Information, they say, is power. However, the power only makes sense with the corresponding push to make it to your dream country. One of the destinations topping the chart on how to Japa as a medical doctor is the UK.
The best time to start your journey to the UK as a medical doctor is now because delay is dangerous. Many medical professionals make it to the UK and start a better life – far better than they were in Nigeria. There are several reasons for that.
This article will highlight the reasons for Traveling to the UK as a medical doctor, the salary range of UK doctors, how to become a doctor in the UK, and other information designed to help you Japa easily to the UK. Read on!
Table of Contents
- 1 Reasons to Japa to the UK as a Medical Doctor
- 2 What are Medical Doctors’ Titles in the UK?
- 3 What are the UK Medical Doctors’ Annual Salaries in 2023?
- 4 What are the Ways to Travel to the UK as a Medical Doctor?
- 5 How to practice medicine in the UK
- 6 Required Documents for GMC Registration
- 7 Finding a Job in the UK
Reasons to Japa to the UK as a Medical Doctor
Below are some reasons to travel to the UK as a medical doctor:
Easier Performance
Practicing medicine is not a walk in the park. However, traveling to the UK to practice will make the job much easier. Technology in the UK is much more upgraded and helps in the research and development of the professional and diverse areas of their profession. The quality of healthcare is also excellent, making it possible for people to have access to their specific health needs. Thus, a UK medical doctor will perform optimally with everything functioning as necessary.
General training
To become a medical doctor or Physician in the UK, you must play by the book. Everything is done systematically because it is a profession that deals directly with human lives and sustenance. After graduation, you will spend three years’ house-manship working between hospitals and departments. You will work with more experienced personnel willing to put you through. Besides, the work environment is toxic-free and encourages synergy.
Financial gain
Working in the UK is one of the most lucrative decisions. Since the country is one of the top destinations to practice medicine and there is a high demand for medical doctors, you will most likely make it here.
What are Medical Doctors’ Titles in the UK?
It would be best to acclimate yourself to some doctor titles in the UK before relocating to blend with the environment easily. Here are they:
- FY1 – this is the year one foundation training in the medical field. The journey begins once you graduate from medical school.
- FY2 – this is the second year of foundation training to help the medical student gain further training.
- F3 – called the gap year and ushers the medical student into specialty training.
- Junior Doctor involves a doctor in training who still needs to be qualified to be addressed as a consultant.
- Consultant – this is the most senior doctor with full training in the medical specialty.
- Locum doctors – work through agencies and fill temporary vacancies and shifts in a clinical setting.
What are the UK Medical Doctors’ Annual Salaries in 2023?
Below, you will find the range of annual salaries for UK medical doctors:
- Doctors in training: They earn a basic salary and further pay if they work more than 40 hours per week. The salary is around £29,384 to £34,012 per year.
- Specialty doctors: their starting salary is around £50,373 to £78,759.
- Consultants: aside from their basic jobs, they can work in private practice and earn extra income. However, their basic salary is approximately £84,559 to £114,003 per year.
- General practitioners earn a basic salary of £60,455 to £91,228.
What are the Ways to Travel to the UK as a Medical Doctor?
To Japa to the UK as a medical doctor, you have four options:
Relocating through PLAB
PLAB is the short form of the Professional and Linguistic Assessment Board. A doctor traveling to the UK must take this qualifying examination as proof of their knowledge and skill.
Relocating through Master’s degree
You can apply for a master’s degree in any UK-accredited university. However, you must also write the PLAB exam to qualify.
Relocating through the Specialist Route
This is for professionals who seek to register in the UK as specialist doctors through their residency in Nigeria. The good news is that it doesn’t require PLAB.
Relocating through the MTI Route
This route is for individuals in residency training seeking to work in the UK through an arrangement their college has with the Royal College. The route is rare and hardly favors many.
How to practice medicine in the UK
To practice medicine in the UK, you need to follow the step-by-step procedure below:
Confirming your qualifications with the General Medical Council
The National Health Service (NHS) is the primary employer of medical doctors. The UK government operates under the General Medical Council (GMC) regulatory body.
If you received your medical training outside the UK, you need to verify with the GMC for the acceptability of your qualification. To do that, you need to check your university in the world directory of medical schools. If your university exists there, you should find out if the GMC accepts the qualifications.
Taking your proficiency Examination
You must pass the following proficiency examinations:
English language proficiency tests
If you are eligible to practice medicine in the UK, you must take an English proficiency test. The IELTS is the standard English language test. Both PLAB and your international passport require English language proficiency proof. You must pass the IELTS with a score of at least 7.5 in total and 7.0 in each band. Besides, IELTS is valid for two years, which means you should be through with PLAB by then. The British Council conducts the test with centers across Nigeria, costing around 75,000 naira.
OET
The OET is another top-rated medical examination that tries to rate your English language ability in a healthcare setting. It costs around 150 naira.
PLAB
Technically, this examination consists of two parts: PLAB 1 and PLAB 2. The PLAB 1 contains multiple-choice questions and can take place in Nigeria. It is held thrice annually (November, June, and March). Besides, it has centers in Lagos, Abuja, and Enugu. The process takes about six weeks and costs around £239 (121,339 naira). In addition, it covers the fundamental medical sciences, clinical sciences, and ethics.
On the other hand, the PLAB 2 is an objectively structured clinical examination format in the UK. It is taken at the GMC building in Manchester, UK. It comprises 18 clinical stations, lasting eight minutes each. That means the total examination lasts three hours.
In addition, each station is rated 12 points, and the maximum number of points is 216 marks. However, you must score 11 out of the 18 t make it. It focuses on your ability to handle general issues a rising UK-trained medical doctor must handle. It also evaluates your data gathering, clinical management, and interpersonal skills.
Besides, you must do your PLAB 2 within two years of completing your PLAB 1. The cost is around £875 (443,950 naira).
Online GMC registration
Before proceeding with anything else, you must register with the GMC to obtain the license to practice. You have four registration options: provisional, full, general practitioner, and specialist.
Medical graduates who obtain GMC registration via the PLAB route can go through provisional registration. However, they must have postgraduate experience, even if it still needs to meet the GMC requirements. Ideally, many Nigerian doctors relocate to the UK through this route.
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Required Documents for GMC Registration
Below are the relevant documents to submit for GMC registration:
- A standard, pre-varified primary medical qualification
- An acceptable period of internship or experience
- A Certificate of Good Standing from the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria
- Information regarding your medical and non-medical activities for the last five years, such as study leave, clinical attachments, unemployment, maternity leave, career breaks, and vacations
- An IELTS or OET passing certificate
- GMC’s application
Finding a Job in the UK
After completing your GMC registration, finding a job is next. There a various sites you can try your luck, which also give. These include, but are not limited to:
- NHS Scotland -the national health service covering Scotland
- British Medical Journal – Employment Section
- The NHS -the national health service covering England and Wales
- Health and social care in Northern Ireland
- Doctors.net
- Traveling to the UK for PLAB 2 Examinations
The next step is to travel to the UK for your PLAB 2 exams. For this purpose, you will need a visitor’s visa and must travel one month ahead to plan substantially. Besides, you must make good plans for accommodation so you won’t be stranded.
Traveling to the UK for Work on a Tier 2 Visa
Once you get a job in the UK, you must prepare for the accommodation. The hospital might give you suitable accommodation. However, if it is impossible, you may need to look for one. Another critical issue is setting up a bank account with the help of the HR department.
Conclusion
You can travel or Japa to the UK as a medical doctor if you make up your mind. Although the process can be daunting, it is a done deal once you have all the necessary documents and plans in place. If you follow the information in this guide, you can get some steps ahead.