Study Medicine in the United Kingdom

Medical School Structure in the United Kingdom

Becoming a doctor in the United Kingdom takes between six to twelve years. The study of medicine in the UK starts at the undergraduate level where you spend four to six years studying core science subjects and learning clinical tasks. If you already have a degree in a science-related subject you have the opportunity to apply for a four-year accelerated medicine course. Once you earn your bachelor’s degree you are considered a junior doctor. After graduation, you undertake a two-year Foundation Program and then continue with specialty training that can take 5 to 8 years to complete.

Requirements

It is a known fact that the admission requirements for any medical school are among the most strict and demanding. Normally, medical schools require students to submit their applications at least a year in advance. For international students, the competition becomes two times harder since there is a set number of international students that can be accepted by UK universities.

In order for you to be eligible for a medical school you should meet the following requirements:

• Academic Qualifications: High school diploma, excellent GPA, letters of recommendation, personal statement.
• Admission Test: one of the main criteria to be eligible for medical school in the UK is to pass one of the admission tests: UKCAT (the UK Universities Clinical Aptitudes Test), the BMAT(the BioMedical Admissions Test), the GAMSAT (Graduate Medical School Admissions Test). Note that some students choose to take more than one of the above-mentioned tests.
• Obtain a Visa: Obtaining a visa is one of the main requirements for students who come from a non-EU/EEA country. For the visa application procedure, you should check with the embassy in your country or the consulate that has jurisdiction over your home country.
• Language Requirements: If your native language is not English you must submit proof of English language proficiency. Usually, universities accept TOEFL and IELTS test scores. However, you can check with the university of your choice, and see which language test they prefer.

As medicine is one of the most competitive courses in the United Kingdom you will have to prove that your grades are of the highest standard and that you are determined to get through all the hard work that is required to graduate from medical school. If you manage to complete the course successfully, you will obtain one of the most prestigious degrees there is.

Application Process

The application process for students pursuing higher education in the United Kingdom is more or less the same. Students must send their applications to medical schools through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) which is the centralized application portal in the UK. You are allowed to select up to four medical schools, the fifth should be in another field. Note that many universities will not allow you to write a different personal statement, so if you decide to apply to a fifth field you can choose something science-related. Your application will be sent to the schools you have selected through UCAS.

Note: Make sure that you send your application on time, otherwise your application will not be accepted.

Degree Duration: How Long Does It Take to Study Medicine in the United Kingdom?

In the United Kingdom, the duration of a degree in medicine depends on the level of study you plan to undertake. Undergraduate studies in Medicine usually take four to six years to complete.

After graduating you undertake the two-year UK Foundation Program, then a GP training which can take up to three years to complete. Afterward, depending on the field you wish to specialize in, the specialty training can take five to eight years to complete.

Note that this is not the only order in which you can complete your medical studies. This all depends on what you want from your job, and personal preferences like the location you would like to work in, or if you would prefer to do academic research, voluntary work, or pursue other interests.

Tuition Fees: How Much Does It Cost to Study Medicine in the United Kingdom?

Tuition fees make up a huge part of the expenses you will have while studying abroad. How much you pay for tuition fees will depend on your home country, the level of study you plan to pursue, and the school you plan to attend. As in many countries in the world, in the UK as well, tuition fees for medical degrees are some of the highest among all courses. International students can expect to pay an average of $53,548 (£38,000) per year for tuition fees. Note that tuition fees differ from one university to another, so you should check with your university about their fees.

Medical Jobs in the United Kingdom

Medicine is a field with a wide scope. Once you obtain your degree you can work as an anesthetist, cardiologist, neurologist, pathologist, psychiatrist, surgeon, ophthalmologist, general practice doctor, etc. Other industries where you can practice medicine include the Armed Forces, overseas aid agencies, university teaching, air ambulance service, prisons, clinical trial organizations, residential nursing homes, etc.

An overview of the salary of a medical graduate lists as follows:

• The average yearly salary of a junior medical graduate is around $42,700 (£30,280) per year.
• Doctors in Foundation training receive a basic salary of $40,883 to 47,322 (£28,808 to £33,345) per year.
• Doctors starting their specialist training receive a basic salary of $55,995 to $75,305 (£39,467 to £53,077) per year.
• The salary of specialty doctors is around $64,038 to $110,012 (£45,124 to £77,519) per year.
• The salary of a consultant is around $116,518 to $157,104 (£82,096 to £110,683) per year.
• General practitioners receive a basic salary of $85,811 to $129,491 (£60,455 to £91,228) per year.