To become a doctor in the UK, you'll complete a 5-year degree in medicine recognised by the General Medical Council (GMC), then a 2-year foundation programme, then specialist training. Specialist training takes 3 years for general practice and between 5 and 8 years for hospital specialities. Graduates with a science degree can take a 4-year graduate entry route instead.
Medicine is a long training path, and the National Careers Service says there's a lot of competition for places. The good news is there's more than one way in, including an apprenticeship many people haven't heard of.
This page uses the National Careers Service profiles for hospital doctors and GPs, read on 26 October 2026, which cover England. It's a careers guide about training and pay, not medical advice.
Hospital doctor and GP pay compared
| Hospital doctor | GP | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting salary | £40,000 | £79,000 |
| Experienced salary | £145,000 | £119,000 |
| Typical hours a week | 42 to 48 | 42 to 50 |
| Specialist training | 5 to 8 years | 3 years |
Those National Careers Service salary figures are as of October 2026.
The route through medical school
- Get the grades. You'll usually need at least 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 7, including English, maths and sciences, and 3 A levels including biology and chemistry.
- Take the UCAT if asked. The University Clinical Aptitude Test checks critical thinking, problem solving, data analysis and decision making.
- Get work experience. Medical schools expect relevant paid or voluntary experience. For general practice, Observe GP from the Royal College of General Practitioners is a free online alternative.
- Complete a 5-year medicine degree recognised by the GMC.
- Finish the 2-year foundation programme of general training.
- Complete specialist training, then register with the GMC. GPs join the GMC GP Register and apply for a licence to practise.
The routes most applicants miss
Graduate entry. If you already have a science-based degree, you could take a 4-year graduate entry route into medicine instead of the standard 5 years.
Foundation year. Some applicants can do a foundation year before starting a medical degree, depending on their circumstances and qualifications.
Doctor degree apprenticeship. If you're working in a healthcare setting, you may be able to apply for the Doctor Level 7 Degree Apprenticeship. It takes 5 years and needs your employer's support. Afterwards, you move on to the 2-year foundation programme and specialist training like any other graduate. Employers set their own entry requirements.
That last route matters for people already working in the NHS who can't afford to stop earning for five years.
Hospital doctor or GP?
| What the day looks like | Hospital doctor | GP |
|---|---|---|
| Where you work | NHS or private hospital | GP practice, health centre or patient's home |
| Typical tasks | Ward visits, outpatient clinics, tests and scans, emergency cases | Consultations in person or by phone, prescribing, referrals, home visits |
| Out of hours | Evenings, weekends and bank holidays on a rota | Evenings, weekends and bank holidays on a rota, plus out-of-hours call-outs |
| Later options | Consultant roles, leading a department, private practice | Running a shared practice, specialising in areas like sports medicine |
Both roles need knowledge of medicine, sound judgement, careful attention to detail, clear communication and calm under pressure. GPs also lean heavily on counselling skills and an understanding of psychology.
Preparing for medical school interviews
The GMC publishes guidance on what it means to be a good doctor, and the National Careers Service suggests it's useful when preparing for medical school interviews. Read it, then practise explaining why you want the job in your own words. These tips on answering interview questions with confidence help with nerves, and this list of questions to ask an interviewer is handy when the panel turns the floor over to you.
You'll also need to pass enhanced background checks. The British Medical Association has advice on finding work experience placements, and Health Careers has more on each medical career. Start looking early, so you've got time to think about what each placement taught you before you write your application and sit your interviews.
Careers beyond the ward and surgery
With experience, hospital doctors can specialise, take senior or consultant roles, lead teams or departments, set up private practice, train students or move into clinical research. GPs can run a shared practice, specialise, work in hospitals, pharmaceutical companies, the police or the prison service, or teach. Both can serve in the Army, Royal Air Force or Royal Navy.
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My verdict
Becoming a doctor in the UK is a long commitment, so choose your route with your eyes open. School leavers need top GCSEs, biology and chemistry A levels and real work experience. Science graduates should look at the 4-year graduate entry route. And if you already work in healthcare, ask your employer about the Doctor Level 7 Degree Apprenticeship before you assume medicine means giving up your salary.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to become a doctor in the UK?
A medicine degree takes 5 years, followed by a 2-year foundation programme and specialist training of 3 years for GPs or 5 to 8 years for hospital specialities.
Can you become a doctor through an apprenticeship?
Yes. If you work in a healthcare setting, you may be able to apply for the Doctor Level 7 Degree Apprenticeship, which takes 5 years and needs your employer's support.
What A levels do you need to be a doctor?
You'll usually need 3 A levels, or equivalent, including biology and chemistry, plus at least 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 7.
How much do doctors earn in the UK?
The National Careers Service gives £40,000 to £145,000 for hospital doctors and £79,000 to £119,000 for GPs, as of October 2026.
What is the UCAT?
The University Clinical Aptitude Test is an entry test some medical schools use. It checks critical thinking, problem solving, data analysis and decision making.
Is there a faster route for graduates?
If you already have a science-based degree, you could take a 4-year graduate entry route into medicine.
Who do doctors register with in the UK?
You'll need to register with the General Medical Council. GPs join the GMC GP Register and apply for a licence to practise.
Do medical schools expect work experience?
Yes. Medical schools expect relevant paid or voluntary work experience, and Observe GP is a free online alternative for general practice.
Can doctors work in the armed forces?
Yes. Both hospital doctors and GPs can work in the Army, Royal Air Force or Royal Navy.
