It differs for each specialty. GP is 3 years. All other specialties range from 5-9 years. Read the duration of training per specialty here.

Please take note that you must complete 2 years of clinical experience before you can start UK specialty training. This includes 1 year of internship + 1 year experience after internship.

No, there are no tuition fees for any stage of training. All training jobs are paid, from FY1 onwards. You are paid a salary while you are training.

There are some professional fees that you need to pay each year such as GMC fees and Royal College membership (approx £200+/year), and you have to pay for your exams, but there is no tuition fee. 

You can read more about some of the common misconceptions about UK specialty training here.

There are no fees to submit an application for UK specialty training (residency)!

If you need to sit the entrance test the MSRA, there are no fees to book that either, and it can be taken anywhere in the world.

Interviews are usually online now as well so these can be done anywhere without the need to travel to or around the UK.

No. There is no age limit for GMC registration, specialty training, or any kind of job. Age discrimination is illegal in the UK.

Actually, you won’t get either.

Masters or MD degrees in the UK are completely optional. Completing one of these degrees does NOT lead to becoming a recognised GP or Consultant.

The qualification you after completing UK postgraduate training is the Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT). You will also become a member of the Royal College relevant to your specialty by passing their exams.

It’s only by obtaining the CCT that you can work as a GP or permanent Consultant in the UK.

You might be surprised to learn that the answer is no. According to the rules set in Oct 2019, UK graduates and IMGs will be given equal priority for training jobs including the UK Foundation Programme. Every applicant will be considered basis of their application score alone.

The only exception so far is Public Health.

Related: UK internship (Foundation Programme) open to all IMGs for 2020

Current immigration rules mean that IMGs have the same chances as UK graduates. UK graduates and UK citizens are no longer prioritised for training posts so it’s all down to you to make your application good enough. 

Related: 9 ways the new Shortage Occupation List affects IMGs dreaming of UK specialty training

Of course, your chances are also linked to the competitiveness of the specialty. The more competitive the specialty, the more difficult it is to get in, although it’s not impossible. You can understand more about competition in this guide under the section Competition

• What IMGs need to know about applications to specialty training (residency) in the UK

Current immigration rules mean that IMGs have the same chances as UK graduates. UK graduates and UK citizens are no longer prioritised for training posts so it’s all down to you to make your application good enough. 

Related: 9 ways the new Shortage Occupation List affects IMGs dreaming of UK specialty training

Of course, your chances are also linked to the competitiveness of the specialty. The more competitive the specialty, the more difficult it is to get in, although it’s not impossible. You can understand more about competition in this guide under the section Competition

• What IMGs need to know about applications to specialty training (residency) in the UK

Absolutely! There are no barriers specifically for IMGs when it comes to applying to surgical training in the UK. In fact, there are lots of IMGs working in surgery here.

Of course, it’s not going to be easy. There’s no doubt that it is difficult to get into surgical training, but this is no different than any other country in the world. But the application process is quite transparent, so if you work hard and organise yourself well, then you can succeed!

Start by reading what you need to know about specialty applications. 

Nothing is easy in medicine, you will need to put in the time and effort. But as long as you understand the process well, plan your strategy clearly, and put in the time and effort needed to execute your plan, then the chances of success are quite good in the UK. This is mainly because the criteria to get a high application score are quite transparent compared to other countries so you will know almost exactly what you need to do. 

We have a masterclass dedicated in helping IMGs overcome this obstacle, be sure to check out the IMG Masterclass.

I’m afraid there is no “waiting time”. It doesn’t matter how patient you are, waiting around will not lead to a training job.

You need to actively work on improving your application score. How well and how quickly you improve your application score will determine how long and how many attempts it takes for you to succeed, but in the end it will be due to your hard work, not your patience!

Related: 8 tips to succeed when applying for UK specialty training (residency)

If you feel you need help in this area, we teach a proven strategy to optimise your application to specialty training here in our IMG Masterclass.

It all depends on how much work you put into your application. Some IMGs get a training job within a year because they plan well, while others never get a training job because unfortunately, their application is never better than the competition.

Those who work hard and work smart will always be rewarded with the achievement of their goals!

Related: 8 tips to succeed when applying for UK specialty training (residency)

If you feel you need help in this area, we teach a proven strategy to optimise your application to specialty training here in our IMG Masterclass.

There is no minimum amount of time to work in a non-training job before you can apply for training. It depends on how long it takes you to meet the eligibility requirements. When you meet the eligibility requirements, then you can apply.

Of course, if you want to succeed, then you also need to work on building up a competitive portfolio and you need to be ready for the interview. 

All of this shouldn’t take more than 1-2 years if you are organised and hard-working.

No, not everyone gets a training job because not everyone has a good enough application. It is not a matter of time, it is a matter of whether your application is good enough to beat the competition.

If your application is not good and you don’t do anything to improve it, it doesn’t matter how long you “wait”, you will never get a training job.

But if you work hard and work smart, you can succeed!

We teach a winning strategy for success in the IMG Masterclass.

You can find the specific requirements for each specialty in the person specifications.

