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.
- Information we collect: name, contact details, social media information, IP address, information from cookies, information about your computer or device (e.g. device and browser type), information about how you use our website (e.g. which pages you have viewed, the time when you view them and what you clicked on, the geographical location from which you accessed our website (based on your IP address), engagement history and transaction history.
- How we use your information: for administrative and business purposes (particularly to contact you, to improve our business and website, to fulfil our contractual obligations, to advertise our and other’s goods and services, to analyse your use of our website, and in connection with our legal rights and obligations.)
- Disclosure of your information to third parties: user information can be shared with partners for specific types of content and events where a user has registered their information. Other disclosures are only to the extent necessary to run our business, to our service providers, to fulfil any contracts we enter into with you and where required by law or to enforce our legal rights.
- Do we sell your information to third parties (other than in the course of a business sale or purchase or similar event): No, The Savvy IMG, does not sell data. However, when you register or sign up for certain types of content, your registration data can be shared with sponsors and partners. Examples of where we do this include event registrations, webinar signups or whitepaper downloads. We will always make it clear where any information provided will be shared with other parties.
- How long we retain your information: for no longer than necessary, taking into account any legal obligations we have (e.g. to maintain records for tax purposes), any other legal basis we have for using your information (e.g. your consent, performance of a contract with you or our legitimate interests as a business) and certain additional factors described in the main section below entitled How long we retain your information. For specific retention periods in relation to certain information which we collect from you, please see the main section below entitled How long we retain your information.
- How we secure your information: using appropriate technical and organisational measures such as storing your information on secure servers, encrypting transfers of data to or from our servers using Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) technology, encrypting payments you make on or via our website using Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) technology and only granting access to your information where necessary.
- Use of cookies and similar technologies: we use cookies and similar information-gathering technologies such as marketing automation tracking on our website including essential, functional, analytical and targeting cookies. For more information, please visit our cookies policy.
- Transfers of your information outside the European Economic Area: By using our website, your information may be transferred outside of the European Economic Area. We take personal data seriously and as such we ensure appropriate safeguards are in place, including, for example, that the third parties we use who transfer your information outside the European Economic Area have self-certified themselves as compliant with the EU-U.S. Privacy Shield.
- Use of profiling: we use profiling to understand our users better through web and marketing analytics, provide targeted advertising and deliver a personalised user experience.
- Your rights in relation to your information
- to access your information and to receive information about its use
- to have your information corrected and/or completed
- to have your information deleted
- to restrict the use of your information
- to receive your information in a portable format
- to object to the use of your information
- to withdraw your consent to the use of your information
- to complain to a supervisory authority
- Sensitive personal information: we do not collect what is commonly referred to as ‘sensitive personal information’.
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
Cookies are data files which are sent from a website to a browser to record information about users for various purposes.
We use cookies on our website, including essential, functional, analytical and targeting cookies. For further information on how we use cookies, please see our cookies policy.
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:
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- 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.
60 Responses
Hi Nick thanks…Really informative article, indeed a great help. I am currently working as second year postgraduate surgical trainee in pakistan. Which route will be best for me PLAB or MRCS?
Hi there! Sounds like MRCS would be the best option if you’re already decided on surgery 🙂
Hello, I’d like to know if i can start working in the UK as core trainee just by clearing MRCS part A and not PLAB ? I’m planning to give MRCS before plab since there aren’t any plab seats available in the near future, do you think it’s a good idea. Also MRCS part A is a theory exam, does it still require work experience in the UK to perform better?
Hi there, I’m afraid you can’t get GMC registration with just MRCS Part A. You’ll need both A & B. Once you pass both, and you have GMC registration, then yes you can start applying for UK jobs including core training. Of course, to get into core training there is entire process of portfolio up your portfolio. MRCS Part A does not require UK experience. Good luck!
Hi there,
Is it possible to take MRCS part1 immediately after graduation while doing internship?
If yes, how long after part 1 can i take part2 of MRCS?
Is there there any experience required before taking part2?
