How long does it take to become a doctor in the UK?
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So I'm thinking of applying for medicine in 2021, but the only thing I'm doubtful about is the duration of a medicine course. I know in university it's around 5/6 years to complete medicine, but after that how many years are you still in education so in total how long does it take to become a doctor?
Also, if anyone is doing medicine how is your experience so far? I really don't know if I'm taking the right decision here. I have the grades + determination but I don't want it to turn out to be something completely different to my expectations coz then I know I won't be motivated to work hard.
Also, if anyone is doing medicine how is your experience so far? I really don't know if I'm taking the right decision here. I have the grades + determination but I don't want it to turn out to be something completely different to my expectations coz then I know I won't be motivated to work hard.
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#2
(Original post by hehe_x)
So I'm thinking of applying for medicine in 2021, but the only thing I'm doubtful about is the duration of a medicine course. I know in university it's around 5/6 years to complete medicine, but after that how many years are you still in education so in total how long does it take to become a doctor?
Also, if anyone is doing medicine how is your experience so far? I really don't know if I'm taking the right decision here. I have the grades + determination but I don't want it to turn out to be something completely different to my expectations coz then I know I won't be motivated to work hard.
So I'm thinking of applying for medicine in 2021, but the only thing I'm doubtful about is the duration of a medicine course. I know in university it's around 5/6 years to complete medicine, but after that how many years are you still in education so in total how long does it take to become a doctor?
Also, if anyone is doing medicine how is your experience so far? I really don't know if I'm taking the right decision here. I have the grades + determination but I don't want it to turn out to be something completely different to my expectations coz then I know I won't be motivated to work hard.
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#3
(Original post by THALCEDONY)
It's 5 years to get a medical degree, 6 if you intercalate (basically get a second degree on top of a medical degree). That is then followed by 2 years of foundation training. You then begin training for your speciality (GP is the shortest with 3 years) and that's it. So the shortest amount of time you can become a fully qualified doctor is in 5+2+3=10 years.
It's 5 years to get a medical degree, 6 if you intercalate (basically get a second degree on top of a medical degree). That is then followed by 2 years of foundation training. You then begin training for your speciality (GP is the shortest with 3 years) and that's it. So the shortest amount of time you can become a fully qualified doctor is in 5+2+3=10 years.
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#4
(Original post by THALCEDONY)
It's 5 years to get a medical degree, 6 if you intercalate (basically get a second degree on top of a medical degree). That is then followed by 2 years of foundation training. You then begin training for your speciality (GP is the shortest with 3 years) and that's it. So the shortest amount of time you can become a fully qualified doctor is in 5+2+3=10 years.
It's 5 years to get a medical degree, 6 if you intercalate (basically get a second degree on top of a medical degree). That is then followed by 2 years of foundation training. You then begin training for your speciality (GP is the shortest with 3 years) and that's it. So the shortest amount of time you can become a fully qualified doctor is in 5+2+3=10 years.
Last edited by SaDe7; 1 year ago
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#5
you qualify as a doctor after your 4/5/6 year mbbs/mbchb/bmbs, so after your degree you are a fully qualified 'doctor' albeit a junior one. it can then take around 5-10 years of extra training after that to become a consultant in your chosen specialty. hope that helps!
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#6
(Original post by hehe_x)
So I'm thinking of applying for medicine in 2021, but the only thing I'm doubtful about is the duration of a medicine course. I know in university it's around 5/6 years to complete medicine, but after that how many years are you still in education so in total how long does it take to become a doctor?
Also, if anyone is doing medicine how is your experience so far? I really don't know if I'm taking the right decision here. I have the grades + determination but I don't want it to turn out to be something completely different to my expectations coz then I know I won't be motivated to work hard.
So I'm thinking of applying for medicine in 2021, but the only thing I'm doubtful about is the duration of a medicine course. I know in university it's around 5/6 years to complete medicine, but after that how many years are you still in education so in total how long does it take to become a doctor?
Also, if anyone is doing medicine how is your experience so far? I really don't know if I'm taking the right decision here. I have the grades + determination but I don't want it to turn out to be something completely different to my expectations coz then I know I won't be motivated to work hard.
TSR Medicine WIki: https://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/wiki/Medicine
TSRMedics thread on the basic overview of specialties: https://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/sho....php?t=6026828
(Original post by THALCEDONY)
... you can become a fully qualified doctor is in 5+2+3=10 years.
... you can become a fully qualified doctor is in 5+2+3=10 years.
(Original post by Glaz)
ecolier Correct me if I'm wrong but don't you become a fully qualified doctor after you've got your MBChB/MBBS/Whatever?
ecolier Correct me if I'm wrong but don't you become a fully qualified doctor after you've got your MBChB/MBBS/Whatever?
You get a CCT (Certificate of Completion of Training) to signify that you have finished training when you become a "proper GP" or a consultant.
(Original post by SaDe7)
surgeons/consultants take a bit longer though. I'm not too sure about other specialities but it takes around 7 years after the foundation programme to become a fully qualified ophthalmologist (eye surgeon). However, most doctors don't go just go through the shortest possible route and instead take time off in between to travel, volunteer, do a PhD etc.
surgeons/consultants take a bit longer though. I'm not too sure about other specialities but it takes around 7 years after the foundation programme to become a fully qualified ophthalmologist (eye surgeon). However, most doctors don't go just go through the shortest possible route and instead take time off in between to travel, volunteer, do a PhD etc.

GP is 3 years after FY2, psychiatry is 6 years after FY2, a lot of med and surgical specialties take between 7-8 years after FY2.
And you are right that many doctors go on a gap year(s) after FY2, a few will go between CT2 and ST3 too. Some will take time out during registrar training to do some post-grad courses.
(Original post by realtimme)
you qualify as a doctor after your 4/5/6 year mbbs/mbchb/bmbs, so after your degree you are a fully qualified 'doctor' albeit a junior one. it can then take around 5-10 years of extra training after that to become a consultant in your chosen specialty. hope that helps!
you qualify as a doctor after your 4/5/6 year mbbs/mbchb/bmbs, so after your degree you are a fully qualified 'doctor' albeit a junior one. it can then take around 5-10 years of extra training after that to become a consultant in your chosen specialty. hope that helps!

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#7
To become a consultant? Much longer than anywhere else, and getting longer!
Its sufficiently long that things like maternity leave get in the way too - the average is way more than the 'headline' figures, which you can google.
Its sufficiently long that things like maternity leave get in the way too - the average is way more than the 'headline' figures, which you can google.
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#8
It's likely to take me 21 years from leaving school to becoming a consultant in my chosen specialty!
Gap year
6 year degree
FY1/2
"FY3" (though nobody was calling it that at the time)
CT1/2
ST3/4
Maternity leave for 10 months
ST5 at 60% LTFT = 20 months total
Bit of ST6
Maternity leave no.2 for 10 months (end date tbc)
Rest of ST6/7 = 3ish years when I return.
And that's with no research time or subspecialty fellowships!
Gap year
6 year degree
FY1/2
"FY3" (though nobody was calling it that at the time)
CT1/2
ST3/4
Maternity leave for 10 months
ST5 at 60% LTFT = 20 months total
Bit of ST6
Maternity leave no.2 for 10 months (end date tbc)
Rest of ST6/7 = 3ish years when I return.
And that's with no research time or subspecialty fellowships!
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