International Medical Graduates (IMGs)
This page is intended for doctors who completed their primary medical education outside the UK and wish to work in psychiatry or pursue higher training in psychiatry in the UK.
We're keen to support International Medical Graduates who choose to follow a career in psychiatry in the UK.
RCPsych have produced a guide for International Medical Graduates pursuing a career in psychiatry in the UK. The guide provides a comprehensive overview of working, training and living in the UK as a psychiatrist.
- Applying for registration as an International Medical Graduate (GMC guidance)
- Working in the UK (GMC guidance)
- Working and training in the NHS – a guide for international medical graduates (NHS Employers)
- Recruitment into Approved Training Programmes in Psychiatry in England, Scotland and Wales or Northern Ireland
- MRCPsych Examinations
- Core and Specialty Training (College guidance)
- Medical Training Initiative
Please see the Conferences and Events pages for more information.
- Clinical attachment: a guide for doctors
- Good Medical Practice Learning Materials (GMC)
- CPD eLearning
- Trainees Online (online learning resource to support trainee psychiatrists in preparing for MRCPsych exams)
- Toolkit for doctors new to the UK (BMA)
- Advice for IMG GPs (Health Education Yorkshire and Humber)
- Working and training in the NHS – a guide for IMGs (NHS Employers)
- Health Education England
RCPsych have developed a dedicated page which provides information on a range of resources available to support refugees and asylum seekers towards working as a psychiatrist in the UK.
You'll find information on getting your license to practice, developing your work skills and available resources and wellbeing support from the college.
Support for refugee psychiatrists.International Medical Graduates’ Conference 2023: Embracing and Empowering Together took place online via Zoom on 10 February 2023.
The conference was aimed at:
- International Medical Graduates (IMGs)
- Medical Training Initiative (MTI) doctors
- Widening Access to Specialty Training (WAST) scheme doctors
- International doctors hoping to start a career in psychiatry
- Trainers of International Medical Graduates (e.g. Heads of Schools and Programme Directors)
- Anyone interested in recruitment and retention in psychiatry
This conference was an opportunity for International Medical Graduates and their trainers to share good practice and explore and celebrate diversity in the psychiatric workforce.
The conference involved a wide range of relevant topics including the RCPsych guide to living and working in the UK, GMC referrals, the new psychiatry curriculum, audit and quality improvement, an introduction to the Psychiatric Trainees Committee and the MRCPsych exams.
Check out our 2024 Conference which takes place on Friday 2 February 2024: International Medical Graduates’ Conference 2024: Supporting you through training.