4 answers
Sanya
Student
Gibsonia, Pennsylvania
8
Questions
Updated
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I want to go to Medical School in the UK and eventually live there but I heard their salaries are significantly lower and ideally I would want to make some money not millions but around 200,000 pounds annually is that achievable in London as an orthopedic surgeon if so how, for reference I live in the states right now but medical school here is longer and more expensive so I just want to see where would be better?
I’ve heard about working in private hospitals in London but I’m not sure how much money people make cause the stuff I’ve found online is generally very confusing on numbers.
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4 answers
Martha Kramer
Corporate Training, Communications
480
Answers
Stamford, Connecticut
Updated
Martha’s Answer
Hi Sanya, good for you for wanting to go into healthcare! Michelle has given you much to think about. I would like to add that salary levels should be put in context. There may be extra generous benefits in a job, such as student loan payoffs or retirement benefits, that would make a lower salary acceptable. In either country, you may accept a lower salary to live in an area you want or for housing you want. And there are differences between the countries you may want to consider.
In the UK generally, there are more income protections, more parental benefits, more vacation time, better-supported public transit, and, of course, the National Health Service in the UK. Depending upon your values, these may be acceptable trade-off's for a lower salary or not. The link below does a high-level comparison of social benefits between the US and other major countries.
Good luck!
BBC - https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-37159686#:~:text=United%20Kingdom&text=The%20UK%20currently%20offers%20a,be%20replaced%20by%20universal%20credit.
In the UK generally, there are more income protections, more parental benefits, more vacation time, better-supported public transit, and, of course, the National Health Service in the UK. Depending upon your values, these may be acceptable trade-off's for a lower salary or not. The link below does a high-level comparison of social benefits between the US and other major countries.
Good luck!
Martha recommends the following next steps:
Phill Pezo
Industrial Design
103
Answers
Nutley, New Jersey
Updated
Phill’s Answer
Hey Sanya,
I think it’s amazing that you were considering going to the UK to study in med school. There are many things to consider when making a big decision like that, but that goes for any school. I am assuming you are going to the UK to not only study within different teaching and learning environments but it also to experience another country that you might potentially want to move to. I was not a med student, but I did go to the UK to get my masters in product design and I could share a bit of my experience with you as well as things you might want to consider when choosing a school.
Firstly, it is great to hear that you would like to work there as well afterwards, as there is a good chance you might not be able to take and use that degree in the US if you so decide to work here. Do some further digging into this before hand.
Secondly, make a pros and cons list of the different schools you are considering. See what each course offers, and what their teaching style is like try to reach out to admin’s professors and especially enrolled students. There might be emails on their website and if not, they might have a student social media page.
Then there are financial obligations of course. The UK has its pros and cons just like any country. Yes, the pay is not as much, however, there is free healthcare, however, it does take quite a while to process anything. then there is also housing to consider, as well as if you are applying for or eligible to apply for loans here and/or in the UK.
Overall, most importantly, go with what your heart tells you. No matter what your decision is everything seems to fall in place as long as you show effort. Moving to the UK can be a life-changing experience that might be scary, but also may be the best decision you ever make. It definitely was one of the best times for me. I did my bachelors in the US but sometimes wish I did it in the UK. I had a good amount of loans, but it was able to scrape together money to go to the UK for grad school knowing that I would most likely have to come back in order to start to pay loans as the job market for my field is difficult. I had to start paying loans so I could not manage that as well as paying rent. In your case, if you go to med school, there is a good chance you can find a work, but regardless, do research into this as well.
Best of luck to you, and whether you go there to study or not, be sure to go for holiday!
I think it’s amazing that you were considering going to the UK to study in med school. There are many things to consider when making a big decision like that, but that goes for any school. I am assuming you are going to the UK to not only study within different teaching and learning environments but it also to experience another country that you might potentially want to move to. I was not a med student, but I did go to the UK to get my masters in product design and I could share a bit of my experience with you as well as things you might want to consider when choosing a school.
