If you have already read our overview on PLAB you will know that the second part of the test is held in the UK and you will need a UK Visitor Visa to sit the PLAB 2 examination.
Here we put together the main information you will need as well as useful links to get you started and we will look at the following:
How do I apply?
Online application for UK Visa
What supporting documents do I need to prepare and provide?
What costs can I expect in the UK?
What happens if my visa application is refused?
The first thing to suggest, is that as soon as you receive your PLAB 1 results, start planning the date that you want to sit PLAB 2. This will not only help you prepare for the test itself, but also will ensure that when you apply for the Visitor Visa, you will be prepared for your Visa application and appointment, and able to visit the UK within the 6-month visa period.
No matter the guidance and instructions, visa applications can prove different for everyone, so start working on the application early.
If you are not sure if you need a Visa – you can check here.
You can apply for a ‘Standard Visitor Visa’ if you are a doctor and are coming to the UK to take the Professional Linguistic and Assessment Board (PLAB) test 2. The option you require is a “Work, Academic visit or Business” visa and the duration is less than six months.
How do I apply?
The UK Visa Application for PLAB 2 can be described in two parts:
Online application for the required type of visa.
Submission of supporting documents and providing biometric data (photo, fingerprints) at a visa application centre.
Let’s take a look at each part in more detail.
Online Application for UK Visa
As part of the online application, you will be required to book an appointment at a visa application centre, you can check the locations available here.
You can complete the application in stages; however we advise you prepare all the required documentation first, and the complete the online form and upload everything you need in one go.
A standard UK visa currently costs £100.
Supporting Documents
It is important to note that the required documents will vary from person to person, however two documents are necessary for every applicant:
Your valid Passport
The email confirmation of your PLAB 2
You will then typically require the following:
Cover Letter
If your trip is self-funded you will need:
Salary certificate
Bank Statements
Letter of Support from your financial guarantor (if applicable)
This is only required if your trip is financed by another person (i.e. family member).
Affidavit affirming the declaration of the financial sponsorship
This is done before a notary public. This will have to be translated into English.
Letter of recommendation
Any letter of recommendations will need to come from senior colleagues at your current workplace.
Bank Statements
Typically 6 months (yours / your sponsors).
Monthly payslip
A clear copy is needed with all information visible.
Income/Salary Certificate (Yours/Sponsors)
Evidence of Home Address
Deeds or Nationality Certificate or Home electricity bill where the address is written. This will need to be translated and notarised.
A ‘No Objection Letter’ issued by your employer
A ‘No Objection Letter’ for visa is a legal certificate issued by your employer agreeing for you to take off the days for you visit to the UK. In addition, the letter states that you have contractual obligations to return to your country of residence at your workplace.
Confirmation of your accommodation in the UK
Or, invitation letter from friend or family of whom you will be staying with. You may also require a Council tax and utility bill of the accommodation address. If it’s a family that you’re staying with, you don’t need to worry about proving Sponsorship. If they are just providing accommodation (and your father or mother is your financial guarantor), a simple invitation letter stating your name, your passport number, duration and purpose of your stay is sufficient along with their contact details. The council tax and utility bill is just to prove that the address exists by their name.
Evidence of family members in your home country whilst you travel
These would include Passport copies or National ID copies of your family members.
Online Application Required Entries
Your name.
Passport details.
Your National ID number, if you have one.
Your email.
Travel information/plan: The date you will arrive in UK and the date you will leave from UK. The arrival date is more important. The itinerary in your cover letter should explain this in more detail.
Choose business, including sports and entertainment as the main reason for your visit.
After answering No’s to organised group, travelling with partner, visiting a company or getting paid for business activities—Choose Take the PLAB or OSCE.
In Give details, write down your full itinerary, taken from your cover letter in full sentences.
Personal information: Your home address.
Parent details: Father’s and mother’s name, dates of birth.
Employment details.
If you are employed and sponsoring yourself, then IMG recommend you arrange for two papers from your employer from the above list a) Salary Certificate b) No Objection Certificate.
Your own bank account details with bank statements (for the last six months).
How much money are you planning to spend on your visit.
Details of who is covering the costs, if you don’t.
UK accommodation details.
Travel histories in UK or other countries.
Any details of visa refusals
Other histories regarding whether you have any criminal convictions.
Any other relevant information you wish to provide, you can leave this blank.
Finally comes the declaration page which asks you to choose an appointment (date and time) with a visa application centre. Please note that you don’t have to choose immediately, especially if you don’t have all the supporting documents ready. Just save it there and a link will be sent to your email. But as above, at IMG Connect we recommend that you have all the supporting documents prepared before starting your UK Visitor Visa for PLAB 2 application.
UK Costs
Whilst the exam is taken in one day, we advise for candidate to allow themselves a few days for acclimatisation and revision prior to the exam. When budgeting, make sure that you book flights, hotels and UK transport to and from the airport in advance to save money.
