How to Become a Surgeon: Career Advice for School Pupils

What Does a Surgeon Do

Surgeons diagnose and treat conditions that may require an operation or other surgical treatment. While surgery takes place in the operating theatre, surgeons also spend time assessing patients, discussing treatment options, working in outpatient clinics and caring for patients before and after surgery.

Surgeons work as part of a wider healthcare team, alongside doctors, nurses, anaesthetists and other healthcare professionals. Good communication, teamwork and the ability to build positive relationships with patients are essential skills for a successful surgical career.

A career in surgery can be challenging and competitive, but it can also be extremely rewarding. Surgeons have the opportunity to improve people's health, enhance their quality of life and, in many cases, save lives.

What Skills Do You Need to Become a Surgeon

Surgery requires more than technical and practical skills. Surgeons need a combination of clinical knowledge, communication skills and personal qualities to provide safe and effective patient care.

Important skills for a career in surgery include:

• Communication: listening to patients, explaining treatment clearly and working effectively with colleagues.
• Teamwork: working closely with other healthcare professionals to provide the best possible care.
• Problem-solving: assessing information and making decisions in complex situations.
• Practical skills: developing the precision and coordination needed for surgical procedures.
• Resilience: remaining focused and professional when faced with challenging situations.
• Commitment to learning: continuing to develop your knowledge and skills throughout your career.
• Leadership and teaching: supporting colleagues and sharing knowledge as you progress.

You don't need to have all these skills when you start your journey. Medical school, training and experience will help you develop them over time.

How to Become a Surgeon in the UK

Becoming a surgeon is a long-term career journey that starts with your education and continues through medical school and postgraduate training.

The pathway will vary depending on your chosen specialty and where you study, but broadly involves:

School → Medical school → Foundation training → Surgical training → Consultant surgeon

If you're still at school, you don't need to make every decision about your future career now. Finding out about medicine, exploring your interests and understanding what is involved in becoming a surgeon can help you make informed decisions about your next steps.

What Qualifications Do You Need to Become a Surgeon

To become a surgeon, you first need to study medicine and qualify as a doctor. Entry requirements for medical school vary between universities, so it is important to check the requirements for the medical schools you are interested in.

Your school subjects, qualifications, academic performance and other aspects of your application may all be considered when applying to study medicine.

Once you have completed medical school, you will continue your medical training before applying for surgical training. Surgical training allows you to develop the clinical knowledge, practical skills and experience required to progress towards a career as a surgeon.

If you're considering studying medicine, researching medical school entry requirements early can help you understand what you need to work towards.

Is Surgery a Good Career

Surgery can be a demanding career, requiring commitment, continuous learning and the ability to work effectively under pressure. However, it also offers the opportunity to make a meaningful difference to patients and develop a rewarding career in healthcare.

There are many different surgical specialties, so your career can develop in different directions depending on your interests and experience.

As you progress through your training, you will have opportunities to develop specialist knowledge and skills, work with different patients and healthcare teams, take on leadership responsibilities and contribute to teaching, research and education.

Start Your Surgical Career Journey with RCSEd

The Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh supports people interested in surgery throughout their professional journey.

If you're a student considering a career in surgery, joining our surgical or dental affiliate network can help you learn more about the profession and connect with opportunities, resources and support as you progress towards a career in medicine and surgery.