An IMG's Steps to Becoming a Doctor in the UK

This is a general timeline of events a Filipino IMG follows in getting the first job in the UK.
💡Steps:
1. Language Proficiency Exam (0:29)
*Brief Shout out to Class of 2020 and Sept. board takers (1:07 - 2:03)
2. PLAB 1 (2:35)
3. PLAB 2 (4:32)
NOTE: GMC registration here before Job application (Sorry I forgot to add!)
4. Job Application (6:03)
5. UK Visa Application (6:32)
📲Helpful Links:
PLAB 1: naseersjourney.com/2017/02/11...
PLAB 2: naseersjourney.com/2017/02/11...
Related Videos you may find helpful:
1. Getting a Surgical Training Job in UK • IMG Story in UK: Inter...
2. PLAB exams through the Pandemic • IMG in UK #2: Intervie...
Massive thanks to Dr. Frances and Dr. Seya, my school's alumni who's been giving me a lot of high yield information about the whole process. :)
P.S. I ended up switching back to taking the USMLE instead. Here's why: • Change of Plans to USM...
👩🏻‍⚕️A little about myself:
I am a Korean citizen who grew up in the Philippines, attended college in the US, and attended Medical school back here in the Philippines. I am currently in my last stretch of my internship year and plan to head over to the UK for training after graduation.
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#PLAB #RoadtoUK #IMG

[@joshuacruz221]

thank you doc sarang for that brief and concise video :) hope youre well!

[@lightandnightEQUINOX]

Thank you so much. Will be noting this. Now am a PGI. Really considering this

[@karminlouvre442]

Glad I went to your channel!!! Thank you for this doktora!

[@SarangChoiMD]

Sure thing! :)

[@melmarapearl]

You're always so sweet. Chin up, Sarang~ always rooting for you!

[@SarangChoiMD]

Thank you my quarantine roommate, my sestra 😊❤️

[@Denibelle24]

Thank you so much for this!

[@demireyes]

Hi Sarang! You’re video is really educational and helpful, I’m a Filipino doctor in the UK and a few medical students in philippines have been asking me questions and I’ve sent them your video ☺️ thank you!

[@SarangChoiMD]

Awww glad it was helpful. And thank you I truly appreciate it. 😊

[@EkaFaye26]

Thank you for sharing this! I am interested in applying to the UK as a physician in the future. Med student here 😉

[@believe4687]

Hi , where you from ???

[@evey3786]

You're amazing!!!

[@SarangChoiMD]

세영아!! 보고싶다~^^ 잘 지내지??

[@user4kdi59fjduw]

우와..결국 영국으로 가셨군요. 그간 고생 많으셨을텐데 축하드립니다!^^

[@user4kdi59fjduw]

영국이나 미국에서 img출신들을 많이 뽑으려는 추세인가요?

[@SarangChoiMD]

@@user4kdi59fjduw 네, 영국이 현재 의사가 많이 부족해서요, 그리고 Brexit 때문에, IMG 들을 많이 받고 있는 상황이에요. thesavvyimg.co.uk/8-ways-the-uk-has-made-it-easier-for-imgs-in-the-past-2-years/ 이거 보시면 큰 도움이 될거에요. 최근 2년 기간 안에 IMG 들에게 더 수월하게 많이 바뀌었어요 :) 지금 의대생이신가요? and where?

[@margaretteburton5139]

Thank you for this, it was really confusing try to find the steps.

[@SarangChoiMD]

Glad you found it helpful! :)

[@prmf3059]

Thank you so much for sharing this video doc! Im currently and 2nd yr med student in the PH & im planning to move to UK with my tita to practice there! Would you be able to give an estimate on how much the different tests were? More power to your channel!! 🥰

[@SarangChoiMD]

Hi Pamela! Here is a link to guide you through all the cost of the process. This website probably has most of the information you'll need :) thesavvyimg.co.uk/how-much-does-gmc-and-plab-fee-cost/ Good luck!

[@prmf3059]

@@SarangChoiMD thank you so much for all the information that you share!! Good luck in your new journey in USA!!

[@rin08070]

Hi do you need to finish your current internship before taking PLAB 1? Will that affect your GMC registration if you are aiming for FY2

[@aspiringdoctor2286]

OMG ate doc! (Can I call you ate doc po? hehe) I’m in my third year in medical school and planning to practice in UK. This is very informative po. Thank you so much!! Looking forward to your next videos po

[@tekenakaribiwhyte1948]

I graduated in 2016 after which I started lecturing Pathology and Medical Microbiology in a medical school. I have not done my internship yet, will I be allowed to write my PLAB exams since I graduated more than 2 years ago? Can I apply to Ireland if UK rejects my application

[@tiktokcentralph9410]

Question. What is the required IELTS/OET score?

[@RamenAnytime]

Hello Doc Sarang! Will this be the same process i should do if I want to apply for residency in the UK?

[@rosdale241checkingin7]

Planning to take the UK route right after I pass the board exam here in the PH. So when I arrive in the UK, what will I be categorized as? FY1? FY2? CT1? I googled and I can’t seem to find a straight answer. Hope you can help me out.

