IMG, GMC Registered, IMT Interview Rank 1803 – Should I Continue Pursuing the UK Pathway or Accept That It's No Longer Realistic?
Hi everyone,
I'm looking for honest advice from people who understand the current NHS and IMT landscape.
I graduated from medical school in India in 2022 and have been working continuously since then. I passed PLAB in 2023 and obtained GMC registration in December 2024. Since then, I have applied for more than 350 NHS jobs without securing a substantive post.
I built my portfolio specifically with IMT in mind. This year I scored 32/35 on the IMT self-assessment and received an interview rank of 1803. Based on previous years, I believe I would have had a realistic chance of obtaining an IMT post. However, with the current prioritisation of UK graduates and changes in recruitment, I feel increasingly uncertain about whether the pathway remains achievable.
My concern is not only about getting a job but about building a career. Without entering training, it feels difficult to progress, develop specialist expertise, and achieve the professional standards I have worked towards for years.
The reason this matters so much to me is my personal situation.
I come from a financially struggling family. After 12th grade, much of my education was supported through donations and scholarships. My family has significant loans. My mother continues to work extremely hard to keep the family afloat. I have two brothers struggling with alcohol addiction, a sister facing her own difficulties, and two young children in the family who also depend on our support. In many ways, I have become the primary person responsible for the family's finances and future stability.
One of the reasons I pursued the UK pathway was the hope of building a stable career, supporting my mother, clearing debts, and finally having some financial security after years of struggle. I wasn't chasing luxury—just stability, professional growth, and the possibility of a better future.
After years of exams, portfolio building, GMC registration, MRCP preparation, and hundreds of applications, I feel exhausted and uncertain.
For those currently working in the NHS:
- Is it still realistic for an IMG in my position to build a long-term career in the UK?
- Would you continue pursuing NHS jobs if you were in my situation?
- Is obtaining a trust-grade role still a matter of persistence, or has the landscape fundamentally changed?
- Would you focus on alternative pathways such as Indian residency, the Middle East instead?
- How are other IMGs adapting to the current recruitment environment?
I'm not looking for sympathy or reassurance. I would genuinely appreciate honest opinions from people who have experience with the current system.