Theatre Image

Surgeons' Career Journey

Explore your career journey with our surgical timeline and discover what's ahead.

sample timeline

Your career journey

We’re here for you – at every step. Join a worldwide community of over 15,000 Fellows and Members working together to advance our profession and improve patient care. Use the buttons below to navigate to the desired stage.

Medical degree (1–5)

Foundation years (FY1–FY2)

Core surgical training (CST1–ST2)

Specialty training (ST3–ST8)

Consultant

Retired

Medical degree (1–5)

medical degree image
  • Boost your portfolio by attending conferences and entering poster competitions.  
  • Apply for a Medical Elective Scholarship of up to £1,000 to study abroad.  
  • Join our Buddying Scheme for peer support with your Foundation Training application and placements.  
  • Get involved in the Resident Doctors’ Committee to work with peers and have your voice heard.  
  • Save on training and CPD costs with free and discounted courses (up to 40%).  
  • Access free inter-library loans and eBooks. 

Foundation years (FY1–FY2)

FY
  • Save on training and CPD costs with free and discounted courses (up to 40%).  
  • Boost your Core Surgical Training (CST) application by attending conferences and entering poster competitions.  
  • Join the Resident Doctors’ Committee to enhance your professional career.  
  • Apply for the College Travelling Fellowship, awarded annually to five Members.  
  • Join our Buddying Scheme for peer support with CST applications and placements. 
  • Gain insights from past FYs and gain top tips from our Survival Guide and Beyond FY2 Podcast.  
  • Complete our MRCS Part A online eLearning to prepare you for your exam. 
  • Access free inter-library loans, eBooks and Acland’s Video Atlas of Human Anatomy. 

Core surgical training (CST1–ST2)

core surgical trainees smiling
  • Save on training and CPD costs with free and discounted courses (up to 40%).  
  • Boost your Specialty Training application by attending conferences and entering poster competitions.  
  • Join the Resident Doctors’ Committee to enhance your professional career.  
  • As you progress in your training and applications, join our Buddying and Mentoring schemes to connect with supportive peers.
  • Access free inter-library loans, eBooks and Acland’s Video Atlas of Human Anatomy.  
  • Attend our MRCS Part B Exam Preparation Course to get you exam ready.
  • Gain postnominals such as MRCS(Glasg) and celebrate your membership at a Diploma Ceremony.
  • Prepare for your ST3 interviews with our online preparation courses. 

Speciality training (ST3–ST8)

specialty training
  • Save on training and CPD costs with free and discounted courses (up to 40%).  
  • Join My Mentoring, an online platform that provides a mentor or mentee matching service.  
  • Participate in the Resident Doctors’ Committee and College boards to enhance your portfolio.  
  • Earn internationally recognised postnominals, such as FRCS(Glasg).  
  • As a Member, use your voting rights to participate fully in the governance of the College.
  • Apply for the College Volunteering Award to spend time working internationally.
  • Access free inter-library loans and eBooks.
  • Stay up to date with College activities through College Voice magazine and news updates. 

Consultant

image of consultant
  • As a Fellow, advance your career by applying for research, volunteering or professional development awards like the Leadership Development Scholarship Programme.
  • Become an MRCS examiner to ensure exam standards are met and grow your professional network.
  • As a UK Fellow, you’re eligible to stand for election as a trustee, and influence the direction of the College.
  • Celebrate your achievement of becoming a Fellow at a Diploma Ceremony.  
  • Enjoy free inter-library loans and eBooks, along with lifetime membership benefits and an exclusive fellowship pin badge. 

Retired

retired fellow
  • Join our Senior Fellows’ Club to remain part of the community.  
  • Continue serving as an examiner for up to one year after you retire from clinical practice.
  • Stay up to date with College activities through College Voice magazine and news updates. 

Join our community

Membership offers professional recognition, access to exams and CPD points, career support, global networking and exclusive scholarships and discounts.

View membership benefits

Join our community

Join us today

Grow your career

Develop your clinical and non-clinical skills through exclusive courses, events and global networking opportunities. 

Unlock benefits

Get access to exclusive membership benefits, including discounts on courses, conferences, exams, scholarships and support.

Join a global community

Connect with like-minded professionals committed to advancing and shaping the future of healthcare.

What our Members say

"The College provides us with a strong voice and the opportunity to contribute to the change and improvement of healthcare systems at a macro level."
Callum Wemyss

Callum Wemyss

Dental Surgeon

Member

"Our College values equality, diversity and inclusivity. As we celebrate our 425th anniversary, we will continue to champion inclusivity and overcome barriers to empower doctors and surgeons to work to their full potential."
Saira saleem testimonial

Professor Saira Saleem

Surgeon

Member of College Council

"As a Fellow, International Advisor and Examiner, I value the opportunities for professional growth and shaping future standards. The College’s network has enhanced my leadership and impact on healthcare locally and internationally, especially across the Gulf region."
sohail-testimonial-image

Dr Sohail Fazal

Family Medicine and Travel Medicine Specialist

Fellow