A guide to living in the

United Kingdom
for doctors
Are you planning on living in the United Kingdom?
We’ve put together a guide to help you on your way.

UK destination guide for doctors
CONTENTS
1. INTRODUCTION TO THE UK’S GMC
2. TAKING OET AS PROOF
OF  ENGLISH PROFICIENCY
3. LIVING IN THE UK
4. USEFUL LINKS
5. CONTACT US
2
So you want to work and live in the UK?
Is it your dream to work as a doctor in the
UK? We’ve put together a guide to help
you on your way.
03
The first thing you need to know is that doctors who
06
want to work in the UK must register with the General
Medical Council (GMC). To do so, overseas-trained
08 doctors must first take an English test such as OET, to
prove that they have the right level of English.
17
There’s a lot to think about as well as registration,
including applying for a work visa, registering for tax
17
and arranging things like accommodation and a bank
account.
It might seem a bit overwhelming right now, but if you
take it one step at a time and do your research, you can
get to live your dream of working in the UK soon.
UK destination guide for doctors 01. Introduction to the UK’s GMC 3

The GMC regulates doctors in the UK.

INTRODUCTION It’s responsible for making sure doctors
TO THE UK’S GMC have the required training, education
and skills, as well as the right level of
English, to work effectively.

01
1. WHAT YOU NEED TO DO TO WORK IN THE UK
UK destination guide for doctors 01. What you need to do to work in the UK 4

The General Medical

Council (GMC)
The GMC works to protect the public by setting,
upholding and raising the standards of medical
education and practice across the UK. As part of this, all
doctors must register with the GMC to be able to work
in the UK.
GMC has strict requirements for medical qualifications
and proof of English proficiency. Your application will
need to include:
Evidence of your primary medical qualification
Identify documents, such as passport
Evidence of work experience
The GMC has several excellent learning
resources for PLAB 1 on their website
PLAB 2 consists of 18 scenarios and assess your skills
and knowledge in a simulated clinical environment.
The aim is to mirror what you would experience in
the real world and includes a mock consultation or an
acute ward.
You can find informative and helpful PLAB 2
preparation resources on the GMC website
To find out more about how to register with the GMC,
go to:
GMC.org.uk/registration/joining-the-register

Evidence of English language ability

You can take OET to prove to the GMC that your English
is good enough for them to allow you to register to work
in the UK.

You might also need to undertake Professional and

Linguistic Assessments Board test, or the PLAB to
demonstrate you have the correct knowledge and skills
to practise in the UK.

The first part of this test is PLAB 1 and is made up of 180

multiple-choice questions. Each question starts with a
short scenario and offers five possible answers.
UK destination guide for doctors
Applying to work in the UK
Doctors can search for jobs in the National Health
Service (NHS) via NHS Jobs and NHS Careers or on
other healthcare recruitment websites.
Job openings are also advertised in local and national
newspapers, healthcare journals and employer
websites. Once you find a suitable job opening, make
sure you read the job description carefully and take your
time to apply for it.
You can apply for both permanent and temporary
contractual jobs to add valuable experience. Join NHS
Professionals (NHSP) bank to get the latest updates on
temporary and flexible job openings.
As a part of the recruitment process, you may be asked
to take aptitude tests. These are basically tests designed
to assess the skills you will need for work. You are also
likely to have a health assessment and criminal record
check through the Disclosure and Barring Service.
01. What you need to do to work in the UK 5
Getting a UK work visa
Once you have been offered a job, your employer will
need to sponsor you for a work visa if you are from
outside the European Economic Area and Switzerland.
Once the sponsorship process has been completed you
will need to apply for a work visa via the UK Visas and
Immigration website.
Using OET for Tier 2
(General) Visas
You can now use your OET results when applying for
Tier 2 (General) UK visas.
Doctors no longer need to take an additional English
language test when applying for a Tier 2 (General) UK
visa if their OET results satisfy the GMC requirement.
You can find more information about this as well as
frequently asked questions on our website.
UK destination guide for doctors 02. Information about taking OET as proof 6
of English proficiency

INFORMATION ABOUT If you studied medicine overseas,

you will need to take an English test
TAKING OET AS to register and work in the UK. We
PROOF OF ENGLISH recommend OET, an international
English language test that assesses
PROFICIENCY the language proficiency of healthcare
professionals who want to register
and practise in an English-speaking
environment.
YOU CAN USE
YOUR OET
RESULTS WHEN
APPLYING
FOR TIER 2
(GENERAL)
UK VISAS

02
1. WHAT YOU NEED TO DO TO WORK IN THE UK
UK destination guide for doctors 02. Information about taking OET as proof of English 7
proficiency

Why do doctors You can find more on

choose OET? the OET website:
Doctors who want to work in the UK choose OET Why choose OET?
for many reasons:
How is OET different to general or academic
English tests?
OET is recognised by
the UK’s GMC
Who accepts OET as proof of English proficiency?
OET helps you prove you have the right
level of English, while at the same time What’s in the test
learning the kind of language you’ll need
every day at work How is OET scored?

