Training Positions for Postgraduate Doctors/Dentists

If you have qualified in the UK or abroad as a doctor or dentist you may be able to do postgraduate training in the UK. You must first register with either the General Medical Council or the General Dental Council before you start postgraduate training.

PLEASE NOTE : There have been a number of changes in 2006, most taking effect as of June and July.

Please read these articles for detailed information. Citizens of countries other than the UK, the EU and some EEA countries now require work permits to be eligible for posted positions in this category, if their degree is not from a UK university.

• UK PD1 application for post-graduate doctors & dentists

• New work permit form for doctors and dentists training in the UK

• UK work permit exemption rescinded for medical students

• New versions of UK visa and work permit forms available

If you have worked as a house officer in a hospital in the UK for up to 12 months then you can qualify for full registration with the General Medical Council. If you have qualified in another country, you may need to pass an English language test before you can register. Doctors must pass the IELTS test before they can take the Professional and Linguistic Assessment Board (PLAB) exam. You can be granted permission to stay in the UK in order to pass the PLAB exam.

In order to qualify for postgraduate training in the UK, you must show evidence that you:

• are a doctor or dentist;
• are registered, or eligible to be registered, with the General Medical Council or General Dental Council;
• plan to carry out postgraduate training in a hospital or the Community Health Services (or both);
• have not already spent four years in postgraduate training in the United Kingdom (this does not include the 12 months you worked as a house officer); and
• plan to leave the United Kingdom when you finish your training.

If you can satisfy the conditions above, you will be granted a visa for up to three years initially for the UK. You can stay for up to four years as long as you have a job in basic specialist training or a similar position. Your visa can then be extended for up to three years at a time.

You would need a work permit if you come to the United Kingdom to do work other than in a training post.