Once in the UK, a typical low-cost budget for a comfortable stay will include approximately:
£40 - £60 per night for accommodation depending on your test venue
£15 - £30 for food per day
£20 for transport per day
£60 for Airport transfers (return journey)
*remember to consider flights & travel insurance costs in your total budget
Always remember to use price comparison websites or Airbnb to find the best value for money and close to transport & test venues.
Visa Application Refusal
You will receive a letter from the Home Office detailing the reasons for rejecting the application. Don’t worry, you can apply again.
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MRCP Part 2 is the second of three exams to attain full MRCP UK.
This article is written for overseas doctors taking the MRCP route to GMC registration, written to help you prepare fir & sit the Part 2 examination. We consider the following topics:
What is MRCP Part 2?
Am I eligible to sit MRCP Part 2?
What is the exam content & format?
Where I can take the exam?
When is the exam sat and when can I apply?
How much does it cost?
How can I prepare for the exam?
Passed? What next?
What is MRCP Part 2?
Building on the knowledge assessed in Part 1, the exam tests your acquisition of a representative sample of medical knowledge, skills and behavior as specified in the UK Specialty Training Curriculum for Core Medical Training.
It is designed to test your application of clinical understanding and capacity to make clinical judgments, including:
prioritisation of diagnostic or problem lists
investigation planning
selection of a plan for immediate management
selection a plan for long-term management
assessment prognosis
Am I eligible to sit MRCP Part 2?
You are eligible if you have passed the MRCP(UK) Part 1 examination. A reminder that to be eligible for Part 1, you require 12 months experience and a recognised Primary Medical Qualification.
The Part 2 written examination moved to a single day format at the beginning of 2018. The new examination consists of two, three-hour papers each with 100 questions.
What is the examination format and content?
A good understanding of the examination format is a great foundation for your exam preparation, so below we have summarised the Royal College’s guidance on the Part 2 examination format and content.
Format:
The exam consists of two-papers, sat over the course of one day in an examination hall. Each paper is 3 hours in duration and contains 100 multiple choice questions in ‘best of five’ format (200 questions in total).
Composition of the papers are as follows:
Specialty
Number of questions *
Cardiology
19
Dermatology
9
Endocrinology and metabolic medicine
19
Gastroenterology
19
Geriatric Medicine
9
Hematology
9
Infectious diseases and GUM
19
Neurology
17
Nephrology
19
Oncology and palliative medicine
9
Ophthalmology
3
Psychiatry
3
Respiratory Medicine
19
Rheumatology
9
Therapeutics and toxicology
18
Total
200
*This should be taken as an indication of the likely number of questions – the actual number may vary by up to 2%. A proportion of the questions will be on adolescent medicine.
Question Content:
Questions are centred on the diagnosis, investigation, management and prognosis of a patient.
They usually have a clinical scenario and may include results of investigations and images such as:
clinical photographs
pathology slides
inheritance trees
ECGs, X-rays, CT and MR scans and echocardiograms.
In addition to testing core knowledge & comprehension, the exam assesses your ability to interpret information and solve clinical problems.
Best of Five question format and marking:
There will be five options: one correct answer and four alternatives to the correct answer.
The four distracters will be closely related to the preferred option but less correct, therefore acting as plausible alternatives.
Each correct answer is awarded one mark and there is no negative marking.
A more detailed explanation of the marking system used can be found here on the exam pass mark page of the Royal College website in MRCP(UK) Regulations.
Where can I take the exam?
MRCP(UK) Part 2 can be taken in the UK and overseas, see below:
*Please note these differ slightly from MRCP(UK) Part 1 examination centers
** UK test centres dependent on availability
Exam
UK Test Centres
Overseas Test Centres
MRCP(UK) Part 2
Edinburgh
Manchester
Newcastle
Glasgow
Belfast
Birmingham
Cardiff
London
Bahrain (Manama)
Bangladesh (Dhaka)
Egypt (Cairo)
Hong Kong
Iceland (Reykjavik)
India (Chennai, Kerela, Kolkata, Mumbai, New Delhi)
Iraq (Baghdad, Erbil)
Jordan (Amman)
Kenya (Nairobi)
Kuwait (Kuwait City)
Malaysia (Kuala Lumpur)
Malta
Myanmar (Yangon)
Oman (Muscat)
Pakistan (Karachi, Lahore)
Qatar (Doha)
Saudi Arabia (Jeddah, Riyadh)
Singapore
Sri Lanka
Sudan (Khartoum)
United Arab Emirates (Abu Dhabi, Dubai)
United States of America (New Jersey)
West Indies (Barbados, Jamaica, Trinidad)
When is the exam sat and when can I apply?
Exam dates and their application periods can be found here.
It is important to note that you must apply for each MRCP exam during the specified application period. Application made outside the designated period will not be accepted.
How much does the exam cost?
