GP

To become a GP you'll need to complete:

• a 5-year degree in medicine from a medical school recognised by the General Medical Council
• a 2-year foundation programme of general training
• specialist training, which can take 3 years, often split between hospital and a general practice

You might be able to do a foundation year before starting a medical degree. This will depend on your circumstances and what qualifications you hold.

If you already have a science-based degree, you could take a 4-year graduate entry route into medicine.

There is a lot of competition for places, so it's important to check the entry requirements of medical schools before you apply.

Entry tests

When you apply for a course in medicine, you may be asked to take the University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT) .

It tests for skills you'll need on the course, such as:

• critical thinking
• problem solving
• data analysis
• decision making

Work experience

Medical schools will expect you to have some relevant paid or voluntary work experience. The British Medical Association provides information on how to find a placement .

You could also use Observe GP , which is a free online alternative to work experience created by the Royal College of General Practitioners.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• at least 5 GCSEs grades 9 to 7 (A* or A), including English maths and sciences

• 3 A levels, or equivalent, including biology and chemistry

More Information

• equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
• student finance for fees and living costs|https://www.gov.uk/student-finance
• university courses and entry requirements|https://www.ucas.com/
• University Clinical Aptitude Test|https://www.ucat.ac.uk/

You may be able to apply for a place on a Doctor Level 7 Degree Apprenticeship, if you're working in a healthcare setting.

This takes 5 years to do and you would need the support of your employer to apply.

On successful completion, you could progress to the 2-year foundation training programme, then move on to specialist training in general practice.

Entry requirements

Employers will set their own entry requirements.

Registrations

after your training you'll need to join the General Medical Council GP Register, and apply for a licence to practise as a doctor

Career Tips

The General Medical Council has a guide on what it means to be a good doctor. You might find this useful when preparing for medical school interviews.

Professional and Industry Bodies

You could join the British Medical Association for advice, resources and professional development opportunities.

Further Information

You can find out more about becoming a GP from Health Careers and the Royal College of General Practitioners .

As a GP, you could:

• speak to patients in person or on the phone to assess their health concerns
• diagnose symptoms, prescribe medicines and give general health advice
• refer patients to specialists for further investigation if needed
• make home visits to patients who can't get to the surgery
• respond to out of hours call-outs
• update patient records and do other admin
• promote healthy living and lifestyle choices
• work closely with other health professionals and GP practice staff

You could work at a GP practice, at a health centre or at a client's home.

Your working environment may be emotionally demanding.