What Subjects Are Needed To Become A Surgeon

If you have been curious to know all about first year medical student, then you need not search further. The article below tells you all you need to know on it and more.

Surgeons carry out operations and medical procedures on patients.

What does a surgeon do?

In this role you could be:

• meeting the patient before the operation to decide on the best course of action
• explaining the procedures and risk
• taking tests and arrange X-rays
• carrying out operations with a team of people
• carrying out ward rounds
• writing to GPs about your patients’ conditions and treatments

What do I need to do to become a surgeon?

To become a surgeon you’ll need to complete:

• a five-year degree in medicine, recognised by the General Medical Council
• a two-year foundation programme of general training
• two years of core surgical training in a hospital
• up to six years of specialist training

You may be able to join a six-year degree course in medicine without A levels or equivalent qualifications in science. The course includes a one-year pre-medical foundation year.

If you already have a first class or upper second class science degree, you could take a four-year graduate entry route into medicine. Some universities will also accept non-science graduates.

When you apply for a course in medicine, you could be asked to take the University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT) or BioMedical Admissions Test (BMAT) to check your suitability for a career in medicine.

There’s a lot of competition for places on medical degrees. Most university admissions departments will expect you to have done some relevant paid or voluntary experience.

Related skills

• Attention to detail
• Communication
• Interpersonal skills
• Leadership
• Patience
• Problem solving
• Technical ability

Academic route

• seven GCSEs, including sciences, with 5 subjects at grades 9 to 7 (A* or A) and English and maths at least grade 6 to 5 (B)
• three A levels, including chemistry, biology and either physics or maths

Related subjects

• Biology
• Chemistry
• Maths
• Physics

Essential qualifications

• A five-year degree in medicine, recognised by the General Medical Council (GMC)
• A two-year foundation course of general training (a paid position)
• Core surgical training in a hospital (a paid position lasting two years)
• Specialty training (a paid position lasting up to six years)

Where could I be working?

You could work in an NHS or private hospital.

Your working environment may be physically and emotionally demanding.

You may need to wear protective clothing and a uniform.

Career opportunities

With experience and entry on the General Medical Council (GMC) Specialist Register, you could apply for senior or consultant roles, go on to lead a team, or manage a department.

You could also move into teaching and training students, trainee doctors and other healthcare professionals.

Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0

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What Degree is Needed To Become a Surgeon?

You will need a highly advanced degree to become a surgeon due to the fact that surgeons require years and years of formal education in classroom and clinical settings. If you would like to work hard to become a medical doctor who specializes in surgical treatments, you must first research the path that you will be required to travel down before you can get licensed. Surgery is often a matter of life and death and it is a requirement that you can work well under pressure to specialize in this area medical treatment. Read on, and learn more about the training criteria and the duration of medical degree programs.

Completing an Undergraduate Program

Before you can even get into medical school you need to complete undergraduate studies. While some believe that you are required to select a specific major, all majors are welcome to apply to the top-notch medical schools. If you have decided late into your student career as an undergrad that you want to take the plunge and study to become a surgeon, you can still gain entry into a med school if you study something like business administration or finance.

If you want to improve your chances of getting into medical school without a premed major, you will need to take the right types of courses. Experts recommend that you major in programs like Chemistry or Biology, but that is not to say that humanities and social sciences majors cannot earn admission if they take the right course load. When you are studying, you need to study the right subject areas. When it comes to being a medical doctor in training, the more science courses the better. You will need a minimum of:

• 1 year of biology
• 1 year of English
• 1 year of physics
• 2 years of chemistry

Gaining Admission Into a Respected Med School

Your course load and your grade point average are two important factors when you are applying to medical school. You will need to really put an effort into your application to get noticed when the competition is high, but once you are accepted, you can expect to spend another four years in school earning a doctorate.

During the first year, you will complete science courses and courses to develop clinical skills. In year two, you will take upper-level courses and prepare for the USMLE Step 1 exam, according to Kaplan. This test is important because it has an impact on whether or not you can specialize in surgery. The third and fourth year are focused on spending time in clinical settings so that you are ready for your USMLE Step 2 exam that includes simulated patient interactions.