UK applications cost £419
International applications cost £594*
Please note, the application process and fees applicable for Hong Kong and Singapore centres differ. Applications should be made directly to the administration team for this centre.
How can I prepare for the exam?
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:
Curriculum: Applicants are tested on a range of common and important disorders in General Medicine as set out in the Joint Royal Colleges Specialty Training Curriculum for Core-Medical Training.
We recommend getting to know this as early as possible, using it as a road map for your study plan.
MRCP(UK) mock exams: We suggest registering for the MRCP mock exams here. These will provide you with the most accurate and relevant mock questions to prepare you for the real thing.
Sample questions: Test your knowledge using example questions from the current exam syllabus provided by the Royal College, found herePart 2 sample questions
For a useful overview of how to prepare for exams, including advice on study groups, online community support, best use of online resources & Royal College materials and courses - take a look at our blog: IMG Connects Top Tips for exam preparation.
Passed? What next?
Now you have passed your MRCP Part 2 you can apply to take PACES - the practical and final examination within the MRCP set of examinations.
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Earlier in our Postgraduate Qualifications blog series, we took a general look at PLAB examinations and all its various parts as a whole. Now we’ll take a closer look at the first stage of your PLAB journey – PLAB 1.
Here we consider everything that you need to know about the exam including syllabus, dates, fees and preparation by covering at the following topics:
What is PLAB 1?
What's the format of PLAB 1?
Where can I sit PLAB 1?
How do I book?
How much does it cost?
How do I prepare and what resources are available?
What can I expect on the day of the exam?
When will I receive my results?
Passed? What next?
Overview of PLAB 1
PLAB 1 tests your ability to apply your knowledge for the care of patients at the house level, or Foundation year 2 in the UK (12 months of medical practice). Questions relate to current best practice in the UK, and equipment routinely used in UK hospitals. You’ll need to answer the questions in relation to published evidence and not according to your local arrangements. Remember, this is an exam for entry into the UK Healthcare system.
The exam covers the common, important and acute conditions (those common in emergency departments) seen by trainees entering the second year of the Foundation Programme (FY2), and the management of long-term conditions seen in primary care.
Still unsure on PLAB as a whole? Take a look at a more general overview of the PLAB examinations.
PLAB 1 Format
PLAB 1 is a written exam made up of 180 multiple choice questions, with the test lasting three hours in total. Each question starts with a short scenario followed by a question and five possible answers, from which you must choose the correct answer.
The GMC has created a helpful guide setting out what the PLAB test covers, which you can download here.
PLAB 1 Centres
You can sit the exam in both the UK and several overseas locations. PLAB 1 is run four times a year in the UK and overseas venues hosted by the British Council.
Overseas venues are listed here with contact details.
At IMG Connect we advise that you check the closing date for applications for the closest venue. Also, be sure to submit your application in advance as applications submitted after the closing date will not be considered.
Booking PLAB 1
You can book your PLAB 1 examination using your GMC Online account where you can view available dates and book under the My Tests section.
Before you book a PLAB exam you must have:
an acceptable overseas primary medical qualification.
a GMC Online account to book or cancel the exam.
evidence of English competency – before you can book a test you will need to provide your English language test scores. If you've taken the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) test or the Occupational English Test (OET), you can complete this in the 'My Tests' section at GMC Online.
Due to a backlog in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, it can be difficult to secure a place for the PLAB exams.
On Saturday 10 December 2022 at 10 am (GMT) the GMC will release PLAB 1 places for the following dates across all locations:
10 August 2023
2 November 2023
You’ll need to access GMC Online by 10 am (GMT) using this link (rather than the usual link on the GMC Online web page).
PLAB 1 Cost
The PLAB 1 test costs £255.
Preparation & Resources
We have discussed this question at length with IMGs and the GMC, and whilst there are many resources to choose from online, we recommend the following GMC guides to help you start your preparations.
The PLAB Blueprint:
This is a helpful guide to what will be included in the exam. Our IMGs advise this is the best place to start with your preparations. The Blueprint sets out clearly all the topics and skills needed to pass the exam.
Download the PLAB Blueprint here.
The Foundation Programme curriculum: The topics and skills covered in the PLAB Blueprint are identical to those undertaken by doctors starting their second year of Foundation Programme Training (FY2).
You can find the Foundation Programme curriculum here
Guidance and interactive tools:
The GMC ‘Good Medical Practice’ document explains the core advice to doctors on the standards expected of them. During PLAB 1 you will be expected to demonstrate the professional values and behaviours set out in ‘Good Medical Practice’ when you take the exam and when you practise as a doctor in the UK.
You can test your knowledge of Good Medical Practice using the following online tools:
Explanatory guidance
Good Medical Practice in action interactive online tool
Welcome to UK practice interactive online tool
Sample questions:
30 sample questions along with their answers can be found on the GMC website here.
