There are scores of medical specialty options for you to take after graduation from Medical School, but first you have to get in. It’s an extremely competitive market and you have to highlight relevant personal qualities to complement the high academic achievement. UCAS statistics show that the ratio of applications to medical school in comparison to places available is almost nine to one. However, the key issue in a diverse and meritocratic society such as the UK is that any student from any background, who has the ability, personal attributes and motivation, can apply to study medicine. As with all UK universities, medical schools organise their own selection criteria, available on the UCAS website. A summary for each country is given below:

For prospective students from England, Wales and Northern Ireland, all UK medical schools accept applications that demonstrate a combination of GCSEs, AS levels and A levels. Most will require excellent grades in science subjects, especially chemistry and/or biology, as these topics form the core of the medical curriculum. With biology and chemistry another good grade in an arts subject such as history or a modern language will usually be accepted as a third A level. Without both A level chemistry and biology, one other science subject is normally required too, e.g. physics or maths. Finally, all applicants will be expected to have top grade CSE passes in English and mathematics.

Students with primarily arts A levels will usually be expected to study a foundation course to bring their science abilities up to speed. This means studying for six years instead of the typical five. On a similar theme, A levelsin General Studies or Critical Thinking are not accepted as bona fide arts subjects. If your qualifications deviate from the norm e.g. the new International Baccalaureate (IB) it is always best to write to the admissions tutor at the prospective university.

UK wide applications from Scottish students are assessed on grades achieved in Scottish Highers and Advanced Highers. The majority of medical schools will accept a combination of Highers and Advanced Highers and generally look for high grades in science subjects such as chemistry and biology.

A number of medical schools are now accepting “access to medicine” courses for entry into medical schools. These courses are designed to encourage a more diverse range of students into the medical profession by supporting students from disadvantaged backgrounds, mature students, students from ethnic and cultural groups, and disabled students.

EXTRA EXAMINATIONS REQUIRED FOR MEDICAL SCHOOLS

UK Clinical Aptitude Test (UKCAT)

The UKCAT is an integral part of the selection procedure in 26 medical schools within the UK and concentrates on testing qualities and attributes considered to be valuable for healthcare professionals. In particular UKCAT tries to ensure that applicants selected to medical school have the most relevant mental abilities, attitudes and professional behaviours required to be successful doctors.www.ukcat.ac.uk

BioMedical Admissions Test (BMAT)

BMAT gauges a student’s potential to undertake an academically demanding undergraduate biomedical degree.  It is an extremely challenging test required to enter medical schools at Imperial and University Colleges, London, Oxford and Cambridge.www.bmat.org.uk

Graduate Medical School Admissions Test (GAMSAT)

The GAMSAT is a test for graduate applicants to some medical courses.  Slightly more theoretical perhaps than UKCAT, passing the GAMSAT requires testing your ability to think critically, analyse information and express your thoughts clearly and effectively.

GAMSAT is required by graduate applicants to medical schools at Nottingham University, St George’s University of London, University of Wales, Swansea, and Keele University, Staffordshire. www.gamsatuk.org

TYPICAL DOCTOR CAREER PROCESS

The Medical School

Medical students will learn fundamental medical sciences and practical clinical tasks, whilst in parallel developing the necessary attitudes and behaviours relevant to the medical practitioner.And overall, the 5 year undergraduate course gives students exposure to the many different specialties within medicine.

Foundation Years 1 & 2 (FY1, FY2)

Freshly qualified graduates receive provisional registration from the General Medical Council (GMC) and undertake Foundation Year One (FY1) designed to build on the knowledge and skills gained during medical school. After passing FY1, junior doctors receive full registration with the GMC and can continue to Foundation Year Two (FY2).

FY2 continues with general medical training, but can involve short exposures to a range of different specialties, one of which may be General Practice. On completion of foundation training, junior doctors must show that they are competent in areas such as managing acutely ill patients, team working and communication skills, to continue training in their chosen specialist area or in general practice.

Specialty Training

From 2010 the NHS Specialty Training Structure will comprise two types of training programmes:-

Run-through training, where your progression to the next level of training is automatic as long as you satisfy all the competency requirements. Uncoupled training programmes, where there are two years of core training (three in some specialties), followed by another open competition for higher training posts and progression to completion of training (provided you satisfy all the competency requirements).

To aid confusion perhaps, some specialties are offering “run-through” programmes, some specialties are offering “uncoupled” programmes and Trauma and Orthopaedics has both types on offer.

After passing FY1 and FY2, junior doctors, often called SpRs or specialist registrars, continue training in either a specialist area of medicine such as radiology or in general practice (GP). The specialty chosen will determine the length of training to become a consultant, the highest grade of senior doctor. For example:

The Modernising Medical Careers (MMC) team support doctors in applying for specialty training posts in the NHS, and to provide information on changes to the recruitment and training process.

Overseeing all postgraduate training is the Postgraduate Medical Education and Training Board (PMETB). Once an SpR has completed their entire training programme and passed all the relevant Royal Medical College exams, they gain a certificate of completion and specialist training (CCST), appear on the GMC’s specialist register and are now free to apply for a vacant consultant position nationwide.

CONTINUOUS PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT (CPD)

In medicine, like most professions, learning never stops. All senior doctors are now required to complete 250 CPD points in a 5 year period. CPD points are given to academically or practitioner suitable courses and events that facilitate the doctor to stay abreast of ever changing procedures, drugs and medical protocols. A typical 4 hour course might attract 4 points, ratified and accredited by the relevant Royal Medical College.

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