[@bryancrux2026]

The main problem with having residency in the UK is that the General Practitioners even the Specialist are underpaid especially if you compared the salary between US and UK and the amount of years of education you put into it, maybe because NHS is centralize and under management of the government so there's a misallocation for my belief, though money is not all about in medical field however money is also something we must be concerned to knowing the cost of living and for your future self too.

[@vichuang1480]

This is simply not true. Where do you get your information? I'm a CT1 trainee (equivalent to 1st yr ph resident) and I make roughly £45k annually. That comes up to about PHP250,000 per month (yes, month). A GP makes roughly the same. You would have to be ludicrously extravagant to think this is being "underpaid". UK doctors are one of the highest paid in the world. If anything, it's the US doctors that are the outliers. And the reason they are overpaid is because of their exploitative US healthcare system.

[@4dgreentea]

Thank you for this video! Just one question, after I get my first job in the UK and working for a year, is getting the next job as difficult as getting the first job? Is there a situation where I finish my contract in the first job and can't find a job after that so I cannot extend my VISA and have to return to my country?

[@cecillemaetorres2200]

Hello doc, where can we take the Language Proficiency exam? How can I start?

[@seneshpaliyaguru1840]

What does it mean by “Primary Medical Qualification “?

[@jieyang3535]

안녕하세요.PLAB에 관련된 비디오를 보다가 추천영상에서 보게 되었어요. 혹시 한국에서 PLAB 시험을 볼 수 있는지 관련된 정보가 있으신가요? 미리 감사합니다.

[@SarangChoiMD]

안녕하세요 :) 아니요 PLAB 는 영국 가셔서 보셔야해요. London or Manchester. IELTS시험은 한국 에서 보셔두 되구요~^^

[@arnelconopio5589]

Hi Doc Sarang, thank you so much for this video very helpful 🙂, ive already done my residency training in Internal Medicine here in the Philippines and recently passed the PSBIM exam and iam planning to apply for fellowship training in the UK, i was wondering if i need to go tru the same process you mention? Thank you so much for your time😊🙏

[@johannesoriano767]

Hi doc, I'm also planning to do the same. Has anyone answered your query yet? I'm still confused about the different pathways and what's best suited for IMGs like us who are diplomate and wants to apply for fellowship in UK.

[@arnelconopio5589]

@@johannesoriano767 hi doc Jo, from my readings so far we don't need to go Tru the foundation years, we can directly apply for senior clinical fellow, as long as we comply with requirements such out EPIC portfolio, IELTS , pass the PLAB exam and eventually the MRCP exam

[@janasmine7838]

@@arnelconopio5589 Hi Doc can I just ask for an update if you are in the UK now and what were the steps you did? I also finished IM residency in the Philippines and contemplating to work as a doctor in the UK as fellow.

[@secrethulaanmo3769]

Hi! Question lang po if okay lang na mag pre-med and med school ako here in the Ph then mag residency as UK? Possible po ba yun?

[@dr.sandeepyadav4078]

Hi doc Is it better to get non-training or training job. Thanks for sharing your knowledge.

[@SarangChoiMD]

Hi Sandeep! It's easier for IMGs to get into Non-training jobs first before going for Training jobs. Hence it's more recommended. :)

[@alfonsogeron8913]

Hi doc! Can I do this process without doing the 1 year internship and PLE here in the Philippines?

[@SarangChoiMD]

Yes you can! Internship and PLE isn't required for the PLAB. You can maybe start from FY1 in UK.

[@daniellequigao1141]

Hello, Doc! Do you know if UK-trained filipino doctors (who passed the PLE in the PH) can practice their specialization when they come back to the philippines? Thank you!

[@SarangChoiMD]

Hi Danielle! 😊 Based on my knowledge, you will have to take the specialty boards in the Philippines before you're able to do so. I'm not exactly sure how the accreditation works tho since I've never delved into that topic yet. Hope you get to find out the info you need! 🤗

[@bangsmatter4394]

Hi Dr. Is your Internship year in the Ph accepted by UK? or did you start as FY1 doctor? Is it possible if I want to skip foundation years?

[@tiktokfy9660]

Hi Doc,does is need to pass the PLE to enable to take the PLAB? or no need? As long as graduated medicine? Ty

[@SarangChoiMD]

Passing PLE is not a requirement to take the PLAB! :)

[@randyfordmolano1232]

Where can I get reviewers for PLAB 1? Can someone help me? Thank you so much!

[@SarangChoiMD]

Hi! You can check out this link to access some useful resources 😊 www.google.com/amp/s/naseersjourney.com/2017/03/24/study-material-for-plab-1/amp/

[@Denibelle24]

Hello po, question lang po, visitors visa po ba ang ggamitin if mag eexam pa lang ?

[@sumanthreddym.4580]

Doc .I'm an Indian who is gonna graduate in Philippines by 2023 .what are my career opportunities .?

[@medgk496]

Can Indian students who is studying in Philippines can they able to do internship in Philippines is it possible .