Courses:
You do not need to attend a study or coaching course to pass, but many candidates choose to do so. PLAB 1 can be passed under your own preparation, however PLAB 2 usually requires further study and courses.
There are many courses and materials out there. If you are unsure of how to approach your study preparations, don’t hesitate to ask an IMG Consultant for some recommendations or guidance on which course or resource to use.
Remember, we speak to IMGs who've passed these exams on a daily basis and are more than happy to pass on their wisdom!
What can I expect on the day of the exam?
First of all, once booked, the GMC will advise you on what time to arrive. You will likely be there for approximately four hours in total.
Do I need to bring anything to the test?
You will need to bring Identification, your booking confirmation and stationery:
For identification, the venue will accept any one of the following:
Passport
UK Immigration and Nationality Department identification document
Home Office travel document
If by accident you don't have one of the above you can take the exam but you'll need to provide your identification document later in the process.
Booking confirmation:
Bring the booking confirmation that includes your GMC booking reference number
Stationery:
You should bring HB pencils, an eraser and a pencil sharpener.
Maximum Attempts for PLAB 1
For PLAB 1, you can take the test 4 times. If you have not passed after 4 attempts, to be eligible to take the test again you must have completed a further 12 months experience of clinical practice or post graduate qualification.
Passed? What's next?
Once you have passed PLAB 1, you can take the PLAB 2 examination in the UK. Read our blog for more information on how to sit PLAB 2, which includes everything that you need to know about how to sit the exam, syllabus, dates, results, fees and preparation.
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In this article we will explore the MRCP Part 1 exam in more detail, including advice on eligibility, dates, centres, preparation and fees.
Designed to help you prepare and sit the exams, we consider the following MRCP topics:
What is MRCP Part 1?
Am I eligible to sit MRCP Part 1?
What is the examination content & format?
Where can I take the exam?
When is the exam sat and when can I apply?
How much does the exam cost?
How do I apply?
How can I prepare for the exam?
Passed? What next?
What is MRCP (UK) Part 1 exam?
Part 1 is the entry-level examination accessible to doctors with a minimum of 12 months' postgraduate experience in medical employment. It covers a broad range of topics appropriate to physicians at the beginning of postgraduate training.
Part 1 is the first component of a sequence of assessments intended to match the progression of trainees undertaking the Core Medical Training programme in the UK, adding unique information and building on previous assessments
Am I eligible to sit MRCP (UK) Part 1 exam?
Trainees from any country in the world can sit the MRCP Part 1 Examination providing that they meet the eligibility requirements.
As an overseas candidate you are eligible to sit MRCP Part 1 if you have a GMC recognised Primary Medical Qualification and a minimum 12 months postgraduate experience in medical employment.
What is the examination content & format?
At IMG Connect we advise that understanding the examination format is a great foundation for exam preparation. We have summarised the Royal College’s guidance on the Part 1 Examination format below:
The exam consists of two papers, sat over the course of one day in an examination hall.
Each paper is 3 hours in duration and contains 100 multiple choice questions in ‘best of five’ format.
From the five options provided, one answer is correct. The other four are plausible however you will only score a point from the correct answer. There are no negative marks and questions do not include imagery.
MRCP (UK) Part 1 is designed to assess your knowledge and understanding of the clinical sciences relevant to medical practice and of common or important disorders to a level appropriate for entry to specialist training.
Candidates will be tested on a wide range of common and important disorders in General Medicine as set out in the JRCPTB Specialty Training Curriculum for Core Medical Training and the composition of the papers is as below:
Specialty
Number of questions *
Cardiology
15
Clinical haematology and oncology
15
Clinical Pharmacology, Therapeutics and Toxicology
16
Clinical sciences **
25
Dermatology
8
Endocrinology
15
Geriatric medicine
4
Gastroenterology
15
Infectious diseases and GUM
15
Neurology
15
Nephrology
15
Ophthalmology
4
Psychiatry
8
Respiratory Medicine
15
Rheumatology
15
Total
200
*This should be taken as an indication of the likely numbers of questions – the actual number may vary
** The clinical sciences components comprises the following:
Specialty
Number of questions *
Cell, molecular and membrane biology
2
Clinical anatomy
3
Clinical biochemistry and metabolism
4
Clinical physiology
4
Genetics
3
Immunology
4
Statistics, epidemiology and evidence-based medicine
5
A detailed explanation of the marking system adopted for the MRCP(UK) Part 1 Examination can be viewed in the MRCP(UK) Regulations.
Where can I take the MRCP Part 1 exam?
