MRCPCH vs PLAB - GMC Registration for IMG Paediatricians
- December 06, 2022
GMC Registration can be a long and complex process. With several options available for overseas doctors to demonstrate evidence of their skills and knowledge, it can be difficult to decide the best route to take to register with the GMC.
For international doctors planning their route to the UK, the two most common and popular routes by far are the UK postgraduate qualifications (MRCPCH for paediatricians) or PLAB. Here we provide a summary of both pathways and briefly consider their benefits to help you make the best choice in your journey to the UK as an IMG.
- GMC Registration for Overseas Doctors
- PLAB for GMC Registration
- MRCPCH for GMC Registration
- Which is better for me as an IMG: PLAB or MRCPCH?
- #IMG Tips
- How do I get started?
Skip ahead to the relevant section if you know what you’re looking for.
GMC Registration for Overseas Doctors
Registering with the GMC is a multi-stage process, including key timings actions and documents. To receive full registration, international doctors must provide evidence of:
What is often the most long and challenging part of the process is providing sufficient evidence of skills and knowledge, however, you can check whether you have a GMC-accepted postgraduate qualification here.
There are 5 ways in which an overseas doctor can demonstrate their skills and knowledge:
- PLAB
- Acceptable Postgraduate Qualification / Licensing Examination
- Relevant European Qualification
- Sponsorship / MTI
- CESR / CESR-CP / CEGPR
Please note that only one type of evidence is required to demonstrate skills and knowledge for GMC registration.
Of these routes, the most accessible are PLAB and the Acceptable Postgraduate Qualification because they are two of the only routes that do not depend on the country you’ve trained in – the UK postgraduate exams and PLAB can be sat by doctors.
For a detailed breakdown of all the routes available to IMGs, see our blog here.
Professional & Linguistics Assessment Board (PLAB)
The first and most common route we’ll be discussing, which is particularly popular among junior doctors, is PLAB.
PLAB is a two-part exam (one written and one practical element), which assesses whether a candidate is at least as capable as a doctor starting the second year of their Foundation Programme Training (FY2 or F2) and can therefore work safely as an SHO (Senior House Officer) in the NHS.
The GMC has produced a useful video summary of the PLAB exams which you can watch here, or for a more detailed overview, see our IMG Resources library.
MRCPCH - UK Postgraduate Qualification for Paediatricians
The UK’s postgraduate qualifications are a more popular route for senior overseas doctors, and those looking to gain posts in the NHS which are reflective of their experience.
For paediatrics, this can be done by attaining Membership of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health. The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) is the professional body that regulates the specialism of paediatrics in the UK, and MRCPCH is the full qualification attained through these examinations.
Take a look at our IMG Resources library for complete guides on MRCPCH to learn more.
PLAB vs MRCPCH
Both MRCPCH and PLAB are respectable routes that demonstrate skills and knowledge and will allow an international doctor to register with the GMC and work in the UK. To decide which route of the two is best for you, you’ll need to consider the benefits of each and how they align with your needs and priorities in moving to the UK.
Seniority of Positions in the NHS
It would be difficult for an overseas paediatrician to obtain a more senior post in the NHS without either MRCPCH, a GMC-approved training programme, or extensive experience from a similar, English-speaking healthcare system. PLAB alone will not give overseas doctors access to senior posts in the NHS.
Training
To practice as a consultant in the UK, you must have gone through specialty training and will need a GMC-recognised postgraduate qualification to do so, whether a qualification from the country in which you completed your specialty training, or MRCPCH.
Time
PLAB has two stages and can take anywhere between 3-9 months to prepare from start to finish.
MRCPCH has four stages, the last of which must be taken after at least 30 months of postgraduate experience with at least 12 months involving the care of emergency paediatric patients and can take anywhere between 24-36 months to prepare from start to finish.
Cost
MRCPCH has varying costs depending on whether you sit the exams in the UK or overseas. If sitting the exam in the UK, the exams can cost around £1,985, whereas sitting the exams overseas can cost up to £3,235.
