Becoming a doctor in the UK is a challenging but rewarding process requiring much time, effort, and dedication and typically involves several steps, including academic qualifications, work experience, and professional exams. To be successful, applicants will require certain skills, attributes, and experiences that align with university expectations.
The skills needed to work in medicine
To effectively study medicine students should:
- Have the ability to be reflective and demonstrate resilience
- Use effective problem-solving skills and be organized
- Show empathy and have the ability to deal with uncertainty
- Demonstrate compassion, respect, dignity, commitment to quality care, and the ability to work collaboratively for others to improve lives where everyone counts.
What universities look for in an applicant
In addition to academic prowess, universities seek students who can demonstrate:
- An understanding of medicine through engagement in work experience at places such as hospitals and clinics, general practices, health stores, pharmacies, undertakers, restaurants, and shops (see the following links for further support – Observe GP, Patient journey to GP practice, BSMS Virtual Work Experience)
- Active engagement in voluntary activities in places such as care and nursing homes, hospices, charity shops, youth clubs, and schools
- An interest in reading beyond the classroom texts of publications such as BBC Health, Guardian, NHS, New Scientist, Student BMJ, books, and novels.
- Participation in extra-curricular activities such as sports teams, music, drama, art, Duke of Edinburgh, coaching, tutoring, and mentoring.
- Confident involvement in discussions with practicing doctors, medical school students, and admissions officers.
- A deep appreciation of the NHS and its current challenges, broad scientific knowledge, and the ability to demonstrate individual research in areas of interest.
Applying for a visa
The UK immigration system is based on a points-based system. International medical students apply for a general student visa (tier 4) however before applying for a visa, students must have an unconditional offer of a place at medical school and enough money to support themselves and pay for their courses. The earliest a student can apply for a visa is three months before they start their course and they will usually get a decision about their visa within three weeks.
The Steps To Becoming A Qualified Medical Professional
Generally to become a medical professional students need to complete an undergraduate degree followed by a foundation program. In addition, students need to register with the GMC, take the GAMSAT, and complete a graduate medicine program. For some students, the completion of further years of training will lead them to be experts in their specialty area.
STEP ONE: Obtain an undergraduate degree from a medical school (4-6 years)
Most students choose to study a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) degree or a Bachelor of Science (BSc) in a relevant field such as biology, chemistry, or biochemistry. Admission requirements vary between universities, so students need to explore and choose the course that matches their needs. The undergraduate admissions process for studying to become a doctor in the UK is highly competitive and requires students to organize their admissions journey carefully, and meet various requirements that may include academics, English proficiency, personal statement, admissions tests, and an interview.
Choosing Where To Study
- Attend Open Days
- Explore university websites
- Chat with admissions officers
- Read student satisfaction surveys
- Compare rankings
- Consider the size of the medical school
- Understand course offerings
- Traditional vs Integrated vs Problem-Based Learning models
- Dissection
- Intercalation or time out of the regular medical degree to study a specific area of interest.
- Elective offering
The Admissions Process
- Register and complete the application in the University and College Admissions System (UCAS). Each student has 5 choices but can only apply to 4 medical schools
- After careful consideration, decide where to apply
- Register for and undertake an admissions test (UCAT or BMAT (*to be withdrawn from 2024))
- Draft, edit, and review a personal statement
- Gain a teacher reference
- Submit the medical school application by the mid-October deadline
- Prepare for and attend an interview if invited to do so.
The Admissions Timeline
- Grade 11
- October to March: Undertake college research and gain work experience
- April to May: Draft personal statement
- June: UCAT registration opens
- July to August: UCAT Testing begins in late July and the BMAT (*) registration opens. Both tests will require 25 – 30 hours of preparation. Personal statement writing and work experience should continue.