However, in general, these are the requirements to be eligible to apply:

For a first-year position (ST1 or CT1)

• Full GMC registration by the time you start ST1 or CT1
  • This means you have completed internship (FY1 equivalent) and you are already in the process of GMC registration with IELTS/OET and PLAB.
  • If you have completed internship overseas, then you do not need to repeat internship in the UK (FY1).
  • Please note that sponsorship or MTI cannot be used for GMC registration for the purpose of a specialty training programme.
• 12 months post-internship experience by the time you start ST1 or CT1 (not at the time of application)
  • Option A: 12 months of clinical experience in a supervised hospital post with in a specialty with acute medical responsibilities either in the UK, overseas, or a combination of both, OR
  • Option B: WAST in the UK, OR
  • Option C: Standalone FY2 in the UK
• F2 competences
  • Option 1: A valid CREST 2020 form (previous versions of CREST will no longer be accepted). Applicable to Option A or B above, OR
  • Option 2: Foundation Programme Certificate of Completion (FPCC) – applicable to Option C above

Please note that NHS experience is not a requirement to apply but is hugely beneficial. Starting your first job in a training post is challenging and can have negative effects on your career progression if you stumble.  

Please also note that you can be overqualified for an ST1/CT1 post if you have too much experience in the same specialty you are applying for. You can read more about this here.

For a position in higher specialty training (ST3 or ST4)

• A certificate to confirm previous training equivalent to ST1/CT1 and ST2/CT2
• Minimum required months of experience
• +/- Logbook & formal assessments
• Compulsory exams eg. MRCP, MRCS, etc.

Internship is the equivalent of FY1, so if you have completed internship overseas, then you do not need to repeat internship in the UK (FY1).

However, you still need to complete FY2 or the equivalent. This is because having 12 months clinical experience after internship, is a compulsory requirement of ALL first-year training jobs.

These are the options:

• Option A: Standalone FY2 in the UK
• Option B: WAST in the UK
• Option C: 12 months of clinical experience in the UK, overseas, or a combination of both.

Please note that NHS experience is not a requirement to apply but is hugely beneficial. Starting your first job in a training post is challenging and can have negative effects on your career progression if you stumble.  

Please also note that you can be overqualified for an ST1/CT1 post if you have too much experience in the same specialty you are applying for. You can read more about this here.

For the competitive specialties, the answer is generally no because of the experience limits.

Please see this article: Are you overqualified for UK specialty training?

For the less competitive specialties, you may still be able to apply but this is not necessarily the best route. You don’t need to repeat training in order to work in the UK or become a UK Consultant if you already have the equivalent training and experience under your belt.

Please see this article: Career options in the UK for IMGs

If you want to become a recognised Consultant in more than 1 specialty, then there are only certain combinations of specialties that are permitted. You can check the list and GM guidance here:

• GMC list of permitted dual specialties
• GMC guidance on dual specialty training

If you want to train in 2 specialties that are not in the approved list, then you have to complete the programmes separately. You cannot do this simultaenously.

No. Grades during medical school might get you a couple of points in your application in some specialties, but they make up just one component of your application.

In the UK they look for well-rounded applicants with achievements in all areas including quality improvement, presentations, publications, leadership, teaching etc.

Related:

• 6 things that don’t matter when applying for UK specialty training (residency) and 4 things that do
• What IMGs need to know about applications to specialty training in the UK

Additional degrees may score points in your application in some specialties, but they make up just one component of your application.

In the UK they look for well-rounded applicants with achievements in all areas including quality improvement, presentations, publications, leadership, teaching etc.

So although having an additional degree can help when applying to some specialties, it’s not a magic bullet. You still need to work on all areas of the portfolio.

Related:

• 6 things that don’t matter when applying for UK specialty training (residency) and 4 things that do
• What IMGs need to know about applications to specialty training in the UK

No. PLAB scores are not given any consideration at all in your application to specialty training (residency).

No, applications for specialty training are done through the website Oriel, not through the NHS jobs website.

You can find the link to Oriel including the user guide and Oriel FAQs here.

A portfolio is essentially a folder that contains all the documentation of your professional achievements.

Professional achievements can include areas such as additional degrees, research, teaching experience, quality improvement, presentations, publications, prizes etc.

The portfolio is used as part of your application score to specialty training.

Read more about the portfolio here.

The general rule is: analyse the person specifications for the specialty you want to apply for, research the scoring criteria, and develop your portfolio accordingly.

These are our general tips on improving your application to UK specialty training.  If you need step-by-step guidance in doing this, check out the IMG Masterclass.

We highly recommend Arora Medical Education for your MSRA prep. As a UK-trained GP and former question writer for the MSRA, his guidance is essential. Get 10% off with the discount code ARORASAVVY10.

Of course! We love answering your questions! You can send us a question here.

But do keep in mind that if your question is already answered on this page or on the FAQ page, we’ll direct you back to the website.

At the moment, CREST forms signed overseas are acceptable, however if you are unable to get your CREST form signed overseas, you can get it signed in the UK.

In order to get it signed in the UK, you need to work in paid employment in the NHS with the same consultant for at least 3 months. This assumes that you have completed all the competences in the form. Sometimes it can take longer than that.

Consultants are not obligated to sign the form after 3 months if you have not completed all the competences to their satisfaction.

Regarding suggestions, it would be beneficial to consider returning to work if feasible, as being idle in your profession can be unproductive. Additionally, if you have the opportunity to engage in teaching within your hospital, it would be advantageous. Participating in audits could also prove useful, as well as dedicating more time to continuous medical education. These are the primary recommendations to consider.