Where to go for advice
Doctors in UK training
Candidates who feel they would benefit from advice on registration, clinical attachment, availability and suitability of courses and careers guidance are recommended to contact NHS Careers:
NHS Careers
Web: www.nhscareers.nhs.uk
Tel: 0345 60 60 655
Candidates in Scotland may prefer to contact:
NHS Education for Scotland
Web: www.nes.scot.nhs.uk
Tel: 0131 225 4365
International doctors training and working in the UK
Registration with the General Medical Council
Registration with the General Medical Council (GMC) is required for all international candidates intending to work as doctors and those who intend to obtain training in a hospital post, whether paid or unpaid, in the UK. Registration with the GMC is not necessary merely to take the Membership examination.
The GMC’s website provides information on International Medical Graduates’ (IMGs’) eligibility to register for provisional registration with a licence to practise or a full registration with a licence to practise:
A list showing those international qualifications eligible for full registration is given at the front of the Medical Register.
Doctors who are nationals and/or hold a qualification of one of the countries of the European Community are subject to special conditions and more information is available on the GMC website.
Application forms and pamphlets giving details of the requirements of each kind of registration may be obtained from the GMC:
GMC
St James's Buildings, 79 Oxford Street
Manchester, M1 6FQ
Tel: 0845 357 3456
Tel (outside the UK): +44 (0)161 923 6602
Web: www.gmc-uk.org
Email: registrationhelp@gmc-uk.org
English language requirements
Professional and Linguistic Assessments Board
The Professional and Linguistic Assessments Board (PLAB) test is the main route for IMGs to show that they have the necessary skills and knowledge to practise medicine in the UK. You do not need to have passed the PLAB test in order to take the Membership examination.
Full details on who is required to take the test can be found at the PLAB test section of the GMC website.
IELTS
As all parts of the MRCP(UK) Diploma are conducted in English, candidates are advised that in order to be sufficiently prepared to sit the MRCP(UK) Diploma, their English language ability should be equivalent to IELTS (International English Language Testing System) Level 7 in each module. For more information please see the IELTS website.
Visa information
The Home Office UK Border Agency provides information about visas to work in or enter the UK:
Advice for those requiring a visa to take an exam in the UK or other countries is available in the Visa Statement section.