Eligibility Guidance

Before you submit your application to specialty training in 2011 you must ensure that you meet the eligibility criteria by the application closure date. This page provides some guidance on eligibility however, applicants are advised that it is their responsibility to read the guidance provided on the Medical Specialty Training website and to refer to the Applicant Guide in order to obtain full information on eligibility.

• GMC & GDC Registration and Licensing Requirements
• Immigration Eligibility Requirements
• English Language
• College Exams
• Match to Person Specification
• Match to Specialty Level
• Achievement of Foundation Competencies
• Fitness to Practice & Criminal Convictions
  

GMC & GDC Registration and Licensing Requirements

You must be eligible for full registration with the GMC and hold a current license to practice at the time of appointment. Please see the GMC website  for further details.

Those applying to Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery must be GDC and GMC registered or eligible for GDC registration and GMC registration. For more information please visit the GMC  and GDC websites.

If shortlisted, we will check whether a doctor is registered with or without a licence by accessing the GMC’s online List of Registered Medical Practitioners on the day of the interview.

Those applying to Public Health training who are from a background other than medicine do not need to be GMC or GDC registered or be eligible for this. Those applying with a medical background do need to be GMC registered or, if not, be eligible for GMC registration. Please see the Public health person specification for more information.

Immigration Eligibility Requirements - guidance for overseas nationals

Right to work in the United Kingdom

Some applicants may be considered before others on the basis of immigration status, in accordance with guidance from the UK Border Agency.  If you require Tier 2 Sponsorship in order to take up the offer of a place on a training programme you will be subject to the Resident Labour Market Test.

If shortlisted, applicants will be required to produce their original documents (passports, page with the stamp and letter from the Home Office) on the day of their interview.

Applicants should refer to UK Border Agency website for up to date information regarding the right to work in the UK.

English Language Skills

All applicants have to demonstrate that their skills in written and spoken English are adequate to enable effective communication with patients and colleagues. These can be demonstrated by one of the following:

• Your undergraduate medical training was in English; or
• have achieved the following scores in the academic International English Language Testing System (IELTS) in a single sitting within 24 months at time of application:

 Overall 7
 Speaking 7
 Listening 7
 Reading 7
 Writing 7  

If applicants believe they have adequate communication skills but do not fit into one of these examples they must provide supporting evidence.

If your undergraduate training was not in English, you will need to provide written evidence of English language skills e.g. valid English Language Testing System certificate, or other written evidence verified by an appropriate employer or supervisor. If shortlisted, you will be required to bring this with you to any interviews or assessment centres that you attend.

College exams

If college exams are a requirement for entry at the level to which you are applying, you must have received notification of having sat and passed the exam by the closing date of your application.

Match to person specification

Each specialty has a nationally agreed person specification that lists the required competences for that specialty.  You will need to provide evidence to prove that you have achieved the specified competences.

Persons specifications can be found on the Medical Specialty Training website

Match to specialty level

Refer to the appropriate person specification for eligibility details. These can be found on the Medical Specialty Training website.

In order to assess whether or not each applicant to specialty or academic training programmes in London has the requisite competences or equivalent, all applicants are required to submit a certificate declaring competences. Further detail is available on the competences page including the certificates which need to be completed.

Fitness to Practice & Criminal Convictions

The London Deanery has a general Statement of Policy regarding fitness to practise and criminal convictions. Please download this from the panel to the right of this page and read it carefully before submitting an application.