GP

Also called General practitioner, doctor.

General practitioners (GPs) are doctors who provide medical services to people in their local community.

Potential salary: £79,000 starter to £119,000 experienced per year
Typical hours: 42 to 50. Working pattern: evenings / weekends / bank holidays on a rota.
Career area: Health and care
Where they might work: You could work at a GP practice, at a health centre or at a client's home. Your working environment may be emotionally demanding.
A typical task: speak to patients in person or on the phone to assess their health concerns
Subjects that may help: at least 5 GCSEs grades 9 to 7 (A* or A), including English maths and sciences
Typical route: To become a GP you'll need to complete:
Interest area used here: Health and laboratory science, Helping and teaching

Career actions

What you might do

More tasks (2)

Consider which of these skills and ways of working appeal to you.

More skills

To become a GP you'll need to complete:
a 5-year degree in medicine from a medical school recognised by the General Medical Council
a 2-year foundation programme of general training
specialist training, which can take 3 years, often split between hospital and a general practice
You might be able to do a foundation year before starting a medical degree. This will depend on your circumstances and what qualifications you hold.
If you already have a science-based degree, you could take a 4-year graduate entry route into medicine.
There is a lot of competition for places, so it's important to check the entry requirements of medical schools before you apply.
When you apply for a course in medicine, you may be asked to take the University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT) .
It tests for skills you'll need on the course, such as:
critical thinking
problem solving
data analysis
decision making
Medical schools will expect you to have some relevant paid or voluntary work experience. The British Medical Association provides information on how to find a placement .
You could also use Observe GP , which is a free online alternative to work experience created by the Royal College of General Practitioners.
You'll usually need:
at least 5 GCSEs grades 9 to 7 (A* or A), including English maths and sciences
3 A levels, or equivalent, including biology and chemistry
equivalent entry requirements
student finance for fees and living costs
university courses and entry requirements
University Clinical Aptitude Test

These are course families, not published offers. A link does not mean the degree is sufficient on its own.

Medicine
Direct qualifying route. General practice is a postgraduate speciality after a medical degree.

You may be able to apply for a place on a Doctor Level 7 Degree Apprenticeship, if you're working in a healthcare setting.
This takes 5 years to do and you would need the support of your employer to apply.
On successful completion, you could progress to the 2-year foundation training programme, then move on to specialist training in general practice.
Employers will set their own entry requirements.
equivalent entry requirements
guide to apprenticeships

Career progression

With experience, you could:
run a shared practice or specialise in an area like sports medicine, diabetes or children's health
move into medical work in hospitals, pharmaceutical companies, the police or the prison service
work in the Army , Royal Air Force or Royal Navy
teach and mentor trainee doctors or go into clinical research

after your training you'll need to join the General Medical Council GP Register, and apply for a licence to practise as a doctor