Initial Expenses
Your initial expenses will need careful consideration. This amount needs to be invested for you to reach and work in the UK to gain postgraduate experience. While you will certainly make up the costs within 6 months, the amount you have to spend can be considerable
a) PLAB examination – This consists of two parts and you may be luckt to get through at first attempt. However, it is wise to consider that you may need more than one attempt. (Cost January 2017 – £1070)
Please note that the examination is changing and so are the time limits for registration
b) IELTS examination – This is probably the first examination to take and costs around £170 Please visit IELTS website for more details.
c) GMC registration – GMC registration is to be applied for before you can practice in the united kingdom. This can be obtained after you pass the PLAB examination, become a member of the royal college ( MRCP/ MRCS etc) or after a sponsoring body sponsors you and assures the GMC that you are fit to practice ( Usually a royal college) (Cost January 2017 – £425)
d) Travel costs This depends in local travel as well as travel to the UK and may vary depending on time of travel £750
e) Accommodation This can vary between £350 – 400 per month in Manchester for single accommodation but may be considerably higher in other parts of the country
f) Visa fees – The visa costs depends on whether you are on Tier 2 visa or Tier 5 visa ( MTI). Tier 2 visa costs are far more and currently is £575 per person applying ( January 2017). The cost is per application per person and not for the number of years . So 1 person for 1 year is £575, 1 person for 3 years is £575, 4 people for 1 year is £2300. Tier 5 visa is £230 per application per person.
g) NHS surcharge. This is a health insurance surcharge that is compulsory for all applicants from outside the UK. This guarantees cover for all pre-existing medical conditions. The current cost is £200 per person per year. So a 3 year visa for 4 persons will set you back by £2400.
Miscellaneous costs : for subsistence and other expenses £500
So if all this is combined, the best case scenario, where you pass all your examinations first time around is £8,000. This is your initial investment.