Complete a Residency

Once you complete training, you then need to spend three to 10 years as a resident. This post-doctoral training is important, because surgeons gain their skills through experience. How long you must spend as a resident depends on the surgery specialty that you choose.

Related Resource: Sports Medicine

Surgeons need to be experts in what they do. If you want a fulfilling job where you can make a difference in the lives of many, you may want to work to become a specialist in surgery. Review the areas you can specialize in as a surgeon, and then you can start to earn the doctorate degree needed to become a surgeon.

Essential Information

Surgeons are medical doctors who perform operations as their primary method of treatment. Within this field, one can specialize even further in areas like orthopedic, neurological, cardiovascular, or plastic surgery, among other areas. Since surgeons practice a specialized form of medicine, the education and training criteria are rigorous, often taking up to sixteen years to complete.

Education Requirements

Surgery generally requires the most intensive preparation of all medical specialties. Before surgeons are qualified to operate, they must meet a set of challenging education requirements. These generally include four years of undergraduate study, four years of medical school leading to a Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) degree, and three to eight years of surgical residency at a hospital.

Surgeons typically start out by enrolling in a university or college with a strong pre-medical program and by choosing a major related to medicine, such as biology, physics, or chemistry. After earning a bachelor’s degree, they must pass the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) in order to apply to medical school.

During medical school, students must gain an even greater mastery of subjects taken at the undergraduate level. These include anatomy, microbiology, biochemistry, physiology, pathology, psychology, ethics, and medical law, among others. Programs also require students to go through rotations, where they learn the basics of patient care across a variety of specialties.

Upon graduating from medical school, aspiring surgeons must earn an M.D. and become licensed before they can begin their residency. Residencies function as salaried training and allow students to begin specializing. Those interested in surgery work under the supervision of other experienced surgeons.

Career Information

Many surgeons choose to be general surgeons, while others focus on specific parts of the body, such as the brain and the heart. Salaries vary according to specialty and years of experience; however, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that the average annual salary for surgeons was $252,040 in May 2019.

Although operating is a large part of the job, surgeons also provide consultations and perform before and after check-ups. They generally work with a team of medical professionals that includes anesthesiologists, nurses, and other doctors. A surgeon’s hours are generally long, including time spent operating and on-call. Because the nature of the work can be so consuming, many hospitals limit the work week to 80 hours with one day off.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, job growth for surgeons is expected to rise by 1 percent between 2018 and 2028 (www.bls.gov). One can advance by having performed a high rate of successful surgeries, participating in experimental studies, and gaining seniority. Those with strong leadership abilities may even aim at becoming chief of surgery. Apart from operating, some may also choose to focus on teaching or medical writing.

In conclusion, surgeons usually need to earn a Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) degree and complete a residency of three to eight years.

What A-Levels Do You Need To Be A Doctor?

Broadly speaking, most Medical Schools require Chemistry and Biology at A-Level. Some Medical Schools, like Birmingham and Aberdeen, allow you to swap Biology for Human Biology.

If you want to have the broadest choice of Med Schools, it’s a good idea to take A-Level Physics alongside Biology and Chemistry.

It’s important to know that opting for humanity or art subjects at A-Level won’t rule you out of getting a place to study Medicine. In fact, some universities, like Brighton and Sussex, encourage this to broaden academic horizons – and Hull York considers all third A-Level subjects to have equal merit.

What A-Levels Should You Avoid?

Most Medical Schools do not accept A-Levels in Critical Thinking, General Studies or Citizenship Studies – so you should avoid these subjects.

It’s also important to remember that subjects with overlapping content are often not considered – or only considered as one. This includes Maths and Further Maths, or PE and Biology, or Biology and Human Biology.

