How do I become a Surgeon?

Surgeons are Medical Doctors who perform surgical operations. Surgeons can be used to remove or repair parts of the body in order to treat illnesses and injuries or to alter the body’s appearance. It is a rewarding discipline combining intellectual ability and physical input. Surgeons specialise in one area of surgery most of the time. There are 10 surgical specialities to consider:

• Cardiothoracic surgery
• General surgery
• Neurosurgery
• Oral and maxillofacial
• Trauma and orthopaedic surgery
• Otolaryngology (ear, nose and throat surgery)
• Paediatric surgery
• Plastic surgery
• Urological surgery
• Vascular surgery

Surgeons start their training like all other Doctors: Medical School (4-7 years) followed by the Foundation years (2 years); then core surgical training (2 years). Some specialities allow trainees to begin speciality training at ST1. Surgeons then move on to speciality training, which is a further 6 years. The flowchart below simplifies this.

It’s important to note that this is the quickest anyone could achieve this level and is not the norm. Many surgeons will have taken years out along the way for further studies, sabbaticals, maternity/paternity leave etc.