GMC Registration and your placement

The Queen Mary programme team will support individuals through the process for GMC registration. We will provide advice around the GMC application process. In addition you will be taking a Professional Studies module, a year long module in Phase One which will develop your understanding of how medical practice in the UK functions, the principles of clinical practice and aspects of working within the NHS including working in multidisciplinary teams. However, obtaining GMC registration does take time, whichever route one chooses to pursue and it is critically important that applicants plan for this, starting the relevant steps to support the registration process in advance of applying for and starting the course in most cases.

For the placement you will need to hold Full GMC registration. If you are an international medical graduate and don’t currently hold either provisional or full GMC registration there are four possible routes:

i.    PLAB test route; Pass the PLAB 1 & 2 test (within the past two years) and provide evidence of an acceptable internship. Your internship must be at least 12 months’ continuous practice in an approved training post in a public hospital and either: i) at least three months in medicine and three months in surgery, which lasted between 12 and 18 months or ii) at least six months in medicine and six months in surgery, which lasted for 18 months or longer. You'll need to provide a certificate or letter of completion from your institution, which gives details of the dates and specialties of your rotations. The PLAB tests are organised and administered by the GMC directly and while QM can give support around the process if required, dates, registration for exams and examination regulations are entirely managed by the GMC.

ii.    Hold an acceptable post graduate qualification. The GMC have a list of acceptable postgraduate qualifications they will accept as evidence of sufficient knowledge, skills and experience to apply for full GMC registration. Your postgraduate medical qualification should have been awarded no more than three years before the date on which the GMC approve your application. If your postgraduate medical qualification is on the acceptable list but was awarded over three years ago you will be required to provide further evidence of your recent medical experience.

Examples of acceptable postgraduate qualifications are provided below, however you can check the full list here. https://www.gmc-uk.org/registration-and-licensing/join-the-register/before-you-apply/acceptable-postgraduate-qualifications 

UK examples; 

o    Membership of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (MRCOG)
o    Membership of the Royal College of Physicians (MRCP)
o    Collegiate Membership of the Royal College of Surgeons (MRCS). 

Overseas examples;

o    Membership of the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland (MRCPI) in General Medicine, awarded after 1 January 2007
o    Master of Medicine (MMED) Malaysia with MRCP (UK) awarded since 1 July 2010. This must include four years of clinical experience (required to complete MMED) plus two years of training. 
o    Certification in the College of Family Physicians of Canada (CCFP) awarded since 1 January 2009. 
o    The Royal Australasian College of Physicians FRACP Adult medicine or evidence of three years of basic training (PREP) + achievement of RACP written and clinical examinations.

iii.    Relevant European Qualification; The GMC have a list of relevant European qualifications:  https://www.gmc-uk.org/-/media/documents/factsheet---international-apps---relevant-european-qualifications-list---dc11865_pdf-78131156.pdf To be eligible you will need to make sure your primary medical qualification (MBBS equivalent) is on the list and also that you completed your internship in the same country.

iv.    Sponsorship; Queen Mary University of London is not yet an approved sponsor. If and when QMICA is able and approved to recommend individuals for registration, you will only be eligible for the sponsorship route if, in addition to meeting the specifications, you are a part time student for the phase one of the DClin and, during this time, you continue to work as a doctor in a clinical setting right up until you have received confirmation your full GMC registration has been approved.

•    Important* Check that you are eligible for GMC registration. 
First, create a GMC Online Account and check that your primary medical qualification and/or post graduate qualification meets GMC acceptability criteria. This is important as there are some qualifications the GMC do not accept listed here. Your primary medical qualification must be in an allopathic medicine that has been awarded by an institution on the World Directory of Medical Schools. 

Second, check that you will be able to provide evidence of an acceptable internship. Your internship must be at least 12 months’ continuous practice in an approved training post in a public hospital and either: i) at least three months in medicine and three months in surgery, which lasted between 12 and 18 months or ii) at least six months in medicine and six months in surgery, which lasted for 18 months or longer. You'll need to provide a certificate or letter of completion from your institution, which gives details of the dates and specialties of your rotations.

•    Understand what route you will take for GMC registration. If you graduated from a medical school outside of the UK or EEA you will likely need to take the PLAB route.

Important* We recommend that international students have passed PLAB 1, prior to starting the programme, to ensure you have received full GMC registration in time for the start of your placement and induction.

PLAB 1 exams are held four times a year, February, May, August and November in the UK and in a number of overseas locations. All exam places are limited and in high demand and you will need to book your exam through the GMC online portal. PLAB 1 is an applied knowledge test and tests your ability to apply your knowledge for the care of patients. Questions relate to current best practice in the UK, and equipment routinely available in UK hospitals. PLAB 1 is a written exam made up of 180 multiple choice questions which you must answer within three hours.

•    Start the verification process of your primary medical qualification certificate you were given when you first qualified (MBBS 5 years or equivalent degree). Verification is carried out by the Educational Commission of Foreign Medical Graduates(ECFMG) though their online system known as the Electronic Portfolio of International Credentials (EPIC) service. ECFMG will verify the qualification is genuine by checking this directly with your awarding institution. This process can take some time so this is why it is recommended to start this early. ECFMG charge a fee for this service. 
There is an exception if you hold a primary medical qualification, specialist or GP qualification awarded in the EEA or Switzerland, you can check if the GMC will accept this as a Relevant European qualification. 

•    You will have some more time to get GMC registration, so the only thing we recommend you need to do before starting the programme is to check that you are eligible for GMC registration. 
First, create a GMC Online Account and check that your primary medical qualification and/or post graduate qualification meets GMC acceptability criteria. This is important as there are some qualifications the GMC do not accept listed here. Your primary medical qualification must be in an allopathic medicine that has been awarded by an institution on the World Directory of Medical Schools. 

Second, check that you will be able to provide evidence of an acceptable internship. Your internship must be at least 12 months’ continuous practice in an approved training post in a public hospital and either: i) at least three months in medicine and three months in surgery, which lasted between 12 and 18 months or ii) at least six months in medicine and six months in surgery, which lasted for 18 months or longer. You'll need to provide a certificate or letter of completion from your institution, which gives details of the dates and specialties of your rotations.

•    ECFMG are an independent body and charge a fee to verify your qualifications. https://www.ecfmg.org/psv/fees.html
•    Doctors must pay a registration fee and an annual fee to remain on the register: https://www.gmc-uk.org/registration-and-licensing/managing-your-registration/fees-and-funding#registration 

You can access more information and guidance on the GMC website: https://www.gmc-uk.org/registration-and-licensing/join-the-register/registration-applications/application-guides/full-registration-for-international-medical-graduates