US financial aid for international students: your guide to what’s available and where to apply

Are you interested in studying medicine in the UK?  You’ve come to the right place. In this blog, we’ll learn about some of the best medical schools in the UK and what you need to apply. We’ll also explore tuition costs, visa requirements, and more. Ready? Let’s take a look:  

Why study medicine in the UK 

Medicine can be a competitive degree. But, studying it in the UK can prepare you to work and practice in one of the best healthcare systems in the world. According to a 2017 study by The Commonwealth Fund, the UK and its healthcare system ranked number one in overall performance, compared to 10 other high-income countries – including in things like care process and equity. The UK’s health service, called the NHS, is publicly funded.  

The UK also boasts world-class Research and Development (R&D), which the government actively invests in. For example, the UK hopes to raise funding for R&D to £22 billion a year by 2025. This means studying medicine in the UK can provide you with the opportunity to learn at state-of-the-art facilities, as well as help give you more access to research support and funding.   

Best medical schools in the UK  

The UK is home to some of the best universities in the world. In fact, according to the QS World University Rankins 2021, the UK boasts four of the top 10 best universities to study medicine worldwide – including University of Oxford (2), University of Cambridge (4), University College London (9) and Imperial College London (10).

There’s also University of Glasgow, University of Dundee, University of Edinburgh, and University of St Andrews in Scotland, as well as Queen Mary University of London in England, and Swansea University in Wales. All of these are listed within the top universities for medicine in the UK by the Complete University Guide 2021 rankings.

Of course, the best university for study will come down to one very important aspect: you. Be sure to do your research on each university, try to speak to current students, and discover what career options the choice will give you in the future. 

Types of medicine degrees 

Medicine degrees in the UK can take between 4-6 years to complete. Students applying to study medicine in the UK have four types of courses to choose from:  

• Standard Entry Medicine– a bachelor’s degree in medicine 

• Graduate Entry Medicine – a graduate degree in medicine

• Medicine with a Preliminary Year – a bachelor’s degree in medicine that includes an extra first year, for students who didn’t take the necessary science courses in school

• Medicine with a Gateway Year– similar to the course above, this is made for students who’ve had barriers to education and offers different entry requirements 

No matter which degree you choose, you’ll have to sit an admissions test. There are three different admissions tests in the UK, and which ones you take will depend on what institution you apply for. The tests are:   

• The UCAT (University Clinical Aptitude Test) 

• The BMAT (BioMedical Admissions Test)

• The GAMSAT (Graduate Medical School Admissions Test) 

In addition to these tests, you’ll need to look at the admission requirements for each medical school you intend to apply for. These might include mandatory school courses, personal statements, or an interview to talk about work experience.  

The Medical Schools Council of the UK has an excellent in-depth guide to entry requirements for dozens of universities across the UK, as well as more information on the courses and tests we list above. You can also learn more on their website. 

Visas 

If you’re coming to the UK to study medicine, you’ll need a Student visa. To apply, you’ll need to be offered a spot at a university, have sufficient funds to support yourself, and prove you’re proficient in English. And, our computer-based English language test at PTE Academic is approved by the UK Home Office for all Student visas. You’ll have to demonstrate you’re at a B2 level or higher, depending on your university. 

After graduating, you might be able to apply for the Graduate route to stay in the UK to work (or look for work) for 2-3 years, depending on your degree.

Keep in mind: We aren’t immigration agents. For the latest information and official updates, please visit the GOV UK website. 

Costs 

Studying medicine in the UK for international students can be expensive. According to Save the Student, medical degrees in the UK can cost up to £64,652 per year – which is a lot more expensive than other degrees. On average, students spend about £795 on living costs each month in the UK. However, the average salary for nurses in the UK is over £35,000 per year. Doctors who are general practitioners can make between £60,455 to £91,228 per year.  

Learn more on our blog: Living expenses in the UK for international students 

Studying medicine in the UK can be incredibly rewarding. You’ll have the opportunity to learn at a world-class university, and perhaps even contribute to cutting-edge research. On top of this, you’ll get to explore the UK’s beautiful landscapes, history, culture – and immerse yourself in all the great things it has to offer.  

Learn more about PTE Academic UKVI, our English test recognized by the UK’s Home Office.

Are you interested in working as a nurse overseas? With the right qualifications, your passion for nursing could help you begin a new chapter in Australia, the US, or the UK.

