Complete UK Medical Career Guide
The complete pathway for international medical graduates. PLAB, Foundation Training, Core Training, Specialty Training, and Consultant roles explained.
Start PLAB PreparationThe UK offers one of the most structured medical training pathways in the world. From your first day as a Foundation Year 1 doctor through to Consultant status, every step is defined, regulated, and quality-assured by the General Medical Council (GMC). For international medical graduates (IMGs), the journey begins with proving your clinical and English competence through the PLAB exams. This guide maps every stage of your medical career in the UK.
| Grade | Role | Salary Range (GBP) | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| FY1 | Foundation Year 1 | 36,000 - 40,000 | 1 year |
| FY2 | Foundation Year 2 | 40,000 - 45,000 | 1 year |
| CT1-CT3 | Core Training | 43,000 - 55,000 | 2-3 years |
| ST1-ST8 | Specialty Training | 43,000 - 70,000 | 3-8 years |
| Consultant | Specialist Consultant | 100,000 - 120,000 | Ongoing |
| SAS Doctor | Specialist/Associate Specialist | 55,000 - 95,000 | Variable |
| GP Partner | General Practice Partner | 120,000 - 160,000+ | Ongoing |
Note: Salaries include basic pay. Additional income from on-call, private practice, and Clinical Excellence Awards can significantly increase total earnings.
Your first step is registering with the General Medical Council (GMC). All doctors must be GMC-registered to practise in the UK. International Medical Graduates (IMGs) typically register via the PLAB route or postgraduate qualifications route.
The GMC now also accepts certain postgraduate qualifications as alternatives to PLAB. Check the GMC website for the most current list of accepted qualifications.
PLAB 1 is a written exam consisting of 180 multiple-choice questions to be answered in 3 hours. It tests your ability to apply clinical knowledge as expected of a UK FY2 doctor. Questions cover medicine, surgery, obstetrics, gynaecology, paediatrics, psychiatry, and common clinical scenarios.
Preparation: Most IMGs need 3-6 months of dedicated study. Focus on NICE guidelines, BNF prescribing, and UK-specific protocols. Use Anglotec's PLAB question bank for targeted practice.
PLAB 2 is a 16-station OSCE examination held only in Manchester, UK. It tests your clinical skills, communication, and professionalism. Each station lasts 8 minutes with 90 seconds reading time. The exam covers history taking, examination, practical procedures, communication, and acute management.
Exam fee: GBP 905. You must travel to Manchester (flights, accommodation). Most IMGs spend GBP 2,000-3,000 total on their PLAB 2 attempt. Preparing properly first time saves significantly.
Preparation: Allow 8-12 weeks of full-time preparation. Practise 100+ timed stations using AI simulators like Anglotec, join study groups, and consider a PLAB 2 academy course.
After GMC registration, you enter the UK Foundation Programme, a 2-year structured training programme. FY1 doctors work under supervision, developing core clinical competencies. FY2 doctors take on more responsibility and rotate through different specialties.
For IMGs: Some IMGs enter directly into FY2 or CT1 if they have equivalent experience. Apply through the UKFPO and ORIEL recruitment systems.
After Foundation Training, you enter Core Training in your chosen broad specialty. This provides the foundational training needed before subspecialty training. Core Training lasts 2-3 years depending on the specialty.
3 years of internal medicine training. Leads to MRCP and specialty training in medical subspecialties (cardiology, gastroenterology, rheumatology, etc.).
2 years of surgical training. Leads to MRCS and specialty training in surgical subspecialties (orthopaedics, general surgery, neurosurgery, etc.).
Psychiatry, paediatrics, obstetrics and gynaecology, emergency medicine, general practice, and pathology each have their own core training programmes.
During Core Training, you must pass your Royal College membership exams. These are challenging examinations that test your specialist knowledge and clinical skills. Passing is mandatory before entering higher specialty training.
Higher Specialty Training is where you become a specialist. Training length varies from 3 years (General Practice) to 8 years (neurosurgery, cardiothoracic surgery). You work in specialist departments, perform procedures, conduct research, and develop expertise in your chosen field.
Upon completing Specialty Training and gaining your Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT), you are eligible to apply for Consultant posts. Consultants are the most senior doctors in the NHS, leading clinical teams, shaping service delivery, and earning the highest salaries.
Salary: GBP 100,000 - 120,000+ (basic). With private practice, Clinical Excellence Awards, and additional NHS work, total earnings can exceed GBP 200,000.
Not all doctors pursue the Consultant pathway. The UK offers excellent alternatives including Specialty and Associate Specialist (SAS) roles and General Practice.
SAS doctors are experienced, senior doctors who do not pursue Consultant training. They provide expert clinical care, often in the same roles as Consultants. New pathways (SAS Charter) offer development opportunities and career progression.
GPs are the backbone of UK primary care. Training is 3 years after Foundation (shorter than most hospital specialties). GP partners can earn GBP 120,000-160,000+ and enjoy regular hours. GP is the largest medical specialty in the UK.
Year 0-1: GMC registration, PLAB 1 & 2
Year 1-2: Foundation Training (FY1, FY2)
Year 3-5: Core Training + Membership exams
Year 6-12: Specialty Training
Year 12+: Consultant / GP Partner
Total time from PLAB to Consultant: typically 10-14 years
From Foundation Year 1 to Consultant typically takes 10-14 years: 2 years Foundation, 2-3 years Core Training, 3-8 years Specialty Training. General Practice is shorter at approximately 5 years total after medical school.
Yes, but not as a doctor. Many IMGs work as healthcare assistants or in non-clinical roles while studying. You cannot practise medicine in the UK until GMC-registered.
The PLAB 2 pass rate is approximately 70-75% on first attempt. Candidates who prepare with structured OSCE practice, including 100+ timed stations, have significantly higher pass rates.
In some cases, yes. If you have equivalent qualifications and experience from your home country, you may be eligible for entry at CT1, ST1, or even higher levels. Each case is assessed individually.
PLAB demonstrates you meet the standard of a UK FY2 doctor. MRCP is a higher qualification showing specialist physician competence. MRCP can substitute for PLAB for GMC registration.
Anglotec provides 500+ PLAB 2 OSCE scenarios with AI patient simulators, clinical communication practice, and NHS scenario training. It helps you practise under realistic conditions with instant feedback.
From PLAB OSCE practice to NHS communication training, Anglotec supports every step of your pathway to becoming a UK doctor.
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