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Career options in the UK for IMGs 2023

Review the different options available to IMGs who want to work or train in the UK.

Table of Contents

International medical graduates have different career options for working in the UK as doctors. Both short-term and long-term training. IMGs can become specialists through 3 main routes: CCT, CESR-CP or CESR

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The rules, guidelines and criteria for working as a doctor in the UK change frequently. Please make sure you check the latest official guidance before taking action.

Updated: February 15, 2023

There are several pathways to work in the UK as an IMG. It’s a flexible system which is both a blessing and a curse. A blessing because it means there numerous pathways for all IMGs of different backgrounds, but also a curse because all these pathways can be very confusing to choose from.

In this article, we aim to alleviate some of that confusion and help you decide which pathway is best for you depending on your background and your specific long-term goal. 

What are the options?

There are 3 main options when it comes to working in the UK as a clinician. Of course, there are options to work in research, academia, pharmaceuticals etc, however these careers are not covered in this article.

1. You want to become a UK GP or Consultant

If you want to be a UK recognised Consultant, then you need to be on the GMC Specialist Register. There are 3 routes to enter the Specialist Register:

  1. CCT  (Certificate of Completion of Training)
  2. CESR-CP  (Certificate of Eligibility for Specialist Registration – Combined Programme)
  3. CESR  (Certificate of Eligibility for Specialist Registration)

If you want to be a UK recognised GP, then you need to be on the GMC GP Register. There are 2 routes to enter the GP Register:

  1. CCT  (Certificate of Completion of Training)
  2. CEGPR  (Certificate of Eligibility for GP Registration)

Please take note that medical graduates without any postgraduate training are not considered GPs in the UK. UK GPs are family & community medicine specialists with 5 years of postgraduate training. 

The different routes vary depending on how much of your training you complete in a GMC-approved UK training programme. This diagram should make it clear: 

Pathways to become a UK recognised specialist through the CCT CESR-CP and CESR routes 2
CCT - Certificate of completion of training / CESR-CP - Certificate of Eligibility for Specialist Registration Combined Programme / CESR - Certificate of Eligibility for Specialist Registration

The CCT route

If you enter UK training in the first year (called CT1 or ST1) and complete the entire training programme, then you will be awarded a Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT). This is known as the CCT route.

The CCT pathway is best for new graduates, those who have not already completed postgraduate training in their target specialty, or those who are not considered overqualified.

Is this pathway suitable for you?

Yes, if you fit any of the following profiles:

  • You have not completed internship and plan to complete internship in the UK (Foundation Programme)   OR
  • You have completed internship and have not worked after internship   OR
  • You have completed internship and you have worked after internship, but you have not completed specialist training (residency) and you are not overqualified for your target specialty   OR
  • You have completed internship and you have started but not finished specialist training (residency), and you are not overqualified for your target specialty   OR
  • You have completed internship and specialist training (residency) but want to change specialty, and you are not overqualified.

What does overqualified mean?

Some specialties have experience limits if you want to apply for a first-year position (ie. CT1 or ST1). If you exceed the limit, you will be deemed overqualified to apply for ST1 or CT1 in that specialty.

We have compiled a list of all the ST1/CT1 experience limits for all specialties which you can download for freeYou can also read all about the limits in this dedicated blog post.

If you are overqualified and still want to become a UK recognised Consultant, you can use the CESR-CP or CESR route.

What are the steps for the CCT route?

  • If you intend to complete internship in the UK, the steps are here in Pathway A.
  • If you intend to or have already completed internship overseas, the steps are here in Pathway B.

Read more about how UK training works in this blog article.

Entering UK training is a real challenge for IMGs. We have a dedicated premium course to help you improve your chances of getting into UK training. If you’re interested in the step-by-step guidance to make the process easier, you can read more about it here in our IMG Masterclass

The CESR-CP route 

You can enter a UK training programme in the second year or later, this is the CESR-CP route. CESR-CP stands for Certificate of Eligibility for Specialist Registration Combined Programme meaning you completed part of a GMC-approved programme. 

Those who complete the CESR-CP route are usually awarded a certificate that says “CESR” but this is changing. Most doctors on the CESR-CP route will soon be awarded CCT.