- Grade 12
- September: BMAT (*) test date, UCAT testing ends in late September and the BMAT (*) registration opens
- October: Mid-October application deadline for UCAS and BMAT (*) test date
- March to May: Apply for student finance and await decisions by medical schools
- July: Early July IB results day
- August: Early August A Levels results day as well as course confirmation and clearing
- September to October: Start medical school
The Admission Requirements
To be eligible for admission to an undergraduate medical program in the UK, students typically need:
- Academics: The minimum score for A levels is generally AAA including Chemistry and one subject from Biology, Maths, or Physics, and one other subject. The expected IB score ranges from around 32 – 42 points, however, this is dependent upon each university. A score of 36+ is typically required. An IB score of at least 6 in both HL Biology and HL Chemistry (HL Mathematics is recommended but not compulsory). Some universities may require a minimum number of GCSEs (or equivalent) at grades A or above, including English, Maths, and Science
- English Proficiency: Proof of English language proficiency through IELTS or TOEFL
- Personal Statement: Content-wise applicants should look to demonstrate that they have the skills, values, and attributes required to study medicine and be a doctor as well as demonstrate that they have a realistic view of what a career in medicine entails and how the healthcare system works. The personal statement should highlight a student’s motivation to study medicine, relevant work experience, extracurricular activities, and any other achievements that demonstrate their suitability for the program. See Personal Statement
- Interview: After submitting an application, students who meet the academic and test score requirements may be invited for an interview. The interview is typically conducted by medical school faculty and assesses a student’s communication skills, problem-solving abilities, and motivation to study medicine. They can be multiple mini-interviews (MMI), panel-based interviews, structured interviews, and semi-structured interviews. To practice for interviews students should head to Get Into Medical School and Interview Preparation, Review NHS values, and research each medical school carefully highlighting points of interest
- Admissions Tests: Depending upon the university requirements, applicants are required to take the Biomedical Admission Test (BMAT (*)) or the University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT).
- UCAT: The University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT) is a mandatory test that most UK medical schools use as part of their admissions process. The test assesses a range of skills and abilities including verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, abstract reasoning, decision-making, situational judgment, and a student’s ability to think logically and critically and solve problems.
- BMAT (*): The BioMedical Admissions Test (BMAT) is a test that some UK medical schools use as part of their admissions process however it will be withdrawn in 2024 The test assesses a range of skills including scientific knowledge and application, problem-solving, critical thinking, and written communication as well as a student’s potential to study medicine and healthcare-related subjects.
- Note: The BMAT exam, along with other admissions tests such as TMUA, NSAA, and ENGAA have been announced to be discontinued by Cambridge Assessments Admissions Testing (CAAT) from 2024. While no specific reasons have been provided for the discontinuation of these exams, it is believed that the decision was influenced by a shift towards more holistic assessments in university applications. Without BMAT, universities will increasingly rely on academic records, extracurricular activities, personal statements, interviews, and other admission tests like UCAT or GAMSAT. This creates a more comprehensive approach to assessing applicant suitability beyond their performances in one single type of exam.
- For further information see Entry Requirements
STEP TWO: Complete a Foundation Program (1-2 years)
After graduating from an undergraduate medicine program, students must complete a foundation program. This involves working as a junior doctor for two years in a hospital or clinical setting. During this time, students gain practical experience in a range of medical specialties, develop clinical skills, and receive supervised training.
STEP THREE: Register with the General Medical Council (GMC)
To practice medicine in the UK, students must register with the GMC. This involves submitting an application and providing evidence of academic qualifications, work experience, and the completion of a foundation program. Once registered, doctors are granted a license to practice medicine in the UK.
STEP FOUR: Take the Graduate Medical School Admissions Test (GAMSAT)
The GAMSAT is a standardized test that assesses the skills and knowledge required to study medicine at a graduate level. The test consists of three sections, including reasoning in humanities and social sciences, written communication, and reasoning in biological and physical sciences.
STEP FIVE: Apply for a Graduate Medical Program (3-4 years)
Once students have completed an undergraduate degree and gained work experience, they can apply for a graduate medical program. These programs typically last four years and are offered by medical schools across the UK. Admission to these programs is highly competitive, and selection is based on academic achievement, work experience, and performance on the GAMSAT.
STEP SIX: Complete Speciality Training (5-8 years)
After completing a foundation program, doctors can choose to specialize in a specific area of medicine. Specialty training typically lasts four to seven years and involves gaining advanced clinical skills and knowledge in a particular field. Specialty training is highly competitive, and selection is based on academic achievement, work experience, and performance in professional exams.
While the process of becoming a doctor in the UK can be challenging, it is also highly rewarding, offering the opportunity to make a significant difference in people’s lives and contribute to the healthcare profession.
