There are several routes to GMC registration and securing an NHS role for Critical Care or ICU specialists.
Whether you are from inside or outside of Europe, will need to satisfy certain criteria to fully register with the General Medical Council (GMC) before beginning their journey in the NHS.
As a critical care specialist the criteria you need to meet depends on where you currently live and practice, either inside the EEA (& associated countries) or outside the EEA. This article is designed to give you a snapshot of the steps you need to take to start your journey to the UK, no matter where in the world you live.
Inside the EEA – click here
Outside the EEA – click here
“Doctors from countries around the world play a vital and significant role in our NHS and in the delivery of safe patient care. This is not only welcome but is part of the continuous exchange of knowledge in healthcare and should be strongly encouraged. They make an invaluable contribution to the NHS.”
Joint statement from the Royal College of Physicians & Intensive Care Medicine
Inside the EEA
Firstly, it is important to note that where we refer to EEA in this article this refers to all countries inside the EU, including Lichtenstein, Iceland & Norway.
If you qualified as a doctor inside the EEA or Switzerland, then the good news is that you don’t need to demonstrate your medical knowledge and skills to work as a doctor in the UK – you have already done this, and thanks to the EU your qualification is deemed equivalent.
In addition, you will not need to apply for a visa from the UK Home Office.
So, the main hurdle that you will face is demonstrating that your English skills are of a high enough standard to practice safely as a doctor in the UK & NHS.
English Language Testing
Any international doctor, regardless of specialty, experience or country of origin, must demonstrate they have sufficient competence of the English language.
You can do this by passing either of the following:
OET – Occupational English Test
IELTS – International English Language Testing System
Take a look at our helpful articles below for detailed information on both tests:
IELTS – a guide for overseas doctors
OET – a guide for overseas doctors
GMC Registration
Having passed your English Language Test, you can now apply for full registration with a licence to practice with the GMC.
For full GMC registration you must provide evidence of:
Evidence of English language capabilities (IELTS or OET)
AND
Evidence of sufficient skill and knowledge (your equivalent qualifications)
Understand the registration process in full & by reading our article: IMG Library - GMC Registration for overseas doctors
Job search
We recommend starting the job search as early as possible. Demand for European Critical Care specialists in the NHS is ever-increasing - the NHS welcomes you with open arms! At IMG Connect we specialise in securing jobs for European doctors in the UK and can offer you a wider range of CCU / ICU jobs than are readily available online.
Our network extends to clinical departments and HR departments across the UK, so no matter what your grade or specialty we can ensure you will be interviewing for roles well in advance of any relocation plans.
In addition, your dedicated consultant, with a specialty knowledge of critical care medicine will negotiate on your behalf ensuring you get the most competitive salary.
Our aim is to have a job offer on the table before your GMC registration is complete, giving you the peace of mind of having an agreed contract in place - leaving you to carefully plan your relocation to the UK.
Take a look at our most recent jobs:Job Search
Relocation
Obviously, any doctor’s journey isn’t all exams, registrations and language tests… there’s also the small matter of relocation and settling into life in the UK.
Once you have secured your role in the UK, we focus on supporting you and your family with all your relocation plans. This can include, but is not exclusive to, securing accommodation, travel planning, setting up bank accounts & national insurance numbers – every step of the way we are here to help.
Have a read through our IMG Library and take in all the beautifully organised information on relocation and UK life to immeasurably help your first days, weeks and months in the UK.
IMG Library – Relocation & UK Life
Brexit
Many overseas doctors have questioned how the UK’s withdrawal from the European Union (EU) will affect doctors from Europe already working in the UK, and those who may wish to work here in the future.
Whilst we are still pushing for a halt to Brexit, we've been keeping a close eye on policies and developments to ensure that we keep our doctors as up to date as possible. While we await more information from the UK Government about what our future relationship with Europe will look like, what is clear is that European doctors are most welcome in the NHS with or without Brexit.
At IMG Connect we do not see Brexit as an end to EEA doctors relocating to the UK, far from it… you are in demand and we will support with all the necessary requirements for entry to the UK, whatever the outcome.
Take a look at our Brexit articles for more information:
IMG Library - Brexit
Outside of the EEA
If you qualified as a Critical Care specialist outside the EEA, then you will have to demonstrate that both your medical knowledge & skills and English Language capabilities meet the level required to practice safely in the UK.
In addition, you will need to apply for a visa from the UK Home Office.
Here we summarise the requirements for ICU doctors, looking at the following:
English Language Testing
Evidence of Knowledge & Skills - PLAB, FRCA or equivalents
Tier 2 Visas
Full GMC Registration
English Language Testing
Any international doctor, regardless of specialty, experience or country of origin, must demonstrate they have sufficient competence of the English language.
You can do this by passing either of the following:
OET – Occupational English Test
IELTS – International English Language Testing System
Take a look at our helpful articles below for detailed information on both tests:
IELTS – a guide for overseas doctors
OET – a guide for overseas doctors
Evidence of Knowledge & Skills in Critical Care & Intensive Care Medicine
Overseas doctors must prove to the GMC they have sufficient knowledge & skills to practice safely in the UK. In CCU this can be done through three main routes:
PLAB
EDIC
EDAIC
Route 1 - PLAB:
The PLAB exam is a two-part exam that assesses a doctor’s ability to work safely as an SHO in the NHS, as such it does not demonstrate ability in intensive care medicine specifically.
For this reason, PLAB tends to be a route for junior doctors who have not already chosen their field of specialisation in medicine.
That said, for some senior doctors PLAB can be an attractive option, offering a quicker route to the UK, whilst still securing competitive salaries. If taking this option, doctors can then take up training or a more senior post once they have established themselves in the NHS.
Take a look through our comprehensive guides on PLAB:
PLAB – a guide for overseas doctors
PLAB 1 – a closer look
PLAB 2 – a closer look
Route 2 - EDAIC or EDIC:
Attaining a EDIC or EDAIC qualification is a preferred path for doctors who have already chosen their field of specialism. For senior ICU specialists taking this route, they will gain access to more senior, well-paid jobs in the specialism of their choice.
The European Society of Intensive Care Medicine awards EDIC qualifications and the European Society of Anaesthesiology & Intensive Care award EDAIC. Read our article on EDAIC here: EDAIC - a guide for overseas doctors. An article on EDAIC will be coming soon.
Route 3 - Other GMC Recognised or Equivalent Qualifications:
Some other overseas qualifications are recognised by the GMC and accepted for registration purposes. This means to say these qualifications are considered as meeting the same standards as the Royal College qualifications.
There are anaesthesiology & intensive care qualifications from several countries around the world that are currently accepted by the GMC, EDAIC being one common example. Find out if your qualification is accepted by the GMC: Overseas accepted postgraduate qualifications
Tier 2 Visa
If you are a doctor applying from outside the EEA region you will almost certainly need to apply for a visa to work in the UK.
Applying as a doctor or nurse has never been easier and there is currently no-restriction on the Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) applications that a hospital can make.
Furthermore, the list of specialties on the shortage occupation list is due for imminent review and expansion beyond its current list of specialties, potentially widening the scope for easier immigration processes across all specialties in healthcare.
Understand Tier 2 visas and Certificates of Sponsorship in depth by taking a look at our article: Tier 2 Visa application process & documents needed
Wondering whether you can relocate with your family? Take a look at our blog on the Tier 2 dependent visa:Tier 2 Dependant visa - can i bring my family with me to the UK?
GMC Registration
With everything in place, you can apply for full registration with a licence to practice with the GMC. Remember, for full GMC registration you must provide evidence of:
Evidence of English language capabilities
AND
Evidence of sufficient skill and knowledge (PLAB, FRCA Primary, EDAIC or equivalent)
Understand the registration process in full & by reading our article: GMC Registration for overseas doctors
Job search
We recommend starting the job search as early as possible. Demand for Non-EEA anaesthetists in the NHS is increasing - the NHS welcomes you with open arms!
At IMG Connect we specialise in securing jobs for overseas doctors in the UK and can offer you a wider range of jobs than is readily available online.
Our network extends to anaesthetics services and HR departments across the UK, so no matter what your grade or specialty we can ensure you will be interviewing for roles well in advance of any relocation plans.
In addition, your 1-1 consultant, with a specialty knowledge of ICU, will negotiate on your behalf, ensuring you get the most competitive salary. Giving you the peace of mind of agreeing your new contract, perhaps even before your GMC registration is complete.
Take a look at our most recent jobs: Job Search
Relocation
Obviously, any doctor’s journey isn’t all exams, registrations and language tests… there’s also the small matter of relocation and settling into life in the UK.
Once you have secured your role in the UK, we will focus on supporting you and your family with all of your relocation plans. This can include, but is not exclusive to, securing accommodation, travel planning, setting up bank accounts & national insurance numbers – every step of the way we are here to help.
Have a read through our IMG Library and take in all the beautifully organised information on relocation and UK life to immeasurably help your first days, weeks and months in the UK.
IMG Library – Relocation & UK Life
Brexit
Many ICU specialists have questions about how the UK’s withdrawal from the European Union (EU) will affect doctors from outside the EEA already working in the UK, and those who may wish to work here in the future.
Whilst we are still pushing for a halt to Brexit, we've been keeping a close eye on policies and developments to ensure that we keep our doctors as up to date as possible. While we await more information from the UK Government about what our future relationship with Europe will look like, what is clear is that there are no current changes to immigration entry requirements for non-EEA doctors.
Overseas doctors are most welcome in the NHS with or without Brexit… you are in demand and we will support with all the necessary requirements for entry to the UK.
Take a look at our Brexit articles for more information: IMG Library - Brexit
Which routes can overseas specialist medicine doctors take to GMC registration & securing jobs in the NHS?
All doctors in specialist medicine areas such as respiratory, gastroenterology, dermatology, endocrinology, neurology, cardiology, geriatrics, rheumatology and stroke medicine will need to satisfy certain criteria to fully register with the General Medical Council (GMC). What these criteria are will depend on whether you are applying from inside or outside of Europe.
This article will prove relevant to all the medical specialties that fall within the various specialisms within medicine whilst also including haematology (MRCP + FRCPath is the complete set of qualifications) and other off-shoots such as infectious disease.
The criteria you must meet depends on where you currently live and practice, either inside the EEA (& associated countries) or outside the EEA. This article is designed to give you a snapshot of the steps you need to take to start your journey to the UK, no matter where in the world you live.
Inside the EEA – click here
Outside the EEA – click here
“Doctors from countries around the world play a vital and significant role in our NHS and in the delivery of safe patient care. This is not only welcome but is part of the continuous exchange of knowledge in healthcare and should be strongly encouraged. They make an invaluable contribution to the NHS.”
Joint statement from the Royal College of Physicians
Inside the EEA
Firstly, it is important to note that where we refer to EEA in this article this refers to all countries inside the EU, including Lichtenstein, Iceland & Norway.
If you qualified as a doctor inside the EEA or Switzerland, then the good news is that you don’t need to demonstrate your medical knowledge and skills to work as a doctor in the UK – you have already done this, and thanks to the EU your qualification is deemed equivalent. In addition, you will not need to apply for a visa from the UK Home Office.
As an EEA doctor, the main hurdle that you will face is demonstrating that your English skills are of a high enough standard to practice safely as a doctor in the UK & NHS.
