FAQs: Can international medical graduates work in the UK?

Doctors must be registered with the General Medical Council to practise medicine in the UK. The purpose of the GMC is to protect, promote and maintain the health and safety of the public by ensuring proper standards in the practice of medicine. They maintain a register of medical practitioners. The GMC cannot, however, assist you in finding a job.

There are certain criteria to be met before you can register with the GMC. You must provide evidence of:

• a primary medical qualification accepted by the General Medical Council (GMC);
• your medical knowledge and skills – shown by passing Parts 1 and 2 of the PLAB test - details are on the GMC website. The PLAB (Professional and Linguistics Assessments Board) test Part 1 (costing £145) is held in either London, UK (book through GMC) or in your own country (book through the British Council). The Part 2 test (costing £430) can only be taken in London through the GMC. You will also need to pay for the costs of travel, accommodation and general living expenses while sitting the tests;
• English language skills – shown by having an Overall score of 7 on IELTS (International English Language Testing System). The British Council administer IELTS testing in over 100 countries (see website for further details – there are specific requirements);
• evidence of your good standing as a doctor.

Note:

• You MUST pass the PLAB test before seeking employment in the UK.
• Passing the PLAB test does NOT guarantee a work permit or employment.
• Of those doctors who passed the Part 2 exam in July 2007, around 25% of doctors had not found a post after a year.

International medical graduates wishing to work or train in the UK will need a work permit. To obtain a work permit, an employer must show that a genuine vacancy exists, which cannot be filled by a doctor who is a UK or EEA national. For immigration and work permit information, see UK Border Agency (UKBA) Working in the UK.