Surgeon

Entry Requirements:

You can get into this job through a university course or an apprenticeship.

University

To become a surgeon you'll need to complete:

• a degree in medicine recognised by the General Medical Council
• a 2-year foundation programme of general training
• core surgical training in a hospital which takes 2 years
• specialist training which can take up to 6 years

A medical degree normally takes 5 years to complete. Some courses have the option to include an extra year if you want to study a subject further. This is called an intercalated year.

You might be able to study a foundation year before starting a medical degree. This will depend on your circumstances or if you have not studied enough sciences. Check with the admissions department where you want to study.

If you already have a degree, you could take a 4-year graduate entry route into medicine. There’s lots of competition and entry requirements vary, so check with the admissions department where you want to study.

Entry tests

When you apply for a course in medicine, you could be asked to take the University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT), BioMedical Admissions Test (BMAT) or Graduate Medical Schools Admissions Test (GAMSAT).

They test the skills you'll need on the course, like critical thinking, problem solving, data analysis, communication and scientific knowledge.

Work experience

Medical schools will also expect you to have some relevant paid or voluntary work experience. The British Medical Association provides information on how to find a placement.

Entry requirements:

• at least 5 GCSEs grades 9 to 7 (A* or A), including English maths and sciences
• 3 A levels, or equivalent, including biology and chemistry

Entry requirements:

Apprenticeship

From September 2024, you might be able to do a doctor degree apprenticeship which will take around 5 years to complete.

The apprenticeship is recognised by the General Medical Council .

You could then progress to the foundation course of general training before completing the specialist training.

Entry requirements:

Volunteering

You can gain valuable caring skills from volunteering in education, health, charity or social care settings. You could:

• get advice about volunteering in the NHS
• find volunteering opportunities through The National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) and Do IT

Required Skills:

Digital skills : to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

Skills:

• knowledge of medicine and dentistry
• the ability to work well with your hands
• thinking and reasoning skills
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• knowledge of biology
• the ability to work well with others
• knowledge of English language
• the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
• customer service skills
• the ability to read English
• sensitivity and understanding
• excellent verbal communication skills
• the ability to use your initiative
• knowledge of teaching and the ability to design courses
• active listening skills
• the ability to think clearly using logic and reasoning
• the ability to use your judgement and make decisions
• the ability to learn through your work
• to be flexible and open to change
• concentration skills

What you'll do:

Surgeons carry out operations and medical procedures on patients.

In this role you could:

• meet the patient before the operation to decide on the best course of action
• explain the procedures and risk
• carry out ward rounds, take tests and arrange X-rays
• carry out operations with a team of people
• write to GPs about your patients’ conditions and treatments

Location : You could work in an NHS or private hospital.
Environment : Your working environment may be physically and emotionally demanding.
Uniform : You may need to wear protective clothing and a uniform.

Salary:

Starter : £44,000
Experienced : £94,000

These figures are a guide

Working hours:

40 - 45 hours a week

Working Pattern is evenings / weekends / bank holidays on a rota

Career Path:

With experience you could:

• become a senior or consultant surgeon, once you're on the General Medical Council Specialist Register
• lead a team or manage a department
• move into teaching students, trainee doctors and other healthcare professionals