English Language Testing
Any international doctor, regardless of specialty, experience or country of origin, must demonstrate they have sufficient competence of the English language.
You can do this by passing either of the following:
IELTS – International English Language Testing System
OET – Occupational English Test
Take a look at our helpful articles below for detailed information on both tests:
IELTS – a guide for overseas doctors
OET – a guide for overseas doctors
GMC Registration
Having passed your English Language Test, you can now apply for full registration with a licence to practice with the GMC. For full GMC registration you must provide evidence of:
Evidence of English language capabilities (IELTS or OET)
AND
Evidence of sufficient skill and knowledge (your equivalent qualifications)
Understand the registration process in full & by reading our article: IMG Library - GMC Registration for overseas doctors
Job search
We recommend starting the job search as early as possible. Demand for European doctors in the NHS is ever-increasing - the NHS welcomes you with open arms! At IMG Connect we specialise in securing jobs for European doctors in the UK and can offer you a wider range of jobs than are readily available online.
Our network extends to psychiatry services and HR departments across the UK, so no matter what your grade or specialty we can ensure you will be interviewing for roles well in advance of any relocation plans.
In addition, your dedicated consultant, with a specialty knowledge of General Medicine, will negotiate on your behalf ensuring you get the most competitive salary.
Our aim is to have a job offer on the table before your GMC registration is complete, giving you the peace of mind of having an agreed contract in place - leaving you to carefully plan your relocation to the UK.
Take a look at our most recent jobs: Job Search
Relocation
Obviously, any doctor’s journey isn’t all exams, registrations and language tests… there’s also the small matter of relocation and settling into life in the UK.
Once you have secured your role in the UK, we focus on supporting you and your family with all your relocation plans. This can include, but is not exclusive to, securing accommodation, travel planning, setting up bank accounts & national insurance numbers – every step of the way we are here to help.
Have a read through our IMG Library and take in all the beautifully organised information on relocation and UK life to immeasurably help your first days, weeks and months in the UK.
IMG Library – Relocation & UK Life
Outside of the EEA
If you qualified as a doctor outside the EEA, then you will have to demonstrate that both your medical knowledge & skills and English Language capabilities meet the level required to practice safely in the UK. In addition, you will need to apply for a visa from the UK Home Office.
Here we summarise the requirements for General Medicine doctors, looking at the following:
English Language Testing
Evidence of Knowledge & Skills - PLAB, MRCP or equivalents
Tier 2 Visas
Full GMC Registration
English Language Testing
Any international doctor, regardless of specialty, experience or country of origin, must demonstrate they have sufficient competence of the English language. You can do this by passing either of the following:
IELTS – International English Language Testing System
OET – Occupational English Test
Take a look at our helpful articles below for detailed information on both tests:
IELTS – a guide for overseas doctors
OET – a guide for overseas doctors
Evidence of Knowledge & Skills in Medicine
Overseas doctors must prove to the GMC they have sufficient knowledge & skills to practice safely in the UK. This can be done through three main routes:
PLAB
Royal College qualification of MRCP
GMC - recognised or equivalent qualifications
Route 1 - PLAB:
The PLAB exam is a two-part exam that assesses a doctor’s ability to work safely as an SHO in the NHS, as such it does not demonstrate ability in Medicine specifically.
For this reason, PLAB tends to be a route for junior doctors who have not already chosen their field of specialisation in medicine.
That said, for some senior doctors PLAB can be an attractive option, offering a quicker route to the UK, whilst still securing competitive salaries. If taking this option, international doctors can then take up training or a more senior post once they have established themselves in the NHS.
Take a look through our comprehensive guides on PLAB:
PLAB – a guide for overseas doctors
PLAB 1 – a closer look
PLAB 2 – a closer look
Route 2 - Royal College Qualification:
Attaining a Royal College qualification is a preferred path for doctors who have already chosen their field of specialism i.e. medicine. For senior medicine doctors taking this route, they will gain access to more senior, well-paid jobs in the specialism of their choice.
The Royal College of Physicians is the Professional Body that regulates the specialism of medicine in the UK, and Membership of the Royal College of Physicians (MRCP) is the full qualification attainable by examination.
For overseas doctors, attaining MRCP will satisfy the knowledge & skill criteria for GMC registration and facilitate application for more senior roles in UK medicine.
Take a look at our complete guide on Membership of the Royal College of Physicians to understand more: MRCP – a guide for overseas doctors
GMC - recognised or equivalent qualifications:
Some overseas qualifications are recognised by the GMC and accepted for registration purposes. This means to say these qualifications are considered as meeting the same standards as the Royal College qualifications.
There are qualifications from several countries around the world that are currently accepted by the GMC.
Find out if your qualification is accepted by the GMC: Overseas accepted postgraduate qualifications
Tier 2 Visa
If you are a doctor applying from outside the EEA region you will almost certainly need to apply for a visa to work in the UK.
Applying as a doctor or nurse has never been easier and there is currently no-restriction on the Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) applications that a hospital can make. Furthermore, the list of specialties on the shortage occupation list is due for imminent review and expansion beyond its current list of specialties, potentially widening the scope for easier immigration processes across all specialties in healthcare.
Understand Tier 2 visas and Certificates of Sponsorship in depth by taking a look at our article: Tier 2 Visa application process & documents needed
Wondering whether you can relocate with your family? Take a look at our blog on the Tier 2 dependant visa: Tier 2 Dependant visa - can i bring my family with me to the UK?
GMC Registration
With everything in place, you can apply for full registration with a licence to practice with the GMC. Remember, for full GMC registration you must provide evidence of:
Evidence of English language capabilities
AND
Evidence of sufficient skill and knowledge (PLAB, MRCP or equivalent)
Understand the registration process in full & by reading our article: GMC Registration for overseas doctors
Job search
We recommend starting the job search as early as possible. Demand for Non-EEA doctors in the NHS is increasing - the NHS welcomes you with open arms!
At IMG Connect we specialise in securing jobs for overseas doctors in the UK and can offer you a wider range of jobs than is readily available online.
Our network extends to general medicine services and HR departments across the UK, so no matter what your grade or specialty we can ensure you will be interviewing for roles well in advance of any relocation plans.
In addition, your 1-1 consultant, with a specialty knowledge of medicine, will negotiate on your behalf, ensuring you get the most competitive salary.
Giving you the peace of mind of agreeing your new contract, perhaps even before your GMC registration is complete. Take a look at our most recent jobs: Job Search
Relocation
Obviously, any doctor’s journey isn’t all exams, registrations and language tests… there’s also the small matter of relocation and settling into life in the UK.
Once you have secured your role in the UK, we will focus on supporting you and your family with all of your relocation plans. This can include, but is not exclusive to, securing accommodation, travel planning, setting up bank accounts & national insurance numbers – every step of the way we are here to help.
Have a read through our IMG Library and take in all the beautifully organised information on relocation and UK life to immeasurably help your first days, weeks and months in the UK. Take a look here: IMG Library – Relocation & UK Life
Follow us on social media for news and updates on GMC registration, the Royal College and NHS through the links below:
There are several routes overseas radiologists can take to GMC registration & securing an NHS radiology job.
Whether you are from inside or outside of Europe, all international radiologists will need to satisfy certain criteria to fully register with the General Medical Council before beginning their journey in the NHS. The criteria you need to meet depends on where you currently live and practice, either inside the EEA (& associated countries) or outside the EEA. This article is designed to give you a snapshot of the steps you need to take to start your journey to the UK, no matter where in the world you live.
Inside the EEA – click here
Outside the EEA – click here
“Doctors from countries around the world play a vital and significant role in our NHS and in the delivery of safe patient care. This is not only welcome but is part of the continuous exchange of knowledge in healthcare and should be strongly encouraged. They make an invaluable contribution to the NHS.”
Joint statement from the Royal College of Physicians & Radiologists
Inside the EEA
Firstly, it is important to note that where we refer to EEA in this article this refers to all countries inside the EU, including Lichtenstein, Iceland & Norway.
If you qualified as a radiologist inside the EEA or Switzerland, then the good news is that you don’t need to demonstrate your medical knowledge and skills to work as a doctor in the UK – you have already done this, and thanks to the EU your qualification is deemed equivalent. In addition, you will not need to apply for a visa from the UK Home Office.
So, the main hurdle that you will face is demonstrating that your English skills are of a high enough standard to practice safely as a doctor in the UK & NHS.
English Language Testing
Any international doctor, regardless of specialty, experience or country of origin, must demonstrate they have sufficient competence of the English language. You can do this by passing either of the following:
IELTS – International English Language Testing System
OET – Occupational English Test
Take a look at our helpful articles below for detailed information on both tests:
IELTS – a guide for overseas doctors
OET – a guide for overseas doctors
GMC Registration
Having passed your English Language Test, you can now apply for full registration with a license to practice with the GMC. For full GMC registration you must provide evidence of:
Evidence of English language capabilities (IELTS or OET)
AND
Evidence of sufficient skill and knowledge (your equivalent qualifications)
Understand the registration process in full & by reading our article: IMG Resources: GMC Registration for overseas doctors
Job search
We recommend starting the job search as early as possible. Demand for European radiologists in the NHS is ever-increasing - the NHS welcomes you with open arms!
At IMG Connect we specialise in securing jobs for European doctors in the UK and can offer you a wider range of radiology jobs than are readily available online. Our network extends to Radiology services and HR departments across the UK, so no matter what your grade or specialty we can ensure you will be interviewing for roles well in advance of any relocation plans.
In addition, your dedicated consultant, with a specialty knowledge of radiology, will negotiate on your behalf ensuring you get the most competitive salary.
Our aim is to have a job offer on the table before your GMC registration is complete, giving you the peace of mind of having an agreed contract in place - leaving you to carefully plan your relocation to the UK.
Take a look at our most recent jobs: Job Search
Relocation
Obviously, any doctor’s journey isn’t all exams, registrations and language tests… there’s also the small matter of relocation and settling into life in the UK.
Once you have secured your role in the UK, we focus on supporting you and your family with all your relocation plans. This can include, but is not exclusive to, securing accommodation, travel planning, setting up bank accounts & national insurance numbers – every step of the way we are here to help.
Have a read through our IMG Library and take in all the beautifully organised information on relocation and UK life to immeasurably help your first days, weeks and months in the UK. You can browse our articles here: IMG Resources: Relocation & UK Life
Outside of the EEA
If you qualified as a radiologist outside the EEA, then you will have to demonstrate that both your medical knowledge & skills and English Language capabilities meet the level required to practice safely in the UK. In addition, you will need to apply for a visa from the UK Home Office.
Here we summarise the requirements for radiology doctors, looking at the following:
English Language Testing
Evidence of Knowledge & Skills - PLAB, FRCR or equivalent
Tier 2 Visas
Full GMC Registration
English Language Testing
Any international doctor, regardless of specialty, experience or country of origin, must demonstrate they have sufficient competence of the English language.You can do this by passing either of the following:
IELTS – International English Language Testing System
OET – Occupational English Test
Take a look at our helpful articles below for detailed information on both tests:
IELTS – a guide for overseas doctors
OET – a guide for overseas doctors
Evidence of Knowledge & Skills in Radiology
Overseas radiologists must prove to the GMC they have sufficient knowledge & skills to practice safely in the UK. For radiologists this can be done through three main routes:
PLAB
Royal College qualification of FRCR
GMC - recognised or equivalent qualifications
Route 1 - PLAB:
The PLAB exam is a two-part exam that assesses a doctor’s ability to work safely as an SHO in the NHS, as such it does not demonstrate ability in radiology specifically. For this reason, PLAB tends to be a route for junior doctors who have not already chosen their field of specialisation in medicine.