A-Level Entry Requirements

Below we’ve compiled a table of UK universities’ A-Level requirements. This was recently updated – but please always check directly with each Medical School for the latest information.Search:

University	Which A-Levels does this school require?	Which A-Levels are not acceptable?
Aberdeen	Chemistry is required. One subject from Biology/Human Biology, Maths and Physics is required. One further A-Level in most other subjects. Check with Medical Admissions Office if in doubt about suitability of a subject. Combinations of Chemistry, Biology plus a Non-Science subject are as acceptable as all-science combinations.	General Studies or Global Perspectives & Research.
Anglia Ruskin	Chemistry or Biology; and one of either Biology, Chemistry, Maths or Physics, plus one other. They require a pass in the practical element	General Studies and Critical Thinking.
Aston	Chemistry and Biology. The third subject can be any other subject. A pass in the practical element of your science A Levels is required.	General Studies and Critical Thinking.
Barts (Queen Mary)	Two of Chemistry, Biology, Physics and Maths.	General Studies or Critical Thinking. Further Maths, if Mathematics is included in your A-levels.
Birmingham	Chemistry and Biology.	General Studies and Critical Thinking. Other non-standard subjects may not be accepted.
Brighton and Sussex	Biology and Chemistry are mandatory. No specified third subject, but they encourage humanities/arts for broadening academic horizons.	General Studies or Critical Thinking.
Bristol	Chemistry is mandatory and either Biology, Physics or Maths. Third A-Level can be any other academic subject.	Not Specified.
Brunel	Chemistry or Biology and a second science including Chemistry, Biology, Physics or Mathematics. The third subject can be any other academic subject.	General Studies.
Buckingham	Chemistry and/or Biology and a third subject. In the case of applicants who do not have Biology at A-Level, they should have studied the subject to GCSE level and achieved at least a grade B.	Not specified.
Cambridge	Chemistry and one of Biology, Physics or Maths. Most applicants have at least three science/mathematics A-Levels and some Colleges require this and/or particular subjects. Check the college websites for details.	Not specified.
Cardiff	Chemistry and Biology. You will need a pass in the practical element.	Not specified.
Dundee	Chemistry and another science such as Biology, Physics or Mathematics. The third subject can be your own choice, there is no preference.	General Studies.
Edge Hill	Biology and Chemistry are mandatory, with passes in the physical elements of both.	General Studies, Critical Reasoning, Citizenship and Key Skills.
Edinburgh	Chemistry and one subject from Biology/Human Biology, Mathematics and Physics – Biology is preferred. Only one of Mathematics or Further Mathematics will be considered. Human Biology may replace Biology.	Not specified.
Exeter	Biology and Chemistry.	General Studies.
Glasgow	Chemistry and one of Maths, Physics or Biology.	Not specified.
Hull York	Biology and Chemistry, with a pass in science practicals. The third subject, all subjects considered equally apart from Further Maths and Human Biology.	General Studies,Applied Science, Citizenship or Critical Thinking.
Imperial	Chemistry, Biology and any third subject.	General Studies and Critical Thinking.
Keele	To include Chemistry or Biology and a second subject, in Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Economics, Psychology or Maths/Statistics/Further Maths, plus a third academic subject.	General Studies, Critical Thinking and Citizenship. A-Level Maths/Further Maths/Statistics in combination.
Kent and Medway	Must include Chemistry and/or Biology. If both Chemistry and Biology are not offered there must be one other from Physics, Maths, Psychology or Computer Science.	Critical Thinking and General Studies.
King’s College London	Biology and Chemistry You will be required to pass the practical endorsement in all science subjects.	General Studies, Critical Thinking, Thinking Skills and Global Perspectives.
Lancaster	Any 2 of Biology, Chemistry and Psychology	General Studies, Critical Thinking and native language A-Levels.