MRCP (UK) Part 1 can be taken in the UK and overseas as below:
Exam
UK Test Centres
Overseas Test Centres
MRCP Part 1
Edinburgh
Glasgow
London
Bahrain (Manama)
Bangladesh (Dhaka)
Egypt (Cairo)
Ghana (Accra)
Hong Kong
Iceland (Reykjavic)
India (Chennai, Kerala, Kolkata, Mumbai, New Delhi)
Iraq (Baghdad)
Jordan (Amman)
Kenya (Nairobi)
Kuwait (Kuwait City)
Malaysia (Kuala Lumpur)
Malta
Myanmar
Nepal (Kathmandu)
Oman (Muscat)
Pakistan (Karachi, Lahore)
Qatar (Doha)
Saudi Arabia (Jeddah, Riyadh)
Singapore
Sri Lanka
Sudan (Khartoum)
United Arab Emirates (Abu Dhabi)
United States of America (New Jersey)
West Indies (Jamaica, Trinidad)
Zimbabwe (Harare)
When is the exam sat and when can I apply?
It is important to note that you must apply for each MRCP exam during the specified application period. Applications made outside of the designated period will not be accepted.
Exam dates and their application periods can be found here.
How much does the exam cost?
UK applications cost £419
International applications cost £594*
Please note, the application process and fees applicable for Hong Kong and Singapore centres differ. Applications should be made directly to the administration team for this centre.
How do I apply?
Applications for all exams are made online via My MRCP(UK) account. You will simply need to create an account and submit evidence of your primary medical qualification, then make a payment online to confirm your application.
The application video from the Royal College can be found below:
Part 1 application video
The Royal College of Physicians recommends making the first attempt at Part 1 within 1-2 years of your graduation.
How can I prepare for the MRCP Part 1 exam?
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:
Curriculum:
Applicants are tested on a range of common and important disorders in General Medicine as set out in the Joint Royal Colleges Specialty Training Curriculum for Core Medical Training.
We recommend getting to know the curriculum as early as possible, using it as a road map for your study plan.
MRCP (UK) mock exams:
We suggest registering for the MRCP mock exams here. These will provide you with the most accurate and relevant mock questions to prepare you for the real thing.
Sample questions: Test your knowledge using example questions from the current exam syllabus provided by the Royal College, see below:
Part 1 sample questions
For a useful overview of how to prepare for exams, including advice on study groups, online community support, best use of online resources & Royal College materials and courses - take a look at our blog: IMG Connects Top Tips for exam preparation
Passed? What next?
If you are completing the papers in order, the next step will be to apply for Paper B. For more information take a look at our blog we will explore MRCP (UK) Paper B and everything that you need to know about how to sit the exam, including syllabus, dates, results, fees and preparation.
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All anaesthetics 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) before beginning their journey in the NHS.
As an anaesthetist, 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 an anaesthetist 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 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 below:
IMG Library - GMC Registration for overseas doctors
Job search
We recommend starting the job search as early as possible. Demand for European anaesthetists 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 anaesthetics jobs than are 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 dedicated consultant, with a specialty knowledge of anaesthetics, 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 the EEA
If you qualified as an anaesthetist 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 anaesthetics 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 Anaesthetics
Overseas doctors must prove to the GMC they have sufficient knowledge & skills to practice safely in the UK. For anaesthetists this can be done through three main routes:
PLAB
Royal College qualification of FRCA
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 anaesthetics 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, anaesthetists 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:
Attaining a Royal College qualification is a preferred path for doctors who have already chosen their field of specialism i.e. anaesthetics. For senior Anaesthetists taking this route, they will gain access to more senior, well-paid jobs in the specialism of their choice.
The Royal College of Anaesthetists is the Professional Body that regulates the specialism of Anaesthetics in the UK, and Fellowship of the Royal College of Anaesthetists is the full qualification attainable by examination.
For overseas doctors, attaining Primary FRCA (one-part of the full qualification) will satisfy the knowledge & skill criteria for GMC registration and facilitate application for more senior roles in UK anaesthesia.
Take a look at our complete guide on Membership of the Royal College of Anaesthetists to understand more:
FRCA – 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 anaesthesiology 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 below:
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 below:
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 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, FRCA Primary, EDAIC or equivalent)
Understand the registration process in full & by reading our article below:
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 anaesthetics, 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
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It is typical to hear people around the world say that childcare can be difficult to find and costly. Affordable child care is one of the main priorities for many working parents. And with a large number of overseas doctors relocating with their families, child care is a big issue.
The good news in the UK is that you can get help finding and paying for childcare.
Even better, if you work for the NHS, then you are entitled to additional support through the Tax-free childcare scheme.
How much does childcare cost?
The average cost of sending a child under 2 years of age to nursery is:
Part-time - £125 per week
Full-time - £240 per week
The average cost of an after-school club for one working week is £60.
Playgroups or pre-school groups (usually organised by the school or nursery directly), typically cost £2 - £10 per session. Sessions are normally two – three hours before and after standard working hours.
A registered childminder could cost on average £250 per week full time, and £150 per week part-time (costs will be slightly higher in London).
If you have read our articles on schooling, you will remember that nursery schools, if provided by the state, are free for all children.
