We get to speak to a lot of aspiring international medical graduates

Common questions on the road to UK:

We get to speak to a lot of aspiring international medical graduates by virtue of our RoadToUK site and we come across some very common queries that leave us wondering- who is telling you this? Are they working in the UK? We don’t get those answer but generally these myths start with “I heard…” “Someone told me…” etc.

  1. ARE THERE NO JOBS IN THE UK?

Answer: The NHS has a huge shortage of doctors. There is not a single day we don’t get an email from our hospital that they need someone to do an extra shift. That being said- it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t work hard on your application and how you present yourself.

Doctors are listed on the UK’s shortage occupancy list; that’s how much of a need there is for their employment. To understand how best you can proceed with a strong application, check out our free course: https://roadtouk.com/courses/how-to-apply-for-jobs-in-the-nhs/

  1. THE SALARY IS MEAGER! YOU CAN’T SAVE ANYTHING IF YOU HAVE A FAMILY!

Answer: Pay is always relative to your expenditure, and your expenditure depends upon where you stay and how to live. No one is telling you to live uncomfortably, but if you know how much to cut according to what you need, you should be alright.

Check out our comprehensive breakdown of a doctor’s salary depending on your level here: https://youtu.be/MT52s6GNNE8

  1. CAN I NOT START WORKING WITH ONLY MRCP PART 1-2 / MRCS PART A ETC.?

Answer: You need GMC registration with a license to practice to work as a doctor in the UK. You either have to complete PLAB or completed MRCP/MRCS along with English proficiency exam (IELTS/OET) to get GMC registered.

To better understand the different routes by which you can get GMC registration, please see: https://youtu.be/z4UghNcKl4U

  1. I HEARD THAT YOU CAN’T YOUR FAMILY WITH YOU?

Answer: ‘Your family’ is anterograde. It means your spouse and your kids. Unfortunately it’s not retrograde; your parents are not a part of “your family”.

Whenever you get a job, you can take your family with you. You will be going in a Tier 2 visa and they will be on Tier 2 dependent visa. Your parents can not apply for dependent visa unfortunately. They can come to visit with visit visas but can’t stay with you indefinitely.

For more information on applying for dependent visas, please see: https://roadtouk.com/blog/tier-2-visa-application-for-dependents/

  1. ‘THEY’ DON’T LET IMGS BE A CONSULTANT - DO I HAVE TO STAY AS A REGISTRAR MY WHOLE CAREER?

Answer: No one can stop you from getting into training. Yes, there was a time when training posts were difficult for IMGs to get into, but times are a changing.

The UK has lifted the resident labor market test (RLMT) which used to restrict people with non-UK/EU/EEA passports from applying for a lot of specialties in the first round. With this gone, the opportunities for training have greatly increased.

We got into Internal Medicine Training within 1 year of working in the UK.

To understand more about the training structure in the UK, please see: https://youtu.be/qnIJD5UVzgY

  1. I AM XX YEARS OLD. IS IT TOO LATE FOR ME?

Answer: Never say never! There is no age barrier to starting work in the UK. If you want to do it, go for it!

  1. MY SPOUSE IS A NON MEDICO. HOW WILL THEY WORK?

Answer: If you get a job, they can come on a dependent visa, which will allow them to work.

  1. I HAVE HEARD LIFE IS DIFFICULT IN THE UK!

Answer: We really wonder when we hear this question who says these things. You get a substantial pay, most hospitals have on site accommodation or you can rent nearby, there is public transport, your NHS ID gets you a lot of discounts and perks, and there is free top-notch healthcare.

Yes, it is difficult to be away from home. Yes, the tax may be more than what you pay at home. But it is the long run, the future you must look towards- that is where there is ease.

If you’re still concerned, check out this video covering life in the UK: https://youtu.be/lqmK93faCSw

  1. WHEN I START IN A NON TRAINING JOB, WILL I GET PAID?

Answer: Yes. Even with a training post you are paid.

  1. I HAVE A SPOUSE AND CHILDREN. DO THEY ALSO GET FREE HEALTHCARE?

Answer: Yes, as they are your dependents.

  1. I WANT TO DO PG IN UK. WHERE DO I START?

Answer: First you need to understand if you want to proceed with an academic degree (MD/MS/MSc) or clinical training. The best way to understand the difference is to watch this extensive explanation: https://youtu.be/OEWSOoTzI6Y

  1. WHAT IF I FAIL?

Answer: As much as we want to be able to succeed, sometimes it is difficult. Don’t take failure as a reason to quit or give up. There is always going to be something that may seem impossible, but you will be able to accomplish what you want in the end.