Firstly, it is great to hear that you would like to work there as well afterwards, as there is a good chance you might not be able to take and use that degree in the US if you so decide to work here. Do some further digging into this before hand.
Secondly, make a pros and cons list of the different schools you are considering. See what each course offers, and what their teaching style is like try to reach out to admin’s professors and especially enrolled students. There might be emails on their website and if not, they might have a student social media page.
Then there are financial obligations of course. The UK has its pros and cons just like any country. Yes, the pay is not as much, however, there is free healthcare, however, it does take quite a while to process anything. then there is also housing to consider, as well as if you are applying for or eligible to apply for loans here and/or in the UK.
Overall, most importantly, go with what your heart tells you. No matter what your decision is everything seems to fall in place as long as you show effort. Moving to the UK can be a life-changing experience that might be scary, but also may be the best decision you ever make. It definitely was one of the best times for me. I did my bachelors in the US but sometimes wish I did it in the UK. I had a good amount of loans, but it was able to scrape together money to go to the UK for grad school knowing that I would most likely have to come back in order to start to pay loans as the job market for my field is difficult. I had to start paying loans so I could not manage that as well as paying rent. In your case, if you go to med school, there is a good chance you can find a work, but regardless, do research into this as well.
Best of luck to you, and whether you go there to study or not, be sure to go for holiday!
Karin P.
Lecturer, Academic Advisor, Career Coach
1085
Answers
Göttingen, Lower Saxony, Germany
Updated
Karin’s Answer
Hi Sanya,
It's always hard to say if another country is "better" in general. There might be parts that are "better", but they come with other parts that you might not like. You'll have to take the whole package. Factors include education, salaries, taxes, cost of living, quality of life etc. Make sure you know exactly what living in the UK means (I am not saying it's bad, just different to what you are used to).
If you are trained as a doctor, you can work in other countries (e.g. if you want to go back to the US at some point), but it can be difficult to get licensed and board certified in a different country and starting over when you have built a practice is hard. If your motivation to become a medical doctor in the UK is to shorten your training and make a lot of money, you might be sorely disappointed.
I am not sure if the education of doctors in the UK is actually shorter. It's just different. In the US, you need an actual undergraduate degree before you can even apply to medical school. In the UK, there are different entry points: you can start medical school right after high-school (if you qualify), after a foundation year (if you need to study up on science fundamentals or as a graduate entry (if you already have an undergraduate degree). If you can enter medical school right after high-school, you'll spend 5 years in medical school. If you have a foundation year, it will be 6 years. If you take graduate entry, you'll be at 7 years total minimum. After graduation from med school come 2 years of foundation training followed by specialty training (3 years for a GP and 5 to 8 years for other specialties).
As a US student, you'll need to check entry requirements too. A high-school diploma from the US might not be recognized, an IB will be though. You'll have to check with each university. As a foreign student, a quota applies to you, i.e. a certain number of places in med school are "reserved" for foreign students. That puts you at a significant disadvantage compared to local students as the competition is much harder. The tuition cost for a medical degree is between £25000 and £50000 per year for international students. You also need to prove that you have sufficient funds to support yourself which is set at £1,483 per month if you are studying in London and at £1,136 elsewhere in the country. That gives you an idea just how expensive London is. So, even if you eventually get that high-paying job in London, the money will just go to living expenses.
I hope this helps! All the best to you!
KP
https://medify.co/admissions-guide/international-students-medicine-dentistry
https://medify.co/anz/resources/get-into-medical-school
https://www.medschools.ac.uk/for-students/applying-to-medical-school/entry-requirements/
https://www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/explore-roles/doctors/training-doctor
It's always hard to say if another country is "better" in general. There might be parts that are "better", but they come with other parts that you might not like. You'll have to take the whole package. Factors include education, salaries, taxes, cost of living, quality of life etc. Make sure you know exactly what living in the UK means (I am not saying it's bad, just different to what you are used to).