There is help you can get with childcare costs, for example with tax-free childcare you can get up to £2,000.
Help is provided if you select childcare run by an approved childcare provider, such as:
registered childminder, play scheme, nursery or club
childminder with an Ofsted-registered childminding agency
registered school
home care worker working for a registered home care agency
Try this useful tool for checking what childcare can be made available for you.
Tax free childcare scheme:
A scheme is in place aimed at helping reduce the cost of childcare for NHS employees.
The scheme is administered through online accounts, opened by parents on the get-tax-free-childcare website. Parents pay money into the account, which is used to pay for childcare with registered providers.
Parents can pay money into their childcare account as and when they like, and for every £8 paid in, the government will add £2, up to a maximum of £2,000 government support per child, per year (£4,000 for children with disabilities).
The scheme is open to parents of children up to and including the age of 11 (16 for children with disabilities).
What else is available?
Some employers offer additional support to families, giving that little bit extra to make the work-life balance more sustainable. Extra help could include workplace nurseries, directly contracted childcare, advice services and community groups.
Checking childcare providers:
It is important to check that the provider you wish to use is suitable for your child, working to high standards, and approved for use under the tax-free scheme.
You can check if a childcare provider is approved or search for one using the following websites:
England through Ofsted
Wales through the Care and Social Services Inspectorate Wales
Scotland through the Scottish Care Inspectorate
Northern Ireland through the local early years team register
You can get help paying for childcare provided by a school, for example nursery school fees. State schools are free, so when it comes to childcare you can only get help paying for care that is outside school hours, for example after school clubs or breakfast clubs
Steps to follow:
If you want to check how much support you can receive and how to find the right provider, follow these steps:
Check how much free childcare you can receive using the government online tool: Government Childcare Calculator
Check where you can get childcare:
England
Wales
Scotland
Northern Ireland
Get help paying for childcare:
You can get help with childcare costs for children under 18. You might be able to apply for:
Tax-Free Childcare
Tax credits
Universal Credit
You could also get free hours childcare. You might be able to apply for:
free education and childcare for 2 year olds
15 hours free childcare for 3 to 4 year olds
30 hours free childcare for 3 to 4 year olds
Advice and support is provided by the government, local councils and education organisations. We advise you to speak with your IMG consultant, who can help you establish where to start, answer any questions you may have and point you in the right direction to getting the best start for your children in the UK.
You will also find that parents in the UK, as well as staff in the NHS and education system, will be keen to support and help you with advice. The parental community in the UK is strong and supportive, with networks of like-minded families sharing experiences and contacts.
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Islam is the second-largest religion in the UK, with the Muslim community reaching some 2.8 million people.
Britain is home to one of the most diverse Muslim communities in the world. With such rich diversity, mosques/masjids and prayer rooms can be found in every corner of the country.
Muslim communities can be found across the UK, and are represented in all areas of British economic, cultural, political and working life. The NHS has a tradition of encouraging faith or religion to be expressed, with prayer rooms and chaplains provided in every trust across the UK.
The MuslimsInBritain.org website provides a directory of all UK and Ireland masjids/mosques, these are provided in list, Google Maps, SatNav and smart-phone formats.
The website is intended primarily for people looking for a masjid when in an unfamiliar area. But you can use it to find your closest masjid/mosque.
You can also find excellent information on the British Muslim community from The Muslim Council of Britain.
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It will come as a relief to those moving to the UK from overseas to know that the NHS is free to all at the point of delivery.
Put simply, the NHS belongs to you and is run for the people of the UK. It exists to help you and your family to stay healthy and improve your wellbeing. It helps you to keep mentally and physically well.
The NHS was founded on a common set of principles and values that bind together the communities and people it serves – the patients and public of the UK – and of course the amazing staff who work for it.
Provided you are resident in the UK, you and your family can access free GP & hospital treatment.
Some people in the UK are also entitled to free prescriptions; to check your eligibility, click here. In Scotland prescriptions are free for all patients.
You should register with the NHS as soon as you can have relocated to the UK. To do so is simple. Once you arrive in the UK, check for GP practices near you, and if they are taking new patients all you have to do is register. It is quick and easy, simply complete a registration form. Once submitted your GP will register you with the NHS, and you will receive an NHS number.
Once registered, you can attend your local GP at no cost.
Find out more about registering with your GP practice, here.
You can search for your local GP service here, the search also gives you access to reviews, overviews of facilities and services that each service offers.
In summary, the NHS is available to all. It is free at the point of delivery, access to NHS services is based on clinical need, not an individual’s ability to pay.
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Moving to a new country means adapting to new ways of doing things.
Before relocating, one of the most important things to know is what the typical cultural and social norms are. As an overseas doctor from another country, you may naturally do things differently. So, this article introduces you to a few things that you need to know about British culture and social norms before you arrive.
The British are punctual, especially doctors!