[@devendrathagunna8932]

Hello doc good morning ! does the post graduate internship from Philippines valid for plab ? Thank you

[@SarangChoiMD]

Yes it is! I just don't know how the specific requirements are but many of my school's alumni's internship in the Philippines was valid :)

[@devendrathagunna8932]

Salamat po :)

[@barbaraquintal6930]

Doc, I'm a health care worker under nhs here in uk, is there any possibility that I can take and study medicine here in uk?

[@SarangChoiMD]

Hi Barbara! I'm sure you can... I'm just not so sure how things work there if you plan to take up medicine in the UK as a foreigner

[@btrz8828]

Do you practice residency in the uk or in your native land? thank you for answering 😊

[@SarangChoiMD]

Hi! I'm actually now planning to do residency in the US haha Here's why: kzbin.info/www/bejne/aKLLZ6iFr8x4Z5I

[@francescaechavez4681]

Hi! Thanks for the video! Just wanted to ask if you could give an estimate of the total costs for the entire process? Thank you :)

[@SarangChoiMD]

Hi Francesca! The entire process from taking exams to getting a job can range from php 300K to 800K or more depending on the person's spending habits or depending on whether or not you take classes for the exams or not. Check this page out for further details on the cost breakdown. thesavvyimg.co.uk/how-much-does-gmc-and-plab-fee-cost/

[@francescaechavez4681]

@@SarangChoiMD thank you so much!

[@francescaechavez4681]

@@SarangChoiMD Hello po! I have another question hehe sorry 😅 do latin honors or high scores on the exams have any impact on the process? Or is it enough to just pass? Thank you po ulit!

[@SarangChoiMD]

@@francescaechavez4681 Plab 1 score don't matter much! You just have to pass. :)

[@viaramos09]

Is it possible po if you're a british citizen but take up med school in the Philippines? Can you still practice medicine back in the UK ?

[@SarangChoiMD]

Based on what I know, yes you can.

[@sbjose2]

Do we need to pass the PLE in philippines before taking the PLAB 1 po

[@SarangChoiMD]

Nope it's not a requirement

[@cutieecat4285]

You mentioned that for IMGs it's better to start as a non-training job. Can you expound this po.

[@jazzi11xa]

Gurl magkano sahod dyan

[@cutieecat4285]

How about if i finish my residency here in PH then later do fellowship training in uk, what's the application process for that?

[@SarangChoiMD]

Hi! Sorry I'm not so aware of that process just yet :)

[@cutieecat4285]

Thanks. I hope you can give us an update. Watched all your vids, nice content ;) these are all helpful to me.

[@SarangChoiMD]

@@cutieecat4285 thank you for watching! Happy to know it's helpful. 😊 I'm currently in the province, so I'm having troubles posting more videos at the moment. I'll post more updates once I have good internet :)

[@user-mz7dq8jz7o]

Hey im in my 1st year anesthesia in Philippines.. wud subscribe to this channel to know if i still have a chance to go to uk after residency

[@SarangChoiMD]

Hi! Yes you can! Check this pathway out :) thesavvyimg.co.uk/pathway-d-from-img-to-uk-specialist/

[@judyf37]

Doc can you give us an idea lang if how much in total pwedeng magastos in preparation to all the steps you mentioned pls? Thank you for this vid.. I just subscribed

[@SarangChoiMD]

Hi! I briefly mention about the rough cost of the exams here in this video at 5:12 :) kzbin.info/www/bejne/q6TdZGqdf66oia8 Other than this, you'll have to factor in flights and visa fee. But they recently cut the visa fee into half, so that's also convenient. :)

[@judyf37]

@@SarangChoiMD thank you ..doc last question, meron po bang facebook group for filipino img to uk that i can join in for some additional info?

[@SarangChoiMD]

@@judyf37 yes there is. But you have to be added into it by someone. What year are you in right now? And are you sure of heading towards UK? :)

[@judyf37]

@@SarangChoiMD PGI na po ako ngaun doc.Matatapos nko this december.. Im sure po of going to uk na..mahirap talaga kasi sa US, mas madameng requirements :'(

[@SarangChoiMD]

@@judyf37 I think i need to be friends with you on fb to add you haha

[@georginafrank9929]

Hello doc. What does IMG mean

[@SarangChoiMD]

Hi Georgina! IMG stands for International Medical Graduates. People who graduated medical school outside of US are called IMGs. :)

[@rosdale241checkingin7]

Sorry what does “IMG” mean?

[@SarangChoiMD]

International Medical Graduate (anyone who attended medschool outside of US)

[@blythesaunders3124]

Is it hard for an IMG to find a job in UK?

[@SarangChoiMD]

It is relatively easier compared to in US, but of course just like every application, it also depends on the credentials of the applicant. As for my school's alumni, they all got a job without much problems. Hope this helps :)

[@blythesaunders3124]

Sarang Choi What is the preferred pathway for filipino IMGs? Is it FY1 or 2 (non-training, training jobs)? For your first job, should it be locum or fixed term?

[@BatrisyiaHalims]

Anyone considering either to go to Canada or UK?

[@ramjohnceniza1149]

Doctor: "Please don't confuse your google search with my medical degree" Me: please don't confuse your god complex and financial incentives from big pharma with my ability to independently research the side effects of your medications with the most powerful information tool in the history of mankind.