Become a doctor in the UK — PLAB pathway
Refugee-doctor pathway: PLAB 1 (£283, refugees: first 2 attempts FREE) → PLAB 2 (£1,036, refugees: first 2 half-price) → GMC registration (£433) → Foundation/Specialty Training. Total ~1.5-2.5 years, ~£3,500 for a refugee. From 26 March 2026 asylum seekers waiting >12 months can work in RQF L6+ roles, including medicine. ⚠️ Medical Training (Prioritisation) Act 2026 prioritises UK grads and ILR holders for FY1 — refugees without ILR go through the Trust grade / Clinical Fellow / Medical Support Worker route.
1. Get GMC registration via PLAB
2. Trust grade post / Clinical Fellow / Medical Support Worker in an NHS Trust (Band 5-6 £29-46k)
3. Build up UK clinical experience for 1-3 years
4. Once you receive ILR (after 5 years on refugee leave + an ILR application) — you become eligible for Foundation/Specialty with priority
This changes the old recommendation of "PLAB → FY1". The new one is "PLAB → Trust grade → ILR → Specialty".
Step-by-step pathway
Once ILR is granted (5+ years): Foundation Programme (FY1 £38,831; FY2 £42,008) → Specialty Training (ST1 £52,656 → ST8) over 3-8 years. Pay rise +3.5% April 2026.
Realistic timeline + costs (refugee)
Bridging jobs — while you prepare
Refugee-doctor support — where to turn
Frequently asked questions
How much time and money does it take to become a doctor in the UK as a refugee?
Time: 1.5-2.5 years from start to GMC registration (not counting the Foundation Programme — that is another 2 years). Cost: ~£3,500 if you are a refugee (PLAB 1 free for the first 2 attempts, PLAB 2 half-price for the first 2 attempts, EPIC fee help). Without refugee concessions, ~£2,500-3,500.
GMC fees April 2026?
PLAB 1 £283 (refugees: first 2 attempts FREE), PLAB 2 £1,036 (refugees: first 2 half-price = £518), Registration application £433, annual retention £433, low-income retention £166. Effective from 1 April 2026.
What is the Medical Training (Prioritisation) Act 2026?
A NEW law. UK graduates and ILR/Settled Status holders are prioritised for Foundation/Specialty Training. 2026 entry — priority at offer stage; 2027+ — also at shortlisting. VERY important: refugee doctors without ILR cannot realistically enter FY1 directly — they must go through the Trust grade / Clinical Fellow / Medical Support Worker route first.
What is the UKMLA?
UK Medical Licensing Assessment — a single assessment standard for everyone (UK + international medical graduates). From September 2026, PLAB fully converges into the UKMLA. The content map expands from 311 to 430 conditions. The restrictive grid has been removed.
Can I work before I pass PLAB?
Yes, as a Medical Support Worker (MSW) — Band 6 NHS Agenda for Change £38,682-£46,580 (2025/26). Also Healthcare Assistant (Band 2 £24,465 starting), Phlebotomist. From 26 March 2026 asylum seekers waiting >12 months can work in any RQF L6+ occupation, including medicine.
Where can I find refugee-specific support?
REACHE (Salford Royal Hospital, 788 trained, 600 doctors, 323 GMC-registered), Lincolnshire Refugee Doctor Project, BMA Refugee Doctor Initiative (~900 supported), Building Bridges (London Refugee Council), Royal Medical Benevolent Fund (refugee grants), Syrian British Medical Society. RefuAid Equal Access Loan £10k interest-free. For PLAB prep — REACHE + Building Bridges are free.