The CESR-CP pathway is best for IMGs who have already completed postgraduate training in their target specialty, or are considered overqualified.

Related: CESR-CP will soon be recognised as CCT

Is this pathway suitable for you?

Yes, if you meet any of the following profiles:

  • You have completed internship and specialty training (residency) overseas in your target specialty  OR
  • You have completed internship, you have started specialist training (residency) but haven’t finished yet, and you are overqualified for your target specialty  OR
  • You have completed internship, you have worked after internship, you have not started any specialist training (residency) but you are already overqualified for your target specialty  OR
  • You have completed internship and specialist training (residency), but want to change specialty and you are overqualified in your target specialty  OR
  • You have worked as a specialist for many years but you still want to enter UK training in the same specialty.

What are the steps for the CESR-CP route?

Read more about the UK training pathway in this blog article.

The CESR or CEGPR route

If you do not enter a UK training programme at all, you can still become a UK recognised specialist if you can prove that you have the training and experience equivalent to a UK trained specialist. 

To prove your equivalent training, you need to compile a portfolio of evidence to demonstrate achievement of all the required competences of the specialty. You then submit your portfolio to the GMC for approval. 

If your portfolio is accepted, you will be awarded the Certificate of Eligibility for Specialist Registration to become a Consultant or the Certificate of Eligibility for GP Registration to become a GP.

The CESR route is best for those who have completed training and have been practising for many years.

Is this pathway suitable for you?

Yes, if you meet any of the profiles in the CESR-CP route and you also fit the following circumstances:

  • You do not wish to re-enter a training programme  OR
  • You are unable to successfully land a place in a UK training programme.

We explain the CESR route in much more detail in this blog article.

What are the steps for the CESR route?

The steps can be found here in Pathway D.

CCT vs CESR vs CESR-CP

All of these qualifications are considered equal in the UK when it comes to being recognised as a Consultant. However, it is important to mention that they may not be equally accepted overseas. In some countries, only a CCT is recognised. You’ll need to check which qualification is valid with the medical authority of any country you plan to work in.

Is it difficult for IMGs to enter UK training?

The CCT and CESR-CP routes both involve entering UK training (residency). This used to be quite difficult for IMGs, however, training in the UK has become a whole lot easier.

In October 2019, changes in UK immigration law meant that IMGs have the same equal opportunity to enter training as local UK graduates!

You can read more about these ground-breaking changes in these articles:

2. You want to work in the UK long-term without becoming a GP or Consultant

Being a GP or Consultant is not for everyone. Fortunately, the salary and the flexible work patterns for non-Consultant doctors in the UK, allow for financial independence even if you are not a GP or Consultant.

These jobs are also less competitive so you will have little problem finding employment soon after gaining your full GMC registration.

Is this pathway suitable for you?

Yes, if you fit any of the following profiles:
 
  • You are content working as part of a team and not taking on the full responsibility of a GP or Consultant.
  • You prefer to work flexibly so you can have more time for your family or other interests.
  • Your primary goal in coming to the UK is to gain financial security and a better work-life balance rather than career progression.

Whatever your reasons are, there is nothing wrong with choosing this path.

What are the steps for this route?

The steps can be found here in Pathway E.

What positions can you work in?

You can apply to any position you feel you are qualified for according to your previous experience and the job description.

These can include posts such as clinical fellow, specialty doctor, or locum Consultant. Locum consultant jobs do not require you to be on the GMC Specialist Register.

Read about all the different job titles for doctors here.

You can always seek promotion with the same employer or apply for more senior positions as you gain more experience. It is also possible to later on apply for locum consultant jobs.

What if you want to become a GP or Consultant eventually?

This is possible. You can do so through any of the 3 routes in option 1 depending on eligibility. Most doctors in this position go through the CESR route.

Suggested: How to transfer money back home from the UK

3. You want to obtain short-term fellowship training then return home

Many doctors wish to gain experience and training in the UK in order to add to their skill set and better serve their patients back home. Gaining UK experience can also be very prestigious for a career overseas and many IMGs consider this option.

