IELTS - International English Language Testing System
IELTS is a test of the complete range of English language skills that you will encounter as a student when studying or training in English. All candidates take the same Listening and Speaking Modules. There is an option of either Academic or General Training Reading and Writing Modules. "Academic" is suitable for candidates planning to undertake higher education study. "General Training" is suitable for candidates planning to undertake non-academic training or work experience, or for immigration purposes.

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The PLAB test (Professional Linguistic and Assessment Board) - a language and clinical examination administered by the GMC. The PLAB test is relevant for doctors who have qualified in countries not within the EU/EEA and tests your efficiency in communicating on a medical basis. For those wishing to take up a period of limited registration (which can only be held in supervised training posts) evidence is required that the doctor has the necessary skills and knowledge to practise in the UK. The PLAB test - so called because it is set by the Professional and Linguistic Assessments Board - is specifically designed to assess doctors' ability to work safely in a first appointment as a senior house officer in a UK hospital in the National Health Service (NHS).

Other than in exceptional circumstances, you cannot apply for jobs until you have passed this test. Please contact the GMC if you want to apply for the test

The test is in two parts:·
Part 1 consists of a single computer markable paper to a standard set using the Angoff method.
Part 2 consists of a 14-station objective structured clinical examination (OSCE). This tests both clinical and communication skills.

Candidates may not enter Part 2 until they have passed Part 1 and must take Part 2 within two years of having passed Part 1. Due to the high demand for places, we strongly advise you to allow at least four months from the time of submitting an application to getting a place. You should take this into account when applying for Part 2, which you must pass within two years of passing Part 1.

Before taking the test, candidates must have:·
A primary medical qualification accepted for limited registration as listed in the WHO Directory of Medical Schools·
Taken and obtained the relevant scores in the IELTS test which is administered by the British Council. You must have obtained at least 7.0 as an overall score and minimum scores of 7.0 in the speaking section and 6.0 in each of the other sections (listening, academic reading and academic writing).

Candidates should also have 12 months' postgraduate clinical experience from teaching hospitals and other hospitals approved by the medical registration authorities in the appropriate country. It is possible for newly qualified doctors to take the test without this experience but only for subsequent employment as a junior house officer (the grade occupied by new medical graduates) rather than as a SHO.

You should be aware that the GMC currently requires a higher IELTS score for doctors who are not taking the PLAB test, but are currently looking into whether accepting a lower IELTS score for those doctors taking the PLAB test remains valid.The IELTS report form is valid for a maximum of two years and must not be more than two years old when you pass Part 1 of the PLAB test.

All doctors must obtain the minimum scores required in one sitting of the IELTS test..

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Posts will vary depending on the hospital and location and will also have a direct bearing on what is offered in the post. Positions in and around the London area are highly sought after and quite often filled by UK/EU doctors. Because hospitals in the South of England are able to fill their posts quite easily, they are least likely to offer incentives such as relocation expenses etc. However, hospitals further north in England are far more likely to be prepared to offer some kind of incentive.

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Once a suitable position has been found in the area of your choice, if you require accommodation every effort will be made to find something suitable at a low cost. Assistance with the financial side can be made available dependant on certain conditions.

In most cases the hospital is able to offer temporary accommodation to enable you to settle in and find more suitable accommodation locally. Some hospitals may be able to offer permanent married or single accommodation but this is not always the case. The hospital may also offer assistance in finding you the right property in the area surrounding the hospital.

The cost of renting accommodation in the UK varies from region to region. You are possibly looking at approximately £600.00 per month plus bills for a 3/4 bedroom unfurnished house. If you are interested in a short-term locum post, accommodation may possibly be free but this is usually single accommodation..

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To enable you to work in the UK as a Consultant in a permanent post, you will need to obtain entry onto the Specialist Register. A Consultant who is not on the Register will not be considered or short-listed. To obtain entry onto the Register you need to apply to the appropriate Royal College for the application forms and return them completed as soon as possible. Please note that this process may take several months, therefore we advise you to submit your application as soon as possible if you are considering a permanent post in the UK.

Doctors who could be allowed entry to the Specialist Register are those who have undertaken training and have a specialist medical qualification awarded outside the EEA in a specialty recognised in the UK, deemed equivalent to a UK Certificate of Completion of Specialist Training (CCST). Applicants will be assessed against criteria that have been approved by the Specialist Training Authority (STA). The Royal Colleges will charge a fee for assessment of eligibility and the fees are detailed on their application forms.

All candidates who are on the Specialist Register will be required to attend a full panelled interview at the hospital. The panel will consist of College Representatives, University Representatives, Clinical Director and Management.

Consultants can work as a locum without being on the Specialist Register but this is at the discretion of the Hospital concerned.

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The GMC also maintains the specialist register. Since 1 January 1997 it has been a legal requirement that, in order to take up a consultant post (other than a locum consultant appointment) in a medical or surgical specialty in the NHS a doctor must be included in the Specialist Register. The only exceptions are doctors who held a consultant post (other than a locum consultant post) in oral and maxillo-facial surgery in the NHS immediately before 1 January 1997.

It is not possible to hold specialist registration without also holding full, limited or temporary registration.

Although not a legal requirement, generally speaking, doctors wishing to work unsupervised in private practice in the UK will also need to hold specialist registration. This is because the major private health providers and insurance companies only recognise doctors whose names are included in the specialist register.

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Yes, if you hold a qualification in a profession that is in short supply in the UK, for example Nurses, Occupational Therapists, Physiotherapists, Psychiatrists, Anaesthetists, Paediatricians, Social Workers and Scientists.

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British weather can be unpredictable, cold and wet one minute, warm and sunny the next. On a whole the climate is moderate with temperatures in winter averaging 40F/4C and in the summer 65F/17C. Therefore you should ensure you bring appropriate outdoor clothing with you, a warm coat and hat, gloves and most definitely an umbrella.

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The British pound is the currency used in the UK made up of £50, £20, £10, £5 Notes and £2, £1, 50p, 20p, 10p, 5p, 2p, 1p coins. Currency Converter: www.x-rats.com

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It is essential that you ensure that you have sufficient money to purchase food until you are paid at the end of your first month of work. Sufficient money for food would average around £25 per week per person.

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We shall assist you in finding suitable accommodation close to the location in which you will be working, taking into consideration your financial and personal situation. In most cases hospitals have single person accommodation close by and is offered at more reasonable rates. Accommodation costs depend entirely on where you are based. In London the house and flat prices are far more expensive than say, Yorkshire. You are able to Rent rooms, flats, houses, or share flats and houses. Costs can range from £40 per week to £600 per week depending on size and location of the property. On a whole you will initially need approximately £2,000 to ensure you have enough to pay for your accommodation for a period of 2 months.

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