6 Feb 2026 ● Matt Farrah
Doctor Career Guide: How to Become a Doctor in the UK
Doctors diagnose, treat and support people through illness, injury and long-term conditions. They play a critical role in keeping communities healthy, leading clinical decisions and advancing medical science. This guide is for students, career changers and international applicants who want a clear, realistic overview of how to become a doctor in the UK.
What Is a Doctor?
A doctor is a medically qualified professional responsible for diagnosing disease, planning treatment and supporting patients across the full healthcare journey. Doctors work with people of all ages, from newborns to older adults, in settings including hospitals, GP surgeries, community clinics, urgent care centres and specialist units.
Beyond clinical skill, the role carries a strong sense of purpose. Doctors often support patients and families at some of the most vulnerable moments of their lives, balancing scientific knowledge with compassion and ethical judgement. Their work has a direct societal impact, improving quality of life, reducing mortality and shaping public health outcomes.
Recognised job titles include Foundation Doctor, Specialty Trainee, General Practitioner (GP), Consultant, Registrar and Staff Grade / Specialty Doctor.
For context, the UK has over 360,000 doctors registered with the General Medical Council (GMC), and demand continues to rise due to an ageing population and workforce shortages.
Jobs for Doctors
Discover Doctor roles nationwide with public and private sector healthcare providers on our Doctor jobs page. We aim to list more jobs than any other job board, alongside detailed information about each advertiser, so you can find the best job and employer match.
What Does a Doctor Do Day to Day?
Doctors’ daily work varies by specialty and seniority, but commonly includes:
- Assessing patients, taking medical histories and performing examinations
- Ordering, interpreting and explaining diagnostic tests
- Diagnosing conditions and creating treatment plans
- Prescribing medications and therapies
- Performing procedures or surgery (role dependent)
- Communicating with patients and families about care options
- Working within multidisciplinary teams (nurses, AHPs, pharmacists, social care)
- Documenting care using electronic patient record systems
- Teaching students and junior colleagues
- Participating in audits, research and service improvement
Shifts and environments
- Hospital doctors often work rotating shifts, including nights and weekends
- GPs usually work daytime hours with some extended sessions
- Settings include wards, theatres, clinics, community hubs and virtual consultations
Why Become a Doctor?
People choose medicine for deeply personal and professional reasons:
- Making a tangible difference to lives every day
- Developing advanced clinical and decision-making skills
- Opportunities to specialise in areas you care about
- Strong team culture and professional respect
- High long-term job security and global demand
- Flexible career paths (clinical, academic, leadership, portfolio careers)
Where Do Doctors Work?
Doctors can work across a wide range of sectors:
- NHS Trusts – wards, theatres, outpatient clinics, emergency departments
- GP practices – primary and community care
- Private hospitals and clinics
- Community and public health services
- Agencies, insourcing providers and specialist centres
- Academic, research and teaching institutions
Some of our current employers hiring for Doctor jobs include:
Skills and Qualities Needed
Clinical skills
- Diagnostic reasoning
- Clinical examination and procedural skills
- Evidence-based decision making
Soft and behavioural skills
- Communication and active listening
- Empathy and professionalism
- Resilience and stress management
- Leadership and teamwork
Technical skills
- Electronic health records
- Medical imaging and diagnostic technology
- Specialty-specific equipment
Qualifications and Training
Becoming a doctor in the UK requires structured, regulated training.
1. Standard undergraduate route
- 5–6 year medical degree (MBBS/MBChB)
- Entry typically requires strong A-level results (including chemistry)
- Graduation allows provisional GMC registration
After university:
- Foundation Programme (2 years)
- Full GMC registration after FY1
2. Apprenticeships
- Medical doctor apprenticeships are emerging but limited
- Most applicants still follow the university route
3. Career change (graduate entry)
- 4-year Graduate Entry Medicine (GEM) courses
- Prior healthcare experience is beneficial but not always required
4. Specialist training
- Core training (2–3 years)
- Higher specialty training (3–7 years depending on specialty)
5. International applicants
- Must meet GMC registration requirements
- PLAB or recognised postgraduate qualifications
- English language evidence (IELTS/OET)
How Long Does It Take To Become a Doctor?
From starting medical school to becoming a fully qualified consultant or GP, training typically takes 10–15 years. This includes university education, foundation training and specialty training. While lengthy, each stage provides paid clinical experience and increasing responsibility, allowing doctors to develop confidence, expertise and professional independence.
Doctor Salary and Pay
Doctors are not paid under NHS Agenda for Change. Instead, they follow national medical contracts.
- Foundation Doctors: approx. £32,000 - £39,000
- Specialty Trainees / Registrars: £43,000 - £63,000+
- Consultants: £93,000 - £126,000+
- GPs: varies by role (salaried, partner, locum)
Additional pay:
- London weighting
- Nights, weekends and on-call supplements
- Locum and private work opportunities
Doctor Pay Guide
Find out more information about pay in our Doctor Pay Guide which you can jump into for a full, deep dive into salary and pay rates for this job role. We keep all of our pages up to date, using trusted sources and humans, so this is accurate information.
Career Progression and Specialisms
Typical pathway:
- Foundation Doctor → Specialty Trainee → Registrar → Consultant / GP
Specialisms include:
- General Practice
- Surgery
- Emergency Medicine
- Psychiatry
- Paediatrics
- Oncology, ICU, Radiology and more
Doctors can also progress into:
- Clinical leadership and management
- Medical education
- Research and academia
Pros and Cons of Being a Doctor
Pros
+ High impact and purpose
+ Intellectual challenge
+ Career stability
+ Wide range of roles
Cons
- Long training pathway
- Emotional and physical demands
- Unsocial hours in many specialties
- High responsibility and pressure
Is a Doctor Career Right for You?
Ask yourself:
- Do you enjoy problem-solving under pressure?
- Are you motivated by helping others long term?
- Can you cope with responsibility and uncertainty?
- Are you prepared for extended training?
If yes, medicine can be an incredibly fulfilling career.
How to Apply for Doctor Jobs
- Set up job alerts for NHS and private roles
- Prepare a tailored medical CV
- Register to access vacancies and career support
FAQs About Becoming a Doctor
Can you become a doctor without a degree?
No. A recognised medical degree is essential for GMC registration.
Do newly qualified nurses start in this role?
No. Nursing and medicine are separate professions with different training routes.
Are there part-time or flexible roles?
Yes. Many doctors work less than full time, especially during training.
Can international doctors work in the UK?
Yes, subject to GMC registration and visa requirements.
Is it hard to get into medical school?
Entry is competitive, but multiple routes exist including graduate entry.
Can doctors change specialty later?
In many cases, yes, though additional training may be required.