If yes, how much experience?
When i ultimately reach there after completing my internship/house job , what post will i be eligible for? FY1? FY2? ST?
Hi Ahmed, please see the RCS website for details about the MRCS. If you have MRCS + internship, you’d still apply for FY2 or SHO level jobs, same as PLAB + internship. All the best!
Good day! Thanks for this info. Im from Philippines and want to go to greener pastures in UK. Unfortunately, I am still financially unstable and would want to go to residency training in Internal Medicine while saving up for the processing and for the exams as well.
1. What are your advices?
2. After the training, should I take PLAB or MRCP? Or should I take first the diplomate exam here in the Ph before taking either PLAB or MRCP?
3. As in IMG, is it easy to bring your family to UK? Or is it more preferable or easier to start your family in UK? (As I am married now and no kids yet. My husband and I wanted to be an IMG in UK)
Thank you!!
Hi Sam! Sorry for the delayed response. Great to hear from a fellow Filipino MD! To answer your questions:
2. You can do either PLAB or MRCP. It might be worth doing MRCP while doing IM residency instead of after so you can make the most of your time. It takes time to pass MRCP. Doing the exam in the Philipines is really up to you, it doesn’t have any bearing in the UK but you might need it if you want to return to the Philippines later.
3. Yes, you just apply for a dependent visa for them, it’s quite straightforward! 🙂
It can be scary and quite confusing so if you are looking for one-to-one guidance for your specific personal circumstances, you can book a session to discuss your options here:
https://thesavvyimg.co.uk/img-coaching
Hello,
I have 3.5 years of experience in Cardiothoracic Anaesthesia and completed the initial 6 months of Anaesthesia training. Planning to sit for Primary FRCA. If I get through that, is it possible to pursue training in Anaesthesia as a Registrar without having previously worked in the UK or without IELTS..?
Thanks
Hi there,
It may be possible get into anesthesia training directly if you can meet all the entry requirements, have a good portfolio and good interview performance. Although it’s highly recommend to gain some UK experience first before applying to training to prepare you.
You will still need IELTS or OET to get GMC registration.
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
I have 15 years service as a doctor in Sri Lanka in the fields of Aneasthesia and Oncology. I started a MSc in Scotland Sep 2021 (1 year ). I have PSWVisa for another 2 years. Is it possible to start MSRA in either of above fields in order to get in to NHS before GMC registration? So that I can utilise that 2 years in health sector while planing for GMC registration.
Thanks
Hi there, there seems to be some confusion. The MSRA is only taken as part of the application process to training programmes in certain specialties. If you get into a training programme, you need to have GMC registration before you will be allowed to start working. It’s not possible to work as a doctor in the UK without GMC registration.
Hi, I graduated 6yrs ago. Have worked in a private hospital in my country for 5yrs. I am presently in London doing postgraduate in public health but I have exhausted my four attempts on plab 2. Is it advisable to take MRCS exam, will GMC agree to register me after passing it
Hi there, sorry to hear about your struggle. It’s possible that the GMC will accept it but if you only pass the exam without any further clinical experience, they may not. You can try but I’m afraid there are no guarantees in this case.
Hello
Thanks a lot for such a clear guidance to help IMGs. I have a question. I am an IMG with MD+ 2years of internship+ postgraduate specialty training for 4 years in Urologic surgery, and 2 years of job experience. I plan to go through the GMC registration pathways, but not sure which of the PLAB or MRCS routes are suitable for me to save time and money.
Will I become ST/3 of urology training If I can pass the MRCS?
Best regards
Hi there, MRCS seems more suitable given your experience. You will not automatically be given an ST3 urology training post once you pass MRCS. You’ll need to complete all the other eligibility requirements, prepare your portfolio and attend the interview. This can all take 1-2 years but if you do well in the application, you can certainly get a training post. 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
Best of luck!
Hey Nick,
Thanks a lot for such a clear and to the point guide.