If this is something you’re interested in, there are three main options:

  1. The Medical Training Initiative (MTI)
  2. A GMC-approved sponsor (outside MTI scheme)
  3. NHS jobs advertised as fellowships

Each option has pros and cons which I discuss in more detail in a seperate article. In the article, I also provides links to the various fellowship schemes for each specialty. You can read more about it here:

4. You’re Returning to medicine after a long career gap

If you do not have any postgraduate clinical experience other than internship and have not been practising medicine for a long time – let’s say more than 3 years, I would recommend that you start from the most junior job: FY1. This is not absolutely necessary however, it is up to you. 

Just remember: the GMC expects that as a doctor you will assess yourself honestly, recognise the limits of your competence, and make a decision based on what’s best for patients.

This is the step-by-step guide for IMGs in this situation.

Why start as an FY1?

Medicine is ever-changing and to be a safe doctor you almost need to retrain. You won’t have to repeat medical school but your clinical skills and acumen will require a lot of attention. 

How can you get an FY1 job?

You won’t be able to apply for an official FY1 post as these are reserved for doctors who have not yet completed any internship, but you can search for non-training jobs that are set at the level of FY1 through the NHS jobs website, and go from there.

You can also apply for SHO level jobs and negotiate an adjustment period for the first few weeks where you work at FY1 level first.

Related: The best first job in the UK for overseas doctors

What if you have previous experience after internship?

Finding a job for senior positions will be very difficult if you have a long career gap. Starting very junior will allow you to safely rebuild your skills in a new health system. If you had previous training then you can consider starting as an SHO then work your way up to your previous level, or apply for jobs at a senior level as long as your employer allows you to work at a junior level for the first few months.

Summary

Your career options depend on what training you have completed back home and what you want to get out of working in the UK. When you have a clear idea of what you want to achieve, the best path becomes more obvious.

Hopefully this post has given you a good idea about what your options are. If there is anything else you want me to discuss or anything I can do make things clearer let me know through the contact form!

You might also like

Looking for a step-by-step guide?

Subscribe to the Savvy IMG and grab your FREE 2-year roadmap to UK residency as an IMG.

free

Looking for a step-by-step guide?

Subscribe to the Savvy IMG and grab your FREE 2-year roadmap to UK residency as an IMG.

free

12 Responses

  1. Hi, I’m currently a 4th-year (out of 6 years) neurosurgery resident in Mexico. can I apply to these options right after I finish neurosurgery or is it mandatory to have 2-3 years post-graduate experience? thank you very much.

    1. Hi there, yes you have these options, your neurosurgery residency is considered postgraduate experience. It can get quite confusing so if you are looking for one-to-one guidance for your specific personal circumstances, you might be interested in booking a session to discuss your options. For more details, please visit our page here.

      https://calendly.com/drkimberlytan
      I look forward to speaking with you!
      Kimberly

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Privacy Overview

This Privacy Policy sets out how we, The Savvy IMG, collect, store and use information about you when you use or interact with our website, thesavvyimg.co.uk (our website) and where we otherwise obtain or collect information about you. This Privacy Policy is effective 13th November 2019.

Contents

  • Summary
  • Our details
  • When you visit our website
  • When you use our website
  • Marketing communications
  • Information obtained from third parties
  • Disclosure and additional uses of your information
  • How long we retain your information
  • How we secure your information
  • Transfers of your information outside the European Economic Area
  • Your rights in relation to your information
  • Changes to our Privacy Policy
  • Children’s Privacy

Summary

This section summarises how we obtain, store and use information about you. It is intended to provide a very general overview only. It is not complete in and of itself and it must be read in conjunction with the corresponding full sections of this Privacy Policy.

  • Data controller: The Savvy IMG
  • How we collect or obtain information about you: when you provide it to us e.g. by contacting us, registering, uploading and downloading from our website, completing registration forms, posting blogs, or signing up for content such as newsletters. From your use of our website, using cookies and occasionally, from third parties such as mailing list providers.
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  • Your rights in relation to your information
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Our details

If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy, please contact the data controller.

The data controller in respect of our website is The Savvy IMG.

You can contact the data controller by sending an email to info@thesavvyimg.co.uk.

When you visit our website

We collect and use information from website visitors in accordance with this section and the section entitled Disclosure and additional uses of your information.