OET uses real healthcare scenarios so Where and when can I take OET?
you’ll feel more confident on test day
How do I apply to take OET?
OET is widely recognised and
well respected
How can I prepare for test?

It’s easy to prepare for the test using

Shop for OET preparation materials
the OET’s preparation materials

Success stories

OET tests all four

language skills:

Listening
Listening Reading
Reading Writing
Writing Speaking
Speaking

Writing
Writing Speaking
Speaking
UK destination guide for doctors 03. Living in the UK 8

LIVING IN THE UK Moving to a new country and starting

a new life is exciting and nerve-racking
at the same time. Our recommendation
is to do as much research as possible
before you arrive – the more prepared
you are, the smoother your transition
will be. This guide includes some
pointers on what you need to do, where
to go to apply and an explanation of
some systems and terms you might not
be familiar with.

03
UK destination guide for doctors 03. Living in the UK 9

An overview of the Quick facts

United Kingdom
LANGUAGE

ENGLISH
CAPITAL
The United Kingdom (UK) is a European nation made
up of England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Each of these countries come with their own people, LONDON
languages and cultures.
LARGEST CITY
Headed by a monarch for much of its history, the
UK was the first industrialised nation and remains
one of the strongest economies in the world. For a LONDON
long period of time, it also commanded a world-wide
empire stretching from India to North America.
POPULATION

While the UK’s climate varies depending on where

you live, generally it is cool and cloudy. However, you 63 MILLION
will find warmer weather in the south, while the north
tends to be colder.
CURRENCY

POUND STERLING (GDP)

UK destination guide for doctors
Why move to the UK?
History
No matter where you are in the UK, you’re
surrounded by history. Whether you’re interested
in monuments to famous leaders, ancient stone
structures or more recent history, you are never be
far from a historical landmark.
Location
Due to its location, UK residents enjoy easy access
to Europe and the Americas. With at least 28 days of
holiday available, there is plenty of time to fly off to
a Greek island, explore Paris’s many bistros or even
take a trip to one of the UK’s many coastal towns!
Did you know?
03. Living in the UK 10
Culture
Due to its history of empire and migration, the UK is
rich with tradition, food and different cultural practices.
Living in the UK means you can spend time eating
global cuisines, taking in the artwork at one of the many
famous art galleries or exploring the many different
communities that make up the UK.
Healthcare
All legal residents of the UK have access to the National
Health Service (NHS), which offers free healthcare
services. Boasting some of the best hospitals in the
world, the NHS is renowned for its fantastic quality of
care. It is also one of the world’s largest employers.
BRITISH
PEOPLE DRINK
165 MILLION
CUPS OF TEA
A DAY
The UK is a destination of choice for people from
all over the globe. It is frequently cited for its many
employment opportunities and its excellent healthcare
system. Take a look on the next page for more reasons
to move to the UK.
UK destination guide for doctors
The UK Culture
Orderly
The UK is known for its love of an orderly queue.
Seeing clear lines of people waiting patiently is a
normal part of life. Queueing reflects a deeper belief
in equality and fair play, where everyone has a duty
to wait their turn.
Reserved
You might have already heard about the ‘British
Reserve’: the idea that people in the UK do not easily
show emotion. While this isn’t always the case, the
UK public do value privacy and as a result are self-
contained and not always forthcoming with their
emotions.
Diversity
The UK has always been a hub for migration, partly
as a legacy to its world-spanning empire. People
from across the world have settled in the UK,
creating vibrant and inclusive communities that
colour the country’s unique cultural tapestry.
Did you know?
03. Living in the UK 11
Artistic
Literature, film and theatre are just a few areas where
the UK has been at the forefront of arts. Whether it’s
Shakespeare’s plays, the Beatles’ songs or Banksy’s
contemporary art, the British have an aptitude for
creative thought.
Regional
Although the UK is geographically small, its people
are highly diverse. Each region, county, city, town and
village have their own identity. Part of this is the great
variety of regional accents that can be found across
the UK.
Football
While this may seem like a strange thing to add, football
is central to the majority of people living in the UK.
Almost half of all children in England, for instance,
played football in 2018. Whether you’re having a pint at
a pub or enjoying the UK’s many parks, you’ll never be
far from a game of football.
FOOTBALL,
RUGBY, GOLF,
BOXING AND
CRICKET WERE
ALL INVENTED
IN THE UK
Driven by migration and multiculturalism, the UK
is home to a rich tapestry of people, cultures and
communities. Living and working in the UK means
embracing some of the dominant elements that make
the country unique.
UK destination guide for doctors
Popular Destinations
London
London is the centre of the UK in both economic and
cultural terms. People from across the world flock
to the city seeking culturally diverse experiences,
excellent jobs and bright, lively neighbourhoods.
Edinburgh
If you love Harry Potter, you’ll love Edinburgh. The
Scottish capital inspired J.K Rowling’s magical world
when she wrote the novels. With fantastic natural and
architectural beauty, the Edinburgh is a great place
to live and work. However, with temperatures in
Edinburgh regularly dropping close to zero Celsius, it
can get cold!
Bristol
Largely destroyed during World War Two, Bristol
was rebuilt and now stands as one of the UK’s most
liveable locations. Often touted as a student city,
Bristol is fantastic for families as well. Make sure you
check out the city’s amazing waterfront, boutique
shops and the spectacular Clifton bridge.
Did you know?
03. Living in the UK 12
Newcastle
If you’re looking for one of the UK’s cultural capitals,
look no further than Newcastle. Located in the north of
England, Newcastle is home to almost 11 theatres and
67 libraries per million people. Geordies (as people
from Newcastle are called), are known for their friendly
demeanour and love of fun. .
Manchester
Often called the UK’s second city, Manchester is home
to world’s most valuable football team – Manchester
United. The city is also known for its diversity, where
more than 200 languages are spoken and close to 50%
of the city’s adult population are multilingual.
Cardiff
The Welsh capital is all about location. Close to the
beautiful Brecon Beacons and the unspoilt beaches of
Gower, the city is close to several regional sites. Unlike
some of the other major cities in the UK, Cardiff is also
very affordable.
NOWHERE
IN THE UK IS
FURTHER THAN
113KM FROM
THE SEA
UK destination guide for doctors 03. Living in the UK 13