I am an IMG and graduated at 2016. I have been working as a general practitioner since then. I have passed the PLAB part 1 and MRCP part 1&2 but unfortunately have not been able to secure a placement for PACES (the prospect of getting a slot soon is not bright due to the backlog caused by COVID).
My question:
Would I be able to apply for a job and start working in the UK without clearing PACES?
Thanks in advance
Hi Meh, it’s possible through the MTI route but there are several requirements for that. Check out this article https://thesavvyimg.co.uk/a-guide-to-short-term-training-in-the-uk-including-fellowships-scholarships-and-gmc-sponsorships/
Hi Nick thanks for such a nice info . indeed a great help … kindly now let me know that I have completed my Internship in 2021 May .. Now I wanna appear in MRCS but I have a confusion that after passing part A can I get training in UK or I do need to pass both parts first …having my GMC registration then I would be able to get training as well …. is it ??? waiting for your reply … thanks in advance
You need GMC registration to start training and you need both parts of MRCS to get GMC registration.
I recommend going through our free course IMG Shortcut to get a better idea of how things work 🙂 https://thesavvyimg.co.uk/img-shortcut
Hello there. I am doing plab to join rehabilitation specialty. I am seeing that i need mrcp to join the specialty. So i am confused with doing plab or mrcp. Can u tell me what i need to do in order to get to the pathway of pm&r?
It depends where you are in your career. If you’re a fresh grad with no other training or experience, you can do PLAB, complete 2-3 years core training in any of the specialties listed here https://www.gmc-uk.org/education/standards-guidance-and-curricula/curricula/rehabilitation-medicine-curriculum pass the exams for that specialty, then apply for Rehab med. Please see the requirements for ST3 here https://specialtytraining.hee.nhs.uk/portals/1/Content/Person%20Specifications/Rehabilitation%20Medicine/REHABILITATION%20MEDICINE%20%20-%20ST3%202022.pdf good luck!
Good day, thanks for your clarifications so far. I graduated Nov, 2019. Done with internship, now undergoing residency training in Internal medicine in my country Nigeria. However, I’m interested in doing it in the UK. I prefer the MRCP route, I learnt one can get into UK after passing MRCP part 1 via a sponsorship program, how true is this? And can you throw more light on the sponsorship program? Thank you
Hi, you’re referring to the Medical Training Initiative or MTI. You can read more about it here https://thesavvyimg.co.uk/a-guide-to-short-term-training-in-the-uk-including-fellowships-scholarships-and-gmc-sponsorships/ Good luck!
Hi Nick. Really informative article!! I am a practising ophthalmologist in India for last 6 years.I have cleared all parts of ICO exams prior to 2018 and FRCS Glasgow part 2b. I am still waiting for final part of FRCS. What is the easiest way for me to secure GMC registration? Can I also give PLAB exams alternatively. Or should I give any other exam to make the pathway easier. Aim is to initially land a job in opthalmology and become a UK consultant in future. Kindly clarify. Thanks in adavance!
Hi Amit! You might be able to get GMC registration with that, best to contact GMC directly for official advice. If not, PLAB or MRCS is probably the easiest/fastest way. FRCOphth will take a few years, and UK experience and training is really important to do well.
hey
I hace completed my graduation in 2018 then i directly started doing a job as a medical officer in surgical department i hacve completed three years of this plain post and now wish to persue my post graduation in the UK as of now my confusion is shoould i give plab is it compulsory or i can directly finish my mrcs and come and work in uk and finish my post graduation there
please help
Hi, you can do either, it’s up to you!
Hi Dr.Nick,
I have few questions
* I graduated (MBBS) in 2017 from China
* Now I have 4 years of gap and still going on (as I am not allowed to work as a doctor in China)
* I am planning to prepare for MRCS instead of Plab (as these days it is very difficult to book a seat for PLAB).
So question is
1.Can I take MRCS pathway to get GMC registration?