Web server log information

We use a third party server to host our website called BlueHost Inc. the privacy policy of which is available here: https://www.endurance.com/privacy/privacy

Our website server automatically logs the IP address you use to access our website as well as other information about your visit such as the pages accessed, information requested, the date and time of the request, the source of your access to our website (e.g. the website or URL (link) which referred you to our website), and your browser version and operating system.

Use of website server log information for IT security purposes

We collect and store server logs to ensure network and IT security and so that the server and website remain uncompromised. This includes analysing log files to help identify and prevent unauthorised access to our network, the distribution of malicious code, denial of services attacks and other cyber-attacks, by detecting unusual or suspicious activity.

Unless we are investigating suspicious or potential criminal activity, we do not make, nor do we allow our hosting provider to make, any attempt to identify you from the information collected via server logs.

Legal basis for processing: compliance with a legal obligation to which we are subject (Article 6(1)(c) of the General Data Protection Regulation).

Legal obligation: we have a legal obligation to implement appropriate technical and organisational measures to ensure a level of security appropriate to the risk of our processing of information about individuals. Recording access to our website using server log files is such a measure.

Legal basis for processing: our legitimate interests (Article 6(1)(f) of the General Data Protection Regulation).

Legitimate interests: we have a legitimate interest in using your information for the purposes of ensuring network and information security.

Use of website server log information to analyse website use and improve our website

We use the information collected by our website server logs to analyse how our website users interact with our website and its features. For example, we analyse the number of visits and unique visitors we receive, the time and date of the visit, the location of the visit and the operating system and browser use.

We use the information gathered from the analysis of this information to improve our website. For example, we use the information gathered to change the information, content and structure of our website and individual pages based according to what users are engaging most with and the duration of time spent on particular pages on our website.

Legal basis for processing: our legitimate interests (Article 6(1)(f) of the General Data Protection Regulation).

Legitimate interest: improving our website for our website users and getting to know our website users’ preferences so our website can better meet their needs and desires.

Cookies

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You can reject some or all of the cookies we use on or via our website by changing your browser settings or non-essential cookies by using a cookie control tool, but doing so can impair your ability to use our website or some or all of its features. For further information about cookies, including how to change your browser settings, please visit www.allaboutcookies.org or see our cookie policy.

When you contact us

We collect and use information from individuals who contact us in accordance with this section and the section entitled Disclosure and additional uses of your information.

Email

When you send an email to the email address displayed on our website we collect your email address and any other information you provide in that email (such as your name, telephone number and the information contained in any signature block in your email).

Legal basis for processing: our legitimate interests (Article 6(1)(f) of the General Data Protection Regulation).

Legitimate interest(s): responding to enquiries and messages we receive and keeping records of correspondence.

Legal basis for processing: necessary to perform a contract or to take steps at your request to enter into a contract (Article 6(1)(b) of the General Data Protection Regulation).

Reason why necessary to perform a contract: where your message relates to us providing you with goods or services or taking steps at your request prior to providing you with our goods and services (for example, providing you with information about such goods and services), we will process your information in order to do so).

Enquiry forms

When you contact us using an enquiry form, we collect your personal details and match this to any information we hold about you on record. Typical personal information collected will include your name and contact details. We will also record the time, date and the specific form you completed.

If you do not provide the mandatory information required by our contact form, you will not be able to submit the contact form and we will not receive your enquiry.

Legal basis for processing: our legitimate interests (Article 6(1)(f) of the General Data Protection Regulation).

Legitimate interest(s): responding to enquiries and messages we receive and keeping records of correspondence.

We will also use this information to tailor any follow up sales and marketing communications with you. For further information, see the section of this privacy policy titled ‘Marketing Communications’.

Messages you send to us via our contact form may be stored outside the European Economic Area on our contact form provider’s servers.

Phone

When you contact us by phone, we collect your phone number and any information provide to us during your conversation with us.

We record customer-facing phone calls for training and customer service purposes.

Legal basis for processing: our legitimate interests (Article 6(1)(f) of the General Data Protection Regulation)

Legitimate interest(s): responding to enquiries and messages we receive and keeping records of correspondence.

Legal basis for processing: necessary to perform a contract or to take steps at your request to enter into a contract (Article 6(1)(b) of the General Data Protection Regulation).

