School Student
What's surgery like?
Whats my next step?
These are the stages you will pass through during your training. Click on each stage to see more information.
Medical School
| Duration | 5 - 6 years |
| Content | Basic knowledge required for all medical specialties. |
| Application method | UCAS |
| Normal entry requirements | GCSEs at grade C+ in your A level subjects, English and Maths. At least three A Levels: normally at grades AAB, normally including chemistry with at least one other science or maths. UKCAT (UK Clinical Aptitude Test) or BMAT (BioMedical Admissions Test) |
Foundation Training
| Duration | 2 years |
| Content | A paid training job in a hospital (or other medical) setting Covers arrange of medical specialties, including surgery. |
| Application method | Applications via the Foundation Programme. Medical students are “matched“ to places based on application form. |
| Normal entry requirements | Successful completion of approved medical degree |
Core Surgical Training
| Duration | 2 years |
| Content | A paid training job in a hospital setting A range of surgical specialties. May be “themed” towards one particular specialty. |
| Application method | Applications to deaneries, via forms and interview /assessment etc. |
| Normal entry requirements | Complete foundation competencies GMC registration |
Specialty Training
| Duration | Approximately 6 years |
| Content | A paid training job in a hospital setting Training on one surgical specialty at the end of which you can apply for a senior appointment |
| Application method | Applications to deaneries, via forms and interview /assessment etc. |
| Normal entry requirements | Complete core competencies GMC registration MRCS examination |
Senior medical appointment
| Such as a consultant or a fellowship for further, more specialised training. |
Fixed term specialty training appointments
Fixed term specialty training appointments (FTSTAs) are normally available at CT1 and CT2 level and which will provide you with educationally approved training. Each post is limited to a period of 12 months and you may only undertake a maximum of two of these posts. FTSTAs provide an excellent way to improve your portfolio and skills either in order to pursue a career at a higher level, for example in a career grade post, or while preparing to apply for training in the next recruitment round.
Because these posts are strictly time limited, you must be sure to plan carefully what you wish to gain from them and what your next steps willbe.
Career grades (eg specialty doctor and staff grade positions)
There are a number of career grade posts; it is likely that in the future the most common of these will be the specialty doctor, which is a new type of post that was devised in spring 2008.
The group of career grade posts comprises staff grades, associate specialists, clinical assistants, hospital practitioners and other non-standard, non-training Trust grades. These surgeons work in key service roles within the NHS and carry out a wide range of surgical care, on the ward, in the outpatient clinic and in the operating theatre.
You can enter these posts at almost any point in your career when you decide to leave the training pathway. (Obviously, this will be subject to successfully navigating the application process.) However, it will be easier to pursue a fulfilling career that includes training and progression if you complete some of your training before leaving the training pathway. For more information on the wide range of roles and opportunities available in the Career Grades please see our section on SAS Grades.