2. If yes, I will start from FY2 or as registrat after GMC registration?(through MRCS pathway)
3. Will there be any trouble for that long gap ?
Thanks in advance 🙂
Hi Dr! To answer your questions,
1. Yes
2. FY2 provided you have completed internship. Your position will depend on your experience, not any exams.
3. It may take a little longer getting GMC registration and a job, but it’s not a strict barrier. IMGs have managed to start work in the UK with 10 year gaps!
Hi, am I eligible to take MRCP/MRCOG, if I have failed PLAB 1 in the past?
Hi Rosalia, yes, those exams don’t take into previous PLAB failures.
Thank you! This was really helpful. I’m planning to give MRCS part A next Jan and Plab 1 next Feb since I’ll be free for the next 4 months. My question is can I book the two exams at the same time? Or Do I have to give one in advance in order to be able to book the next one?
Hi there, the 2 exams are completely separate and unrelated so you can book them in any order you wish. Best of luck!
Hi Nick, Thanks for information
But I’m having doubts regarding something
I’m from india & completed graduation(mbbs) in 2019 but due to some reasons i did not look into overseas courses until now.
Now I’m interested in the courses
Would like to know if I’m eligible to pursue CARDIOTHORACIC AND VASCULAR SURGERY(CTVS) IN UK or general surgery postgraduate course
If I’m, what would be my best course of action to pursue the degree
Money and pass percentages are not an issue
It would be very nice, if i can get anymore additional information from you or any contacts regarding information
Hi Krishna, it’s never too late! 2019 is not that long ago! I’d recommend going through our free course first to learn about eligibility requirements and to get a general idea of the whole process. https://thesavvyimg.teachable.com/p/img-shortcut All the best!
Hi Nick,
Thank you for the detailed and precise information on the routes to GMC registration and the most suitable jobs for IMGs.
I have been in the UK for several years, studying a PhD, doing non-clinical research and teaching postgraduate courses in medicine.
My plan is to apply for specialty training (Endocrinology).
As an IMG with completed 12 month internship who hasn’t been practicing for quite a few years, should I follow the MRCP route?
Also, what would be the suitable first job for me?
Thank you
Hi there! With your background you’re probably best going for PLAB since you need to go through the CCT pathway. As you have not yet completed any training in Internal Medicine, you need to start from FY2 level. I would recommend going for Standalone FY2 or any junior role. This free short course should make things clearer https://thesavvyimg.teachable.com/p/img-shortcut
Hi, if I take Plabs and gmc registration during my assistantship in the oversea country, can i be able to continue my training from where i am? or do i have to start from the fy2 level.
Hi there, you’ll need to either start again (CCT pathway) or start from the middle of a training programme (CESR-CP pathway) if that’s available for your
specialty. You don’t necessarily need to start from FY2. Please enrol in our free course here to get a better idea of what you need to do https://thesavvyimg.teachable.com/p/img-shortcut
If i pass mrcp’s after failing plab 2, will i get gmc registeration or do i need to pass plab 2 as well
Hi there, it’s actually not that simple. The GMC will look at your application as a whole to see if they are satisfied with your clinical competence. If you have pass MRCP and have work experience after failing PLAB 2, then you may still get GMC registration. But if you pass MRCP and have no further clinical experience after failing PLAB 2, then you may be asked to pass PLAB 2. Best to ask the GMC directly for their advice. Hope it works out!
can i start training in uk after mrcp part 1 without giving plab
If you’re referring to the official specialty training programmes, no. You need to either complete MRCP or PLAB to get GMC registration so you can work in the UK.
Hi I’m an IMG currently preparing for MRCS ENT. I had 2 questions
1- Is a MRCS recognized as a APQ by the ENT community in the UK? I was told it would help with GMC but not with applying for training roles in ENT later on.
2 – Since there are so many things to submit during GMC application, can I get my PMQ verified by EPIC initially and get my APQ verified later? IE, is it alright if I do it in 2 steps? Will that help speed up the process?
Reading through your website has helped so much in clearing things up. Its so discouraging to read about how difficult and unwelcoming the UK is towards IMGs. Keep up the good work and thanks for your time!
