How to become a doctor
Do you want to become a doctor in the UK? This step-by-step guide will tell you what you need to do.
We'll look at the qualifications, timescales, and key steps involved in pursuing a career in medicine.
Why become a doctor?
Many people want to work in medicine because it allows them to make a significant positive impact on people's lives. As a doctor, you'll be able to contribute meaningfully to the world. It's a deeply rewarding career, offering the opportunity to improve the wellbeing and happiness of others.
If you work as a doctor, no day will be the same. In the field of medicine, you'll always be intellectually engaged. You'll face diverse challenges that demand the application of your knowledge and skills to help those in need. If you want to be consistently challenged, medicine is an excellent choice.
You'll have many diverse career options after completing medical school. If you choose to specialise, you'll be able to tailor your career to match your interests, skills, and personality. Beyond traditional hospital settings, doctors are in demand across various sectors. This includes the armed forces, emergency services, and research institutions. You'll have the ultimate flexibility and the chance to forge a unique and fulfilling career path.
If you want to work as a doctor in the UK, you will train with the NHS. There are a wide range of medical services in the NHS. This includes hospitals, general practitioners (GPs), specialist clinics, emergency services, and more. It's the largest publicly funded healthcare system in the world. The NHS focuses on patient care and promoting public heath and is known for its commitment to providing universal access to healthcare.
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Whether you're doing A Levels or an undergraduate degree, the time spent preparing for medical school can vary. The application process involves many different stages.
Your first five years will be spent training at a medical school. Medical schools in the UK are usually part of a university, like UCLan's School of Medicine and Dentistry.
Once you graduate from medical school, you'll do two years of foundation training. During this period, you'll work as a doctor while enhancing your clinical skills to get ready for specialty training.
After your foundation programme, you'll go on to train in a chosen specialty or general practice (GP). If you train as a GP, this will take at least another three years. Training in another specialty can take five to eight years.
Doctors are expected to take part in Continuing Professional Development (CPD) throughout their careers. You'll need to stay updated with medical advancements to maintain your General Medical Council (GMC) registration.
A step-by-step guide to training as a doctor
You might be a high school student considering a future in medicine, or someone looking to make a career change. Whatever your path, this guide will tell you the process of becoming a doctor in the UK.
Step 1: Prepare and apply for medical school
Getting ready for medical school takes hard work, dedication, and good grades, but it's the first step to becoming a doctor.
Before applying to medical school, it's important to understand what it means to be a doctor. Start by researching the role, talking to doctors, and exploring different medical specialties. To gain experience and insight, you can volunteer or shadow doctors in healthcare settings. This will give you a realistic view of the demands and rewards of the profession. It will also show your commitment to becoming a doctor.
Medicine summer schools are also a good way to prepare yourself for medical school. You'll get an immersive experience of what it's like to study medicine and healthcare. UCLan's Medicine Summer School is a one-week residential programme. You'll learn hands-on skills from expert teachers.
You'll also need to decide what medical schools you want to apply to. Most UK medical schools (like UCLan) offer the integrated Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) degree. Others may also award separate Bachelor of Science (BSc) degrees in addition to the MBBS.
You should research different UK medical schools and their entry requirements. Typically, you'll need good grades in specific subjects like Biology and Chemistry. This is often from A Levels or equivalent qualifications. Some universities accept other qualifications like the International Baccalaureate. Additionally, some medical schools allow entry after completing an undergraduate degree.
If you don't meet the academic entry requirements, you can consider applying for a foundation year. At UCLan, we have the MBBS (with Foundation Year) for international students. As a UK student you could consider the BSc (Hons) Medical Sciences (with Foundation Year) as a route to the MBBS.
You'll need strong letters of recommendation and a persuasive personal statement as part of your application. Your personal statement should be like a job application. You should show you have the qualities needed for a trainee doctor. Your reference is usually written by a Head Teacher, College Principal, Head of Year, or Form Tutor. This should show who you are as a person, not just talk about your academic achievements and potential.