That said, for some senior doctors PLAB can be an attractive option, offering a quicker route to the UK, whilst still securing competitive salaries. If taking this option, radiologists can then take up training or a more senior post once they have established themselves in the NHS.
Take a look through our comprehensive guides on PLAB:
PLAB – a guide for overseas doctors
Route 2 - Royal College Qualification of FRCR:
Attaining a Royal College qualification is a preferred path for doctors who have already chosen their field of specialism i.e. radiology. For senior radiologists taking this route, they will gain access to more senior, well-paid jobs in the specialism of their choice.
The Royal College of Radiologists is the Professional Body that regulates the specialism of Radiology in the UK, and Membership of the Royal College of Radiologists (FRCR) is the full qualification attainable by examination.
For overseas doctors, attaining FRCR will satisfy the knowledge & skill criteria for GMC registration and facilitate application for more senior roles in UK Radiology.
Take a look at our complete guide on Membership of the Royal College of Radiologists to understand more: IMG Resources: FRCR – a guide for overseas radiology doctors
Route 3 - GMC Recognised or Equivalent Qualifications:
Some overseas qualifications are recognised by the GMC and accepted for registration purposes. This means to say these qualifications are considered as meeting the same standards as the Royal College qualifications. There are Radiology qualifications from several countries around the world that are currently accepted by the GMC.
Find out if your qualification is accepted by the GMC below: IMG Resources: Overseas accepted postgraduate qualifications
Tier 2 Visa:
If you are a doctor applying from outside the EEA region you will almost certainly need to apply for a visa to work in the UK.
Applying as a doctor or nurse has never been easier and there is currently no-restriction on the Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) applications that a hospital can make. Furthermore, the list of specialties on the shortage occupation list is due for imminent review and expansion beyond its current list of specialties, potentially widening the scope for easier immigration processes across all specialties in healthcare.
Understand Tier 2 visas and Certificates of Sponsorship in depth by taking a look at our article: IMG Resources: Tier 2 Visa application process & documents needed
Wondering whether you can relocate with your family? Take a look at our blog on the Tier 2 dependent visa below:
IMG Resources: Tier 2 Dependent visa - can i bring my family with me to the UK?
GMC Registration
With everything in place, you can apply for full registration with a license to practice with the GMC. Remember, for full GMC registration you must provide evidence of:
Evidence of English language capabilities
AND
Evidence of sufficient skill and knowledge (PLAB, FRCR or equivalent)
Understand the registration process in full & by reading our article below:
IMG Resources: GMC Registration for overseas doctors
Job search
We recommend starting the job search as early as possible. Demand for Non-EEA Radiologists in the NHS is increasing - the NHS welcomes you with open arms!
At IMG Connect we specialise in securing jobs for overseas doctors in the UK and can offer you a wider range of jobs than is readily available online. Our network extends to Radiology services and HR departments across the UK, so no matter what your grade or specialty we can ensure you will be interviewing for roles well in advance of any relocation plans.
In addition, your 1-1 consultant, with a specialty knowledge of Radiology, will negotiate on your behalf, ensuring you get the most competitive salary. Giving you the peace of mind of agreeing your new contract, perhaps even before your GMC registration is complete.
Take a look at our most recent jobs: Job Search
Relocation
Obviously, any doctor’s journey isn’t all exams, registrations and language tests… there’s also the small matter of relocation and settling into life in the UK.
Once you have secured your role in the UK, we will focus on supporting you and your family with all of your relocation plans. This can include, but is not exclusive to, securing accommodation, travel planning, setting up bank accounts & national insurance numbers – every step of the way we are here to help.
Have a read through our IMG Library and take in all the beautifully organised information on relocation and UK life to immeasurably help your first days, weeks and months in the UK. Take a look here: IMG Resources: Relocation & UK Life
IMG Jobs
Search and find live radiology jobs in the UK
IMG Resources
Read more useful articles on finding an NHS trust doctor job, pay scales & doctor’s salary in the UK, relocation and much more!
Get in Touch
Don’t hesitate to get in touch using the buttons above (and below) to discuss doctor job options in the NHS, including discussions regarding a typical doctor salary in the UK and the most suitable hospital locations for you.
Overseas paediatricians taking the postgraduate route to GMC Registration must attain full MRCPCH.
Membership of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (MRCPCH) can be sat by international doctors from any country in the world provided certain eligibility criteria are met. These are summarised below along with a broad look at the following topics:
What is MRCPCH?
Am I eligible?
Sponsors for the Clinical Exam
MRCPCH Theory - structure and content
MRCPCH Clinical – structure and content
Where and when can I take the exams? How much will it cost me?
How do I apply?
How to prepare and what resources are available
Passed? What next?
The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health is the professional body responsible for the specialty of Paediatrics throughout the UK. Amongst many other duties, its role is to set and monitor the educational curriculum for those training to enter the profession.
What is MRCPCH?
Paediatricians become full members of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health and achieve the designation MRCPCH once they have passed four separate postgraduate medical exams.
The MRCPCH examinations consist of 3 theory exams and 1 clinical exam:
Foundation of Practice (FOP) - theory examination (basic child health)
Theory and Science (TAS) - theory examination (basic scientific, physiological and pharmacological principles upon which clinical practice is based)
Applied Knowledge in Practice (AKP) - theory examination (knowledge synthesis/evaluation, clinical decision-making and management)
MRCPCH Clinical examination - multi station OSCE
* Theory exams can be taken in any order of preference.
For overseas doctors relocating to the UK, the MRCPCH is one of two options to support full GMC registration (postgraduate qualification or PLAB route). For doctors who wish to take on more senior roles reflective of their current practice, IMG Connect advise that the MRCPCH would be the best route to securing their dream job in the NHS.
Am I eligible for the MRCPCH exams?
Theory Exams:
To be eligible you must hold a Primary Medical Qualification (PMQ) that is recognised by the GMC for registration purposes.
MRCPCH Clinical:
You must pass the 3 theory exams in order to be eligible for the final MRCPCH clinical examination.
All MRCPCH clinical candidates must be proposed by 2 sponsors, who will certify that you have a good period of training in paediatrics and can be considered as ready to take the exam. You can take the exams at any stage in your career, however current advice is that in order to optimise your chances of success in the MRCPCH Clinical examination you should have:
completed a period of training lasting two and a half years
spent no less than 12 months in posts involving the care of emergency paediatric patients
spent six months of your first year after graduation as a house paediatrician; if not, an additional six months in a post involving the care of emergency paediatric patients.
Sponsors for the clinical exam:
As we mentioned above, candidates for the clinical examinations must have two sponsors who will declare you have covered the required amount of training in paediatrics which matches the exam syllabus and consider you ready to take the exam. You will be asked to provide each sponsors personal and work details, and they will be notified if you receive a poor mark.
The examination is conducted in English and candidates are advised that IELTS Level 7 is the expected standard for completion of the MRCPCH examinations. Remember, you will need to have a pass of 7.5 average in all areas of IELTS to complete your GMC registration.
What is the structure and content for MRCPCH examinations?
As above, the MRCPCH examinations consists of 4 parts:
3 theory exams
1 clinical exam
Theory exams:
Candidates will sit 3 theory examinations; each test is administered on a computer and the tests can be taken in any order.
There are usually 3 sittings for each exam per year.
Each exam is 2 hours and 30 minutes, unless you have been allocated additional time.
Foundation of Practice (FOP) theory exam:
This exam assesses a candidate’s knowledge, understanding and clinical decision-making. It aims to ensure that you have reached the same standard as someone entering core training (ST1 equivalent)
Questions are typically a combination of:
Single Best Answer Questions (SBAs) – 70 questions
Extended Matching Questions (EMQs) – 10 questions
Extended Matching Questions (EMQs) require you to choose the best option from a list of ten possible options, all are feasible, but only one is completely correct.
Theory and Science (TAS) theory exam:
This tests basic scientific, physiological and pharmacological principles of clinical and evidence-based practice.
It uses the same format for questioning as the FOP exam.
Applied Knowledge in Practice (AKP):
This tests your knowledge, understanding and clinical decision-making based on a standard of someone entering their core specialist training (ST1 equivalent).
The exam uses the format N of Many - giving two or three answers that are required from a longer list.
For example, there can be more than one answer from a scenario since there may be two equally important investigations that should be complete, or three abnormalities from a scan or x-ray.
When sitting the AKP using the format N of Many, remember that each question carries its own weighting – pay attention to how many marks each question is worth in the test and answer accordingly.
Clinical examination:
The MRCPCH clinical examination forms the final part of the exams. Remember, you must have passed all 3 theory tests in order to be eligible to sit this test.
This test will be taken in a hospital setting and you will follow a circuit of 12 scenarios. You should be familiar with this type of test (OSCE) from your medical training. Examiners will assess performance during each scenario, which will include actors (children, young people and adults).
The aim of the clinical examination is to assess whether candidates have reached the standard in clinical skills expected of a newly appointed ST4 in the UK.
Candidates are expected to demonstrate proficiency in:
communication
history taking and management planning
establishing rapport with both parents and children
physical examination
child development
clinical judgement
organisation of thoughts and actions
recognition of acute illness
knowledge of paediatrics and child health
professional behaviour
ethical practice
The Clinical Exam is guided by important educational principles while holding to the considerable standards of a clinical examination, including the examination of real children.
The Clinical Exam includes 10 objective assessments of each candidate. In most circumstances’ assessment is conducted by a different examiner at each clinical station, so performance at one station does not influence the next station. The test will include six ‘short case’ assessments, emphasising clinical examination. Stations are as follows:
Station 1: Child development – clinical assessment
Station 2 & 5: Communication skills
Station 3: History taking and management planning
Station 4: Clinical video scenarios
Station 6 – 10: Clinical examinations
The order in which candidates will take the circuit will vary. There are 4-minute breaks between stations, the entire circuit takes 152 minutes in total.
Where and when can I sit the exams? And how much do they cost?
Each country fee is different, please see below current exam fees (as of April 2019).
Theory exams:
Country
Theory Exams
Exam fee 2019
India, Malaysia, KSA, UAE, Oman, Myanmar, Sudan, Singapore, Jordan, Kuwait, Malta, Qatar, Sri Lanka, Trinidad
FOP - single paper
£390
TAS - single paper
£390
FOP and TAS - both papers
£653
AKP
£750
Egypt and Nepal
FOP - single paper
£363
TAS - single paper
£363
FOP and TAS - both papers
£589
AKP
£683
Hong Kong (HK)
FOP - single paper
TBC
TAS - single paper
TBC
FOP and TAS - both papers
TBC
AKP
TBC
*Not all countries will offer the exam at each sitting. If you would like to request an exam in another country, you can contact the MRCPCH
Clinical examinations:
Country
Fee
UK
£765
Egypt
£1,145
India
£1,428
KSA
£1,479
Malaysia
£1,255
Myanmar
£1,082
Oman
£1,479
Singapore (Conjoint MMED - MRCPCH Clinical fee)
£1,428
Sudan
£1,220
UAE
£1,479
Hong Kong
TBC
How do I apply for the exams?
