To become a psychiatrist you'll need to complete:
- a 5-year degree in medicine, recognised by the General Medical Council
- a 2-year foundation programme of general training
- 3 years of core training in psychiatry
- 3 years of training in a speciality
You may be able to join a 6-year degree course in medicine if you do not have qualifications in science. This includes a one-year pre-medical foundation year.
If you already have a degree in a science subject, 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 may be asked to take the UK Clinical Aptitude Test (UKCAT) or the BioMedical Admissions Test (BMAT) to check your suitability for a career in medicine.
There's a lot of competition for places on medical degrees. Most university admissions departments will expect you to have done some relevant paid or voluntary experience.
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), including English, maths and a science
- 3 A levels, including chemistry, biology and either physics or maths
- a degree in a relevant subject for postgraduate study