This page contains a summary of the eligibility criteria for doctors applying to the RCP GMC sponsorship scheme and the requirements of the NHS posts.
Candidate eligibility criteria
All candidates need to meet the following criteria:
- Hold a primary medical qualification recognised by the GMC and verified by Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG)
- Have a postgraduate medical qualification in medicine or a medical subspecialty (for example MRCP part 1, MD or higher degree)
- Have three years of post-qualification experience, including one year's internship and at least one year in the specialty in which you intend to train while in the UK
- Have been engaged in medical practice for three out of the last five years including the 12 months prior to GMC registration being granted. Please note that the GMC does not consider clinical attachment and observerships as clinical practice
- Candidates must remain in continuous medical practice during the most recent 12 months, including throughout the application process. The GMC allows maximum gap of up to five weeks in a 12-month period for annual leave, there should be no other gaps in employment.
- Possess the skills, competencies and understanding of medicine at least equivalent to a UK graduate at the end of their IMT Year 1 training
- Demonstrate knowledge of English by completing either International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic with overall score of minimum 7.5 and 7.0 in all categories or Occupational English Test (OET) Medicine with minimum grade B in all categories. The tests are valid for two years and the scores must have been obtained in the same sitting.
- Have received a formal offer of a suitable post within an NHS Trust or Health Board. Evidence of the job offer will be required in the form of an employment offer letter to proceed with the RCP GMC sponsorship scheme.
Post eligibility criteria
All posts need to meet the following criteria:
- Posts must be IMT1 grade or above (up to but not including post-CCT)
- Post duration must be between 6 to 36 months
- Posts must be structured to provide high-quality education and training, which must be clearly outlined in the job description and advertisement
- Posts must comprise access to annual leave and study leave, equivalent to that of a UK trainee employed at the same grade, with an associated study leave budget
- The post must have the approval of the director of medical education, training programme director, or regional specialty adviser
- Posts must be funded by the employing NHS hospital. Funding should be equivalent to the NHS salary for the level of work being undertaken and must last for the duration of the post. The RCP will not sponsor applicants who are self-funded
- All candidates must be assigned an educational supervisor, and ideally a clinical supervisor, who will be responsible for working alongside the doctor to set their objectives and personal development plan (PDP) for the post. All doctors will have free access to ePortfolio.
- All doctors must attend a local induction and be offered a shadowing/supernumerary period of a minimum of 4 weeks.
Additional information
Exemption from IELTS or OET
The GMC may consider exemption for candidates who are nationals of countries where English is the first and native language and were awarded a primary medical degree from a country where English is the first and native language. The RCP team will advise at application, but please note that the GMC will make the final decision regarding any exemption request. Further English language guidance is available on GMC website.
Professional and Linguistic Assessments Board (PLAB)
The Professional and Linguistic Assessments Board (PLAB) exam is not required for the RCP GMC sponsorship scheme.
Doctors who have failed (and not subsequently passed) either part 1 or part 2 of PLAB in the past are generally not accepted for GMC registration via the sponsorship route. The component of the exam failed must be retaken and passed before applying for GMC registration via the RCP GMC sponsorship scheme.
Contact us
If you have any query relating to the GMC sponsorship scheme, please get in touch.
The MTI team is available to respond to telephone queries on +44 (0)20 3075 1631. If you are unable to speak to us please leave a voicemail.
The MTI team can also be reached via email: mti@rcp.ac.uk
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