This page looks at the reasons why you might want to study medicine. It mentions the things you should consider and helps you think about whether medicine is the right career for you.

Why study medicine?

A career in medicine can be very rewarding. It may appeal to you because:

• you can make a real difference to people’s lives by helping to alleviate pain and suffering

• it’s a respected profession

• there’s a wide choice of careers – in fact there are over 60 specialties and there are opportunities to get involved with teaching, research and management

• the day-to-day work can be very varied

• you will face all kinds of practical and intellectual challenges

• once you graduate, you’ll earn a reasonable salary and this increases with experience

• doctors will always be in demand

The training pathway

After gaining your medical degree, you take a two-year Foundation Programme. This is followed by training either as a GP (currently lasting three years) or in a specialty (taking five to eight years)