To apply for the MRCPCH, you first need to register online for exams. You need an RCPCH online account (with an RCPCH number). Then you can complete a short registration form – you will require evidence of your primary medical qualification.
How do I register for exams?
You can register for exams at any time throughout the year. After your registration is accepted, you can apply for an exam but only during relevant open application periods. It takes at least 10 working days to process registration.During exam application periods the Royal College are not able to process registrations.
Register three to four weeks before exam application period opens to help ensure you do not miss your preferred exam diet. The best dates to register for exams are usually January, May and September.
How do I book an exam?
Log in to your RCPCH account
Go to My Account
From your dashboard, go to the Exams panel, and from your exam dashboard, follow links to apply
What do I need to bring to the exam?
You will need to bring one of the following forms of ID:
passport with photograph and signature - this must be current or no more than six months expired
valid driving license with photograph and signature
national identity card with photograph and signature.
Please note, only original documents will be accepted as proof of identification.
How can I prepare for the exams?
With lots of materials online we have discussed with IMGs the best place to start looking for resources and materials relating to the exams. Most IMGs recommended starting with the Royal College, who have created useful resources to help you to prepare for the exams. See below:
Theory Examination:
Theory Examination Syllabi: This document outlines the syllabus for MRCPCH theory examinations - MRCPCH Theory Examination Syllabi.
Theory exams structure and syllabus: Further information on FOP, TAS and AKP can be found in the theory exams structure and syllabus. This is to be read in combination with the Royal College’s Curriculum for Paediatrics. Within the Curriculum for Paediatrics you can read about the 11 domains and are able to download assessment strategy and generic syllabi for each training level.
Sample Papers: We recommend becoming familiar with the exam format and software, and you can practice with some sample papers here.
Clinical Examination:
Clinical Examination candidate guide: This is a comprehensive guide from the Royal College specifically covering the Clinical Examination. This includes station breakdowns, clinical video scenarios, general instructions and downloads among many other resources.
Anchor Statements: The Anchor Statements outline the expected standard for each station against which candidates are marked. We recommend you familiarise yourself with the criteria points for expected standards before sitting the exam.
Clinical Exam Technique: This guide covers the clinical examination in considerable depth, including:
examination technique
specifics on clinical areas
detail on short-cases
User guide for video station: A guide for Station 4: Clinical video scenarios can be downloaded here.
Clinical Exam: hints and tipsHints and tips specific to the clinical exam can be found on the MRCPCH clinical examination candidate guide (scroll down to find them).
As ever at IMG Connect, we believe in preparation. In order to succeed in the clinical exam, IMGs have told us that it is vital that you practise your clinical examinations as frequently as possible, preferably under the supervision of a senior colleague. This will give you confidence in approaching and examining children with examiners present.
Passed? What next?
First of all, congratulations! After you have passed all four parts of your MRCPCH examinations, you can apply for a full registration with a license to practice. Once the GMC have approved your application, you can work as a doctor in the UK.
IMG Jobs
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One of the routes to GMC registration for an overseas anaesthetist is FRCA Primary.
IMGs from any country in the world can sit some, not all, of the FRCA examinations. Certain eligibility criteria must be met to sit primary whilst overseas doctors can only take the final part of the exams once they have started working in the NHS (UK). This is explained in further details below where we look at the following topics:
What is FRCA?
What is the structure and content of FRCA examinations?
As an overseas doctor am I eligible?
What is Temporary Exam Eligibility (TEE)?
What is the UK IAC?
As an overseas candidate where can I take the exam and how much will it cost me?
How to prepare and what resources are available?
Summary
The Royal College of Anaesthetists is the professional body responsible for the specialty of Anaesthetics throughout the UK. Among many other duties, its role is to set and monitor the educational curriculum for those training to enter the profession.
What is FRCA?
Anaesthetists become full members of the Royal College of Anaesthetists and attain Fellowship of the Royal College, and the designation of FRCA, once they have passed the two separate exams: the Primary and Final Examinations. Each exam consists of two parts taken separately.
FRCA is one of the many routes an anaesthetist can take when looking to satisfy the GMC postgraduate criteria for full registration with a licence to practice. It is important to note that Primary FRCA will suffice for the purposes of full registration with a license to practice, and full FRCA is not essential though of course desirable.
What is the structure and content of FRCA examinations?
Primary FRCA examinations:
Multiple Choice Question Examination (MCQ)
The Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) and Structured Oral Examination (SOE)
Final FRCA examinations:
Final Written exam consisting of; Multiple Choice Question exam (MCQ) and a Short Answer Question (SAQ) exam
The Structured Oral Examination (SOE)
The FRCA examinations form an essential component of training for anaesthetists in the UK and doctors who wish to complete the FRCA route, will be required to complete the final exam after substantial experience working in the UK.
As an overseas doctor am I eligible?
It is important to note that each of the FRCA exams have different eligibility criteria.
To sit the FRCA Primary Exams, you must be a member of the College or apply for Temporary Exam Eligibility (TEE) – see below. TEE will apply to most overseas doctors.
Primary FRCA MCQ:
You are eligible to enter the Primary FRCA MCQ paper if you:
hold national registration with an overseas Medical Council;
AND
have successfully applied for Temporary Examination Eligibility (TEE) with the College 3 months prior to the date of the examination
Primary FRCA OSCE and SOE:
You are eligible to enter the Primary FRCA OSCE and SOE if you:
meet the above criteria for the Primary FRCA MCQ paper
have passed the Primary FRCA MCQ paper
have been awarded an overseas competency in anaesthetics which is comparable to the UK IAC (see below)
Final FRCA:
You are eligible to enter the Final FRCA paper if you have:
completed 30 months of training in anaesthesia
at least 18 months must be spent in approved posts in the UK or Republic of Ireland – for international doctors a maximum of 12 months of overseas training in anaesthesia combined with 6 months working in an approved UK post will be accepted;
Evidence of having completed the required training will be needed, Core Level Training Certificate
What is Temporary Exam Eligibility (TEE)?
Non-UK Trainee applicants do not qualify for any membership category of the Royal College of Anaesthetists. As such the Royal College has introduced the TEE to allow overseas anaesthetist doctors who do not work in the UK to apply for the FRCA Primary Examinations.
Applicants must submit a Temporary Examinations Eligibility form three months before any examinations are applied for.
How do I apply for TEE?
You can apply for TEE using this application form.
Documents required on your first application are:
Proof of registration with an overseas Medical Council
Proof of attendance at or completion of anaesthetic training, including foundation training (internship)
If you intend to take the OSCE/SOE exams, you will be asked to provide further documentation to prove you have an equivalent of the UK Initial Assessment of Competency Certificate in Anaesthesia.
The TEE application costs £90, paid by bank transfer. Once payment is confirmed you will receive a TEE number, which you will use to support your application to sit the FRCA examinations.
What is the UK IAC? And how do I demonstrate equivalence?
The initial assessment of competence (IAC) is the first anaesthesia training milestone for trainees in the Anaesthesia training programme (ACCS training for anaesthesia, acute medicine, emergency medicine and intensive care).
The purpose of the IAC is to signify that the trainee has achieved a basic understanding of anaesthesia and is able to give anaesthetics at a level of supervision matching with the individual trainee’s skills and clinical cases. The IAC is not a licence for independent anaesthetic practice. The key point is that trainees are still under the supervision of a named consultant anaesthetist.
To support an application to sit the FRCA exams you must demonstrate that you have been awarded an overseas anaesthetic competency in anaesthetics which is comparable to the UK IAC.
Overseas anaesthetic competency certificates must be provided on application and prove clinical competency comparable to the UK Initial Assessment of Competency in Anaesthetics. Certificates must be accompanied by a letter of authentication in English from a senior anaesthetic consultant or notary.
The final decision on comparability of overseas IAC certificates lies with the Chair of the Primary Examination.
How do I apply for the Primary FRCA examinations?
Applications are complete online, simply click here, register, and follow the instructions for submitting documents and completing your application.
Where can I sit the FRCA exams?
Unfortunately, IMGs cannot sit the FRCA exams overseas.
Exams are held in London, Cardiff, Birmingham, Manchester, Belfast, Sheffield and Edinburgh. You can find up-to-date exam dates here.
How much do the exams cost?
Primary MCQ
£370
Primary OSCE & SOE
£685
Primary OSCE
£370
Primary SOE
£340
Final Written Exam
£545
Final SOE
£645
What is the syllabus?
The syllabus for both the primary and final exams are linked to the Training Curriculum.
The Primary FRCA Examinations are blue printed to the Core Level Training Curriculum.
The Final FRCA examinations are blue printed to both the Core Level Training Curriculum and the Intermediate Level Training Curriculum.
*both include Intensive Care Medicine
How do I prepare?
With lots of materials online we have discussed with IMGs the best place to start looking for resources and materials relating to the exams. Most successful IMGs recommended starting with the Royal College, who have created useful resources to help you to prepare for the exams.
At IMG Connect we advise overseas candidates to be fully aware that questions used in the exam are drawn from the UK Anaesthetic Basic Level Training Curriculum. We suggest that you can use the curriculum as a road map to support your study plan.
Video series:
The exam run through video series is a useful tool to help familiarise yourself with what to expect on the exam day.
The Primary SOE support videos are designed to help trainees in preparation for exams.
The Primary FRCA examination videos also support with study for the MCQ.
More videos can be found at the College's YouTube Channel
eLearning Anaesthesia (e-LA):
The e-LA supports specialty training in anaesthesia. It provided materials for professional development of specialists seeking to refresh their knowledge.
Doctors working overseas can gain access to this resource via eIntegrity which provides a portal to all specialty e-Learning platforms.
If you are working outside the NHS, then modules are available for purchase via the eIntegrity website.
There are a number of modules available, of particular note for IMGs is Module 6: Exams Preparation.
e-LA also provides MCQ questions which are an accurate reflection of the questions included in the FRCA examinations.
Virtual Exam tours:
3D virtual exam tours have been created by the Royal College to provide a virtual experience to ensure that candidates are familiar with the process on the day.
OSCE exam floor
3D Tour
Successful IMGs have found practice questions are a valuable part of exam preparation. Remember these should be used in conjunction with other forms of research and studies.
I attained Primary FRCA, what next?
You will simply need to prove your English Language capabilities to satisfy GMC criteria for full registration.
IMG Jobs
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Read more useful articles on finding an NHS trust doctor job, pay scales & doctor’s salary in the UK, relocation and much more!
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Get in touch using the buttons above (and below) to discuss anaesthetics job options in the NHS, including discussions regarding CESR, a typical doctor salary in the UK and the most suitable NHS jobs & hospital locations for you.
As an overseas doctor, how do you find NHS job opportunities in Respiratory Medicine?
Finding the right job opportunity in the NHS can sometimes be time-consuming and confusing for IMGs. Working with IMG Connect will give you easy access to vacancies for consultants and middle grades positions across the UK.
The IMG Connect job search is a dedicated online recruitment service for overseas doctors looking to secure a job in the NHS. View out latest doctor jobs in the NHS, here.
Save time and get expert advice based on your preferences
Performing a job search online can take up a lot of your time, so at IMG Connect we are here to do the time-consuming work for you. Upon registering, you will have a dedicated consultant whose role is to find jobs that match your skills, and apply for NHS jobs on your behalf.
