Regulating doctors, ensuring good medical practice

Working in the UK

  1. 1. The UK job market
  2. 2. Finding work in the UK – useful links
  3. 3. Life in the UK
  4. 4. What to expect when applying for registration
  5. 5. Revalidation

1. The UK job market

The UK welcomes medical graduates, but we do not want you to be disadvantaged by a lack of information on the level of competition for posts in the UK – and the risk of unemployment.

We strongly recommend that you secure an offer of employment before you apply for registration. The UK job market is very competitive and many doctors struggle to find employment.1

You can find information about the number of applicants for posts (categorised by specialty and location) on the British Medical Journal Careers website.

There is also guidance called Working and training in the National Health Service - A guide for international medical graduates on the NHS Employers website. This is mainly aimed at doctors from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) and provides a range of information including:

  • immigration requirements
  • access to UK training
  • pay and conditions
  • evidence of right to work permissions.

It is important you understand that employers check all candidates are qualified for their posts. As part of these checks, you will have to demonstrate a good knowledge of English. If you cannot do this, it might reduce your chances of getting a job. Your chances of getting a job will also be reduced if you have been out of medical practice for a long time.

2. Finding work in the UK - useful links

The GMC does not hold information about job vacancies, but there are a number of other sources you can try, such as:

These sites will also give you an idea of the types of jobs available. Remember there is strong competition for jobs.

3. Life in the UK

You should be aware that the UK, especially London and the South-east of England, is an expensive place to live. There is strong competition for many jobs in these areas, not just in the medical profession.

You should try to find out if the lifestyle in the UK will suit you. Your local British Consulate or British Council office (British Council website) may be able to offer you advice.

4. What to expect when applying for registration

When you have made your online application we will email you a list of documents that you need to send to us. The email will list specific documents that we need based on the information you gave us in your application. We also need translations of all documents that are not issued in English.

You will need to get some documents from authorities in the country of your graduation, and some documents from authorities in the country you currently work in. We know this can take a long time so we suggest that you request these from the relevant authorities as soon as possible. We will keep your application open for 90 days from the date you apply. If you do not complete it within 90 days, we will close it and let you know.

You can find information in our applying for registration section.

5. Revalidation

If you become registered and licensed in the UK you will have to demonstrate to the GMC, normally every five years, that you are up to date and fit to practise. You can find more information about this in our revalidation section.

1Two thirds of doctors who gained registration in 2011 did so without already having an offer of employment.