Careers in surgery

The path to becoming a surgeon after medical school takes many years and is highly competitive but also very rewarding – see our trainee surgeons videos.

Before specialising in surgery, medical students undergo two years in the foundation programme as a Foundation Trainee (formerly known as house officer).

Prospective surgeons can then choose to undertake two years of core surgical training which usually involves training in three or four surgical specialities and sitting exams to obtain Membership of the Royal College of Surgeons (MRCS).

Specialised, higher surgical training takes an additional five to six years. While working as a speciality trainee, surgeons sit speciality surgical exams leading to the eventual award of a Fellowship (FRCS) and upon successfully completing this stage, the Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT).

After obtaining this certificate, surgeons are then eligible to become a consultant surgeon.

Trainee surgeons videos

Are you interested in becoming a surgeon? Watch these videos from trainee surgeons to find out how they are getting on.

• Video: Lisa Sockett
  1st year surgical trainee
  King's College Hospital
  
• Video: Ahsan Sheeraz
  2nd year surgical trainee
  King's College Hospital
  

• Video: Registrar Betsy Evans
  5th year cardiothoracic speciality trainee
  Papworth Hospital
  

Women in surgery

Although there are many highly successful female surgeons they still remain under-represented in the profession. Find out more about Women in Surgery at the Royal College of Surgeons of England website.

Watch this video from Women in Surgery chair, neurosurgeon Helen Fernandes. Here, Helen describes her experiences in hospital and how she balances a successful surgical career with having a family.

• Video: Neurosurgeon Helen Fernandes
  Addenbrooke's Hospital
  Women in Surgery, Chair
  

Find out more about our Surgery Live teams

You don't have to be a surgeon to have a career in surgery. There are many types of jobs on a surgical team, all requiring different skills.

• Open heart surgery team
• Awake brain surgery team
• Keyhole stomach repair team
• Pituitary tumour removal team

External links

Royal College of Surgeons of England
Find out more about careers for surgeons on the Royal College of Surgeons career page.

Still thinking about a career in surgery?
Take a look at these videos by practicing professionals who tell it like it is.

• Andrew Johnston, Anaesthetist
• Karen Stratton, Training Co-ordinator for sterile services
• Susan Morrish, Health Care Assistant on Day Surgery
• Nick Fletcher, Clinical Leader for ODP

Find more career advice and resources on our links page.