CLICK HERE TO RECEIVE THE LATEST RESPIRATORY MEDICINE JOBS BY EMAIL
Register & Create a profile – it takes 30 seconds
It really is that easy, so why not take advantage of our resources, time and energy to find you the right job in the NHS suited to your preferences. By providing us with some key details we can quickly assess which jobs are best suited to your preferences, and even email you job alerts for new exciting roles which we think will interest you!
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER YOUR DETAILS & PREFERENCES
We understand you, and our clients
When looking for a Respiratory Medicine job in the NHS, it can be hard to try to find out key information before applying, such as:
What specialty specific training there will be?
Am I likely to get a training post after taking this role?
Can the trust support CESR applicants and is their CESR programme established enough for my needs?
What career progression is available for me with the Respiratory Medicine Specialty?
What is the job plan and how much time will I spend on the ward?
What is it like to work and live there?
What salary will I get paid, and can I get extra pay for additional shifts?
It can be tricky to get all the answers you want before applying online, so we spend our time getting to know both our clients and you, finding out as much key information as possible to help you to make the right decisions. Including details on the Respiratory Medicine department, hospital & trust, as well as an overview of what it is like to live in the area, including housing and the cost of living, as well as access to schools for your children, childcare and finding work for spouses.
Making an impact
We will also provide you with top tips on CV writing, job applications and interviews, ensuring that your application and interview makes the most impact with our NHS clients.
Making it personal
Once registered, you can quickly search and apply for NHS jobs using our job search, and take advantage of many useful articles written to support you through your journey to the UK. In addition, when you sign up to 'job alerts' we will automatically email you each time a relevant Respiratory Medicine vacancy comes available that you may be interested in.
Once logged in, you can also save job details and make applications.
By registering with IMG Connect, you will:
Have a dedicated consultant who understands your preferences and will do the time-consuming job searches and applications for you.
Find your ideal NHS position among thousands of unadvertised vacancies - from consultant to registrar, or specialty doctor to SHO.
Be the first to hear about new vacancies – registering with IMG Connect means that your CV will gain priority with our NHS clients, and will professionally represented by international recruitment experts.
To help you find a job in the NHS simply follow these easy steps:
Register with IMG Connect
Fill in the 'Personal details' section.
Arrange a chat with your dedicated IMG Consultant
Sign up to receive 'job alerts’
Search our live Respiratory Medicine jobs
Searching for Respiratory Medicine jobs in the NHS could not be easier
If you want to find out more about the many different Respiratory Medicine roles available within the NHS - it only takes a minute to register with IMG Connect and receive expert advice and representation. We have helped many overseas Respiratory Medicine into consultant, specialty doctor, registrar, clinical fellow and staff grade NHS roles, whilst offering expert guidance to many more IMGs on NHS doctor pay, royal college qualifications and English language testing. We’d be happy to help you!
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Search and find live respiratory medicine doctor jobs in the UK
IMG Resources
Read more useful articles on finding an NHS trust doctor job, pay scales & doctor’s salary in the UK, relocation and much more!
Get in Touch
Get in touch using the buttons above (and below) to discuss specialist medicine job opportunities in the NHS, including discussions regarding a typical doctor salary in the UK and the most suitable hospital locations for you.
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There are several routes a psychiatrist can take to register with the GMC and practice psychiatry in the NHS.
Psychiatrists looking to secure a job in the NHS must satisfy certain criteria before they can be fully registered with the GMC (General Medical Council) and receive a license to practice in the NHS. For psychiatry, these criteria depend on where you received your training, and the qualifications you hold.
In this blog, we’re giving you a snapshot of the steps you need to take to start your journey to the UK, as an overseas psychiatrist. We’ll be covering the following:
How do I demonstrate my knowledge and skills as an EEA Psychiatrist?
How do I demonstrate my knowledge and skills as a non-EEA Psychiatrist?
How can I demonstrate my English language skills?
What is a certificate of good standing and how do I get one?
What do I need to register with the GMC?
Will I need a visa to work in the UK?
Skip ahead to the relevant section if you know what you're looking for.
Evidence of knowledge and skills for EEA Psychiatrists
For psychiatrists who trained in an EEA country (all countries inside the EU, also Lichtenstein, Iceland, Switzerland & Norway), there are several options potentially available to you.
Depending on the country and year you completed your residency or basic medical training, the GMC may automatically recognise your qualifications and grant you either General Registration, or Specialist Registration in the UK. To find out if your country’s qualifications will allow you to register for either GMC registration, check the relevant GMC page here.
Basic Medical Training: If you have met the requirements for basic medical training, you would not need to demonstrate your medical knowledge and skills to work as a doctor in the UK, and would therefore not need to complete a Royal College postgraduate qualification or PLAB to register with a license to practice. You would be granted full registration in this case, but not Specialist Registration.
Specialist Training / Residency: Not all European Specialist qualifications are accepted by the GMC. If you have met the GMC’s criteria pertaining to your county, then you should be eligible for Specialist Registration in oncology.
So as a psychiatrist, if you hold a Relevant European Specialist qualification, you would be put on the specialist register for psychiatry and can be appointed as a substantive psychiatrist in the NHS.
Please note, the criteria that is outlined on your country’s GMC registration page must be met. If your training was undertaken prior to the dates mentioned by the GMC – your qualifications will not be accepted.
For EEA psychiatrists, the main hurdle that you will face will be demonstrating that your English skills are of a high enough standard to practice safely as a doctor in the NHS.
As a European psychiatrist, this is most likely the easiest route to becoming GMC-registered and being able to practice psychiatry in the UK.
If you do not meet the GMC requirements for your training to be approved for general or specialist registration, other routes you may consider to GMC registration include PLAB, or (via the postgraduate route) the Royal College exams for psychiatry (MRCPsych). You can find out more about these alternative routes here.
Evidence of knowledge and skills for non-EEA Psychiatrists
If you qualified as a psychiatrist outside the EEA, then you will have to demonstrate that both your medical knowledge and skills AND English Language capabilities meet the level required to practice safely in the UK.
Psychiatrists who've trained from outside the UK and EEA and must demonstrate to the GMC they have sufficient knowledge & skills to practice safely in the UK. For psychiatrists this can be done through three main routes:
Professional & Linguistics Assessment Board (PLAB)
The PLAB exam is a two-part exam that assesses a doctor’s ability to work safely as an SHO in the NHS, as such it does not demonstrate ability in psychiatry specifically. For this reason, PLAB tends to be a route for junior doctors who have not already chosen their field of specialisation in medicine. That said, for some senior doctors PLAB can be an attractive option, offering a quicker route to the UK, whilst still securing competitive salaries. If taking this option, psychiatrists can then take up training or a more senior post once they have established themselves in the NHS. Take a look through our comprehensive guides on PLAB.
Royal College of Psychiatrists
Attaining a Royal College qualification is a preferred path for doctors who have already chosen their field of specialism i.e. psychiatry. Psychiatrists taking this route will gain access to more senior, well-paid jobs in the NHS. The Royal College of Psychiatrists is the professional body that regulates the specialism of psychiatry in the UK, and Membership of the Royal College of Psychiatrists (MRCPsych) is the full qualification attainable by examination. For overseas doctors, attaining MRCPsych will satisfy the knowledge & skill criteria for GMC registration and facilitate application for more senior roles in UK psychiatry. Take a look at IMG Resources library for complete guides on MRCPsych to learn more.
GMC-recognised or Equivalent Qualifications
Some overseas qualifications and licensing exams are recognised by the GMC and accepted for registration purposes. This is to say these qualifications or licensing exams are considered as meeting the same standards as the Royal College qualifications.
To find out if your qualification is accepted by the GMC, take a look at our blog: Overseas accepted postgraduate qualifications
English Language Testing
Both EEA and non-EEA oncologists, regardless of experience, and country of origin, must demonstrate that they have a sufficient grasp and competence of the English language. This can be done by passing either the IELTS (International English Language Testing System) or the OET (OET – Occupational English Test). Detailed guides to these tests can be found below:
IELTS – a guide for overseas doctors
OET – a guide for overseas doctors
Experience in English-speaking countries
For doctors who have at least two years of their most recent experience in an English-speaking country, you can use a reference from your current employer or employers over these two or more years to demonstrate competence of the English language. This would exempt you from sitting an English language exam.
Certificate of Good Standing
All doctors registering with the GMC must provide a certificate of good standing from each medical regulatory authority they’ve been registered or licensed with in the last five years.
The medical regulatory authority may send you a certificate of past good standing if you're not currently registered or licensed with them. You can find out which medical regulatory authority to contact via the GMC website here.
If there's no medical regulatory authority in the country to issue a certificate, the GMC will give you further advice once your application has been assessed.
Please note that each certificate is only valid for three months from the date it's signed and must be valid when we approve your application.
GMC Registration
Once you’ve completed your English language exam, you can now apply for full GMC registration with a license to practice. For registration, you must provide evidence of:
English language capabilities - either your IELTS, OET or an approved reference from your current employer (if you have been working in an English-speaking country for the last two years).
AND
Certificate of good standing – the certificate from your medical regulatory authority which demonstrates good standing.
AND
(EEA psychiatrists) Skills and knowledge – as an EEA psychiatrist, this would either be your recognised EEA qualification.
(Non-EEA psychiatrist) Skills and knowledge – as a non-EEA psychiatrist, this would either be PLAB, MRCPsych or a GMC-approved qualification.
To understand the registration process more fully, read our article on GMC registration for overseas doctors here.
Visas
If you or your family are from the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and started living in the UK by 31 December 2020, you may be able to apply to the free EU Settlement Scheme. Otherwise, you will need to apply for a visa from the Home Office.
A Health & Care visa (Tier 2 visa) is the document given to a skilled worker by the UK Home Office following a job offer from a UK employer with a valid Tier 2 Sponsorship License. The list of valid Tier 2 Sponsors can be found here.
Understand Tier 2 visas and Certificates of Sponsorship in depth by taking a look at our article: Tier 2 Visa application process & documents needed.
Wondering whether you can relocate with your family? Take a look at our blog on the Tier 2 dependent visa below: Tier 2 Dependent visa - Can I bring my family with me to the UK?
So, there you have it! Hopefully this helps to clarify any worries or doubts you may have on your route to the UK as a psychiatrist planning a career in the NHS. If you have any questions or would like to know more about the psychiatry job market, then get in touch with our team.
For regular news and updates on the Royal College and all things psychiatry, follow IMG Connect on social media using the links below:
There are several routes overseas paediatricians can take to GMC registration and securing an NHS paediatrics job.
Whether you are from inside or outside of Europe, will need to satisfy certain criteria to fully register with the General Medical Council (GMC) before beginning their journey in the NHS.
The criteria you need to meet depends on where you currently live and practice, either inside the EEA (& associated countries) or outside the EEA. This article is designed to give you a snapshot of the steps you need to take to start your journey to the UK, no matter where in the world you live.
Inside the EEA – click here
Outside the EEA – click here
“Doctors from countries around the world play a vital and significant role in our NHS and in the delivery of safe patient care. This is not only welcome but is part of the continuous exchange of knowledge in healthcare and should be strongly encouraged. They make an invaluable contribution to the NHS.”
Joint statement from the Royal College of Physicians
Inside the EEA
Firstly, it is important to note that where we refer to EEA in this article this refers to all countries inside the EU, including Lichtenstein, Iceland & Norway.