Reason why necessary to perform a contract: where your message relates to us providing you with goods or services or taking steps at your request prior to providing you with our goods and services (for example, providing you with information about such goods and services), we will process your information in order to do so).

Post

If you contact us by post, we will collect any information you provide to us in any postal communications you send us.

Legal basis for processing: our legitimate interests (Article 6(1)(f) of the General Data Protection Regulation)

Legitimate interest(s): responding to enquiries and messages we receive and keeping records of correspondence.

Legal basis for processing: necessary to perform a contract or to take steps at your request to enter into a contract (Article 6(1)(b) of the General Data Protection Regulation).

Reason why necessary to perform a contract: where your message relates to us providing you with goods or services or taking steps at your request prior to providing you with our goods and services (for example, providing you with information about such goods and services), we will process your information in order to do so).

When you use our website

We collect and use information from individuals who interact with particular features of our website in accordance with this section and the section entitled Disclosure and additional uses of your information.

Social Media Tools

We have a wide range of social media tools to be able to use on our website. These tools include (but not limited to); Sharing, Likes, comments and submitting content both on and off our website. By using these tools, you are providing your consent to store and use the submitted data whether personal information or general information both on and off our website.

Legal basis for processing: your consent (Article 6(1)(a) of the General Data Protection Regulation). Consent: you give your consent to us storing and using submitted content using the steps described above.

We may also use this information to tailor any follow up sales and marketing communications with you. For further information, see the section of this privacy policy titled ‘Marketing Communications’.

Information you submit may be stored both inside and outside the European Economic Area on our servers as well as third-party servers such as Facebook.

For further information about the safeguards used when your information is transferred outside the European Economic Area.

Registering on our Website

When you register on our website or via teachable, we collect the following information; Your Name, Email.

If you do not provide the mandatory information required by the form, you will not be able to interact with our website or on Teachable.

You can view Teachable's privacy policy here https://teachable.com/privacy-policy

Legal basis for processing: our legitimate interests (Article 6(1)(f) of the General Data Protection Regulation).

Legitimate interest: registering and administering accounts on our website to provide access to content, allows you to download content and facilitates the running and operation of our business.

We will also use this information to tailor any follow up sales and marketing communications with you. For further information, see the section of this privacy policy titled ‘Marketing Communications’.

Transfer and storage of your information

Information you submit to us via the registration form on our website may be stored outside the European Economic Area on our third-party hosting provider’s servers.

Marketing communications

Our content, goods and services

When signing up for content, registering on our website or making a payment, we will use the information you provide in order to contact you regarding related content, products and services.

We will continue to send you marketing communications in relation to similar goods and services if you do not opt out from receiving them.

You can opt-out from receiving marketing communications at any time by emailing info@thesavvyimg.co.uk

Legal basis for processing: our legitimate interests (Article 6(1)(f) of the General Data Protection Regulation).

Legitimate interests: Sharing relevant, timely and industry-specific information on related business services, in order to assist your organisation, grow.

Third party goods and services

In addition to receiving information about our products and services, you can opt in to receiving marketing communications from us in relation third party goods and services by email by ticking a box indicating that you would like to receive such communications.

Legal basis for processing: consent (Article 6(1)(a) of the General Data Protection Regulation).

Consent: you give your consent to us sending you information about third party goods and services by signing up to receive such information in accordance with the steps described above.

Transfer and storage of your information

Information for marketing campaigns will be stored outside the European Economic Area on our third-party mailing list provider’s servers in the United States.

For further information about the safeguards used when your information is transferred outside the European Economic Area, see the section of this privacy policy below entitled Transfers of your information outside the European Economic Area.

Use of tracking in emails

We use technologies such as tracking pixels (small graphic files) and tracked links in the emails we send to allow us to assess the level of engagement our emails receive by measuring information such as the delivery rates, open rates, click through rates and content engagement that our emails achieve.

Information obtained from third parties

This section sets out how we obtain or collect information about you from third parties.

Information received from third parties

We can often receive information about you from third parties. The third parties from which we receive information about you can include partner events within the marketing industry and other organisations that we have a professional affiliation with.

It is also possible that third parties with whom we have had no prior contact may provide us with information about you.

