The MTI scheme supports international medical graduates (IMGs) who are seeking short-term training opportunities in the UK with the intention to return to their home countries on completion of their training.
Below is a summary of the eligibility criteria relating to the candidates and the suitable 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
- 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 CMT training
- Demonstrate knowledge of English by completing either International English Language Testing System (IELTS) with overall score of minimum 7.5 and 7.0 in all categories or Occupational English Test (OET), academic version, 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.
Post eligibility criteria
All posts need to meet the following criteria:
- Posts must be IMT posts (equivalent to house officer) or above, up to CCT
- Duration of the post is between 6 to 24 months. The candidate is expected to return home upon completion
- The RCP only provides sponsorship for posts where at least 50% of the time is spent in clinical practice
- Candidates must receive high-quality education and training, equivalent to that of a UK trainee, with associated study leave and study leave budget
- The post must have the approval of the regional postgraduate deanery / local education training board (LETB) and training programme director/director of medical education
- The post must either be funded by the NHS hospital, or the candidate should be in receipt of official funding, e.g. scholarship from government or home institution. The funding should be equivalent to UK 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 MTI candidates should be assigned an educational supervisor, who is also responsible for ensuring that the doctor sets and achieves their personal development plan (PDP)
- Induction/shadowing period of 4-6 weeks minimum before the doctor starts working.
Contact us
If you have any query relating to the Medical Training Initiative (MTI), 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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