PLAB costs £1,189, and whilst PLAB 1 can be sat in many overseas centres around the world, PLAB 2 is only delivered in the UK. You can find a list of overseas centres for PLAB 2 here.
So for both MRCPCH and PLAB, candidates will have to travel to the UK, meaning that the additional cost of visas, accommodation and flights must be factored in.
It’s also important to note that these costs can rise if re-sits of the exams are necessary.
Summary
PLAB, as an exam which examines a doctor’s ability to work safely as an SHO, does not assess 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, I.e., paediatrics.
PLAB allows doctors to enter the UK system much faster than other routes and for this reason alone, it is favoured by international doctors when considering their path to the UK.
MRCPCH involves three more difficult examinations and takes more time to prepare for. However, for overseas doctors, attaining MRCPCH will allow you to jumpstart your career in the UK, as you don't need PLAB or Core Training.
Additionally, MRCPCH will facilitate the application for more senior roles in UK paediatrics than PLAB.
#IMG Tips
- Determine your priorities – your goals and timeline for relocating to the UK are important in deciding which route is best for, and this is different for everyone.
- Plan well ahead – depending on the route you choose, you may be embarking on a long journey through these exams, so plan how you will fit them into your life and how best to prepare to maintain a good work-life balance at the same time.
- Find a support network – once you know which exams you will sit, find a support network of others who are also preparing for the exam.
Sources
https://www.rcpch.ac.uk/education-careers/examinations/mrcpch-about
https://www.gmc-uk.org/registration-and-licensing/join-the-register/plab
Getting started
Once you’ve decided which exams are best for you, it’s time to delve deeper into the exams and what they entail. For more useful blogs and articles on PLAB or MRCPCH, registrations and qualifications to help you find your dream job in the NHS - take a look at our IMG Resources library.
Don’t hesitate to get in touch with one our recruitment specialists if you would like to discuss your options in the NHS once you have completed PLAB or MRCPCH.
Follow us on social media through the links below for regular news and updates on the Royal Colleges, relocating to the UK and working in the NHS:
Relevant Jobs
An NHS hospital in the South East region is looking for a Specialty Doctor in General Paediatrics with an interest in Neonatology or another special interest. The Paediatrics department comprises a team of 15 consultants and is supported by a large team of middle-grade doctors. This Paediatrics job is open to both international applications and UK-based doctors, though those with European Specialist qualifications or MRCPCH are most encouraged to apply.
Anyone requiring portfolio support (formally known as CESR) can have their required support discussed on a case-by-case basis.
JOB REQUIREMENTS AND DETAILS
At least three years of experience in General Paediatrics, including Neonatal medicine at a middle-grade level, are required for this role. Anyone with an interest in developing their subspecialty expertise should apply. The salary will be between £52,530 and £82,400 dependent on experience or grade.
CORE DUTIES OF THIS ROLE
- Support the inpatient service, SSPAU, and level 1 SCBU.
- Participate in a 1:8 Tier 3 Rota providing general paediatric services.
- Provide teaching and participate in education activities in General Paediatrics.
- Contribute to clinical governance, incident reporting, and audit projects.
LIFE IN SOUTH EAST ENGLAND
The hospital is located in a well-connected area, with towns such as Eastbourne and Bexhill-on-Sea offering both urban and rural living options. There are excellent schools, transport links, and leisure facilities for both adults and families. The region has a rich history, including its role in the famous 1066 Battle of Hastings, which shaped British history.
HOW WILL IMG CONNECT SUPPORT YOU?
When applying with IMG Connect you’ll have the full support of an expert recruitment team who will be your recruitment and relocation partners throughout the process. We\'ll support you with:
- CV Preparation with a bespoke session with one of our specialists
- Application support with expert knowledge of NHS specialisms & recruitment practice
- At least two video calling interview preparation sessions
- Contract and offer negotiations for salary, relocation packages, tenure, and more
Once you have accepted your new role, you’ll then be supported and led throughout by one of our dedicated relocation executives who will guide you through all the way to starting your new role including:
- Document gathering and checking COS and Visa Application support if applicable
- Support sourcing short- and long-term accommodation
- Travel Arrangements Family support for finding schools and any other aspects of pastoral care
We are looking to recruit a Consultant Paediatrician in the Channel Islands, a UK territory sitting off the coast of France and just a 1 hour flight from London. This job presents a great opportunity to advance your medical career in the UK.
