THE FULL MAP
The pathway to becoming a doctor in the UK
9 stages, 62 pages. Tick pages off as you finish them: signed-in members keep their progress across devices, everyone else keeps it in this browser.
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Route A · UK medical schoolGet into UK medical school
Route A: from A-levels to an offer, in the right order and on time.
1–2 years of preparation- A-levels and entry requirements6 min
- UCAT and other admissions tests6 min
- The UCAS application step by step7 min
- Work experience, volunteering and your application6 min
- Interviews, offers and results day6 min
- International applicants8 min
- Other ways in: graduate entry, foundation years, gap years6 min
- Paying for medical school6 min
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Route A · UK medical schoolMedical school and the licensing assessment
Route A: five or six years, the UKMLA and provisional GMC registration.
5–6 years - B
Route B · overseas graduates (PLAB)The PLAB route for overseas-qualified doctors
Route B: from your overseas medical degree to GMC registration.
6–24 months, depending on preparation and appointment availability- What is PLAB?6 min
- Are you eligible? Primary medical qualification and internship6 min
- English-language requirements: IELTS, OET and alternatives6 min
- Your GMC Online account and verifying your documents6 min
- PLAB 1 in detail9 min
- PLAB 2 in detail9 min
- What PLAB really costs5 min
- After PLAB: registration, licence and GMC number6 min
- Visas and sponsorship7 min
- Finding your first UK job7 min
- Other routes to GMC registration7 min
- Important: the Medical Training (Prioritisation) Act 20268 min
- A 12-week PLAB 1 study plan6 min
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EveryoneThe Foundation Programme
Your first two years as a doctor: FY1, FY2 and full GMC registration.
2 years - 5
EveryoneSpecialty training and Royal College exams
From core or run-through training to the exams and reviews that lead to a CCT.
3–8+ years- How specialty training works8 min
- Applying through Oriel: timelines, scoring and offers8 min
- Building your portfolio and preparing for selection6 min
- The Royal College exams at a glance8 min
- General Practice training6 min
- Surgical training6 min
- Medical (physician) training6 min
- Locally employed doctors, SAS doctors and non-training careers6 min
- Flexibility: part-time training, time out and parental leave5 min
- 6
EveryoneSuper-specialising and “board” exams
Sub-specialty training, fellowships, academic medicine, the CCT and the specialist register.
Years 6–15+ after medical school- Is there a UK “board exam”? How certification works7 min
- Higher and sub-specialty training7 min
- Fellowships, research and time out of programme6 min
- Academic medicine6 min
- The CCT and joining the specialist register5 min
- CESR: specialist registration without a UK training programme7 min
- Becoming a consultant and beyond6 min
- 7
Throughout your career - C
Route C · Ireland (EU/EEA and non-EU doctors)Training and working in Ireland
Irish residency and specialty training for EU/EEA graduates, Medical Council registration, PRES, IMGTI and options for non-EU doctors.
1–3 years to register; 6–8 years of specialty training- Becoming a doctor in Ireland: routes at a glance8 min
- Irish residency and specialty training for EU/EEA graduates10 min
- Irish Medical Council registration: the three divisions9 min
- The PRES exam and recognised qualifications9 min
- General and specialist registration in Ireland8 min
- IMGTI: International Medical Graduate Training Initiative8 min
- The Forum of Training Bodies and non-EU doctors9 min