Finding a place to live Types of accommodation

You can rent an entire dwelling or one room in a share
Your choice of accommodation will depend on your house and there are several options listed below.
financial state, where you want to live and whether you Usually rented accommodation is fully furnished and this
want to share with others. is clearly stated in the advert.

Location
The first and most important consideration is location.
You need to think about proximity to work, schools and
other important facilities and infrastructure.
You will also need to investigate transport options
between your accommodation and your work. Find out
if it’s near a train station, bus line or if you’re able to
walk – use a mapping website, such as Google Maps, to
figure out your route.
Types of accommodation:
Studios have the bed, sofa and kitchen all in one room with
a separate bathroom
Flats are apartments with one or more separate bedrooms
and usually several flats share a common entrance from
the street
Houses and maisonettes have their own entrance from
the street

People forget that your neighbourhood can have a

large impact on and even determine your lifestyle. Do Shared accommodation, which will include a room in a
research on the neighbourhoods that appeal to you. If house or apartment sharing a kitchen, bathroom and lounge
you have time, explore a shortlist of neighbourhoods to
get a feel for each.

Did you know?

83% OF
PEOPLE IN THE
UK LIVE IN AN
URBAN AREA
UK destination guide for doctors
Rights and responsibilities
In the UK, tenants have specific rights and
responsibilities. It’s important to be aware of these
to ensure you understand what is expected of you
under law.
You can view these on the Government renting website.
When to start looking?
Start looking for accommodation before you move to get
an idea of rent and the suburbs you like. You may need
to stay in hotels, hostels or use Airbnb when you first
arrive, so you can inspect accommodation and make an
application to rent.
Transport in the UK can be time consuming and
expensive, so check how long it takes to get to work
from your selected accommodation. Find out if it is near
a train station, bus line or if you can walk and then use
a mapping website to work out your route.
Some common terms when searching for
accommodation:
F/F Fully furnished
N/S Non-smoking
S/C Self-Contained
O/R Own Room
S/R Share Room By Train:
AGY Advertised by an agency
80pw/inc Cost per week inclusive of bills
80pw/exc Cost per week exclusive of bills
DEP Deposit/Bond required
03. Living in the UK 14
Registering for income
tax in the UK
You will need to register for tax in the UK by applying
for a National Insurance number (NI). This is a unique
number assigned to individuals who work in the UK. It is
used to ensure that you pay the correct amount of tax,
and also ensures you can benefit from the UK health
system.
Utility bills
Water, gas and electric bills will normally need to be
paid monthly. To find out more, take a look at the energy
company websites and compare them to see which suits
your need best.
Getting around
If you are going to rely on public transport to commute
in the UK, use the following links to get an idea of the
cost of travel:
By Plane:
Due to the short distances between cities, flying is not
the cheapest nor the most convenient way to travel
through the UK. The exception to this is would be flying
between southern England and Scotland.
While budget airlines have made domestic flights
considerably cheaper, make sure you look in advance
for the best fares.
The UK highly developed train system and is a highly
popular way to travel. In Great Britain, the national rail
covers close to 34,000 kms of tracks with over 2,600
stations. While in Northern Ireland, the Northern Island
Railways is the main rail network.
Train travel is a great way to explore the country and
especially for intercity travel. Because of its popularity,
it is important to book early or else pay high prices. The
difference between a week can see prices rise £50 or
more. There are several railcard discounts for travels
which can save you significantly.
UK destination guide for doctors
For information about planning your trip, the National
Rail website has all timetables available for download.
Alternatively, you can call the National Rail Enquiries
phone service on 08457 48 49 50 or access its handy
app.