The health service, separate from the NHS, is an integrated, taxation-funded system, free at the point of delivery, managed by the Health and Community Services Department on the island. Key benefits of working there are higher salaries than the NHS, lower taxes and sunnier weather.
Consultant Pay range - £110,257 to £164,372
Single rate of tax - 20%.
The Service
The service is committed to delivering high-quality healthcare services to its community. Funded by local authorities, the Trust oversees a comprehensive range of health services including hospital care, public health, and environmental health. With a modern hospital featuring a significant number of acute beds and specialized facilities, the Trust ensures exceptional care for both residents and seasonal visitors. The organization emphasizes excellence in patient care and continuous improvement, making it a prominent healthcare provider in its region.
Department & Team
The Paediatrics Department at this service provides essential care to children and includes a dedicated team of Paediatric Consultants, Staff Grades, and trainee doctors. The department offers a full spectrum of services such as Neonatal Care, Acute Paediatric Medical Care, and Ambulatory Care. With strong links to tertiary centers, the department ensures access to advanced medical treatments and maintains a robust governance system to support high standards of patient care and continuous professional development.
Continued Professional Development
This NHS job offers further training & accreditation within Paediatrics, including CESR Portfolio Pathway Support, access to specialty training, and the opportunity to develop sub-specialist interests. The Trust is committed to your professional growth, providing generous study leave, financial support for relevant courses, and opportunities for involvement in clinical audits and teaching. This support will help you achieve your career goals and meet the requirements for revalidation and ongoing professional development.
Location
The region features diverse natural beauty, including stunning coastlines and scenic landscapes. With a moderate cost of living, excellent educational facilities, and a safe, welcoming community, it offers a balanced lifestyle. The area’s rich cultural heritage and local traditions add to its charm.
Financial benefits
Living in this location offers significant financial benefits. The flat income tax rate of 20% is notably advantageous compared to the UK, and a generous public sector pension scheme is provided, not constrained by UK lifetime or annual contribution limits. The consultant contract closely mirrors the UK model but offers higher incremental levels starting at £110,257 and with a top basic salary of £164,372.
Am I eligible for this role?
UK based candidates:
- Specialist Training in Paediatrics
- Consultant or Specialist Experience in Paediatrics
- RCPCH qualification
EEA candidates:
- Consultant or Specialist Experience in Paediatrics
- European Specialist Qualification
Non-EEA candidates:
- RCPCH qualification
- Specialist Training in Paediatrics
- Consultant or Specialist Experience in Paediatrics
An exciting opportunity awaits motivated Paediatricians in the UK to join a dynamic team at the forefront of revolutionizing child health services. This full-time post, tailored for Specialty Doctors in Paediatrics, supports the reconfiguration of child health services in response to recent centralization efforts. Collaboration within a forward-looking General Paediatrics department ensures compliance with standards and ongoing training. Overseas Consultants seeking to establish themselves in the NHS or experienced IMGs are encouraged to apply.
Serving diverse populations, the Health Board provides comprehensive healthcare services across several regions. With a dedicated staff of 11,000, they ensure safe and timely patient care, fostering a positive work environment. The Women and Children\'s Health Directorate plays a crucial role, with a focus on excellence and integrated services.
West Wales offers a blend of rural and urban living, featuring scenic landscapes and quality education options. Convenient transportation links connect to major cities and airports, with varied housing choices available.
The Health Board offers a Consultant Development and Mentoring Programme, aligned with NHS standards, fostering research and development opportunities. Clinical Research Facility initiatives further enrich career prospects.
ARE YOU ELIGIBLE FOR THIS ROLE?