Information we obtain from third parties will generally be your name and contact details but will include any additional information about you which they provide to us.

Legal basis for processing: necessary to perform a contract or to take steps at your request to enter into a contract (Article 6(1)(b) of the General Data Protection Regulation).

Reason why necessary to perform a contract: where a third party has passed on information about you to us (such as your name and email address) in order for us to provide services to you, we will process your information in order to take steps at your request to enter into a contract with you and perform a contract with you (as the case may be).

Legal basis for processing: consent (Article 6(1)(a) of the General Data Protection Regulation).

Consent: where you have asked that a third party to share information about you with us and the purpose of sharing that information is not related to the performance of a contract or services by us to you, we will process your information on the basis of your consent, which you give by asking the third party in question to pass on your information to us.

Legal basis for processing: our legitimate interests (Article 6(1)(f) of the General Data Protection Regulation).

Legitimate interests: where a third party has shared information about you with us and you have not consented to the sharing of that information, we will have a legitimate interest in processing that information in certain circumstances.

For example, we would have a legitimate interest in processing your information to perform our obligations under a sub-contract with the third party, where the third party has the main contract with you. Our legitimate interest is the performance of our obligations under our sub-contract.

Similarly, third parties may pass on information about you to us if you have infringed or potentially infringed any of our legal rights. In this case, we will have a legitimate interest in processing that information to investigate and pursue any such potential infringement.

Information obtained by us from third parties

In certain circumstances (for example, to verify the information we hold about you or obtain missing information we require to provide you with a service) we will obtain information about you from certain publicly accessible sources, both EU and non-EU, such as Companies House, online customer databases, business directories, media publications, social media, and websites (including your own website if you have one.

In certain circumstances will also obtain information about you from private sources, both EU and non-EU, such as marketing data services.

We will continue to send you marketing communications in relation to similar goods and services if you do not opt out from receiving them.

You can opt-out from receiving marketing communications at any time by emailing hello@thesavvyimg.co.uk

Legal basis for processing: our legitimate interests (Article 6(1)(f) of the General Data Protection Regulation).

Legitimate interests: Sharing relevant, timely and industry-specific information on related business services.

Where we receive information about you in error

If we receive information about you from a third party in error and/or we do not have a legal basis for processing that information, we will delete your information.

Disclosure and additional uses of your information

This section sets out the circumstances in which will disclose information about you to third parties and any additional purposes for which we use your information.

Disclosure of your information to service providers

We use a number of third parties to provide us with services which are necessary to run our business or to assist us with running our business

These include the following: Internet services, IT service providers and web developers.

Our third-party service providers are located both inside and outside of the European Economic Area.

Your information will be shared with these service providers where necessary to provide you with the service you have requested, whether that is accessing our website or ordering goods and services from us.

We do not display the identities of our service providers publicly by name for security and competitive reasons. If you would like further information about the identities of our service providers, however, please contact us directly by email and we will provide you with such information where you have a legitimate reason for requesting it (where we have shared your information with such service providers, for example).

Legal basis for processing: legitimate interests (Article 6(1)(f) of the General Data Protection Regulation).

Legitimate interest relied on: where we share your information with these third parties in a context other than where is necessary to perform a contract (or take steps at your request to do so), we will share your information with such third parties in order to allow us to run and manage our business efficiently.

Legal basis for processing: necessary to perform a contract and/or to take steps at your request prior to entering into a contract (Article 6(1)(b) of the General Data Protection Regulation).

Reason why necessary to perform a contract: we may need to share information with our service providers to enable us to perform our obligations under that contract or to take the steps you have requested before we enter into a contract with you.

Disclosure and use of your information for legal reasons

Indicating possible criminal acts or threats to public security to a competent authority

If we suspect that criminal or potential criminal conduct has been occurred, we will in certain circumstances need to contact an appropriate authority, such as the police. This could be the case, for instance, if we suspect that we fraud or a cyber-crime has been committed or if we receive threats or malicious communications towards us or third parties.

We will generally only need to process your information for this purpose if you were involved or affected by such an incident in some way.

Legal basis for processing: our legitimate interests (Article 6(1)(f) of the General Data Protection Regulation).

Legitimate interests: preventing crime or suspected criminal activity (such as fraud).

