Psychiatrists are medically qualified doctors specialising in the diagnosis and treatment of patients with mental health disorders, such as:

• dementia

• depression

• bipolar disorder

• eating disorders

• schizophrenia.

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.

Taken from prospects / national careers 2021

For more information on Qualifications:

https://www.prospects.ac.uk/job-profiles/psychiatrist - see Qualifications

As a psychiatrist you'll usually specialise in one of the following areas:

• general adult - for patients aged 18 to 65 in inpatient and outpatient settings. Sub-specialties include liaison, substance misuse, rehabilitation psychiatry, eating disorder psychiatry and neuropsychiatry.

• child and adolescent - working with children and young people up to 18 years of age who have a mental illness.

• old age - specialising in psychiatric illnesses such as dementia, which are common in the 65+ age group.

• forensic - psychiatric care in prisons and secure hospitals. Forensic psychiatrists can also act as expert witnesses in court trials.

• psychiatry of intellectual disability - managing patients who have a learning disability.

• medical psychotherapy - providing treatment for psychiatric disorders through different forms of psychotherapy.

The NHS is the largest employer of psychiatrists. There are also opportunities to work in the private sector, as well as setting up a private practice. There are currently plenty of opportunities available for psychiatrists.

Look for job vacancies at:

• BMJ Careers

• NHS jobs - England and Wales

• NHS Scotland Recruitment

• Northern Ireland Health and Social Care jobs

• Royal College of Psychiatrists Job Board

Look for training posts at:

• National Psychiatry Recruitment (England, Wales and Scotland) - national psychiatry recruitment portal, coordinated by Health Education North West, for core and speciality psychiatry training posts.

• Northern Ireland Medical & Dental Training Agency (NIMDTA)