EEA Candidates:
- Experience of working in Paediatrics
- Board Certified Specialist in Paediatrics
Non-EEA Candidates:
- Experience of working in Paediatrics
- Eligibility for GMC registration
- OET or IELTS (candidates who have booked their test and have good levels of English will be considered)
UK based applicants
- Experience of working in Paediatrics
An outstanding opportunity for experienced Consulant in Community Paediatrics to join an NHS Trust that is committed to supporting candidates with CESR. This Trust is one of the largest employers in the region and their members and staff are dedicated professionals whose work is varied, challenging and makes a real difference to people’s health and well-being.
The post is suitable for candidates holding specialisation in the EEA, or for experienced IMGs looking to complete CESR.
WHAT IS THE NHS TRUST LIKE?
The Trust is one of the largest organisations in the country and they employ over 6,000 dedicated staff with an annual turnover of £380 million who provides service to 525,000 people that live within the area. Their services are mainly provided from two district general hospitals, both have Emergency Departments and provide care 24 hours a day. They offer a comprehensive range of surgical, medical and maternity services supported by a full range of diagnostic and therapy services.
The role of the NHS Trust is to provide the best possible healthcare service to patients, who come first in everything the organisation does. Safe patient care is the Trust's highest priority. They will provide high quality clinical services that achieve and demonstrate optimum clinical outcomes and provide an excellent care experience for patients. The employees will be valued and respected. They will be involved in decisions about the services they provide and offered the training and development that they need to fulfill their roles.
They will operate efficiently and effectively, diagnosing and treating patients in timely fashion and expediting their return to health. They will use their resources efficiently and effectively for the benefit of their patients and their care to ensure our services are clinically, operationally, and financially sustainable.
WHAT IS THE DEPARTMENT & TEAM LIKE?
The team is a group of people that are dynamic and prioritises their patients. The deparment service runs child development clinics across the county. From the summer of 2021 the main community hub will be at one of their main sites, with satellite clinics in community settings across the county and at two of their major sites. Neuro-disability clinics are run weekly on each side of the county.
All general paediatric consultants in the department provide a service to examine children for physical abuse medicals, when on call. The community paediatricians are involved in cases of neglect, welfare medicals and when called on for advice for physical abuse. Assessments for Autism Spectrum Disorders are multidisciplinary and involve community paediatricians, speech and language therapists and/or clinical psychologists and the specialist community nursing team.
A sleep service has been developed for children with neurodevelopmental disorders and difficulties. This is a multidisciplinary clinic run by a Community Paediatrician, Clinical Psychologist and Nurse Advisor. The Community Consultants will provide clinical supervision, support and education for members of the Community Child Health Team, i.e. the Specialist Grades, Associate Specialist and Specialist Registrar(s) for Community Paediatrics.
WHAT IS LIFE LIKE IN THE REGION?
The region has a natural beauty. Sussex has some fantastic natural features such as the Seven Sisters National Park, and many areas of outstanding natural beauty that include the medieval heathland and forests of the High Weald. It also has beaches and harbours where people can go to during their dayoffs.
Besides its natural beauty, there's a rich array of accommodation options, ranging from the five star Grand Hotel on Eastbourne seafront to quaint B&Bs set amid beautiful Sussex countryside. East Sussex offers a rich array of culture, with art galleries such as the Jerwood Gallery in Hastings and the Towner Gallery in Eastbourne and an array of theatre and entertainment venues such as the De La Warr Pavillion in Bexhill, Congress and Deveonshire Park Theatres in Eastbourne and the White Rock Theatre in Hastings.
WHAT OPPORTUNITIES ARE AVAILABLE TO YOU?
The combination of clinical practice and first-class academic connections means that medical professionals have a wide range of opportunities to develop their careers and achieve their aspirations. You will have access to leadership, teaching, educational and research opportunities for Continued Professional Develop (CPD).
If you are a new consultant you will receive mentoring and support from medical leads as well as access to a large peer group of enthusiastic and high-caliber Consultants.
ARE YOU ELIGIBLE FOR THIS ROLE?
