Pathologist

You can follow a medical doctor route or clinical scientist route to become a pathologist.

Medical doctor route

To become a pathologist through the medical doctor route, you'll need to complete:

• a 5-year degree in medicine, recognised by the General Medical Council
• a 2-year foundation course of general training
• core training that prepares you for later specialisation, lasting 2 years
• a specialist training programme in pathology which can take between 5 and 6 years

If you already have a first class or 2:

• 1 (upper second class) science degree, you could take a 4-year graduate entry route into medicine . Some universities may also accept non-science graduates, but you'll need to start by doing a foundation year.

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 the 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.

Clinical scientist route

To become a pathologist through the clinical scientist route, you'll need to complete:

• a degree or postgraduate master's award in a science subject like biology, chemistry, clinical science or biomedical science, which takes 3 to 4 years
• the Scientist Training Programme , which is work based, takes 3 years and leads to a master's degree
• the pathology speciality of the Higher Specialist Scientist Training Programme , which takes 5 years

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English, maths and science

• 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
• university courses and entry requirements|https://www.ucas.com/
• student finance for fees and living costs|https://www.gov.uk/student-finance
• University Clinical Aptitude Test|https://www.ucat.ac.uk/

Registrations

you'll need to register with the General Medical Council

Career Tips

Pathology is a broad term that covers several specialisms, for example:

• virology
• haematology
• veterinary pathology
• immunology
• forensic pathology

You can choose your pathology specialism during the later stages of your training.

To become a veterinary pathologist, you'll first need to train as a vet .

Further Information

You can find out more about a career in pathology from the Royal College of Pathologists and Health Careers .

As a pathologist, you could:

• analyse blood tests, screenings and tissue samples to diagnose health conditions or disease
• share test results with clinicians and advise on suitable treatments
• research and develop new tests, treatments and vaccines
• investigate immunity problems, genetic disorders and diseases like dementia
• examine the potential side effects of medicines and write toxicology reports
• carry out post-mortems to determine the cause of death in a person
• organise work in laboratories and supervise staff

You could work in an NHS or private hospital or in a laboratory.

Your working environment may be emotionally demanding.

You may need to wear protective clothing.