Leeds	Chemistry or Biology. If Chemistry is not offered then Biology must be offered with either Physics or Maths at A-Level. Human Biology/Biology and Maths/Further Maths are not considered separate subjects.	While General Studies and Critical Thinking are welcomed as a 4th A2, they do not typically form part of an offer.
Leicester	Chemistry or Biology with Chemistry, Biology, Maths, Physics or Psychology. Only one of Mathematics and Further Mathematics count towards your potential offer. This is the case with Biology and Human Biology too.	General Studies, Critical Thinking, Global Perspectives (Cambridge Pre-U) or the Welsh Baccalaureate Skills Challenge Certificate.
Lincoln	Biology (or Human Biology) and Chemistry, a pass is required in science practicals. The third A-Level can be in any subject	Global Perspectives, Critical Thinking, Citizenship, General Studies.
Liverpool	Chemistry together with either Biology, Physics or Mathematics and any third academic subject.	General Studies.
Manchester	Chemistry or Biology/Human Biology and one of the following subjects: Chemistry; Biology/Human Biology, Physics, Mathematics/Further Mathematics. Practical science elements must also be passed. Offers will not include combinations of very similar subjects, such as Biology and Human Biology or Maths and Further Maths together.	Critical Thinking, Citizenship, EPQ, Key Skills or General Studies – although taken in addition to three suitable academic subjects could help strengthen your application.
Newcastle	Chemistry and/or Biology with a pass in the practical elements. If only one of Biology and/or Chemistry is offered at A level, the other should be offered at GCSE grade A or 7 (or Dual Award Science grade A or 7).	General Studies, Use of Mathematics, World Development, Communication and Culture and Critical Thinking.
Norwich (UEA)	Biology/Human Biology or Chemistry. Science subjects must include a pass in the practical element.	General Studies and Critical Thinking.
Nottingham	Biology/Human Biology and Chemistry, a pass is required in practical tests. The third A-Level can be in any subject	Citizenship Studies, Critical Thinking, General Studies, or Global Perspectives.
Oxford	Chemistry and at least one of Biology, Physics, Maths or Further Maths. If a practical component forms part of any of the A-levels taken, we expect candidates to have taken it and passed.	Critical Thinking or General Studies.
Plymouth	Biology and one of Chemistry, Physics, Maths and Psychology. The third subject can be from any subject area including the humanities, languages, music, sport, science and the social sciences.	General Studies.
Queen’s Belfast	Chemistry and at least Biology/Human Biology, Physics or Maths. Mathematics and Further Mathematics cannot be counted together.	Critical Thinking and General Studies.
Sheffield	Chemistry or Biology and one other science such as Physics, Maths, Biology/Human Biology or Psychology. The combination of Chemistry and Biology is acceptable.	Critical Thinking and General Studies and Further Mathematics for candidates who hold Mathematics A-Level.
Southampton	Biology and one additional science, with a pass in any practical elements. Acceptable science subjects are Chemistry, Physics, Psychology, Sociology, Environmental Studies or Geography.	Critical Thinking and General Studies, plus subjects with material that overlaps such as Human Biology/Sports Studies/Physical Education.
St Andrews	Chemistry and one other from Biology, Mathematics or Physics. There is no preference for the third subject. Human Biology may replace Biology.	General Studies, Critical Thinking and Global Perspectives & Research. Only one of Mathematics or Further Mathematics will be considered.
St George’s	Three subjects to include Chemistry and Biology or Human Biology.	Not specified.
Sunderland	Biology or Chemistry plus another science subject such as Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Maths/Further Maths/Statistics and any third academic subject. There must include a pass in any practical elements.	Only one subject from a combination of Maths or Further Maths or Statistics will be considered.
Swansea	Graduate only.	N/A
UCL	Chemistry and Biology, the third subject can be anything.	General Studies or Critical Thinking.
UCLan	At least two science subjects which include Chemistry and any third academic subject.	Not specified.
Warwick	Graduate only.	N/A