When you book the tickets, there are two classes to
choose from: Standard class and First class. The main
difference is that first class seats are more comfortable
with extra legroom and the potential for at-seat services.
Tickets come in three forms:
Advance Choose a specific day and purchase in
advance to save
Off-Peak Buy any time, travel during off-peak which
differs depending on your journey
Anytime 
Most expensive but can be bought any
time and used any time.
It’s important to remember than none of these tickets
guarantee a seat unless you have a seat reservation.
While this might come with the ticket purchase, some
companies will ask you to purchase it. Check with the
company if you’re not sure.
By Bus:
Local busses cover the entire country but are different in
cost and quality depending where you are.
In London, you find the iconic red buses that run often
and almost all night. You can find timetables at the
Transport for London website. The website is great for
planning your journey. You’ll be able to find maps, fares
and live updates.
Buses in London are now cashless, so you will need to
either pay with the Oyster card or a credit/debit card.
Outside of London, bus systems are privatised. You will
need to research which company operates in the city or
area you’re living in. Most will offer smart travel cards, so
do check these out.
03. Living in the UK 15
By Car:
Renting, leasing or purchasing a car is a great way travel
around the UK. Unlike other parts of the world, the UK
drives on the left. It also uses the imperial system. Road
signs will be in miles, with speed in miles per hour.
The UK has an effective and well-kept road system.
Alongside parking, petrol can be expensive so keep
an eye out for supermarket stations which tend to be
cheaper.
However, traffic is an issue especially during ‘rush hour’
typically 07:00–10:00 and 16:00–19:00.
While nearly all roads are toll free, if you do drive in
London you will have to pay the London Congestion
Charge. Most cities will have a park and ride scheme.
You can park on the edge of the city and travel into the
urban area by public transport.
By Bicycle:
Riding a bicycle is a popular mode of transport in the
UK. As a result, cyclists have access to a wide network
of bike tracks and lanes.
It’s a legal requirement to have reflectors and a bell as
well as front and rea lights (if you plan to ride at night).
Google Maps and Cycling UK are great resources to sue
when planning your journey.
Setting up a bank account
Your salary will be paid into a UK bank account. To
open a bank account in the UK, in most cases, you will
be required to visit a branch (local bank) with proof of
identity and proof of a UK address (for example a utility
bill or rental contract). To find the best bank for your
purposes, visit different UK bank websites and make
sure you understand the benefits, terms and conditions
of your selected bank account before you apply.
UK destination guide for doctors 03. Living in the UK 16

Council Tax Language

Council Tax is payable to the local government authority The language in the UK is mainly English but you are
where you live to cover the costs of common areas likely to meet people from all over the world who speak
such as parks and pavements, waste removal and languages other than English.
general maintenance of the area. If you are renting a
property you will most likely need to pay council tax,
but the amount varies depending on the size of your Climate
property and where it is located. When searching for
accommodation make sure you ask how much the
Temperatures range between one degree Celsius in the
council tax will be.
winter and 30 degrees in the summer. Rain is common
and occurs throughout the year.
You can find more information about council tax here.
04 05
UK destination guide for doctors

USEFUL LINKS
GMC
04. Useful links
05. Contact Us

CONTACT US
If you have a question about OET,
17

go to our Helpdesk.
GMC Registration
NHS Jobs
NHS Careers
OET
Prepare for OET
UK Visas and Immigration

Sources
GMC.org.uk
GMC.org.uk/standards/code
GMC.org.uk/registration/joining-the-register/
trained-outside-the-eueea
jobs.nhs.uk
nhsprofessionals.nhs.uk
gov.uk
healthcareers.nhs.uk
UK destination guide for doctors 18

UK DESTINATION
GUIDE FOR DOCTORS

Postal address
OET
PO Box 16136
Collins St West
Melbourne, VIC 8007
Australia

Telephone
AUS +61 3 8658 3963
UK +44 1202 037333
US +1 855 585 0125

Website
oet.com