Career outlook for surgeon
Figures and forecasts for roles at the same level, which require similar skills and qualifications.
Average UK salary
£59,280
Currently employed in Scotland
23,100
Average UK salary
£59,280
Currently employed in Scotland
23,100
"LMI for All" supplies our salary and employment status information. "Oxford Economics" supplies job forecasts and employment figures.
Due to COVID-19 the jobs market is constantly changing. Some of the information may not reflect the current situation.
What's it like?
You would carry out operations on patients who need them. They may be injured, have a worsening health condition, or wish to have plastic surgery.
Patients would be referred to you by other hospital doctors and GPs, or would come to you from an accident and emergency department. They may be anxious and upset, and you would need to calm them down.
This job comes with a lot of responsibility, as your patients would be putting complete trust in you. Your work could help change their lives. Sometimes, you could be helping to save a life.
You would:
- Meet the patient before the operation to choose the best option
- Explain the process and risks
- Take tests and arrange X-rays
- Carry out the operation with a team of people such as other surgeons, anaesthetists, technicians and nurses
- Meet with nurses and junior doctors after the operation
- Carry out daily ward visits to check on all your patients
- Write to GPs about your patients’ health and treatments
- Train and look after junior doctors and other medical staff
You would specialise in one surgical area, such as working with children or trauma patients.
You might sometimes carry out research and publish papers.
There's more information about NHS roles on the Surgery page on the NHS Careers website.
Working conditions
Hours
Environment
UK employment status
Full-time
65%
Part-time
22%
Self employed
14%
Create a qualification route
We’ve found some examples of the qualifications that could help you get this job.
Discover my routeTop skills
Here are some of the skills needed for this job. Sign in to see how your skills match up.
- Resilience
- Verbal communication
- Problem solving
- Researching
- Empathising
- Attention to detail
- Concentrating
- Developing a plan
- Making decisions
- Taking responsibility
Skills Explorer
Your skills can help you choose the career that’s right for you. You can build your skills through work, study or activities you do in your spare time.
To understand more, have a look at What are my skills?
Our Skills Explorer tool will help you understand what skills you have and match them to jobs that might suit you.
Use the Skills Explorer toolGetting in
Entry requirements for courses can change. Always contact the college, university or training provider to check exactly what you’ll need.
Qualifications
You need an honours degree in medicine (SCQF level 10) recognised by the General Medical Council (GMC) and a Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT) which will allow you to join the GMC Specialist Register.
To enter a medical degree (SCQF level 10) requires National 5 qualifications and at least are five Highers at AAAAB or above, usually achieved at one sitting, Advanced Highers in science subjects are recommended.
You must apply to UCAS by 15 October of the year prior to when the course commences.
Glasgow Kelvin College offers an Access to Medical Studies (SWAP) for adults who do not have the required qualifications.
Perth College and the University of Highlands and Islands offer a Higher National Certificate (SCFQ level 7) Pathways to Medicine course requiring National 5 qualifications and at least one Higher.
If you have five good Highers but do not have all the science subjects, Dundee University runs a six-year course which includes a pre-medical year (SCQF level 10).
Useful subjects
- Maths (required by most courses)
- Chemistry (required by most courses)
- Biology (required by most courses)
- Physics (required by most courses)
- Human biology (required by some courses)
- English
- Care
- Social subjects such as psychology
You will also need
Before applying to medical school you must sit the UK Clinical Aptitude Test (UKCAT).
After your degree you do a two-year foundation training programme, which gives you registration with the GMC, which you need to work as a surgeon.
To be approved for membership of the Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) Scheme run by Disclosure Scotland
You should be fit and healthy.
You must provide evidence that you do not have, and have been immunised against, Hepatitis B.
Helpful to have
A driving licence.
Related industries