If you qualified as a paediatrician inside the EEA or Switzerland, then the good news is that you don’t need to demonstrate your medical knowledge and skills to work as a doctor in the UK – you have already done this, and thanks to the EU your qualification is deemed equivalent. In addition, you will not need to apply for a visa from the UK Home Office.
So, the main hurdle that you will face is demonstrating that your English skills are of a high enough standard to practice safely as a doctor in the UK & NHS.
English Language Testing
Any international doctor, regardless of specialty, experience or country of origin, must demonstrate they have sufficient competence of the English language. You can do this by passing either of the following:
IELTS – International English Language Testing System
OET – Occupational English Test
Take a look at our helpful articles below for detailed information on both tests:
IELTS – a guide for overseas doctors
OET – a guide for overseas doctors
GMC Registration
Having passed your English Language Test, you can now apply for full registration with a licence to practice with the GMC. For full GMC registration you must provide evidence of:
Evidence of English language capabilities (IELTS or OET)
AND
Evidence of sufficient skill and knowledge (your equivalent qualifications)
Understand the registration process in full & by reading our article below: IMG resources - GMC Registration for overseas doctors
Job search
We recommend starting the job search as early as possible. Demand for European paediatricians in the NHS is ever-increasing - the NHS welcomes you with open arms!
At IMG Connect we specialise in securing jobs for European doctors in the UK and can offer you a wider range of paediatrics jobs than are readily available online.
Our network extends to Paediatrics services and HR departments across the UK, so no matter what your grade or specialty we can ensure you will be interviewing for roles well in advance of any relocation plans.
In addition, your dedicated consultant, with a speciality knowledge of paediatrics, will negotiate on your behalf ensuring you get the most competitive salary.
Our aim is to have a job offer on the table before your GMC registration is complete, giving you the peace of mind of having an agreed contract in place - leaving you to carefully plan your relocation to the UK. Take a look at our most recent jobs: Job Search
Relocation
Obviously, any doctor’s journey isn’t all exams, registrations and language tests… there’s also the small matter of relocation and settling into life in the UK.
Once you have secured your role in the UK, we focus on supporting you and your family with all your relocation plans. This can include, but is not exclusive to, securing accommodation, travel planning, setting up bank accounts & national insurance numbers – every step of the way we are here to help.
Have a read through our IMG Library and take in all the beautifully organised information on relocation and UK life to immeasurably help your first days, weeks and months in the UK.
IMG Resources – Relocation & UK Life
Outside of the EEA
If you qualified as a paediatrician outside the EEA, then you will have to demonstrate that both your medical knowledge & skills and English Language capabilities meet the level required to practice safely in the UK. In addition, you will need to apply for a visa from the UK Home Office.
Here we summarise the requirements for paediatrics doctors, looking at the following:
English Language Testing
Evidence of Knowledge & Skills - PLAB, MRCPCH or equivalents
Tier 2 Visas
Full GMC Registration
English Language Testing
Any international doctor, regardless of specialty, experience or country of origin, must demonstrate they have sufficient competence of the English language. You can do this by passing either of the following:
IELTS – International English Language Testing System
OET – Occupational English Test
Take a look at our helpful articles below for detailed information on both tests:
IELTS – a guide for overseas doctors
OET – a guide for overseas doctors
Evidence of Knowledge & Skills in Paediatrics
Overseas paediatricians must prove to the GMC they have sufficient knowledge & skills to practice safely in the UK. For paediatricians this can be done through three main routes:
PLAB
Royal College qualification of MRCPCH
GMC - recognised or equivalent qualifications
Route 1 - PLAB:
The PLAB exam is a two-part exam that assesses a doctor’s ability to work safely as an SHO in the NHS, as such it does not demonstrate ability in Paediatrics specifically. For this reason, PLAB tends to be a route for junior doctors who have not already chosen their field of specialisation in medicine.
That said, for some senior doctors PLAB can be an attractive option, offering a quicker route to the UK, whilst still securing competitive salaries. If taking this option, paediatricians can then take up training or a more senior post once they have established themselves in the NHS.
Take a look through our comprehensive guides on PLAB:
PLAB – a guide for overseas doctors
PLAB 1 – a closer look
PLAB 2 – a closer look
Route 2 - Royal College Qualification of MRCPCH:
Attaining a Royal College qualification is a preferred path for doctors who have already chosen their field of specialism i.e. Paediatrics. For senior paediatricians taking this route, they will gain access to more senior, well-paid jobs in the specialism of their choice.
The Royal College of Paediatricians is the Professional Body that regulates the specialism of Paediatrics in the UK, and Membership of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (MRCPCH) is the full qualification attainable by examination.
For overseas doctors, attaining MRCPCH will satisfy the knowledge & skill criteria for GMC registration and facilitate application for more senior roles in UK Paediatrics. Take a look at our complete guide on Membership of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health to understand more: MRCPCH – a guide for overseas doctors
Route 3 - GMC Recognised or Equivalent Qualifications:
Some overseas qualifications are recognised by the GMC and accepted for registration purposes. This means to say these qualifications are considered as meeting the same standards as the Royal College qualifications. There are Paediatrics qualifications from several countries around the world that are currently accepted by the GMC.
Find out if your qualification is accepted by the GMC below: IMG Resources - Overseas accepted postgraduate qualifications
Tier 2 Visa
If you are a doctor applying from outside the EEA region you will almost certainly need to apply for a visa to work in the UK.
Applying as a doctor or nurse has never been easier and there is currently no-restriction on the Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) applications that a hospital can make. Furthermore, the list of specialties on the shortage occupation list is due for imminent review and expansion beyond its current list of specialties, potentially widening the scope for easier immigration processes across all specialties in healthcare.
Understand Tier 2 visas and Certificates of Sponsorship in depth by taking a look at our article: IMG Resources - Tier 2 Visa application process & documents needed
Wondering whether you can relocate with your family? Take a look at our blog on the Tier 2 dependant visa below: IMG Resources - Tier 2 Dependant visa - can i bring my family with me to the UK?
GMC Registration
With everything in place, you can apply for full registration with a licence to practice with the GMC. Remember, for full GMC registration you must provide evidence of:
Evidence of English language capabilities
AND
Evidence of sufficient skill and knowledge (PLAB, MRCPCH or equivalent)
Understand the registration process in full & by reading our article below: IMG Resources - GMC Registration for overseas doctors
Job search
We recommend starting the job search as early as possible. Demand for Non-EEA paediatricians in the NHS is increasing - the NHS welcomes you with open arms!
At IMG Connect we specialise in securing jobs for overseas doctors in the UK and can offer you a wider range of jobs than is readily available online. Our network extends to paediatrics services and HR departments across the UK, so no matter what your grade or specialty we can ensure you will be interviewing for roles well in advance of any relocation plans.
In addition, your 1-1 consultant, with a speciality knowledge of paediatrics, will negotiate on your behalf, ensuring you get the most competitive salary. Giving you the peace of mind of agreeing your new contract, perhaps even before your GMC registration is complete.
Take a look at our most recent jobs: Job Search
Relocation
Obviously, any doctor’s journey isn’t all exams, registrations and language tests… there’s also the small matter of relocation and settling into life in the UK.
Once you have secured your role in the UK, we will focus on supporting you and your family with all of your relocation plans. This can include, but is not exclusive to, securing accommodation, travel planning, setting up bank accounts & national insurance numbers – every step of the way we are here to help.
Have a read through our IMG Library and take in all the beautifully organised information on relocation and UK life to immeasurably help your first days, weeks and months in the UK. Take a look here: IMG Resources – Relocation & UK Life
IMG Jobs
Search and find live NHS paediatrician jobs in the UK
IMG Resources
Read more useful articles on finding an NHS trust doctor job, pay scales & doctor’s salary in the UK, relocation and much more!
Get in Touch
Don’t hesitate to get in touch using the buttons above (and below) to discuss doctor job options in the NHS, including discussions regarding CESR, a typical doctor salary in the UK and the most suitable NHS jobs & hospital locations for you.
Which routes can overseas internal medicine doctors take to GMC registration & securing jobs in the NHS?
All Medicine doctors looking to secure a job and work in the UK, whether you are from inside or outside of Europe, will need to satisfy certain criteria to fully register with the General Medical Council (GMC). Here we cover all the medical specialties that fall within the broader reach of General & Specialist Medicine to include specialisms such as cardiology, respiratory medicine, dermatology, gastroenterology, haematology, elderly care or geriatric medicine and general & acute medicine.
The criteria you must meet depends on where you currently live and practice, either inside the EEA (& associated countries) or outside the EEA. This article is designed to give you a snapshot of the steps you need to take to start your journey to the UK, no matter where in the world you live.
Inside the EEA – click here
Outside the EEA – click here
“Doctors from countries around the world play a vital and significant role in our NHS and in the delivery of safe patient care. This is not only welcome but is part of the continuous exchange of knowledge in healthcare and should be strongly encouraged. They make an invaluable contribution to the NHS.”
Joint statement from the Royal College of Physicians
Inside the EEA
Firstly, it is important to note that where we refer to EEA in this article this refers to all countries inside the EU, including Lichtenstein, Iceland & Norway.
If you qualified as a doctor inside the EEA or Switzerland, then the good news is that you don’t need to demonstrate your medical knowledge and skills to work as a doctor in the UK – you have already done this, and thanks to the EU your qualification is deemed equivalent. In addition, you will not need to apply for a visa from the UK Home Office.
As an EEA doctor, the main hurdle that you will face is demonstrating that your English skills are of a high enough standard to practice safely as a doctor in the UK & NHS.
English Language Testing
Any international doctor, regardless of specialty, experience or country of origin, must demonstrate they have sufficient competence of the English language.
You can do this by passing either of the following:
IELTS – International English Language Testing System
OET – Occupational English Test
Take a look at our helpful articles below for detailed information on both tests:
IELTS – a guide for overseas doctors
OET – a guide for overseas doctors
GMC Registration
Having passed your English Language Test, you can now apply for full registration with a licence to practice with the GMC. For full GMC registration you must provide evidence of:
Evidence of English language capabilities (IELTS or OET)
AND
Evidence of sufficient skill and knowledge (your equivalent qualifications)
Understand the registration process in full & by reading our article: IMG Library - GMC Registration for overseas doctors
Job search
We recommend starting the job search as early as possible. Demand for European doctors in the NHS is ever-increasing - the NHS welcomes you with open arms! At IMG Connect we specialise in securing jobs for European doctors in the UK and can offer you a wider range of jobs than are readily available online.
Our network extends to psychiatry services and HR departments across the UK, so no matter what your grade or specialty we can ensure you will be interviewing for roles well in advance of any relocation plans.
In addition, your dedicated consultant, with a specialty knowledge of General Medicine, will negotiate on your behalf ensuring you get the most competitive salary.
Our aim is to have a job offer on the table before your GMC registration is complete, giving you the peace of mind of having an agreed contract in place - leaving you to carefully plan your relocation to the UK.
Take a look at our most recent jobs: Job Search
Relocation
Obviously, any doctor’s journey isn’t all exams, registrations and language tests… there’s also the small matter of relocation and settling into life in the UK.
Once you have secured your role in the UK, we focus on supporting you and your family with all your relocation plans. This can include, but is not exclusive to, securing accommodation, travel planning, setting up bank accounts & national insurance numbers – every step of the way we are here to help.