2021 Update

With the cancellation of exams, A-Level grades will be awarded by teacher assessment instead.

Last year saw a record level of top achievers at A-Level grade. When you combine this with news of a 21% increase in Medicine applications, it’s clear that academic excellence isn’t enough to stand out.

While it’s essential you choose the best A-Levels that meet entry requirements – both in terms of subject and grades – you also need to write a compelling Personal Statement and focus on scoring highly in UCAT and BMAT if you want to get shorlisted for interview.

Essential Information

Surgeons perform operations and other medical procedures to treat injuries, diseases and deformities. Becoming a surgeon is a lengthy process, generally requiring four years of undergraduate school, four years of medical school and 3-10 years of residency and fellowship training. Surgeons also continue the education process throughout their careers in order to maintain licensure and stay informed of medical advances.

Degree Level	Doctorate degree and post-doctoral training
Degree Field(s)	Pre-med or biological sciences
Surgeon Requirements	Licensure and board-certification in all states
Experience	3-10 years of residency training depending on specialty
Projected Job Growth (2019-29)	4% for all surgeons and physicians*
Mean Salary (2019)	$252,040*

Source: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Surgeon Career Summary

Surgeons are specialized physicians who operate on patients to correct or remove malformations, repair injuries or conduct preventative procedures. They may also conduct examinations on patients and advise them on their medical situations. Many surgeons specialize in one particular field, such as orthopedic, cardiovascular or neurological surgery.

Employment Outlook

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), surgeons and physicians are expected to experience a rise in job opportunities in the coming years (www.bls.gov). Overall employment was expected to grow 4% from 2019-2029, which is average for all professions. The demand for surgeons is attributed to continuing development of healthcare and associated industries, and a growing elderly population in the United States.

Salary Information

Surgeons are some of the highest-paid professionals of any occupation. In May 2019, the BLS reported that surgeons earned a mean salary of $252,040 per year. This equates to around or more than $100 per hour in many cases. Even the lowest-paid 10% of surgeons earned a median salary of $83,740 in 2019.

How to Become a Surgeon

1. Obtain a bachelor’s degree
2. Pass the MCAT
3. Obtain a medical degree
4. Complete a medical residency
5. Obtain a medical license

Bachelor’s Degree

Before entering medical school, aspiring surgeons must complete undergraduate school to earn a bachelor’s degree. These 4-year degrees do not have to focus specifically on medicine; however, curricula should focus heavily on the physical sciences to prepare students for the strong emphasis on science in medical school. Courses in anatomy, biology, chemistry, math and physiology may be beneficial. Some medical schools admit students after only three years of undergraduate school.

The MCAT

The path to becoming a surgeon continues after a bachelor’s degree with the MCAT, or the Medical College Admission Test. Preparation for the MCAT should begin sometime before graduation from a bachelor’s degree program, as the examination is extensive. The American Association of Medical Colleges (AAMC) has several online guides to help students who wish to become surgeons or other medical professionals to prepare for the MCAT.

Medical Degree

With bachelor’s degrees, students are prepared to attend medical school and pursue Medical Doctor (M.D.) or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.) degrees. M.D. degree program curricula are generally divided into two years of foundational medical courses followed by two years of clinical clerkships. During clerkships, students work directly with patients, applying classroom instruction obtained in the first two years to diagnose illnesses and provide healthcare.

Post-Doctoral Surgical Training

After medical school, students typically continue their medical training in residency programs, gaining practical experience in a chosen specialty under the supervision of licensed physicians. Some specialties include general surgery, orthopedic surgery, plastic surgery, or urology.

According to the American Medical Association (AMA), these programs can last 3-7 years depending on the specialty, though general surgery residencies typically take five years to complete. Surgeons who wish to focus their careers on sub-specialties of the profession must complete an additional 1-3 years of post-doctoral training in fellowship programs.

Surgeon Requirements

Along with extensive, formal training from an accredited medical school, all states require surgeons to obtain medical licensure. Licensure entails passage of the United States Medical Licensing Examination or the Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Exam. Surgeons must also become board-certified in surgery and any subspecialties by the American Board of Medical Specialists or American Osteopathic Association. Surgeons are generally required to complete continuing education credits throughout their careers to maintain licensure and certification.

A surgeon mainly focuses on operating on patients and requires a bachelor’s degree, medical degree, and licensure.

Job Challenges and Benefits

Now that you know how to become a surgeon, it is important to think about whether this career is right for you. There are a number of benefits to becoming a surgeon. The job has a high salary and is highly regarded both within and outside of the medical community. There are ample options for advancement for many surgeons, particularly those who specialize in particular kinds of surgery. Helping people to recover from serious illnesses is also an aspect of the work that many surgeons find rewarding.

On the other hand, being a surgeon can be extremely stressful. The fact that patients’ lives are often reliant on surgeons puts an enormous amount of pressure on those who work in this field. Many surgeons will also experience a patient dying during or after a surgery at least once in their careers, which can be extremely psychologically challenging for many people. All of these things are challenges that prospective surgeons need to be aware of when choosing their careers.