MRCS Training in UK

International Surgical Training Programme (ISTP) The International Surgical Training Programme (ISTP) comes under the generic Medical Training Initiative (MTI) scheme and provides a route for high quality International Medical Graduates (IMGs) to obtain sponsorship for GMC registration and the Tier 5 visa so that they can undertake training and development in UK hospitals for a maximum of 24 months.

Eligibility criteria
IMGs eligible to register for an ISTP post must:

•  be working within an ISTP overseas partner organisation
•  be resident overseas at the time of application to the scheme and have no rights of residence in the UK/EU/EEA/Switzerland
•  hold a primary medical qualification recognised by the GMC
•  have completed an acceptable internship (or equivalent) of not less than twelve months following undergraduate training
•  have completed at least 3 years of full-time clinical practice/training (equivalent to ST3 or above in the UK) since obtaining their primary medical qualification, including the most recent 12 months. Clinical attachments/observerships do not count
•  have passed the MRCS (UK) or hold an acceptable alternative qualification
•  have not previously attempted the General Medical Council (GMC) Professional and Linguistics Assessment Board (PLAB) test
•  achieved a minimum score of 7.0 in each category of the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), and an overall score of at least 7.5.