Is medicine for you?

• Medicine is long: typically five or six years of study, then at least two years as a foundation doctor.
• Try to see the work first: volunteering, care settings and talking to doctors all help.
• It suits people who like people as much as science.

Questions worth asking yourself

• Do I enjoy working with people, including when it is hard?
• Can I cope with long training and regular assessment?
• Do I handle stress and uncertainty reasonably well, and know where to get support?

Talk to doctors, students and teachers. Shadowing and volunteering can help you decide, but check what each medical school actually asks for.

This page is general education, reviewed 27 October 2026. Rules, fees and dates change: always confirm with the official sources below. It is not medical, legal or immigration advice.