In connection with the enforcement or potential enforcement our legal rights

We will use your information in connection with the enforcement or potential enforcement of our legal rights, including, for example, sharing information with debt collection agencies if you do not pay amounts owed to us when you are contractually obliged to do so. Our legal rights may be contractual (where we have entered into a contract with you) or non-contractual (such as legal rights that we have under copyright law or tort law).

Legal basis for processing: our legitimate interests (Article 6(1)(f) of the General Data Protection Regulation).

Legitimate interest: enforcing our legal rights and taking steps to enforce our legal rights.

In connection with a legal or potential legal dispute or proceedings

We may need to use your information if we are involved in a dispute with you or a third party for example, either to resolve the dispute or as part of any mediation, arbitration or court resolution or similar process.

Legal basis for processing: our legitimate interests (Article 6(1)(f) of the General Data Protection Regulation).

Legitimate interest(s): resolving disputes and potential disputes.

How long we retain your information

This section sets out how long we retain your information. We have set out specific retention periods where possible. Where that has not been possible, we have set out the criteria we use to determine the retention period.

Retention periods

Server log information: we retain information on our server logs for 3 months.

Correspondence and enquiries: when you make an enquiry or correspond with us for any reason, whether by email or via our contact form or by phone, we will retain your information for as long as it takes to respond to and resolve your enquiry, and for 36 further month(s), after which point we will archive your information.

Newsletter: we retain the information you used to sign up for our newsletter for as long as you remain subscribed (i.e. you do not unsubscribe).

Membership: we retain the information you used to sign up for our memberships for as long as you remain subscribed (i.e. you do not unsubscribe).

Criteria for determining retention periods

In any other circumstances, we will retain your information for no longer than necessary, taking into account the following:

    • the purpose(s) and use of your information both now and in the future (such as whether it is necessary to continue to store that information in order to continue to perform our obligations under a contract with you or to contact you in the future);
    • whether we have any legal obligation to continue to process your information (such as any record-keeping obligations imposed by relevant law or regulation);
    • whether we have any legal basis to continue to process your information (such as your consent);
    • how valuable your information is (both now and in the future);
    • any relevant agreed industry practices on how long information should be retained;
    • the levels of risk, cost and liability involved with us continuing to hold the information;
    • how hard it is to ensure that the information can be kept up to date and accurate; and
    • any relevant surrounding circumstances (such as the nature and status of our relationship with you).

How we secure your information

We take appropriate technical and organisational measures to secure your information and to protect it against unauthorised or unlawful use and accidental loss or destruction, including:

  • only sharing and providing access to your information to the minimum extent necessary, subject to confidentiality restrictions where appropriate, and on an anonymised basis wherever possible;
  • using secure servers to store your information;
  • verifying the identity of any individual who requests access to information prior to granting them access to information;
  • using Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) software to encrypt any payment transactions you make on or via our website;
  • only transferring your information via closed system or encrypted data transfers;

Transmission of information to us by email

Transmission of information over the internet is not entirely secure, and if you submit any information to us over the internet (whether by email, via our website or any other means), you do so entirely at your own risk.

We cannot be responsible for any costs, expenses, loss of profits, harm to reputation, damages, liabilities or any other form of loss or damage suffered by you as a result of your decision to transmit information to us by such means.

Transfers of your information outside the European Economic Area

Your information may be transferred and stored outside the European Economic Area (EEA) in the circumstances set out earlier in this policy.

We will also transfer your information outside the EEA or to an international organisation in order to comply with legal obligations to which we are subject (compliance with a court order, for example). Where we are required to do so, we will ensure appropriate safeguards and protections are in place.

Your rights in relation to your information

Subject to certain limitations on certain rights, you have the following rights in relation to your information, which you can exercise by writing to the data controller using the details provided at the top of this policy.

  • to request access to your information and information related to our use and processing of your information;
  • to request the correction or deletion of your information;
  • to request that we restrict our use of your information;
  • to receive information which you have provided to us in a structured, commonly used and machine-readable format (e.g. a CSV file) and the right to have that information transferred to another data controller (including a third-party data controller);
  • to object to the processing of your information for certain purposes (for further information, see the section below entitled Your right to object to the processing of your information for certain purposes); and
  • to withdraw your consent to our use of your information at any time where we rely on your consent to use or process that information. Please note that if you withdraw your consent, this will not affect the lawfulness of our use and processing of your information on the basis of your consent before the point in time when you withdraw your consent.

