How to become an anaesthetist
You can get into this job through a university course.
University
To become an anaesthetist, you'll need to complete:
- a 5-year degree in medicine that is recognised by the General Medical Council
- a 2-year foundation programme of general training
- up to 8 years of specialist training
You might be able to join a 6-year degree course in medicine if you have no A levels or equivalent qualifications in science. This includes a one-year pre-medical foundation year.
If you already have an upper second class (2:1) or first class science degree, you could take a 4-year graduate entry route into medicine. Some universities will also accept non-science graduates.
When you apply for a course in medicine, you could be asked to take the University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT) or BioMedical Admissions Test (BMAT). They test the skills you'll need on the course, like critical thinking, problem solving, data analysis, communication and scientific knowledge.
There's a lot of competition to get a place on a degree in medicine. Most universities will expect you to have done some relevant paid or voluntary work experience.
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English, maths and science
- 3 A levels, or equivalent, including biology and chemistry
More Information
More Information
Registration
- you'll need to register with the General Medical Council
Further information
You can find more details on how to become an anaesthetist from the Royal College of Anaesthetists and Health Careers.