Being late for work or meetings is considered to be rude. If you’re going to be late to an appointment, contact those involved as soon as you know you will be late. But don’t worry, amongst friends and social gatherings it isn’t considered a problem, British people are late all the time!
Never jump the queue.
In many countries jumping to the front of the queue is normal, but in the UK, people may not be very happy with you and will most likely let you know just how unhappy they are. Expect a ticking off, or a 'tut' to let you know. So, as annoying as queuing is, standing patiently in the queue is normal and expected.
Don’t get too close.
In the UK, it’s normal to keep arm’s length between yourself and the person you are speaking with. As a doctor of course this is standard practice across the world. But in social situations, any closer is assumed to be uncomfortable for those native to the UK. Of course, this does not mean that you can't be friendly!
Be polite - say “please”, “thank you”, and “sorry”.
You will probably get tired of saying these so often, but these are normal parts of everyday conversation and interactions. As an international doctor, you may not be used to this, but you will get used to it very quickly.
Shake hands, pat on the back or kiss on the cheek?
This one can get confusing. At work, a handshake is the only expected and accepted way of greeting colleagues. For obvious reasons. However, amongst friends, British people shake hands, have a brief hug and pat on the shoulder, or give a ‘peck on the cheek’ (kiss) when greeting a friend or family member. It isn’t that simple though, if you are not a close friend or family member, then the physical touch can sometimes be considered unusual or uncomfortable, shaking hands is best in this situation. So, when greeting people, you will have to judge for yourself the most appropriate way to go about it.
Give up your seat.
Like most corners of the world, the Brits show respect for older adults, pregnant women or disabled people. For example, if you are travelling, you are expected to give up your seat if someone who is pregnant, disabled or older, gets on board and there is no other seat. If an older adult or someone who is disabled seems to be struggling with something, you are also expected to approach them and offer your help.
Note, the same can be said for people who are visibly distressed, have fallen unwell, are lost or could benefit from some assistance.
These social norms will help you get along with your new friends and colleagues whilst you settle into your new life in the UK.
Get in touch
We are of course always here to help you to understand what to expect and once you have started in your new job, we can offer support on any situations that arise which may require some friendly advice. Get in touch here.
One of the biggest concerns IMGs relocating with families will have, is how to find the right school for their children in the UK.
The good news is that the education system is excellent, and education is free!
If you are bringing children to the UK with you, the first thing you will need to do is apply for a place in the school you want them to go to. To do this you will need to get in touch with your local council to ask about the schools in the catchment area, and find out where places are available.
You can then apply for places in schools through the local council, applications usually opening a year before you want your child to start. More information about the process is available here. Children normally begin school in the September after they turn four and usually you can apply for a place in a state school at any point in the year.
There are many options that parents have when deciding which school is best for their children, including faith schools, free schools, academies, technology colleges, boarding schools, private or paid for schools, or grammar schools to name a few.
All children living in England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and Ireland are entitled to a free place at a state school.
If you choose to send your child to a free state school, then your local council will decide which school your child is given a place at.
All schools have admission criteria to decide which children get places. The school or local council usually set these.
Admission criteria are different for each school. For example, schools may give priority to children:
who live close to the school (catchment area)
who have a brother or sister at the school already
from a particular religion (for faith schools)
who do well in an entrance exam (for selective schools, for example grammar schools or stage schools)
who went to a particular primary school (a ‘feeder school’)
Councils usually use 'catchment areas' to decide where your child is given a place at school.
A catchment area is an area around a school. Any children who live in this area are given a place at the school.
Most councils publish catchment area maps on their website.
You can find out where your child will be given a place at school by looking on your local council's website.
See below useful links to how to register, depending on country:
Scotland
England & Wales
Northern Ireland
Ireland
If you choose to send your child to a paid school, then you can ask the team at IMG connect to help you further, including advice on how to check the school’s standards, costs and how to contact them directly.
If you want to know more about schooling in the UK, have a chat with our team or take a look at our relocation blogs.
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Passing any exam is not easy, passing the MRCEM OSCE examination, even more so.
In speaking with IMGs about their journey through the MRCEM OSCE exams, we have heard many thoughts about what it takes to pass. To help IMGs preparing to take the test, here we share some tips from past examinees and OSCE course tutors.
Firstly, it is good to know that every IMG taking the test is in the same position as you, perhaps anxious about how to prepare and worried about the exam day. We are told that the exam is just an ordinary day on the ward, so why then do so many excellent practicing EM physicians struggle to pass at first attempt?
It is perhaps important to say that we felt it was important to give advice from not just those IMGs who passed first time, but from those who had to learn from their mistakes and take the test a second or even third time.
In this article we take a broad look at some of the main reasons that good candidates have cited as contributing to their failure to pass.
The most common thing that we hear is that IMGs must adapt their skill set to the requirements of the NHS system as well as changing their mindset to be able to work under intense observation.
