Healthcare roles compared.

A medical degree at a UK medical school (MBBS, MBChB or similar), then the two-year paid UK Foundation Programme (F1 and F2). UK graduates hold provisional GMC registration during F1 and can gain full registration after completing F1. Most doctors then go on to specialty training: NHS Health Careers gives three years for GP training and five to eight years for most other specialties.

Usually 5 years at medical school (4 on a graduate-entry course; some courses add a foundation or gateway year), plus 2 Foundation years, then specialty training. NHS Health Careers puts the medical school stage at between four and seven years overall.

Assessing and diagnosing patients, including people who arrive with problems nobody has yet identified. Deciding on investigations and treatment, and holding overall medical responsibility for those decisions. Caring for people with long-term conditions, often in the community and general practice. Many doctors also teach, research or lead services, across more than 60 specialties.

Yes. Prescribing is part of a doctor's role from the Foundation Programme onwards, within their competence and local rules. The GMC sets standards in its guidance Good practice in prescribing and managing medicines and devices.

An NMC-approved pre-registration nursing degree in the adult field. Other routes include accelerated programmes for people who already hold a degree, nursing degree apprenticeships with some employers, and progression from a nursing associate role.

NMC standards set a minimum of three academic years full time and at least 4,600 hours, split equally between theory and practice learning (at least 2,300 practice hours). Postgraduate routes are shorter for those with a prior degree.

Observing and assessing patients, then planning, delivering and evaluating their care. Building trusting relationships with patients and families. Balancing many priorities at once and working at the centre of the multidisciplinary team, with adults who have short- or long-term physical health conditions.

Possible after registration. A registered nurse can complete an NMC-approved prescribing programme (often called V300 for independent and supplementary prescribing). The NMC says readiness depends on evidence of skills, knowledge and experience, and it should not be seen as an automatic step after a set time.

Usually a first degree in a bioscience subject, then a postgraduate physician associate course. Other routes listed by NHS Health Careers include integrated master's programmes, entry as a registered nurse, midwife or allied health professional, and a level 7 apprenticeship. Graduates must pass the GMC-approved registration assessment (PARA, which replaced the PANE in September 2025) and register with the GMC.

Postgraduate training lasts about 2 years (46 to 48 study weeks a year, 1,600 hours of clinical training), usually after a 3-year first degree.

Under the supervision of a named senior doctor: taking medical histories, examining patients, helping to diagnose and manage illnesses including long-term conditions, analysing test results, carrying out some procedures and giving health advice. NHS England guidance describes PAs as supplementary members of the team who are not substitutes for doctors. Changes announced in 2025 (still being put into practice as of 29 October 2026): The Leng review was published on 16 July 2025 and the government accepted all 18 of its recommendations the same day. These include renaming the role "physician assistant" (and anaesthesia associates "physician assistants in anaesthesia"), that physician assistants should not see undifferentiated (undiagnosed) patients except within clearly defined national clinical protocols, and that each should work in a clear team led by a senior clinician with a named supervising doctor. On 24 March 2026 the Department of Health and Social Care consulted on putting the new titles into law, with protection proposed to begin six months after the order comes into force, if approved by Parliament. As of 29 October 2026 the GMC register and NHS Health Careers still use the title "physician associate". Check the latest GMC and GOV.UK guidance before you rely on either title.

Not currently. NHS England guidance states that PAs are not allowed to prescribe or to order ionising radiation (such as X-rays). The Leng review (July 2025) recommended that credentialled physician assistants could in future take on added responsibilities, including the potential to prescribe. Any such change would need further decisions and is not in place as of 29 October 2026.

A GPhC-accredited Master of Pharmacy (MPharm) degree, then a 52-week foundation training year in practice, then registration with the GPhC.

4 years (MPharm) plus a 1-year foundation training year.

Advising patients and colleagues on medicines and their effects, and giving health advice such as on stopping smoking or sexual health. Working in hospitals, community pharmacies, general practice and other settings. Preparing specialist medicines when ready-made ones are not available, and supervising pharmacy technicians and assistants.

Yes. The GPhC says pharmacists joining the register from summer 2026 who trained to its 2021 education standards are independent prescribers from the point of registration, after supervised prescribing practice during the foundation year. Pharmacists who trained to earlier standards can become independent prescribers by completing an accredited course after registration.

An HCPC-approved paramedic science degree, or a paramedic degree apprenticeship with some ambulance trusts, where you are paid while you train. Then registration with the HCPC.

Usually 3 or 4 years full time for the degree. Apprenticeship length varies by employer.

Assessing and stabilising patients in emergency and non-emergency situations, often outside hospital, using equipment such as defibrillators and giving oxygen and drugs. Leading a two-person crew, working with police and fire services, supporting families and bystanders, and linking with GPs, mental health teams and hospitals. Some work alone on bikes or give telephone advice from control rooms.

Possible later in a career. Since 1 April 2018, advanced paramedics can train in independent and supplementary prescribing on an HCPC-approved programme. Once qualified, their HCPC registration is annotated to show this.

An honours degree in biomedical science, ideally accredited by the Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS) and approved by the HCPC. Graduates complete a registration training portfolio, often while working as a trainee in an NHS laboratory, which the IBMS verifies before awarding a Certificate of Competence. This supports HCPC registration. Some degrees include the portfolio through a placement, and there are other routes, including NHS Practitioner Training Programme degrees and employer-funded part-time study.

A biomedical science BSc is typically 3 years full time, or 4 with a placement year (example course: Northumbria University). The registration portfolio may be completed during a placement or after graduating.

Working in healthcare laboratories to analyse samples such as blood and tissue, in areas such as blood sciences, infection sciences and cellular sciences. The results help clinical teams diagnose illness, monitor treatment and keep transfusions and screening safe.

No. Biomedical scientists are not among the HCPC professions that can hold independent or supplementary prescribing annotations.

A GDC-approved dentistry degree (BDS or equivalent), then GDC registration. Most newly qualified dentists in England then do a year of Dental Foundation Training in general practice, which leads to a place on the NHS Performers List needed to treat patients in NHS primary care. Hospital and specialist dentistry has its own further training pathway.

Usually 5 years for the dental degree (example course: Newcastle University BDS), plus usually 1 year of Dental Foundation Training. Some universities offer a pre-dental year for applicants without the required science subjects.

Preventing and treating dental and oral disease, correcting dental irregularities, treating dental and facial injuries and carrying out intricate dental and surgical procedures. Leading the dental team and advising patients. Some work in community dental services, public health or hospitals with complex cases.

Yes, within dentistry. The GDC says dentists must only prescribe to meet the identified dental needs of their patients, within their competence. On NHS prescriptions they are limited to the dental list in the Drug Tariff or BNF.

An HCPC-approved physiotherapy degree, then registration with the HCPC. Routes include a BSc, an integrated master's, a two-year pre-registration MSc for people with a relevant degree, a pre-registration doctorate, and a degree apprenticeship in England.

Usually 3 years full time for a BSc (4 in Scotland). Integrated master's 4 years; pre-registration MSc 2 years; degree apprenticeship typically 2 to 4 years.

Helping people affected by illness, injury, disability or ageing to move and function. Assessing and diagnosing movement problems, agreeing treatment plans with patients, promoting good health and advising on avoiding injury. Working in hospitals (including intensive care), the community, schools and sport.

Possible later in a career. Some physiotherapists complete an HCPC-approved prescribing programme and have their registration annotated for independent or supplementary prescribing.