If you are trained as a doctor, you can work in other countries (e.g. if you want to go back to the US at some point), but it can be difficult to get licensed and board certified in a different country and starting over when you have built a practice is hard. If your motivation to become a medical doctor in the UK is to shorten your training and make a lot of money, you might be sorely disappointed.
I am not sure if the education of doctors in the UK is actually shorter. It's just different. In the US, you need an actual undergraduate degree before you can even apply to medical school. In the UK, there are different entry points: you can start medical school right after high-school (if you qualify), after a foundation year (if you need to study up on science fundamentals or as a graduate entry (if you already have an undergraduate degree). If you can enter medical school right after high-school, you'll spend 5 years in medical school. If you have a foundation year, it will be 6 years. If you take graduate entry, you'll be at 7 years total minimum. After graduation from med school come 2 years of foundation training followed by specialty training (3 years for a GP and 5 to 8 years for other specialties).
As a US student, you'll need to check entry requirements too. A high-school diploma from the US might not be recognized, an IB will be though. You'll have to check with each university. As a foreign student, a quota applies to you, i.e. a certain number of places in med school are "reserved" for foreign students. That puts you at a significant disadvantage compared to local students as the competition is much harder. The tuition cost for a medical degree is between £25000 and £50000 per year for international students. You also need to prove that you have sufficient funds to support yourself which is set at £1,483 per month if you are studying in London and at £1,136 elsewhere in the country. That gives you an idea just how expensive London is. So, even if you eventually get that high-paying job in London, the money will just go to living expenses.
I hope this helps! All the best to you!
KP
Karin recommends the following next steps:
Michelle M.
Actress
3276
Answers
Updated
Michelle’s Answer
Hi, Sanya !
I am so glad that you came here for advice on this ! I will present ideas to you that will be in your best interest and hope it's something you'd consider.
Do not move to the UK or London to go to Medical School and practice there. There is a way to do it in the U.S. You really need to decide if you have a strong enough drive to become a surgeon because that will need to be the primary reason to go into medicine, regardless of the time length or money. So if you can come to terms with this and relate to being a medical professional first, you may be on the right track.
Tuition will be more expensive for you as an International Student for undergrad in London (find out how long you're considered an international student or when you can get your citizenship) and London is significantly expensive to live in. Different social expectations will be there as well. A friend's friend just returned from London and said it was so crowded, she broke her leg and cut her trip short. I highly advise not doing this overseas, but in the end, you will have to figure out how to do what you want to do, not by cutting corners or looking for what you may think is the "easiest" way.
About your salary - there is no way anyone could tell you how much you'd be paid, only when you apply for work and the employer tells you what the salary is, that will be when you'll know salaries. You don't choose your salary. You attend interviews and accept whatever offers you like. It's defeating to have in mind a salary before you even understand the career.
U.S. Medical Schools are more expensive than in the UK and usually take a course of a minimum of 13 years (undergraduate, Med school, residency, etc.) depending if you choose a fellowship which will be more time and it's well worth it. This career is intricate, intense, so much to learn and you need a lot of time learning it. It's not beneficial to speed up or cut corners in order to be a Surgeon.
There is a Medical School in New York with two locations that you may find is less expensive than most and you can be a surgeon when you are done. It is Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine. They have two locations in New York State - one in upper Manhattan and one upstate in Middletown, New York. It is a Medical School but with osteopathic medicine you would receive a D.O. Degree, receive courses in palliative care (like what chiropractors do) and full semester courses in Nutrition. You would learn surgery there. Visit their website. The school was developed out of a need to serve underserved students but anyone can attend there.
