.
This will consist of both:
Pre-Clinical Teaching - consisting of basic science, physiology, pathology, anatomy, biochemistry and molecular biology.
Clinical Teaching - consisting of practical skills, patient-based learning and application of pre-clinical knowledge.
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The Foundation Training Programme - Postgraduate Training
Length: 2 years
Medical School Graduates who are continuing to become doctors are entered into the Foundation Training Programme. This is where doctors are known as FY1 and FY2 doctors.
It is after the completion of FY1 that doctors receive full registration with the GMC.
This foundation programme consists of 2 years, where doctors will rotate around 6 different specialities in blocks of 4 months. This enables them to gain experience in both hospital and community medicine, from a range of different medical and surgical departments.
The skills learnt during the Foundation Training Programme constitute the Postgraduate Medical Training which is required to apply for jobs as a doctor in a particular speciality.
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The Speciality Training Programme
Length: 3 - 8 years
There are over 60 different specialities which doctors can train in.
Different specialities will require different types of training programmes. Here are some of the common next stages of training:
Core Surgical Training (CST): lasting 2 - 3 years for careers in most surgical specialities such as general surgery, urology, orthopaedics and many more
Internal Medicine Training (IMT): lasting 3 years - for careers in general internal medicine such as cardiology, gastroenterology, nephrology.. and so many more!
Acute Care Common Stem (ACCS): lasting 3 - 4 years - for careers in anaesthetics, accident and emergency and intensive care.
General Practice Training (GPST): lasting 3 years - to become a general practitioner in the UK.
This is then followed by Higher Speciality Training which can last 3 - 5 years.
At several points in their training, doctors may be required to sit exams to continue in their training. The doctor will also have to apply for a higher speciality training post following their initial surgical core training, internal medicine training or ACCS training.
Some specialities may allow trainees to complete a form of training known as Run-through Training, whereby you are only required to apply once, and if accepted you are guaranteed a higher speciality training post.
Examples of specialities with run-through training posts include GP, clinical radiology, community sexual and reproductive health, obstetrics and gynaecology, ophthalmology and paediatrics.
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Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT) - Becoming A Consultant Doctor
At the end of their training and following completion of their final exams, a doctor is awarded their Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT), which allows them to practice as a consultant doctor in a permanent hospital or community role.
Speciality Doctors (SAS Doctors)
This means that they are no longer working within the medical training pathway, and are not working towards a CCT.
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Can I Work As A Doctor In The UK If I Studied Medicine Abroad?
In order to gain full GMC registration in the UK, international medical graduates (IMGs), will need to have sat the PLAB entrance exam, both parts 1 and 2, as well as completed an internship (or foundation training) in the UK.
You will also need to have completed the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) or Occupational English Test (OET).
To apply for foundation training in the UK, IMGs need to:
Apply for eligibility checking one year in advance of when they wish to join the foundation training program.
Pass their medical school exams
Pass the PLAB parts1 and 2
Apply for provisional GMC registration
UK Medical Training Frequently Asked Questions
What is Undergraduate Medical Training in the UK?
Undergraduate Medical Training in the UK involves completing a 5-year medical degree, which can be reduced to 4 years for graduate entry students, or extended to 6 years if a foundation year is included to strengthen science-based knowledge.
What is the Foundation Training Programme for UK medical graduates?
The Foundation Training Programme is a mandatory 2-year postgraduate training for UK medical graduates, consisting of rotations through six different specialities, each lasting four months, to gain broad medical experience in hospital and community settings.
How long does it take to become a consultant in the UK?
It takes approximately 7 to 16 years post-graduation from medical school, including Foundation Training and Speciality Training, to become a consultant in the UK, depending on the speciality.
What are the different phases of speciality training in the UK?
Specialty training in the UK may begin with Core Training or Internal Medicine Training, typically lasting 2-3 years, followed by Higher Specialty Training which can last an additional 3-5 years, depending on the specialty.
What is Run-through Training in the UK medical training pathway?
Run-through Training is a streamlined training pathway where trainees apply once and continue through to higher speciality training without further applications, available in specialities like General Practice and Paediatrics.
What is a Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT)?
A CCT is awarded to doctors at the end of their speciality training, certifying them to practice as consultants in their chosen speciality within the UK.
What roles do SAS doctors play in the UK healthcare system?
SAS (Specialty and Associate Specialist) doctors are qualified medical practitioners who have completed at least their core training and occupy permanent staff positions in hospitals, not directly leading to consultant status.
What are the entry requirements for medical school in the UK?
Entry requirements typically include high grades in A-levels, especially in sciences, a good score on the UCAT, and relevant work experience or shadowing in a healthcare setting.
How can international students apply for medical training in the UK?
International students must meet the same academic and testing requirements as UK students and may need additional English language proficiency. They apply through UCAS and must secure a student visa.
What are the benefits of completing medical training in the UK?
Benefits include comprehensive clinical training, diverse speciality options, and the opportunity to work in the globally respected NHS system, preparing graduates for highly skilled medical roles