In accordance with Article 77 of the General Data Protection Regulation, you also have the right to lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority, in particular in the Member State of your habitual residence, place of work or of an alleged infringement of the General Data Protection Regulation.

Further information on your rights in relation to your personal data as an individual

You can find out further information about your rights, as well as information on any limitations which apply to those rights, by reading the underlying legislation contained in Articles 12 to 22 and 34 of the General Data Protection Regulation, which is available here:http://ec.europa.eu/justice/data-protection/reform/files/regulation_oj_en.pdf

Verifying your identity where you request access to your information

Where you request access to your information, we are required by law to use all reasonable measures to verify your identity before doing so.

These measures are designed to protect your information and to reduce the risk of identity fraud, identity theft or general unauthorised access to your information.

How we verify your identity

Where we possess appropriate information about you on file, we will attempt to verify your identity using that information.

If it is not possible to identity you from such information, or if we have insufficient information about you, we may require original or certified copies of certain documentation in order to be able to verify your identity before we are able to provide you with access to your information.

We will be able to confirm the precise information we require to verify your identity in your specific circumstances if and when you make such a request.

Your right to object

You have the following rights in relation to your information, which you may exercise in the same way as you may exercise by writing to the data controller using the details provided at the top of this policy.

  • to object to us using or processing your information where we use or process it in order
  • to carry out a task in the public interest or for our legitimate interests, including ‘profiling’ (i.e. analysing or predicting your behaviour based on your information) based on any of these purposes; and
  • to object to us using or processing your information for direct marketing purposes(including any profiling we engage in that is related to such direct marketing).

You may also exercise your right to object to us using or processing your information for direct marketing purposes by:

  • clicking the unsubscribe link contained at the bottom of any marketing email we send to you and following the instructions which appear in your browser following your clicking on that link;
  • sending an email to info@thesavvyimg.co.uk, asking that we stop sending you marketing communications or by including the words “OPT OUT”.

Sensitive Personal Information

‘Sensitive personal information’ is information about an individual that reveals their racial or ethnic origin, political opinions, religious or philosophical beliefs, or trade union membership, genetic information, biometric information for the purpose of uniquely identifying an individual, information concerning health or information concerning a natural person’s sex life or sexual orientation.

Our website does not allow you to register any ‘Sensitive Information’, however if we ask for this, you will be considered to have explicitly consented to us processing that sensitive personal information under Article 9(2)(a) of the General Data Protection Regulation.

Changes to our Privacy Policy

We update and amend our Privacy Policy from time to time.

Minor changes to our Privacy Policy

Where we make minor changes to our Privacy Policy, we will update our Privacy Policy with a new effective date stated at the beginning of it. Our processing of your information will be governed by the practices set out in that new version of the Privacy Policy from its effective date onwards.

Major changes to our Privacy Policy or the purposes for which we process your information

Where we make major changes to our Privacy Policy or intend to use your information for a new purpose or a different purpose than the purposes for which we originally collected it, we will notify you by email (where possible) or by posting a notice on our website.

We will provide you with the information about the change in question and the purpose and any other relevant information before we use your information for that new purpose.

Wherever required, we will obtain your prior consent before using your information for a purpose that is different from the purposes for which we originally collected it.

Children’s Privacy

Because we care about the safety and privacy of children online, we comply with the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act of 1998 (COPPA). COPPA and its accompanying regulations protect the privacy of children using the internet. We do not knowingly contact or collect information from persons under the age of 18. The website is not intended to solicit information of any kind from persons under the age of 18.

It is possible that we could receive information pertaining to persons under the age of 18 by the fraud or deception of a third party. If we are notified of this, as soon as we verify the information, we will, where required by law to do so, immediately obtain the appropriate parental consent to use that information or, if we are unable to obtain such parental consent, we will delete the information from our servers. If you would like to notify us of our receipt of information about persons under the age of 18, please do so by contacting us by using the details at the top of this policy.