Starting a Medical Career in the UK

[rgerwin]

What's your point?

I dare-say Chinese and Russian physicians speak slightly different languages from the people of the US of A

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[dinesh]

Newcastle girls.

Yea!
Hot girls! Friend has a swedish gf right now Lucky bastard.

 

[silverdime]

Newcastle girls.

Now, play nice. You're talking about my mum. And, technically, me.

To be more on topic--I think reading this thread has answered my questions, but I wanted to make sure I understood the issue clearly.

If I attend a US med school and US residency training, I can't practice in the UK unless I redo my training. Even if I attend a US med school and then do UK residency training, I can't practice in the US without starting all over again at the internship level (with, as has been helpfully pointed out, a couple of exceptions). Does this sound right?

Bonus question: Is it even possible to go straight to the training equivalent in the UK after attending a US med school?

I have UK/US citizenship, but not UK permanent residency, in case that affects any of the above.

 

[Scottish Chap]

If I attend a US med school and US residency training, I can't practice in the UK unless I redo my training. Even if I attend a US med school and then do UK residency training, I can't practice in the US without starting all over again at the internship level (with, as has been helpfully pointed out, a couple of exceptions). Does this sound right?

Basically, yes, but there are exceptions.

Bonus question: Is it even possible to go straight to the training equivalent in the UK after attending a US med school?

Yes, but you need to take the PLAB before being allowed into the British system.

I have UK/US citizenship, but not UK permanent residency, in case that affects any of the above.

It will only affect you if you want to attend a British medical school. In this case, possession of a British passport is not sufficient to secure a 'reduced-fee' local medical school spot in the U.K. (paying around $2000 US per year compared to around $30,000 US per year for one of the reserved spots for internationals (who are mostly from North America these days). You ordinarily need to have lived in the U.K. for three years for non-educational purposes to qualify for the local tuition rate in British medical schools.

 

[silverdime]

Yes, but you need to take the PLAB before being allowed into the British system.


It will only affect you if you want to attend a British medical school. In this case, possession of a British passport is not sufficient to secure a 'reduced-fee' local medical school spot in the U.K. (paying around $2000 US per year compared to around $30,000 US per year for one of the reserved spots for internationals (who are mostly from North America these days). You ordinarily need to have lived in the U.K. for three years for non-educational purposes to qualify for the local tuition rate in British medical schools.

I knew that I wouldn't get the reduced-fee without the permanent residency, but what I couldn't discover was that the reduced fee was linked to being considered as local/international. The answer to that alone has saved me a few pounds' worth of international calls.

Thanks. I suspected there was no easy shortcuts with the dual citizenship and the confirmation is appreciated.

 

[rgerwin]

Right, so I'm under the impression, that though there is a ton of red tape and the PLAB, it is techinically possible to practice in the UK with US training. Is that correct? What if you get a UK drgree, but US training? From the GMC website, it seems there would be less tape. Ideas? Thoughts?

Basically, yes, but there are exceptions.


Yes, but you need to take the PLAB before being allowed into the British system.


It will only affect you if you want to attend a British medical school. In this case, possession of a British passport is not sufficient to secure a 'reduced-fee' local medical school spot in the U.K. (paying around $2000 US per year compared to around $30,000 US per year for one of the reserved spots for internationals (who are mostly from North America these days). You ordinarily need to have lived in the U.K. for three years for non-educational purposes to qualify for the local tuition rate in British medical schools.

 

[f_w]

Right, so I'm under the impression, that though there is a ton of red tape and the PLAB, it is techinically possible to practice in the UK with US training.

There are two ways to practice in the UK after attending a US medical school:

#1 Sit for the PLAB and go through the entire clinical training in the UK (and compete with a large willing army of overqualified colleagues for the limited number of training positions)

#2 finish residency and fellowship in the US. Get board certified and gain some additional experience. Go to the respective UK specialty college (through the PMETB) and get your training recognized. Get entered on the 'specialist register'. Get a job. (no PLAB required)

Depending on the specialty you are interested in, one or the other might be open to you. The different specialty colleges have different criteria for recognizing overseas training. While it is relatively straightforward to get the specialty recognition (and a job) in radiology these days, the same cannot be said for anesthesia.

 

[rgerwin]

Very helpful, thanks!

There are two ways to practice in the UK after attending a US medical school:

#1 Sit for the PLAB and go through the entire clinical training in the UK (and compete with a large willing army of overqualified colleagues for the limited number of training positions)

#2 finish residency and fellowship in the US. Get board certified and gain some additional experience. Go to the UK specialty college and get your training recognized. Get entered on the 'specialist register'. Get a job. (no PLAB required)

Depending on the specialty you are interested in, one or the other might be open to you. The different specialty colleges have different criteria for recognizing overseas training. While it is relatively straightforward to get the specialty recognition (and a job) in radiology these days, the same cannot be said for anesthesia.

 

[f_w]

With option #1, your opportunities to return to the US are quite limited (essentially to academic practice).

With option #2 you have the choice of where you plan to spend your life, the US or UK.

 

[aisha-s]

Hello, I'm glad I found this message board.

I am finishing up my Bachelor's degree in Immunology next year, and will be graduating with an A-A- average (3.6-3.7 GPA).

I do not have an EU citizenship, but my partner will be moving to London UK at the same time I will be (hopefully) starting my medical degree.

Question1: Since I already planned to study medicine, and am a competitive applicant even here in North America, I am wondering what colleges around the London area take international graduate entry applicants?

I am looking at
- Cambridge, Oxford, King's, UCL, Imperial.... are there any others?

I realize it will be very expensive, and very competitive. I do have several research papers I've published and a fantastic list of volunteer/travel/medical internship experiences. I have not written my MCAT yet.

Question2: How easy it is, after having obtained a medical degree, to be able to practice Medicine in the UK as an international student? Or rather, how easy is it to get a work permit/VISA?

Once I am in England, I don't have any plans of going back...unless (heaven forbid) I part with my significant other...

Thank you so much for your help

hey,

My email address is [email protected]
u can ask me anything u want abt getting an education in UK, medicine. I will be more then welcome to help u with info and advice, including college price.
Looking to hear from u soon.
Aisha... Anda