IMGs have told us that the main reasons they struggle are:
Nerves
Lack of practice
Lack of familiarisation with the test
Lack of understanding of the curriculum
Not being able to communicate effectively
Reading and deciphering the instructions
Anxiety
Experiencing anxiety during exams is completely natural and the fact that the OSCE stations are only 7 minutes adds to this in the Part C. The only way to combat exam anxiety is to accept that is both natural and inevitable. The best way to prepare and suppress the adrenergic surge is with practice, practice and more practice. The best way to practice is under exam conditions and if possible, this should be timed and observed by different examiners.
We are not of the opinion that this practice should be done last minute in the week before the exam, instead, your practice should start long before this point. Ask your senior colleagues in the ED to observe and comment upon your history taking and examination skills. If you can get into a routine of doing this with 3 to 5 patients per day you will be able to run through nearly all the most likely scenarios in only 12 shifts. Another great strategy is to teach OSCEs to the more junior doctors within the department. Teaching can be a powerful learning tool and has helped many aspirants with their revision.
Lack of practice
Make no mistake – the exam is very tough. Over 50% of candidates failed the 2016 sitting. Unless you are freakishly good at cramming you will need to set aside at least 3 months to prepare. IMGs will all study in different ways. Remember you have been through many exams all on your own. Whatever revision method works for you, stick to it. Once you know that you are going to study, make a revision plan and stick to it.
Practice in any way that you can. As above, be sure to ask senior colleagues to observe and offer feedback to you on a regular basis on the EM ward.
To practice out of work, form a small group of colleagues who are also taking the test and run through role plays, taking turns to be patient, doctor or examiner.
Pay careful attention to time keeping as it is very common for candidates to run out of time, particularly in history taking and communication skills stations.
Lack of familiarisation with curriculum
If you don’t know what you could be tested on, you won’t know what to prepare. The MRCEM OSCE is mapped to the competences of Year 1-3 of the Emergency Medicine 2015 Curriculum which is available on the 2015 Curriculum page. You should familiarise yourself with the Year 1-3 competences in preparation for sitting this examination.
Not being able to communicate effectively
Many IMGs have made the mistake of thinking that communication is only about what you say, not considering how you say it, and what you look like when you are saying it. Of course, you may be anxious, which can make you behave differently and say things differently. So, if you have practiced as above, make sure you incorporate practicing communicating not just focusing on what you say, but also your body language when saying it. Remember that between 70% of our communication is non-verbal!
Try to speak audibly and clearly and if at all possible, sit at the same level as the patient with an open posture. Attempt to make a connection with the patient, maintain good eye contact and give them your undivided attention. Treat actors and mannequins as if they are real patients, interact with them in the same way that you would on the EM ward.
Be direct and to the point but deliver any bad news in a sensitive and empathetic manner. Always check whether the patient has understood what you have said and ask if they have any questions.
Reading and deciphering the instructions
It is vitally important to read the instructions very carefully before entering a station. Easy marks are frequently lost by nervous or over-confident candidates that have overlooked key information or made assumptions by misreading. This is a mistake many IMGs have made, so learn from their mistakes and be sure to read everything carefully. Once read, make a plan of how you will approach the scenario. Once your minute is up… deep breath and smile!
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Many overseas doctors preparing for their FRCEM or MRCEM Emergency Medicine examinations wonder if they should take a course as part of their preparation.
In short, we advise that all IMGs should attend as many courses as possible. The knowledge gained on an MRCEM or FRCEM course goes well beyond the exam.
One issue is of course that courses cost a considerable amount of money, but if you consider that taking a course increases your chances exponentially of passing the examinations first time, the cost is offset by not having to pay to re-sit.
Finding courses can be tricky, so take some time to work out what you specifically need help with and the stage you are at in the process. Search online to find the course that will suit your needs the most.
Speak to your peers, some may have attended a course that they felt had a positive impact on the learning and preparation.
Once you think you have found a course that suits your needs, such as an MRCEM OSCE course, check reviews posted by other IMGs to be sure of the quality of the tutoring.
When purchasing the Emergency Medicine course, if you have found a course that suits your needs, has good reviews recommendations from your peers, then it will likely be worth the investment. As a direct result, you will likely pass the exams much quicker, helping you to secure the Emergency Medicine job that you want in the NHS.
If you need some advice on choosing an Emergency Medicine MRCEM or FRCEM course to help you on your journey to securing a job in the NHS, don’t hesitate to get in touch with IMG Connect.
IMG Jobs
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Read more useful articles on finding an NHS trust doctor jobs, doctor salary & relocation for emergency medicine specialists
Get in Touch
Don’t hesitate to get in touch using the buttons above (and below) to discuss emergency medicine doctor job options in the NHS, including discussions regarding, CESR, a typical doctor salary in the UK and the most suitable NHS job & hospital locations for you.