Have a read through our IMG Library and take in all the beautifully organised information on relocation and UK life to immeasurably help your first days, weeks and months in the UK.
IMG Library – Relocation & UK Life
Outside of the EEA
If you qualified as a doctor outside the EEA, then you will have to demonstrate that both your medical knowledge & skills and English Language capabilities meet the level required to practice safely in the UK. In addition, you will need to apply for a visa from the UK Home Office.
Here we summarise the requirements for General Medicine doctors, looking at the following:
English Language Testing
Evidence of Knowledge & Skills - PLAB, MRCP or equivalents
Tier 2 Visas
Full GMC Registration
English Language Testing
Any international doctor, regardless of specialty, experience or country of origin, must demonstrate they have sufficient competence of the English language. You can do this by passing either of the following:
IELTS – International English Language Testing System
OET – Occupational English Test
Take a look at our helpful articles below for detailed information on both tests:
IELTS – a guide for overseas doctors
OET – a guide for overseas doctors
Evidence of Knowledge & Skills in Medicine
Overseas doctors must prove to the GMC they have sufficient knowledge & skills to practice safely in the UK. This can be done through three main routes:
PLAB
Royal College qualification of MRCP
GMC - recognised or equivalent qualifications
Route 1 - PLAB:
The PLAB exam is a two-part exam that assesses a doctor’s ability to work safely as an SHO in the NHS, as such it does not demonstrate ability in Medicine specifically.
For this reason, PLAB tends to be a route for junior doctors who have not already chosen their field of specialisation in medicine.
That said, for some senior doctors PLAB can be an attractive option, offering a quicker route to the UK, whilst still securing competitive salaries. If taking this option, international doctors can then take up training or a more senior post once they have established themselves in the NHS.
Take a look through our comprehensive guides on PLAB:
PLAB – a guide for overseas doctors
PLAB 1 – a closer look
PLAB 2 – a closer look
Route 2 - Royal College Qualification:
Attaining a Royal College qualification is a preferred path for doctors who have already chosen their field of specialism i.e. medicine. For senior medicine doctors taking this route, they will gain access to more senior, well-paid jobs in the specialism of their choice.
The Royal College of Physicians is the Professional Body that regulates the specialism of medicine in the UK, and Membership of the Royal College of Physicians (MRCP) is the full qualification attainable by examination.
For overseas doctors, attaining MRCP will satisfy the knowledge & skill criteria for GMC registration and facilitate application for more senior roles in UK medicine.
Take a look at our complete guide on Membership of the Royal College of Physicians to understand more: MRCP – a guide for overseas doctors
GMC - recognised or equivalent qualifications:
Some overseas qualifications are recognised by the GMC and accepted for registration purposes. This means to say these qualifications are considered as meeting the same standards as the Royal College qualifications.
There are qualifications from several countries around the world that are currently accepted by the GMC.
Find out if your qualification is accepted by the GMC: Overseas accepted postgraduate qualifications
Tier 2 Visa
If you are a doctor applying from outside the EEA region you will almost certainly need to apply for a visa to work in the UK.
Applying as a doctor or nurse has never been easier and there is currently no-restriction on the Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) applications that a hospital can make. Furthermore, the list of specialties on the shortage occupation list is due for imminent review and expansion beyond its current list of specialties, potentially widening the scope for easier immigration processes across all specialties in healthcare.
Understand Tier 2 visas and Certificates of Sponsorship in depth by taking a look at our article: Tier 2 Visa application process & documents needed
Wondering whether you can relocate with your family? Take a look at our blog on the Tier 2 dependant visa: Tier 2 Dependant visa - can i bring my family with me to the UK?
GMC Registration
With everything in place, you can apply for full registration with a licence to practice with the GMC. Remember, for full GMC registration you must provide evidence of:
Evidence of English language capabilities
AND
Evidence of sufficient skill and knowledge (PLAB, MRCP or equivalent)
Understand the registration process in full & by reading our article: GMC Registration for overseas doctors
Job search
We recommend starting the job search as early as possible. Demand for Non-EEA doctors in the NHS is increasing - the NHS welcomes you with open arms!
At IMG Connect we specialise in securing jobs for overseas doctors in the UK and can offer you a wider range of jobs than is readily available online.
Our network extends to general medicine services and HR departments across the UK, so no matter what your grade or specialty we can ensure you will be interviewing for roles well in advance of any relocation plans.
In addition, your 1-1 consultant, with a speciality knowledge of medicine, will negotiate on your behalf, ensuring you get the most competitive salary.
Giving you the peace of mind of agreeing your new contract, perhaps even before your GMC registration is complete. Take a look at our most recent jobs: Job Search
Relocation
Obviously, any doctor’s journey isn’t all exams, registrations and language tests… there’s also the small matter of relocation and settling into life in the UK.
Once you have secured your role in the UK, we will focus on supporting you and your family with all of your relocation plans. This can include, but is not exclusive to, securing accommodation, travel planning, setting up bank accounts & national insurance numbers – every step of the way we are here to help.
Have a read through our IMG Library and take in all the beautifully organised information on relocation and UK life to immeasurably help your first days, weeks and months in the UK. Take a look here: IMG Library – Relocation & UK Life
IMG Jobs
Specialist Medicine: Click here to find live NHS specialist medicine job opportunities in the UK
General & Acute Medicine: Click here to find live NHS general & acute medicine job opportunities in the UK
IMG Resources
In our IMG Resources library you can read more useful articles on finding an NHS trust doctor job, pay scales & doctor’s salary in the UK, relocation and much more!
Get in Touch
Get in touch using the buttons above (and below) to discuss job opportunities in the NHS, including discussions regarding a typical doctor salary in the UK and the most suitable hospital locations for you.
Follow us on social media for news and updates on GMC registration, the Royal College and NHS through the links below:
The Diploma in Child Health (DCH) recognises competence in the care of children in specialties allied to paediatrics.
In this blog we will provide an overview of the DCH and consider the following topics:
What is the DCH?
Who is it for?
Structure and content of DCH
Am I eligible?
Where can I take the exam & how much will it cost me?
How do I apply?
How do I prepare and what resources are available?
Passed? What's next?
Skip ahead to the relevant section if you know what you're looking for.
What is the DCH?
The DCH is reflective of current practice in the UK and covers a syllabus mapped by a wide range of medical professions, including paediatrics and GPs. The DCH (Diploma in Child Health) comprises two exams. You must achieve a pass mark in both in order to be awarded DCH.
The exams are as follows:
Foundation of Practice (FOP) theory exam - this is shared with the MRCPCH (membership exam)
DCH Clinical exam
Who is it for?
The Diploma is aimed at those practitioners who want to consolidate their knowledge and skills in paediatrics and gain a qualification at the same time. According to the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH), the DCH is designed to give ‘recognition of competence in the care of children to general practitioner vocational trainees, staff grade doctors and senior house officers in paediatrics, and trainees in specialties allied to paediatrics’.
It not only helps to consolidate knowledge gained during paediatric training, but it also helps to focus and develop skills needed for the examination of children within primary and secondary care.
Candidates use the DCH as an opportunity for up-skilling, to drive learning and to gain an internationally recognised post graduate medical diploma.
The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health recommend that all candidates complete a short period of training in paediatrics before attempting the DCH Clinical examination. The aim of the examination is to assess whether candidates have reached the standard in clinical skills expected of a newly appointed General Practitioner who has completed a short period of training in paediatrics.
What does the syllabus cover?
It is important to note that the DCH has an independent syllabus from the MRCPCH. However, the theoretical elements of the Foundation of Practice theory exam are shared across both.
Before embarking on the diploma, we recommend IMGs take a detailed look at the DCH syllabus which outlines the competencies required in both knowledge and skills. It provides a summary list of topics which are covered, and specifies the depth of knowledge and skills required, as well as guidance for trainees on what they must be taught and learn.
Am I eligible to take DCH?
The Royal College for Paediatrics and Child Health recommend that overseas candidates have at least six months' paediatrics experience.
To be eligible, overseas candidates will simply need to hold a recognised medical qualification and be registered with the GMC.
You do not require a pass in English Language Tests to take the tests, however we have discussed this with several IMGs, and it is important to note that a high standard of English will be required in order to pass. Don’t forget that you will require a sufficient pass in an English Language Test in order to complete registration with the GMC.
Structure and content of DCH:
The Diploma consists of two exams, one theory (FOP) and one clinical exam. You can take the exams in any order, or during the same exam period.
The Foundation of Practice theory exam (FOP) is computer-based and takes place three times a year in the UK and overseas. See our MRCPCH overview for more information on where you can sit the FOP theory exam, dates, times and costs.
How much does the DCH clinical exam cost?
Fees vary depending on where you sit the exam. See below fees and centres for 2023.
UK & Ireland
Exam
Exam fee
Foundation of Practice (FOP) - single paper
£350
Theory and Science (TAS) - single paper
£350
FOP and TAS - both papers
£595
Applied Knowledge in Practice (AKP)
£595
Overseas Centres
Jordan, Kuwait, Malta, Qatar, Sri Lanka, Pakistan and Trinidad currently only provide RCPCH theory exams.
Egypt, India, Malaysia, Nepal, KSA, UAE, Oman, Myanmar, Sudan and Singapore provide both theory and clinical exam test centres.
Overseas
Exam
Exam fee
Foundation of Practice (FOP) - single paper
£435
Theory and Science (TAS) - single paper
£435
FOP and TAS - both papers
£725
Applied Knowledge in Practice (AKP)
£835
Hong Kong
Candidates in Hong Kong must submit payment to the Hong Kong College exam organiser in HKD via a bank draft, which you can learn more about here.
Hong Kong
Exam
Exam fee
Foundation of Practice (FOP) - single paper
4700 HKD
Theory and Science (TAS) - single paper
4700 HKD
FOP and TAS - both papers
7600 HKD
Applied Knowledge in Practice (AKP)
8800 HKD
How do I apply for the exams?
To apply for the DCH (Diploma in Child Health), you first need to register online for exams. You just need to do this once.
You need an RCPCH online account (with an RCPCH number). Then you can complete a short registration form – you will require evidence of your primary medical qualification.
How do I register for exams?
You can register for exams at any time throughout the year. After your registration is accepted, you can apply for an exam but only during relevant open application periods.
It takes at least 10 working days to process registration.
During exam application periods we are not able to process registrations. Please register three to four weeks before exam application period opens to help ensure you do not miss your preferred exam diet. The best dates to register for exams are usually January, May and September.
How do I book an exam?
Log in to your RCPCH account
Go to My Account
From your dashboard, go to the Exams panel, and from your exam dashboard, follow links to apply
What do I need to know about the exam day?
Bring your ID:
You will need to bring one of the following forms of ID:
passport with photograph and signature - this must be current or no more than six months expired
valid driving license with photograph and signature
national identity card with photograph and signature
*Only original documents will be accepted.
For more information take a look at the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health website
How do I prepare?
With lots of materials online we have discussed with IMGs the best place to start looking for resources and materials relating to the exams. Most IMGs recommended starting with the Royal College, who have created useful resources to help you to prepare for the exams.
A good start is to take a look at Clinical Cases in Paediatrics: DCH Clinical Textbook. It will cost your £35 but is a logical foundation for a start to any revision.
Useful online revision courses include those run by PASTEST and the Institute of Child Health.