In this guide, we’ll learn about what you’ll need to do to work as a registered nurse in each country, as well as what employment opportunities waiting for you abroad. Let’s explore:  

Nursing in Australia: requirements 

The UK has long drawn people from around the world to live, work and study. It boasts an excellent healthcare system and impressive universities. Its countryside and cities are dotted with historic buildings and castles. Another big plus? The UK is incredibly diverse.  According to the Migration Observatory at the University of Oxford, about 14% of the UK’s population was born abroad, and 35% of immigrants live in London. And, many of the UK’s migrants come to work. In fact, in 2019 48% of EU residents moved to the UK to work, while 21% of non-EU residents did.

So what kind of jobs are there in the UK for international applicants? The UK has a skills shortage for a long list of occupations, and professionals who can fill them will have an easier time applying for a UK work visa under the new points-based immigration system.

In this blog, we’ll explore what top professions can help give you an advantage when applying for a UK work visa, and insight on how to get a job in the UK.

The top jobs in the UK for international applicants 

The UK has two shortage occupation lists. One outlines occupations in healthcare and education that need more personnel. The other list features occupation shortages from a range of different fields – including the arts, science, and IT.

To be eligible for a Skilled Worker visa in the UK, you need to reach 70 immigration points. And working in a job on the Shortage Occupation List counts for 20 points – which can provide you with a big advantage. We’ll expand on a few top jobs on the list:

1. Nurses

The UK has faced a nurse shortage for a long time. Right now, England needs to fill more than 36,000 positions, making it an excellent place to look for work if you’re a nurse wanting to move abroad. Already, about 15% of nurses in the UK are trained overseas.

However, nurses and other healthcare professionals were added to the Shortage Occupation List just this March. “Every year we welcome healthcare workers from across the world to our United Kingdom, with many having played a key role on the frontline of the NHS during the recent pandemic,” said the UK Minister for Future Borders and Immigration, Kevin Foster, in a statement.

The move, he said, will help ensure international healthcare professionals get the immigration status they deserve.

Learn more about how to register as a nurse in the UK.

2. Pharmacists

Pharmacists were also added to the UK’s Shortage Occupation List in 2021. While not as in short supply as nurses, there’s a pharmacist vacancy rate of about 8% in hospitals. Again, this means there could be of opportunity for internationally-trained pharmacists to find a job in the UK.

To work as a pharmacist in the UK, you need to register with a regulatory body called the General Pharmaceutical Council, which you can learn more about on the NHS website. (The NHS is the UK’s publicly funded healthcare system).

3. Engineers

There are also plenty of engineering jobs on the shortage occupation list. From civil engineers to mechanical engineers, to electrical engineers and everyone in-between engineers from around the world are in high demand in the UK.

Depending on the field of engineering you work in, you’ll have to make 80% of the going rate for the job to be eligible for a Skilled Worker visa.  That’s between about £26,160 and £29,600 per year.

4. Secondary education teachers

Secondary education teachers who teach math, physics, modern foreign languages, and computer science are some other jobs on the list. If you’re a trained teacher outside the UK, you can work without getting Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) for four years. But after that, you’ll have to become a qualified teacher in the UK.

You can learn more about teacher salaries on the UK Department of Education website. To qualify for a visa, you’ll have to earn at least £20,480 (or more depending on where you’re located).

5. Graphic designers

Are you a graphic designer? Well, you’re in luck. Graphic designers are also a sought-after profession in the UK. It’s common for graphic designers to work on a freelance basis. But keep in mind: to qualify for a Skilled Worker visa, you’ll need to get a job sponsorship in the UK from an employer.

You’ll also have to earn 80% or more of the going rate for graphic designers in the UK. This is about £18,800 per year.

How to get a UK work visa

A Skilled Worker visa lets you work in the UK with an employer who is approved by the Home Office, which is a UK government department. As we mentioned above, you’ll have to reach 70 immigration points to be eligible. Having a job offer from an employer, professional skills, and English proficiency all contribute to your points.

Depending on your situation, you may decide to apply for another type of visa or immigration route, such as the EU Settlement Scheme or UK Graduate visa. There is also a Health and Care Worker visa, which enables healthcare professions to work with the NHS.

How to find a job in the UK

So, how can you find an employer in the UK to sponsor you? There are lots of job boards that are related to specific professions. For example, the UK’s Department of Education offers a website to search for teaching vacancies by location. There’s also Nurses.co.uk, which features thousands of nursing jobs. More generally, websites like Reed and Jobsite are also good places to look for employment in the UK.

All in all, the UK is an excellent place to call home. And better yet, there’s plenty of job opportunities to help you thrive.

Our Secure English Language test, PTE Academic UKVI, is accepted by the UK’s Home Office for all UK visas to test your four language skills – including the Skilled Worker visa.

Learn more about the PTE UKVI test today.