Applying as a UK/home student
Complete the UCAS application, including personal statements and reference letters. You'll need to pay attention to application deadlines. If you’re applying for September start you'll need to submit your UCAS application by October the year before.
Applying as an international student
International students applying for UK medical school may not need to apply through UCAS. At UCLan, International applications can be made via UCAS or direct via our application portal.
Some UK medical schools may ask you to take admission tests, so be sure to check specific requirements on their websites. To get ready for tests like the Universities Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT) learn about the test format and practice with sample questions.
If you make it through the initial screening, you will most likely be invited to interview. To get ready for these interviews, prepare for both traditional and Multiple Mini Interviews (MMIs). Showcase your motivation, communication skills, and ethical awareness.
Step 2: Enrol and study at medical school
Medical school programmes in the UK typically last for five or six years, depending on the university.
Your study will focus on foundational science courses such as anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, pharmacology, and medical ethics. Usually, the first two years involve classroom and lab work, but some schools, like UCLan, start hands-on learning in Year 1.
At UCLan you will learn in a number of ways. This includes:
- Small group tutorials
- Seminars
- Laboratory-based teaching sessions
- Workshops
- Clinical placements in primary and secondary care
In medical school, you'll learn important clinical skills. This includes talking with patients and doing physical exams. You'll also learn to perform medical procedures and how to understand test results.
At UCLan, we have advanced clinical skills labs with realistic equipment. This includes high fidelity clinical human simulators. You'll practice the skills you need in settings like hospitals and medical centres.
During medical school, you'll learn how to care for patients. You'll discover how to ask about medical histories, do physical exams, figure out diagnoses, and create treatment plans. You'll also do clinical rotations, where you'll work in real hospitals and healthcare settings. Here, you'll get hands-on practice in different medical areas and work with patients. You'll also be supervised by experienced doctors.
The way you're assessed at medical school will vary. At UCLan, we use a mix of ongoing assessments and regular exams throughout the programme. Continuous assessment lets you regularly review what you've learned and talk to your tutor about any challenges you're facing early on.
Continuous assessment includes:
- An ePortfolio for reflection
- Formative assessments at the end of the first semester and informally throughout the year
- End-of-year exams, which include computer-based knowledge tests, objective structured clinical exams (OSCEs), and oral and poster presentations
- Professionalism, which we assess throughout the course in various ways
Step 3: Complete the foundation training
After graduating, you'll need to complete the UK's foundation training programme. This is a postgraduate training period of two years.
The first year of the programme, known as FY1, typically lasts for one year. As a new doctor, you'll be supervised by experienced healthcare professionals in different clinics. This includes hospitals and primary care settings. As an FY1 doctor, you'll gain practical experience and develop clinical skills. You'll also get the opportunity to rotate through different medical specialties.
If you successfully complete FY1, you'll progress to FY2, which also lasts for one year. During FY2, you'll continue to work in clinical settings. Often you'll have more responsibility and autonomy in patient care. The FY2 year is a transition between medical school and specialty or general practice training.
Step 4: Medical specialty training and CPD
After foundation training, you'll apply for specialty training. You'll become an expert in your chosen medical field.
After finishing foundation training, you'll receive a Foundation Programme Certificate of Completion (FPCC). You'll then decide to go on to train in general practice (GP), or a chosen medical specialty. There are around 60 specialties available including surgery, paediatrics, or cardiology.
Programmes vary in duration and might require you to pass membership exams related to your chosen specialty. You can find out more information on the NHS careers website.
After completing your foundation and specialty training, you'll get full registration from the General Medical Council (GMC). This allows you to practice medicine independently. Additionally, you'll need to prepare for membership exams for your chosen medical specialty. This could include the Membership of the Royal Colleges of Physicians of the United Kingdom (MRCPUK) or the Membership of the Royal College of General Practitioners (MRCGP). These memberships are crucial for you to advance in your medical career.
As a doctor, it's important to keep learning and stay updated with medical advancements. You'll be expected to attend conferences, take courses, and do research. Continuing Professional Development (CPD) is vital to stay current and maintain your GMC registration.
UCLan have a range of CPD courses for medical professionals.
