Applying for a Global Fellowship Scheme post

The process for applying for a Global Fellowship Scheme post

In order to apply for a post through the GFS, you should follow the steps below.

It is important to note that obtaining the required paperwork and obtaining approval can take a significant period of time. Whilst we cannot be specific about timelines as each case is different, it is not uncommon for the process of applying for an GFS position to take between three to six months. We ask that prospective GFS doctors and hosts read the information provided carefully, as providing the required information in a timely fashion will reduce processing times.

Step 1: Applying for a GFS post

If you meet all the eligibility criteria, you may be able to apply for an GFS post, which has prospectively been approved by the College.

It is your responsibility to source your GFS post. This may be done by contacting hospitals directly, or you may find posts at the following websites:

Please ensure that the posts you apply for have been approved by the College for the GFS.

Step 2: Upon appointment to a GFS post

Once you are appointed to an approved GFS post, please complete the GFS Checklist in the first instance. We will check this and ask your Trust to make the payment of a GFS Trust fee (£1,380). We will also ask you to complete the online GFS application form*, which you will need to complete in full, and upload the following supporting documents:

certified copy of Primary Medical and Postgraduate degrees
verification of Primary Medical Degree and Postgraduate Degree (by the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates)
confirmation of appointment from the UK employing authority (offer letter)
certified copy of IELTS/OET Certificate or confirmation of being exempt from sitting IELTS or OET as you are a national of a country where English is the first and native language, and you have been awarded your primary medical degree from a country where English is the first and native language
valid Certificate of Good Standing
confirmation that an initial fee of £120 has been paid
scanned copy of your passport.

*You should provide the names and contact details of your nominated referees and the College will contact them directly.

Once an application has been received, please allow approximately four weeks for it to be processed. Please do not contact the Global Partnerships office during this time to check on progress, as this will delay the processing of the application.

Once the Trust fee has been received, and when your application is approved, we will email you a letter confirming that you have been accepted onto the GFS scheme. If you require sponsorship for GMC registration, we will request an administrative fee of £865 from you.

Step 3: Applying for GMC registration

All doctors treating patients in the UK need to be registered with the General Medical Council (GMC). Doctors successfully appointed through the GFS will receive GMC registration sponsored by the College. Once step two (outlined above) is completed, and you receive our approval letter, you will need to make your application to the GMC.

When your application is started, you will be provided with a GMC reference number. You will need to pass this number to the College, so that we can complete a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) to support your application. We will send this CoS directly to the GMC.

Once your application is completed, the GMC will contact you to confirm this, and invite you to attend an identity check upon your arrival in the UK. Once this is completed, you will have your GMC registration approved and your name will be placed onto the GMC register and you will be able to start your clinical work.

Step 4: Applying for visa

This process is undertaken via the employing Trust. We would ask that applicants keep us informed of how this is progressing and confirm the following for us when they are available:

Confirmation of visa dates, with a scanned copy provided to the College for our records
Confirmation of start and end dates of Fellowships for our records