Working in the UK - Eligibility
Eligibility to work in the UK
The NHS is a huge egalitarian organisation and one of the world’s largest employers. Many doctors from overseas find the nature of the NHS quite different to the health care systems of their own countries, particularly those outside of the EU. The NHS operates in multi-disciplinary teams to deliver patient-centered healthcare; good communication and teamwork are key to the running of the NHS.
There are certain requirements a doctor should consider before they apply for work in the UK. These vary from country to country and the details below refer mainly to those making applications from outside of Europe.
Considering a job application for a UK post
The following elements are all required to enable you to practice within the United Kingdom. Please read each section carefully to assess the likelihood of our being able to put you forward for a post. It may be that you currently don’t have GMC registration for example; this is not insurmountable but requires you to take certain steps to enable you to increase your chances of working in the UK.
The NHS is a huge egalitarian organisation and one of the world’s largest employers. Many doctors from overseas find the nature of the NHS quite different to the health care systems of their own countries, particularly those outside of the EU. The NHS operates in multi-disciplinary teams to deliver patient-centered healthcare; good communication and teamwork are key to the running of the NHS.
There are certain requirements a doctor should consider before they apply for work in the UK. These vary from country to country and the details below refer mainly to those making applications from outside of Europe.
Considering a job application for a UK post
The following elements are all required to enable you to practice within the United Kingdom. Please read each section carefully to assess the likelihood of our being able to put you forward for a post. It may be that you currently don’t have GMC registration for example; this is not insurmountable but requires you to take certain steps to enable you to increase your chances of working in the UK.
- License to practise
- GMC registration
- PLAB - Professional and Linguistic Assessment Board Test
- English language skills - IELTS (International English Language Testing System)
- Visas
- CV preparation
- Useful links
It is advisable to familiarise yourself with working practices, medical terminology and common illnesses and disease patterns in the UK. You will also need to gain an understanding not only of the English language, but also of local terminology and colloquial expressions which vary across the UK. Never be afraid to ask for clarification if you don’t know what something means.
Note: The information on working in the UK is provided as a general guideline and we endeavour to keep it up-to-date. However, we do include links to appropriate websites where full and up-to-date information can be found; we recommend you visit these
Note: The information on working in the UK is provided as a general guideline and we endeavour to keep it up-to-date. However, we do include links to appropriate websites where full and up-to-date information can be found; we recommend you visit these
