In the UK, doctors are known by many different titles. Below are some of the titles doctors are known by, along with a brief explanation of what they do. Other than medical students, all of the titles below are qualified doctors registered with the UK General Medical Council (GMC). An Anaesthesia Assistant and a Physician Assistant are not doctors, although they are also registered with the GMC.
The Roles of Doctors in the United Kingdom (UK):
| Doctor Role | Summary of Role |
| Medical Students in the UK | A medical student trains in medicine over a period of five years through undergraduate education. They might also undertake postgraduate study, learning further medical science and basic clinical skills before qualification. Our services include advise in relation to university and deanery fitness to practise processes, criminal allegations, civil law matters, and registration issues with the General Medical Council (GMC), including registration appeals. |
| Resident Doctor in the UK | A fully qualified doctor in training or non‑training role, delivering day‑to‑day patient care on wards and specialist units, also carrying out on‑call duties, while gaining experience. They might be at any rank of doctor. We advise resident doctors on employment law, GMC fitness to practise law, local disciplinary investigations and grievances, criminal law and civil law. |
| FY1 (Junior) Doctor in the UK | Newly qualified doctor working under close supervision, carrying out basic clinical tasks and developing core competencies. Such doctors need to work in a GMC Approved Practice Setting (APS) for the first year and they must satisfy the GMC that they have met a minimum standard of practice. We advise FY1 doctors on law and policy relating to early provisional practice, as well as other areas of law. |
| FY2 (Junior) Doctor in the UK | A doctor with increasing responsibility who rotates through specialities and prepares for higher training. A FY2 doctor must also work in a GMC Approved Practice Setting (APS) until their first revalidation. They must satisfy the GMC that they have met minimum standards. |
| Core Training Doctor (CT1–CT2) in the UK | Such a doctor gains broad experience across medical or surgical specialities before applying for higher speciality training. Core training is a non-specialist period of working and exposes the doctor to many different clinical scenarios. |
| Speciality Training Doctor (ST1–ST2) in the UK | Focuses on a specific speciality, developing skills required for higher specialist training. This will be carried out in the clinical specialism that the doctor wishes to specialise in longer term, |
| Middle‑Grade Doctor (ST3+) | Senior trainee managing complex patients, supervising junior doctors, and developing advanced specialist expertise. In year ST4, a doctor can take on Registrar duties. |
| Specialty Doctor in the UK | A senior non‑training doctor providing experienced patient care with a focus on service delivery and work‑life balance. A doctor might work in this role for many years and take on considerable responsibilities. |
| Specialist Doctor in the UK | A highly senior clinician with responsibilities similar to a consultant, including leadership and teaching, but not on the GMC Specialist Register. They might all the same have the same knowledge and experience as a doctor on the GMC Specialist Register. |
| Consultant in the UK | Most senior hospital doctor, working independently, leading teams, managing complex cases, and overseeing clinical services. Other than a locum role, a consultant ordinarily must be on the GMC Specialist Register |
| General Practitioner (GP) in the UK | Provides first‑contact medical care in the community, treating common conditions and also referring patients to clinical specialists in specialist fields. |
| Academic Doctor (often called a Clinical Fellow) in the UK | Combines their clinical work with teaching junior doctors and research to advance medical knowledge alongside patient care. |
| A Locum Doctor in the UK | Temporarily covers shifts or posts at any grade to maintain staffing levels, performing the same duties as the role replaced. A locum role might be served for many years, but the NHS usually contracts for one year, and might extend the post. |
If you seek information about the use of medical titles, legal matters relating to learning or employment, local disciplinary or grievance concerns, or GMC fitness-to-practise or registration matters, contact us via our Contact Us page or call us on 0800 10 88 739.