Your Path to Becoming a Surgeon
A career in surgery begins at school and continues through medical education and postgraduate training. While the exact pathway can vary depending on your chosen specialty, the journey broadly follows these stages:
School → Medical school → Foundation training → Surgical training → Consultant surgeon
If you're considering a career in surgery, understanding each stage can help you make informed decisions about your education, applications and future career.
Your Final Years at School
The first step towards becoming a surgeon is gaining a place at medical school. Medical degrees in the UK typically take around five years to complete, although the length and structure of courses can vary between universities.
Medical schools have different entry requirements, so research the universities you are interested in as early as possible. Look at the subjects and grades required, admissions tests, application deadlines and how each course is taught.
Medical schools may use different approaches to teaching, including problem-based learning, integrated courses or separate pre-clinical and clinical stages. Considering how you prefer to learn, as well as where you would like to study, can help you decide which medical schools to apply to.
Getting Experience
Relevant experience can help you understand what working in healthcare is like and whether medicine and surgery are right for you. Opportunities will vary depending on where you live, so speak to your school or college careers team, local healthcare organisations or other relevant organisations about available placements and volunteering.
You can also develop valuable skills outside healthcare. Activities such as sport, music, volunteering and other team-based activities can demonstrate communication, teamwork, commitment and the ability to work with others.
Preparing Your Application
Medical school applications require careful preparation. Make sure you understand the application process and entry requirements for each university you are considering.
Give yourself plenty of time to prepare and make sure you meet all relevant deadlines. Your school or college careers adviser can help you understand the application process and prepare for the next stage.
Applying to Medical School
Applying to medical school is competitive, so preparation is important.
Research the medical schools you are interested in and check their current entry requirements directly with each university. Requirements can vary, including academic qualifications, admissions tests and other selection criteria.
Consider why you want to study medicine and what interests you about a career in healthcare. Understanding your own motivations and being able to discuss your experiences can help you prepare for the application and interview process.
Preparing for Your Medical School Interview
If you are invited to a medical school interview, preparation is essential.
Practise answering questions with teachers, careers advisers, friends or family. Think about why you want to study medicine, why you have chosen particular medical schools and what you understand about the responsibilities of a doctor.
It is also useful to keep up to date with current healthcare and medical issues. Reading reliable news and healthcare sources can help you develop your understanding of the wider healthcare environment and prepare you to discuss current issues.
You should also think about the skills and qualities required for a career in medicine and surgery, including communication, teamwork, empathy, problem-solving and resilience.
Studying Medicine at University
Once you have secured a place at medical school, you will begin your medical degree.
Medical school combines academic study with practical and clinical learning. As you progress through your degree, you will develop your understanding of medicine, gain experience in different clinical environments and learn how to care for patients.
During medical school, you can also explore different medical specialties and find out more about surgical careers.
Explore a Career in Surgery
If you're interested in becoming a surgeon, the RCSEd Surgical Affiliate Network is open to medical students with an interest in pursuing a career in surgery.
Joining the network can give you access to resources, opportunities and support as you explore your future career.
Foundation Training
After completing medical school, newly qualified doctors undertake foundation training.
Foundation training provides experience across different areas of medicine and healthcare, including medical and surgical specialties. It is an important opportunity to develop your clinical skills, gain experience and learn more about the specialties you may wish to pursue.
During this stage, many doctors begin to make decisions about their future specialty and consider applying for further training.
Surgical Training
If you decide to pursue surgery, the next stage is surgical training.
Surgical training allows doctors to develop the knowledge, practical skills and clinical experience required for a career in a surgical specialty. Training is structured around progressive responsibility and development, with trainees working towards the competencies required for their chosen specialty.
The length and structure of surgical training varies depending on the specialty you choose.
Membership of the Royal College of Surgeons (MRCS)
The Membership of the Royal College of Surgeons (MRCS) is an important postgraduate examination for doctors pursuing a career in surgery.
RCSEd provides MRCS examinations and preparation courses to support doctors throughout their surgical training journey.
Higher Surgical Training and Fellowship
As you progress through surgical training, you will develop specialist knowledge and skills in your chosen surgical specialty.
Surgical trainees work towards the Fellowship of the Royal College of Surgeons (FRCS) examination as part of their progression towards completion of specialty training. Requirements and pathways vary between surgical specialties.
Following successful completion of the relevant training and requirements, surgeons can progress towards a career as a consultant surgeon.
Mature and Overseas Students
If you are a mature student or are applying to study medicine from outside the UK, medical school entry requirements and application processes can vary between universities.
Check the current requirements directly with the medical schools you are interested in.
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.
Surgical Affiliate Network
Are you a student, foundation doctor or trainee? Affiliate with the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh and we will lead and support you at every step of your career journey. Being part of our affiliate network will also give you access to a wide range of benefits and opportunities that you might otherwise miss out on.
Join now
Dental Affiliate Network
As you progress in your study, complete your training, or prepare for your MFDS or Specialty Membership Examinations, having the right support is crucial. RCSEd is here to help you shape your dental career progression and offer you a wide range of resources for training, Membership and Fellowship Examinations and development opportunities.
Join now