Residency in the UK & India: Difference

Medical residency in the UK and India, both provide postgraduate medical training but differ in the structure, eligibility criteria, duration, and the overall healthcare systems

Medical residency
The UK India 
  • Referred to as Foundation Training
  • Consists of two years of Foundation Year 1 (F1) and Foundation Year 2 (F2)
  • Post the completion of F1 & F2, doctors can choose to enter speciality training programs, which vary in duration 
  • Referred to as Postgraduate Medical Education
  • Involves a 3-year Master of Surgery (MS) or Doctor of Medicine (MD) program
  • After completing the MS/MD, doctors can pursue super-speciality courses or work as specialists
The UK India 
To enter Foundation Training, medical graduates need to complete a Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) or equivalent degree  Post the MBBS degree, doctors can appear for the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) PG for postgraduate medical courses (MD/MS)specialists
The UK India 
  • F1 and F2 typically last for two years
  • Specialty training in the UK can vary in duration, usually ranging from 5 to 8 years, depending on the speciality
 
  • Duration of the MS/MD program is three years
  • Subsequent super-speciality courses may take an additional 3 years or more
The UK India 
  • After successful completion of Foundation Training and speciality training programs, doctors earn a Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT) 
  • This is a requirement for registration as a specialist with the General Medical Council (GMC)
 
  • After completing postgraduate training (MD/MS), doctors receive their postgraduate degree 
  • Post this, they can then register with the Medical Council of India (MCI) to practice as specialists
The UK India 
  • The National Health Service (NHS) is the primary healthcare provider in the UK
  •  Medical residency and subsequent practice are often within the NHS, which provides publicly funded healthcare services
 
  • India has a diverse healthcare system, including public and private healthcare providers
  •  Doctors may choose to work in government hospitals, or private hospitals, or establish their own private practice
The UK India 
  • Junior doctors, including those in Foundation Training, is part of a structured system with defined work hours and compensation
  • Pay structure is regulated by the NHS
 
  • Work conditions and compensation for doctors in India vary depending on the institution and location
  • Public sector doctors are typically government employees