EEA Candidates:
- Experience of working in Community Paediatrics
- Board Certified Specialist in Community Paediatrics
Non-EEA Candidates:
- MRCPCH
- Experience of working in Community Paediatrics
UK based applicants
- Experience of working in Community Paediatrics
- Within 6 - 12 months of completing CCT
An excellent opportunity for an experienced Consultant or Specialist Paediatrician to join the leading provider of specialist child health services in the South East of England. The post if suitable for overseas paediatricians, including candidates who are pursuing CESR. Specialists in Paediatricians, holding a specialist certification would be suitable for this post, based on experience entering at either Specialty Doctor, Specialist Grade (Associate Specialist) or Consultant grade.
Overseas applications from experienced paediatricians looking to secure their first job in the NHS are welcomed.
WHAT IS NHS FOUNDATION TRUST LIKE?
The NHS Foundation Trust is formed by the merger of three NHS trusts in April 2005, with an emphasis on the mental sides of healthcare. The NHS Trust runs a total of 39 sites across their area. They deliver high quality care across our 140 services and they employ over 2,500 staff serving a population of 1.2 million. Their services are provided in community settings, hospitals, and residential homes.
The NHS Foundation Trust is rated "good" overall by the CQC in May 2020. They are the leading provider of health and social care services for people of all ages with neurodevelopmental conditions, neurodisability, mental ill-health and learning disabilities in their area. The NHS Trust has 2,300 excellent staff, and a £155m budget. Their core purpose is to work with people and lead communities in improving their mental and physical health and wellbeing for a better life through delivering excellent and responsive prevention, diagnosis, early intervention, treatment and care.
In 2015, the NHS Trust opened another Hospital, the first major mental health hospital to be erected in Surrey for more than 90 years. The building provides the latest innovations in modern mental health care. This state of the art facility offers people treatment in a light and spacious environment that is therapeutic and promotes wellbeing. It represents a new era of mental health care that focuses on recovery and preventative measures to help people stay well.
WHAT IS THE DEPARTMENT & TEAM LIKE?
The Department is a strong team with a range of skills and interests. Across the Children and Family Health in their area, the establishment consists of 14 full time doctors working in developmental paediatrics: this is a mix of Consultants, Associate Specialists and Specialty doctors. Team wide meetings with all the developmental paediatricians are currently held every month, and incorporate CPD, Clinical Governance and service design.
Paediatric services are delivered in a variety of settings including community clinics, community hospitals and in special schools. The service offers excellent opportunities to develop your skills and is committed to regular training and CPD events. We strive to ensure continued progress and a dynamic approach to development both to you as an individual in your career development as well as for continued service development.
The post holder will provide specialist assessment, diagnosis and ongoing care to children and young people and families in Surrey. The Department offers a supportive and encouraging environment in which to develop as a professional with opportunities to develop in specialist fields.
WHAT IS LIFE LIKE IN THE SOUTH EAST OF ENGLAND?
The area is England's most wooded county and home to rolling hills and valleys, as well as some of the best gardens in Britain. There are so many things you and your family can do, from visiting award-winning vineyards and relaxing at country pubs, restaurants and hotels to exploring ancient heathland, stunning hilltop views, beautiful waterways and charming towns and villages. Life in the area will offer you and your family fantastic schools, beautiful countryside, bustling districts with fantastic leisure opportunities, & historic market towns with a vibrant cafe culture.
There are a wealth of options in the area to give your children the best possible education, whatever type of school you're looking for. The transport is not an issue as well, since there is the Southwest Trains that provide services to and from London Waterloo, and the Southern that operates to and from London Victoria. There are two airports within 20 miles from the area as well.
WHAT OPPORTUNITIES ARE AVAILABLE TO YOU AT THIS NHS TRUST?
With an extremely active education/teaching programme supported by the consultant team, there is opportunity to work towards and complete CESR, RCPsych exams, get involved in active research and many aspects of CPD.
Participation in research and educational activities will be encouraged.
ARE YOU ELIGIBLE FOR THIS ROLE?
EEA Candidates:
- Experience of working in Paediatrics
- Board Certified Specialist in Paediatrics (desirable)
Non-EEA Candidates:
- MRCPCH
- Experience of working in Paediatrics
UK based applicants
- Experience of working in Paediatrics
- Within 12 months of completing CCT