Getting into speciality training (residency) is usually the final objective for IMGs who want to pursue a medical career in the UK.

There are two levels of postgraduate study after medical school: foundation training and speciality training.

Foundation training lasts two years, whereas speciality training lasts anywhere from three to eight years (for GPs) (for many hospital-based specialities). Additional training after achieving the title of GP or Consultant is optional.

A doctor receives a Certificate of Completion of Training after meeting all of the criteria of a GMC-approved training programme (CCT). The CCT is then used to join either the GMC GP registration or the GMC Specialist Register, depending on whether you want to be recognised as a GP or a Consultant.

The UK Foundation Programme is a two-year curriculum that includes Foundation Year 1 (also known as FY1 or F1) and Foundation Year 2 (also known as FY2 or F2) (aka FY2 or F2).

Anyone interested in pursuing specialist training in the United Kingdom must have at least two years of clinical experience prior to beginning study. UK graduates can fulfil this criterion through the UK Foundation Programme.

IMGs can complete the 2-year requirement by enrolling in the UK Foundation Programme or by completing a 12-month internship abroad and then working for another 12 months.

Speciality Training (Residency)

You must undergo specialisation training to become a consultant. Within the NHS, there are official training programmes (public health care system). In private hospitals and universities, there are no training programmes.

There are two sorts of training programmes: 1) uncoupled training and 2) run through training.

The specialisation programme in uncoupled training programmes is divided into two stages: core training and higher specialist training.

All fields of internal medicine, most surgical specialisations, anaesthesia, emergency medicine, and psychiatry are examples of uncoupled specialities.

Depending on the expertise, core training might last two or three years. CT1 stands for the first year of core training, CT2 for the second year, and CT3 for the third year. These designations are also used to refer to trainees, so you may get a sense of a trainee's experience from their title. A CT2 doctor, for example, is in his or her second year of core training.

Doctors must apply for advanced speciality training after finishing core training. Each year of higher specialist training is designated as ST (speciality training) and typically begins at ST3 (if core training was two years) or ST4 (if core training was four years) (if core training was three years). The numeral designation grows each year until the programme is completed, for example, ST5, ST6, ST7, and so on.

To be clear, uncoupled training programmes consist of two applications: one for core training and the other for higher specialist training.

Runthrough Speciality Training

During run-through training, doctors apply for the first year of the ST1 program (Specialty Training year 1). After that, there is no further application procedure.

To be explicit, the first year of a run-through programme is referred to as ST1 rather than CT1. In addition, you only need to apply once for a run-through programme, not twice.

Paediatrics, Obstetrics & Gynecology, Ophthalmology, Radiology, Cardiothoracic Surgery, and Neurosurgery are among the disciplines that are run through.

Applying for UK Specialty Training

"Speciality recruitment" or "national recruitment" refers to the application procedure for speciality training in the United Kingdom. It's comparable to a "match" in the United States.

Since October 2019, UK graduates are no longer given preference for training employment, allowing IMGs to take advantage of the opportunity! This may not last long, so take advantage of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to complete your specialised training in the United Kingdom. The fundamental secret to success is early strategic planning.

Tuition fees

There are no tuition expenses in the United Kingdom since you train while working. In reality, as a practising physician, you are compensated. All training assignments are compensated at all levels.

In the United Kingdom, postgraduate speciality training is not a university degree, and institutions have no involvement in training programmes.

Professional costs, such as GMC registration, trade union participation, medical indemnity, and Royal College membership, must be paid in addition to tuition.

Exams, courses, conferences, and other training-related expenses are also incurred. Although most training positions offer a study budget, it is sometimes insufficient to pay all of these costs, therefore you will have to carry some of the burdens.

Despite these prices, your earnings will more than cover all of your expenses and allow you to live comfortably in the UK - as long as you live within your means!

Rotations

In the United Kingdom, training roles entail repeated rotations at various institutions. A rotation might last anywhere from 6 to 24 months, although the average is 12 months. Some specialities will inform you of your rotations during training, while others will only notify you two months ahead of time, with no chance to express your preferences.

Because most rotations are in a limited geographic area, you can remain in the same house for the duration of your training. However, some zones are quite big, which means you may have to relocate every year.

Postgraduate Qualifications and Specialty Exams

Each speciality has its postgraduate credential, like the MRCP. You earn the credential by passing the required tests. For each qualification, there are many examinations.

These tests are known as membership exams because they entitle you to become a member or fellow of the respective Royal College, such as the Royal College of Physicians if you pass them.

All tests for speciality trainees must be passed during training, not afterwards. And before moving on to the next level of training, learners are frequently required to pass specific tests.

Subspecialty Training

It is not compulsory to finish a post-CCT fellowship to be recognised as a Consultant in the United Kingdom; nevertheless, if you do seek a fellowship after earning CCT, it is generally for a relatively specialist topic.

For example, you may finish 3 years of core training in Internal Medicine, followed by 5 years of advanced specialised training in Cardiology, and then receive your CCT in Cardiology to work as a Cardiology Consultant. You can then choose to pursue additional specialist training in a field such as adult congenital heart disease (1-2 years).

In conclusion,

In the United Kingdom, postgraduate specialist training to become a GP or Consultant is expedited via training programmes leading to a CCT (Certificate of Completion of Training). Non-training positions do not have an automatic yearly advancement to CCT, but training jobs do.

All training positions are located in NHS hospitals that are supported by the government. There is a stipend for all training positions. There is no charge for tuition. The Oxford Handbooks are excellent management resources in the United Kingdom.

Foundation training is a two-year curriculum completed by UK graduates in order to prepare for specialist training. GP, uncoupled, and run-through are the three types of speciality training paths. Uncoupled training necessitates the use of two apps, whereas run-through and GP only need the use of one. It is feasible to enter speciality training as an IMG, despite the fact that it is difficult.

Begin your planning early and review these pointers now. If you are unable to get a training position but are passionate about a certain speciality, there are still options to become a Consultant or GP without enrolling in a training programme. It isn't the best option, but it is doable.