Eligibility for the Medical Training Initiative

In order to be eligible for the MTI scheme, you must meet the following criteria set out by the GMC and the College:

 College Criteria:

• provide evidence of living in one of the MTI-eligible countries for the last 12 months. We will only consider you if you live in  DFID countries or Low Income, Lower Middle Income. If you live in an Upper Middle Income country we may consider you for MTI, but priority will be given to applicants from DFID and low and middle income countries
• provide evidence of at least three years within the last five years anaesthesia/ICM training outside of the UK and European Union
• provide evidence of a postgraduate qualification acceptable to the College;
• have your postgraduate qualification (along with your Primary Medical degree)  verified by the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates
• must not have British or European citizenship (including dual national status)
• provide a written statement of intend to return to your home country upon completing the MTI post in the UK
• not be in possession of any part of PLAB or have attempted to sit it (Please see below for further details)
• meet all the GMC requirements listed below.

The General Medical Council criteria

The GMC’s minimum requirements are:

• have a basic medical qualification acceptable to the GMC
• have completed at least one year in an internship post (pre-registration House Officer)
• have been qualified as a doctor for at least three years
• have your qualifications verified by the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates. More information can be found on the GMC website
• provide evidence of being engaged in medical practice for a minimum three years out of the last five years outside of the European Union, including the most recent 12 months
• provide evidence of good standing from the applicant’s local Medical Regulatory Council
• demonstrate knowledge of English by obtaining an overall score of 7.5 (with minimum scores of 7.0 in each section) in speaking, listening, reading and writing in the ‘Academic/UKVI Academic’ test of the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), or a minimum grade 'B' in each testing area (speaking, listening, reading and writing) in the Medicine Occupational English Test (OET). Please note IELTS online will not be accepted and both the IELTS and OET certificates are valid for only two years
• must not have previously failed any part of the PLAB Test.

PLAB and MTI Eligibility:

• a candidate who has sat and passed part 1 of PLAB over five years ago would be considered for MTI
• a candidate who has sat and passed part 1 of PLAB between four and three years ago would be considered providing that they provide a satisfactory reason for the change in route to GMC registration
• a candidate who has sat and passed part 1 of PLAB within the last three years would not be accepted for MTI.
• must not have previously failed any part of the PLAB Test

Country of Origin:

We welcome applications from IMGs from DFID countries, along with Low Income and Lower Middle Income countries defined by the World Bank. Please note that as well as being from an eligible country, you will also need to meet the eligibility criteria outlined above. Also, please be aware that applicants from High Income countries will not be accepted (this includes citizens from MTI-eligible countries living and working in High Income countries). 

Applicants from Upper Middle Income countries will also be considered for MTI. However, please be aware that priority will be given to applicants from DFID and low income countries. 

Criteria for Overseas Qualification acceptable for MTI:

• the postgraduate qualification must be in anaesthesia, pain medicine or intensive care medicine
• the minimum duration of the course leading to this qualification is two years
• the candidate or institution should be able to provide the RCoA with a curriculum covering the training leading to the qualification
• the qualification must be recognised by a university or health authority in the country of origin
• the candidate must have completed the qualification and produce a certificate from relevant authority
• if a qualification has more than one part, the candidate must have successfully completed all parts
• if the parent country recognises first part as a separate qualification in its own right, the qualification may be acceptable  provided the curriculum is acceptable and the minimum duration of training leading to that qualification is two years
• the Royal College of Anaesthetists has the final authority to decide on the acceptability of any overseas qualification after due consideration
• acceptance for MTI sponsorship does not grant any exemption from any RCoA examinations.

If you feel that you meet the above criteria, please complete the MTI Matching Scheme checklist and return to the Global Partnerships department.