Hi there! Thanks for stopping by our site.
1. Yes, MRCS a basic entry requirement for any surgical training role at ST3 level.
2. I don’t see why not. PMQ verification can take some time so best to get it out of the way first.
Best of luck!
Hai, thank you for that guide. I work as a family medicine registrar in the middle east. I want to do GP training in the UK. I passed IELTS with the required band score but unable to book Plab 1 due to lack of slots, all seats completely booked for 2021. Now, Im thinking of giving MRCP exams instead of waiting for the PLAB 1 dates, as it is in very high demand and not predictable in 2021. If I pass MRCP and attain GMC registration, can I still go for GP training ?
Hi there! Yes you can still go for GP training after MRCP. Best of luck!
Hello, thanks for information.
I am a foreign medical graduate if I want apply for run through course (neurosurgery). Which exam I need to pass? Can I directly apply for MRCS rather than PLAB?
Hi there, yes you can. If you’re still deciding between the 2, please see the article above. Best of luck!
Hi there,can you help me my question?I finished trainee in the oversea country.(cardiovascular surgery).I don’t have much money for MRSP and I want to learn anything. So,gmc’s postgraduate rules say that if you want to entry training in uk ,your postgraduate education must little from 36 months. Now,i completed my trainee with 60 months and working by a surgeon. I don’t want MRSP. I want to begin from fy1/fy2. I WANT TO LEARN “Will my 60 months of education prevent me from starting everything again by applying to PLAB and working to be a fy1/fy2 doctor?
Hi there, unfortunately you won’t be able to enter the official Foundation Programme since you will most likely be given full registration by the GMC after PLAB making you ineligible for FY1. You can apply for FY2 standalone but after that, you won’t be able to enter core surgery CT1 or cardiovascular ST1 as you’ll be considered overqualified. You may still be able to enter surgical training at ST3 level but just not cardiovascular surgery because after 2022 there will be no entry to cardiovascular surgery at ST3 level. You can still try applying for other surgical specialties though. Hope that helps.
Hi, thanks for information you delivered
I am an overseas cardiologist with more than 10 years clinical experience and I want to work in UK as a cardiologist. I think it is better to pass MRCP exam than PLAB, I want to know if MRCP questions are only on the cardiology topics or it encompasses all general medical knowledge?
Hi there, thanks for visiting our website! MRCP covers all internal medicine as it is required for entry to all specialties – Cardiology, gastroenterology, dermatology, rheumatology etc
Hello, thank you for the comprehensive guide.
I wonder, as an overseas IMG and intensive care specialist, if I can apply for junior or senior clinical fellowship and become a consultant in a couple of years. If yes, is it MRCP exams I have to sit?
Hi there, to become a consultant you’ll need to either complete UK training (CCT or CESR-CP route), or prove that you have gained equivalent training (CESR route). Please see this article about the different routes:
https://thesavvyimg.co.uk/career-options-in-the-uk-for-imgs/
And this article about how to find the pathway and exam requirements for your target specialty:
https://thesavvyimg.co.uk/what-is-the-uk-specialty-training-pathway-for/
Best of luck!
Hi , isn’t it faster to get MRCP/MRCS first then specialty training instead of taking plab1/2 then fy1/2 ?
Hi there, as mentioned above, many IMGs take much longer to pass MRCP/MRCS compared to PLAB so in the end it’s not faster. Also MRCP and MRCS do not allow you to skip core training, there are other requirements for entry to specialty training other than MRCS/MRCP that most IMGs aren’t aware of so in many cases it takes longer. Please see this article: Once I hold full MRCP or MRCS I can skip core training, right? But of course it’s not impossible! You can always try.
Good day! If for example, I take the MRCP pathway (as I am planning to apply as Internal Medicine Trainee in the future), will I still be able to get non-training job posts in other specialties like acute medicine, GP, pediatrics?
Hi there, yes you can. Qualifications do not restrict you to working in a single specialty.