US Medical Student to UK Residency

[liveRpoodle]

I'm a third year medical student in the US, and I want to move to the UK and make my life there. My husband is from England, so the legal status of things would make me an English citizen in a few years - and I'm hoping that will help me get into a residency program as I will be an English citizen. I have spent a fair amount of time over there, I am definitely sure that's where I want to spend my life. I want to move after medical school and complete my residency in the UK. Does anyone know how to go about doing this? What amount of UK training comes after a US medical degree? Any exams I need to take (PLAB), and when to take them? When does the residency interview season occur? and...would it be better for me to complete residency in the US and move to England as a fully board certified attending? If anyone has any information or advice, I would love to hear from you!

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[JohnSnow]

I'm a third year medical student in the US, and I want to move to the UK and make my life there. My husband is from England, so the legal status of things would make me an English citizen in a few years - and I'm hoping that will help me get into a residency program as I will be an English citizen. I have spent a fair amount of time over there, I am definitely sure that's where I want to spend my life. I want to move after medical school and complete my residency in the UK. Does anyone know how to go about doing this? What amount of UK training comes after a US medical degree? Any exams I need to take (PLAB), and when to take them? When does the residency interview season occur? and...would it be better for me to complete residency in the US and move to England as a fully board certified attending? If anyone has any information or advice, I would love to hear from you!

I do know that post-graduate training takes a lot longer in the UK because medical graduates don't work the 80-100 work weeks that American residents do. I think they can only work an average of 48 hours per week. Whether that's a good or a bad thing is up to the individual.

Also because medicine is socialised there you won't make nearly as much money working in the UK as you would working the US which could be problematic when it comes to paying off student loans for your US education.

I know it can take up to 7 years to become a Consultant, the UK's equivalent of an Attending. The first two year's post-graduation, called foundation years, are non-specific for a specialty so you'll be doing rotations similar to what you do in 3rd & 4th year as a medical student in the US. Then you'll have the option to enter specialist training after successfully completing the two foundation years.

Thats the extent of my knowledge of the UK system. I would recommend looking into getting a UK spousal work visa immediately because if it's anything like getting a spousal work visa in the US it can take 6 months to a year.

The UK medical training is highly regarded worldwide. You should have no problem getting post-graduate training since your husband is a British citizen. I would say the main difference is whether you want to be an Attending soon, earning big money either in the US or UK, but work 80 hour weeks for the next 3 year or wait 7 years to earn the big money in US or UK by going through the traditional UK system.

 

[xadmin]

I do know that post-graduate training takes a lot longer in the UK because medical graduates don't work the 80-100 work weeks that American residents do. I think they can only work an average of 48 hours per week. Whether that's a good or a bad thing is up to the individual.

Also because medicine is socialised there you won't make nearly as much money working in the UK as you would working the US which could be problematic when it comes to paying off student loans for your US education.

I know it can take up to 7 years to become a Consultant, the UK's equivalent of an Attending. The first two year's post-graduation, called foundation years, are non-specific for a specialty so you'll be doing rotations similar to what you do in 3rd & 4th year as a medical student in the US. Then you'll have the option to enter specialist training after successfully completing the two foundation years.

Thats the extent of my knowledge of the UK system. I would recommend looking into getting a UK spousal work visa immediately because if it's anything like getting a spousal work visa in the US it can take 6 months to a year.

The UK medical training is highly regarded worldwide. You should have no problem getting post-graduate training since your husband is a British citizen. I would say the main difference is whether you want to be an Attending soon, earning big money either in the US or UK, but work 80 hour weeks for the next 3 year or wait 7 years to earn the big money in US or UK by going through the traditional UK system.

US won't regconize UK postgraduate training.

 

[bambi]

UK training is far, far longer than US. 7 years to consultant is a dream. It will depend on the specialty but could easily take 12-15 years. I know a cardiologist that graduated in 1999 and is only now in his final year of training and no he wasn't slow or kept behind, he is amazing.

Also, your med school training is very different to ours and honestly you will struggle clinically. How fast you catch up will depend on you but we are expected to do a lot more clinically than you are in the US.

You are trained for one system and you should really do your best to stay in it. You will finish much quicker and earn a lot more. Also, once you are board certified in the US it is possible in most specialties to get licensed in the UK, it is not possible the other way around.

 

[krishty]

I am a medical student and I am going to UK for further studies and having some similar situation. But my first requirement is to find accommodation for me in UK. I require a flat, apartment or independent room in nearby area.
I asked the similar question in student forums and in reply a site is suggested that is http://www.younilife.com/accommodation/ provides student and professional accommodation services in UK.
I want to know is it okay to book a flat by this site or the similar one.
If anybody have any information then please reply me. Sorry for asking my question here regarding accommodation but I really need to know about this
Please reply me as soon as possible.