American getting into medical school in the UK?

[LaurenElle]

Sorry in advanced as I am not the best writer but I am a American citizen (born and raised) currently getting my bachelors degree in biology as I plan to go to medical school. Anyway, my boyfriend has dual citizenship in the US and UK. We plan to get married in the UK and live there so I can eventually get my citizenship. Would I be able to apply for medical school in the UK if I plan to live there and not come back to the USA? Sorry again if this was confusing :/

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[TK33]

From what I understand, it shouldn't be a problem to apply and matriculate in the UK. It is competitive to get in and I'm not sure how many of the schools have 4 year Graduate Entry Programs (GEP). You may have to go into a 5 year program which wouldn't be the end of the world.

However, it will be very competitive (and nearly impossible) to begin an internship/practice in the UK without having EU citizenship. If you and your BF do get married and you become a citizen prior to finishing medical school then there shouldn't be an issue with you practicing there.

Can anyone else clarify?

 

[Medstart108]

It really shouldn't be a problem. It is very difficult to get into a UK medical school however. The UK has around 31 medical schools and 16 of them offer GEP programs which are 4 years and for people with a bachelor's. GEPs are in general more competitive than the normal 5 or 6 year programs because of the # of applicants.

You would be eligible to apply for both programs so apply to both. There are quotas for internationals (you must live in the UK for at least like 2 or 3 years to be eligible for home spots) so its quite difficult.

But once you are in, you will be allowed to do your FY1/FY2 (basically internship years) year even without EU citizenship. After FY2 you qualify as a doctor in the UK and then apply to become a GP or a specialist. At this point (8 years after you enter medical school) it is beneficial to have EU citizenship, which you should get since you are planning on getting married.

 

[JohnSnow]

Sorry in advanced as I am not the best writer but I am a American citizen (born and raised) currently getting my bachelors degree in biology as I plan to go to medical school. Anyway, my boyfriend has dual citizenship in the US and UK. We plan to get married in the UK and live there so I can eventually get my citizenship. Would I be able to apply for medical school in the UK if I plan to live there and not come back to the USA? Sorry again if this was confusing :/

As other posters have pointed out getting into a UK medical school is competitive. If you're married to a UK/EU citizen you will be eligible to stay in the UK for postgraduate training.

You won't get UK/EU citizenship overnight but once you marry an UK/EU citizen you should get permanent residency (or the UK equivalent) within a year and once you have that its essentially the same as having EU citizenship for work visa purposes.