This article will try to cover the basic pathways for IMGs (International Medical Graduates) who wish to enter the UK’s training system. You should keep in mind that your first job in the UK will most probably be a non-training job. After having worked at a non-training post for a few months (most probably 6 to 18 months), you can apply for training. You can check your chances of finding your preferred field of training here.
IMGs who start working in the UK can be divided into three categories:
- Candidates who have NOT completed an acceptable pattern of internship from their home country.
- Candidates who have completed an acceptable pattern of internship from their home country.
- Candidates who have completed MRCP.
1. Candidates who have NOT completed an acceptable pattern of internship from their home country
These candidates are at the level of freshly graduated doctors, with no experience.
Therefore, the next step for them would be Foundation Program; they can only apply for FY1 posts.
It is very difficult to find FY1 posts for IMGs, since most FY1 posts are taken by local graduates in the UK. Therefore, it is always advisable to start working in the UK only after completion of an internship back home.
2. Candidates who have completed an acceptable pattern of internship from their home country
These candidates are at the level of doctors who have completed their FY1.
Therefore, the next step for them would be FY2. However, getting a training FY2 post is very difficult, since most people who enter FY1, complete their FY2 training in the UK; there are almost no vacancies for FY2 training for IMGs.
So the best option would be to apply for different non-training posts at FY2/CT1 (SHO) level, which can be found very easily. After working for 3 months at a non-training post, they are eligible to get their FY2 competencies signed. However, getting competencies signed after having worked for at least 6 months might be slightly easier. Getting their FY2 Competencies signed would make them eligible to apply for Core Training.
.
3. Candidates who have completed MRCP
These candidates are at the level of doctors who have completed their Core Training.
Therefore, the next step for them would be Specialty Training. However, it might not be possible to start their ST right away.
The best route for these doctors is to take a non-training (registrar) job at first. After working for a certain amount of time, they can get their Core Training competency signed and after meeting other eligibility requirements of Specialty Training, these candidates can apply for Specialty Training.
.
Conclusion
- Make sure you complete your internship back home before you start applying for jobs in the UK.
.
. - IMGs who have completed their internship back home, passed PLAB and registered themselves with the GMC, should take the following route:
a) Take a non-training job until they start training.
b) Get their FY2 competencies signed.
c) Works towards achieving other eligibility criteria for training jobs.
d) Get a training job.
e) Become a consultant.
.
. - IMGs who have passed MRCP and registered themselves with the GMC, should take the following route:
a) Take a non-training job until they start training.
b) Get their Core Training competencies signed.
c) Works towards achieving other eligibility requirements for training jobs.
d) Get a training job.
e) Become a consultant.
.
Useful Links
- Training Structure in the UK
- Training Availability in the UK
- PLAB vs MRCP
- UK Training in Other Countries
- Entry Routes for Medical Practice in the UK
.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What are non-training jobs?
These are the jobs that IMGs with an acceptable pattern of internship should apply for. There can be many different titles to these jobs, but the jobs are nearly the same. These can include:
Foundation Year 2 (FY2)
Senior House Officer (SHO)
Core Training 1 (CT1)
Core Training 2 (CT2)
Specialty Training 1 (ST1)
Specialty Training (ST2)
Clinical Fellow (CF)
Junior Clinical Fellow (JCF)
Senior Clinical Fellow (SCF)
Junior Doctor
Trust Grade Doctor
It might confuse you seeing FY, CT and ST posts among non-training jobs. These jobs arise when a hospital needs FY, CT or ST Doctors, but it is not possible for them to recruit training doctors. So they hire non-training doctors for the same posts.
Working at these jobs will not count towards your training experience. However, the job description and the salary is the same as training jobs.
2. What is the difference between a training and a non-training job?
A training job is one in which there is career progression. In a non-training job, there is no career progression. Our internship (also known as House Job in Pakistan) and specialty training jobs (also knows as Residency in Pakistan) are training jobs.
3. What is F2 Competency?
Since IMGs do not go through UK’s Foundation training, they are required to get an F2 Competency form signed by their consultant. This form can be signed by any consultant, in the UK or in their home country, under whom they have worked for at least 3 months, during the last 3 years.
This form would not make them equivalent to candidates who have completed their Foundation training from the UK, but it would make them eligible to apply for Core Training program in the second round (First round is for British and EU citizens).
4. What is an Acceptable Pattern of Internship?
At least 12 months of internship with at least 3 months in medicine and at least 3 months in surgery is considered to be an acceptable pattern of internship. Medical and surgical sub-specialties count in medicine and surgery, respectively. For example, pediatrics and OBGYN are counted as medicine and surgery, respectively.
You must also check the official link from the GMC’s website to find out the acceptable patterns of internship. You can click here to check the official GMC link.
5. Can I enter sub-speciality of my choice in Medicine?
You can visit the official ST3 recruitment website to check the number of openings for your preferred field. Go to the bottom of the page and click on your choice of sub-specialty. A new page will open. Click on Data. Check the number of openings for that field in round 2. This will give you an idea of your chances of making it to your choice of field.
You can also check competition ratios and seat availability from my post Training Availability in the UK.
Generally, entering non-surgical fields is very easy. Finding training in surgical fields require a lot of hard work and dedication in improving the CV. There is also tough competition over training spots in specialties like dermatology and radiology.