In the end, you will do what you want to do, but if you find that the UK pace and academic system is not for you, you'll have to make another decision and you could put yourself in a set back. I would suggest actually visiting London and some Medical Schools and Universities there and make inquiries and take tours before you decide to jump into this. You also need to consult with a UK Embassy or Consulate here to see what the guidelines are for citizenship or student visas, etc. It will take a lot of planning which you should begin now and also to start saving money if you plan to move to London. You'll also need to find a place to stay once you arrive in London.
I don't want to change your mind, but I get the drift that your vision of London is just to have a less expensive college and Medical School expense. If you really want to take citizenship in London (hopefully you've visited there before) fine, but really think about this and do what is doable and what will be good for your future. Also remember that there is socialized medicine in the UK and find out who pays and how you would get paid as a doctor. In the U.S., there may be more income opportunities than in the UK as doctors do a variety of things here (it may be that way in the UK too but with socialized medicine, you'd have to understand the ins and outs of that).
I hope that this is something that you will consider. Become very well informed before you make any decisions or moves. In the end, you will have to follow your heart. I wish you all the best !
I am so glad that you came here for advice on this ! I will present ideas to you that will be in your best interest and hope it's something you'd consider.
Do not move to the UK or London to go to Medical School and practice there. There is a way to do it in the U.S. You really need to decide if you have a strong enough drive to become a surgeon because that will need to be the primary reason to go into medicine, regardless of the time length or money. So if you can come to terms with this and relate to being a medical professional first, you may be on the right track.
Tuition will be more expensive for you as an International Student for undergrad in London (find out how long you're considered an international student or when you can get your citizenship) and London is significantly expensive to live in. Different social expectations will be there as well. A friend's friend just returned from London and said it was so crowded, she broke her leg and cut her trip short. I highly advise not doing this overseas, but in the end, you will have to figure out how to do what you want to do, not by cutting corners or looking for what you may think is the "easiest" way.
About your salary - there is no way anyone could tell you how much you'd be paid, only when you apply for work and the employer tells you what the salary is, that will be when you'll know salaries. You don't choose your salary. You attend interviews and accept whatever offers you like. It's defeating to have in mind a salary before you even understand the career.
U.S. Medical Schools are more expensive than in the UK and usually take a course of a minimum of 13 years (undergraduate, Med school, residency, etc.) depending if you choose a fellowship which will be more time and it's well worth it. This career is intricate, intense, so much to learn and you need a lot of time learning it. It's not beneficial to speed up or cut corners in order to be a Surgeon.
There is a Medical School in New York with two locations that you may find is less expensive than most and you can be a surgeon when you are done. It is Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine. They have two locations in New York State - one in upper Manhattan and one upstate in Middletown, New York. It is a Medical School but with osteopathic medicine you would receive a D.O. Degree, receive courses in palliative care (like what chiropractors do) and full semester courses in Nutrition. You would learn surgery there. Visit their website. The school was developed out of a need to serve underserved students but anyone can attend there.
In the end, you will do what you want to do, but if you find that the UK pace and academic system is not for you, you'll have to make another decision and you could put yourself in a set back. I would suggest actually visiting London and some Medical Schools and Universities there and make inquiries and take tours before you decide to jump into this. You also need to consult with a UK Embassy or Consulate here to see what the guidelines are for citizenship or student visas, etc. It will take a lot of planning which you should begin now and also to start saving money if you plan to move to London. You'll also need to find a place to stay once you arrive in London.
I don't want to change your mind, but I get the drift that your vision of London is just to have a less expensive college and Medical School expense. If you really want to take citizenship in London (hopefully you've visited there before) fine, but really think about this and do what is doable and what will be good for your future. Also remember that there is socialized medicine in the UK and find out who pays and how you would get paid as a doctor. In the U.S., there may be more income opportunities than in the UK as doctors do a variety of things here (it may be that way in the UK too but with socialized medicine, you'd have to understand the ins and outs of that).
I hope that this is something that you will consider. Become very well informed before you make any decisions or moves. In the end, you will have to follow your heart. I wish you all the best !