Surgeon

To become a surgeon you'll need to complete:

• a 5-year degree in medicine recognised by the General Medical Council
• a 2-year foundation programme of general training
• core surgical training in a hospital which takes 2 years
• specialist training which can take up to 6 years

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

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
• 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/

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 core and specialist training.

Entry requirements

Employers will set their own entry requirements.

Registrations

you'll need to register with the General Medical Council

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.

You can use online resources to find out more about the types of interviews you can expect to get into for medical school.

Professional and Industry Bodies

You could join the British Medical Association for professional development and training opportunities.

Further Information

You can find out more about becoming a surgeon from the Royal College of Surgeons and Health Careers .

As a surgeon, you could:

• request patient tests, scans and X-rays, and analyse results
• plan the best course of action based on a patient's diagnosis
• explain procedures and risks to patients and their families
• carry out planned surgery with the operating team
• visit patients on the ward after surgery to check on their recovery
• work on emergency surgery cases when required
• write to a patient's GP about their treatment and recovery plan
• keep up to date with surgical developments for your specialism

You could work in an NHS or private hospital.

Your working environment may be physically and emotionally demanding.

You may need to wear protective clothing and a uniform.