As ever at IMG Connect, we believe in preparation. In order to succeed in the clinical exam, IMGs have told us that it is vital that you practise your clinical examinations as frequently as possible, preferably under the supervision of a senior colleague. This will give you confidence in approaching and examining children with examiners present.
Passed? What next?
If you pass both DCH Clinical and Foundation of Practice (FOP) exams, you will receive a Diploma certificate. This certifies you are a holder of the Diploma in Child Health (RCPCH).
IMG Jobs
Search and find live NHS doctor jobs in the UK
IMG Resources
In our IMG Resources library you can read more useful articles on finding an NHS trust doctor job, pay scales & doctor’s salary in the UK, relocation and much more!
Get in Touch
Get in touch using the buttons above (and below) to discuss doctor job opportunities in the NHS, including discussions regarding a typical doctor salary in the UK and the most suitable hospital locations for you.
Here we take a close look at the MRCS exam for overseas surgeons looking to register with the GMC and find a job in the NHS.
International Medical Graduates (IMGs) from any country in the world can sit the MRCS examinations, provided certain eligibility criteria are met.
These are summarised below along with a broad look at the following topics:
The UK Royal Colleges of Surgery
What is MRCS?
What is the structure and content?
Am I eligible?
MRCS Part A - Written Examination
MRCS Part B - OSCE
How much will the exams cost me?
As an overseas doctor where can I take the exams?
How can I prepare and what resources are available?
Passed? What next?
The UK Royal Colleges of Surgery:
There are four Royal Colleges of Surgeons in the UK (Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, Royal College of Surgeons of England, Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland).
All four of these colleges are professional bodies responsible for the specialty of surgery throughout the UK. Amongst many other duties, it is their role to set and monitor the educational curriculum for those training to enter the profession.
What is MRCS?
The Intercollegiate Membership exam of the Royal College of Surgeons tests the knowledge, experience and clinical competence expected of a doctor at the end of their core surgical training (ST2 level) and can be taken through any of the Royal Colleges mentioned above.
The MRCS examination syllabus and the format & content of this examination are common to all four colleges (Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, Royal College of Surgeons of England, Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland).
Candidates can enter any part of the examination through any college, but may enter with only one college at each sitting. Completion of MRCS will allow you to work in the UK from ST3 level upward (ST3+), with seniority beyond ST3 level dependent on experience.
Upon successful completion of all parts of the examination, candidates will be elected as members of the college for which they have passed Part B of the exam. MRCS is one of two routes an overseas doctor can take full GMC registration (postgraduate qualification or PLAB route).
For doctors who wish to take more senior roles reflective of their current practice, IMG Connect advise that MRCS would be the best route to take and full MRCS is a pre-requisite for anyone looking to go onto a specialist training post as a surgeon in the UK.
What is the structure and content?
The MRCS exam is split into two parts:
MRCS Part A – written examination
MRCS Part B – Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE)
Am I eligible?
Part A:
To be eligible you must hold a Primary Medical Qualification (PMQ) that is recognised by the GMC for registration purposes.
Part B OSCE:
You must pass Part A before applying for Part B. You can attempt Part A of the exam six times, and Part B four times.
MRCS Part A - Written Examination:
The content is designed to test your knowledge of both applied basic science and the principles of surgery in general to a level of a UK trainee with two to three years of postgraduate experience.
Part A of the Intercollegiate MRCS is a five-hour multiple choice question exam with two papers sat in one day. The questions are in single best answer format. The morning paper is 3 hours long and the afternoon paper is 2 hours long.
MRCS Part B – OSCE:
The OSCE is set in a practical setting and tests your ability to integrate knowledge and experience in the following two areas:
Knowledge - Your understanding of anatomy, surgical pathology, applied surgical science & critical care
Skills – your application of clinical, procedural and communication skills in a practical setting.
The OSCE consists of 18 examined stations, each 9 minutes in duration, broadly divided into the two components above – knowledge and skills. Each station reflects elements of day-to-day clinical practice.
The knowledge component makes up eight of the stations. The skills component makes up ten of the stations. Candidates must pass both the knowledge and skills components to pass Part B.
How much will the exams cost me?
Part A of the Intercollegiate MRCS is £539 in the UK
Overseas centres will cost upwards of £539 and can include a local administration fee.
Part B of the Intercollegiate MRCS is £977.
Please note, fees can vary dependent on location.
As an overseas doctor, where can I take the exams?
Part A & B of the exams can be taken in several countries across the world, with locations in the UK, Africa, Asia, Middle East, Central Asia and Europe.
Should you require a visa in order to sit your examinations, the College will provide support letters after the closing date and when an application has been checked and the candidate is eligible. Requests for a Visa support letter must be made in writing.
The full list of countries is below:
Exam
UK
Country – Asia
Country – Middle East, Europe & Central Asia
Africa
MRCS Part 1 & 2 (OSCE)
Belfast
Bangladesh
Philippines
Afghanistan
Kuwait
Botswana
Nigeria
Cardiff
Burma
Singapore
Azerbaijan
Lebanon
Cameroon
Senegal
Coventry
Hong Kong
South Korea
Bahrain
Oman
Egypt
Sierra Leone
Dublin
India
Sri Lanka
Cyprus
Palestine
Ghana
Sudan
Edinburgh
Malaysia
Thailand
Iraq
Qatar
Kenya
Tunisia
London
Nepal
Vietnam
Jordan
Saudi Arabia
Morocco
Zambia
Manchester
Pakistan
Israel
United Arab Emirates
Namibia
Newcastle
Kazakhstan
Uzbekistan
Nottingham
Stirling
How can I prepare and what resources are available?
With lots of resources available online, we have discussed with IMGs the best place to start looking for materials relating to the exams. Most IMGs recommended starting with the Royal College, who have created useful resources to help you to prepare for the exams. See below:
Syllabus:
The complete MRCS syllabus is contained within the General Medical Council approved curriculum for the Early Years of Surgical Training in the United Kingdom. It reflects the Core Surgical Training Syllabus of the Intercollegiate Surgical Curriculum Programme.
At IMG Connect we recommend getting to know the curriculum as early as possible and using it as a road map for your study plan.
Module Guidance:
Parts A&B both examine 10 modules and the specification for each module is detailed in the Guide to the Intercollegiate MRCS examination - published by the Royal College of Surgeons.
Royal College of England recommended courses:
Royal College of Surgeons of England
Part A guidance notes:
Candidate guidance notes that cover all four colleges, including information on examination procedure, admittance.
Content Guide:
The Intercollegiate Committee for Basic Surgical Examinations (ICBSE) produced this guide to the Intercollegiate MRCS examination which contains:
List of recommended textbooks and resources
Topics and skills that may be examined
Information and sample questions for both Part A & B
Intercollegiate MRCS Regulations:
Make sure to read through and familiarise yourself with the regulations for Membership Examinations. They are unilateral across all four colleges, you can find them here.
RCS Library resources:
The RCS Library contains excellent resources particularly useful for the MRCS examinations – they are available to affiliate members. Resources include Atlases, EBooks & Online Journals.
The Funky Professor:
These anatomy video lectures are available from the RCS. Each video is accompanied with a detailed slideshow, plus a test on content.
As ever at IMG Connect, we stronlgy believe in the right preparation. In order to succeed in the clinical exam, IMGs have told us that it is vital that you practice your clinical examinations as frequently as possible, preferably under the supervision of a senior colleague. This will give you confidence in approaching and examining with examiners present.
Passed? What next?
Once you have passed both parts of your MRCS examinations you can apply for a full registration with a license to practice. Once the GMC have approved your application, you can work as a doctor in the UK.
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Here we will look closely at the application for CESR in acute and general medicine.
In particular, we will explore the specialty specific guidance on providing evidence for an application for entry onto the Specialist Register for Acute Internal Medicine or Acute Medicine with a Certificate of Eligibility for Specialist Registration or CESR.
What is CESR in Acute Internal Medicine in the NHS?
As an Acute Medicine specialist, attaining CESR will mean you are qualified to practice at consultant level in the NHS in Acute Medicine. Have a read through our CESR articles found in the IMG Resources library to understand a little more.
Do I need MRCP to attain CESR in Acute Medicine?
No, whilst it is always a benefit to attain MRCP and you may have already attained MRCP as by ways of registering with the GMC, you do not require MRCP to attain CESR in Acute Internal Medicine.
Any doctor wishing to attain Specialist Registration via the CCT route must attain MRCP(UK).
What is the indicative period of training for a CCT in Acute Internal Medicine?
The indicative period of training for a CCT in Acute Internal Medicine is six years and it is highly unlikely that you would achieve the competencies required for a CCT in a shorter period of time.
This training consists of the following:
2 years in Core Medical Training OR
Acute Care Common Stem (ACCS) OR
AND
Four years training in Acute Internal Medicine
Therefore, CESR applicants must demonstrate that they have achieved the competencies in each of these areas.
For a complete list of competencies refer to the Acute Internal Medicine Curriculum documentation.
Submitting Evidence
Do not submit original documents – this is very important.
All your copies, other than qualifications you’re getting authenticated must be accompanied by a proformas signed by the person who is attesting to the validity and accuracy of your evidence (your verifier).
It is very important that you read an explanation of how to do this in the GMC’s important notice about evidence.
How much evidence should you submit?
The GMC recognises that doctors will often not have all the evidence required for a complete CESR application, often many doctors will start their application and delay starting their application until they are able to gather all the evidence.
The evidence must cover the knowledge, skills and qualifications to demonstrate the required competencies in all areas of the Acute Internal Medicine Curriculum.
If evidence is missing from any one area of the curriculum, then the application will fail.
If you have a piece of evidence that is relevant to more than one domain, do not include multiple copies in your bundle. Instead include one copy and list it in your evidence list under each relevant area, stating that the document is located elsewhere.
The GMC asks that only evidence that is strictly relevant is sent as it will help them to process the application quicker. The guidance on compiling your evidence will help you to decide what is relevant and what is not – make sure you are reading the latest version on the GMC website – here.
It is important to note that evidence that is more than five years old will be given less weight than more recent evidence, so you may not need to include it.
As a general guide, an application for CESR could expect to see around 800-1000 pages of evidence.
The types of evidence are divided into four different domains, the GMC recommends that you apportion the evidence provided as per the pie chart below:
Please note, you cannot compensate for evidence lacking in one area by providing more evidence in another area.
Make sure to anonymise your evidence:
It is very important to anonymise your evidence before submitting it to the GMC.
You must remove the following:
All patient identifying details
Details of patients’ relatives
Details of colleagues that you have assessed, written a reference for, or who have been involved in a complaint you have submitted. This includes:
Names (first and last)
addresses
contact details such as phone numbers or email addresses
NHS numbers & other individual patient numbers
GMC numbers
In Summary:
If you have any questions or uncertainties, please do not hesitate to get in touch with the IMG Connect team. However, your official point of reference for any queries should the GMC – they can answer and provide the most updated information on CESR applications for overseas Acute Medicine doctors looking to work as NHS Consultants in Acute Medicine.
IMG Jobs
Search and find live NHS doctor jobs in the UK
IMG Resources
Read more useful articles on finding an NHS trust doctor job, pay scales & doctor’s salary in the UK, relocation and much more!
Get in Touch
Get in touch using the buttons above (and below) to discuss acute & general medicine job opportunities in the NHS, including discussions regarding CESR, a typical doctor salary in the UK and the most suitable NHS jobs & hospital locations for you.
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