What is the UKMLA?
Recently, we've had a lot of questions from students about the upcoming UK Medical Licensing Assessment (UKMLA), which will replace the PLAB in early 2024.
If you're also confused about it, don't worry - understandably, you'd want reliable information about such an important exam.Â
Many students think that if they graduate from medical universities outside the United Kingdom, they would have to sit additional and more stringent exams to be recognised by the GMC before working or specialising. The UKMLA was created specifically to avoid that and to test every student who is about to practise in the UK similarly.
Table of Contents
- 1 What is UKMLA?
- 2 What does the UKMLA GMC Exam comprise?
- 3 What are the advantages of the UKMLA?
- 4 Is UKMLA a pass/fail?
- 5 When will UKMLA replace PLAB?
- 6 How much will the UKMLA cost?
- 7 Is UKMLA different from PLAB?
- 8 UKMLA vs PLAB: Which one is harder?
- 9 Is UKMLA like USMLE?
- 10 UKMLA vs USMLE: Which one is harder?
- 11 Still got questions? We can help!
What is UKMLA?
The UKMLA is an exam intended to test your knowledge and skills needed to practise medicine safely in the UK, regardless of whether you have graduated from the UK or abroad (i.e. the Caribbean, Georgia, Germany or another European country). So far, only doctors who have received their degrees overseas have had to sit the PLAB (Professional and Linguistic Assessments Board) exam, which the UKMLA will replace in 2024.
While it may seem intimidating, UKMLA is suitable for students who wish to study medicine abroad. The changes will put the graduates from both the UK and abroad on the same pedestal. Wherever you receive your education and training, The Medical Licensing Assessment will give patients and hospitals greater confidence in graduate doctors new to working in the UK.
The introduction of the UKMLA comes from the recruitment crisis in the United Kingdom. Despite being extremely hard to get accepted into medicine, the UK is still in huge demand for healthcare specialists. Therefore, this new way of licensing will hopefully fix the gaps.
What does the UKMLA GMC Exam comprise?
The UKMLA will aim to assess the physicians' theoretical and practical skills. British and overseas-graduate doctors will have to demonstrate knowledge of fundamental concepts in caring for patients. It will be a test of knowledge for any physician who has genuinely completed their degree.
The UKMLA exam will consist of two parts:
#1. The first part will be the so-called Applied Knowledge Test (AKT), a theoretical multiple-choice quiz which tests graduates' general medical knowledge. It will be the same both for UK students and international graduates. This test will be available at least four times per year, so you won't have to wait more than three months to take it after graduation. There will also be numerous locations for it worldwide. The only difference between the UK and international graduates is that British physicians will sit the exams at their universities. The AKT will be a computer-based test.
#2. The Clinical and Professional Skills Assessment (CPSA) will focus more on the practical aspects of medicine. For students graduating from the UK, this assessment will be set and run by their medical schools with quality assurance from the GMC. The CPSA will occur in the GMC's clinical assessment centre in Manchester for international medical graduates.
What are the advantages of the UKMLA?
As previously discussed, the GMC aims to treat every candidate fairly, regardless of whether they come from the UK, Europe, or the rest of the world and which medical schools they got their degrees from.
The UK Medical Licensing Assessment will help the GMC maintain a high standard of medical education in the UK, as medical schools overseas will be evaluated and added to the list of GMC-recognised universities.
There's also the matter of availability. While the second part of the UKMLA can only take place in Manchester, the first part will be far more widely available thanks to being computerised rather than held on paper. In theory, any facility that is fit to hold computerised tests can hold it, meaning you won't have to travel very far.
Is UKMLA a pass/fail?
Yes, just like PLAB, the UKMLA exam is either pass or fail - you need to pass the first part to be allowed to take the second, and you need to pass that for your licence. There is some good news, though: while we know the specifics, it's not expected that passing requirements will significantly increase beyond those for PLAB. And if you're curious, PLAB's average success rate is about 70%. As long as you hit the books, you'll be okay!
When will UKMLA replace PLAB?
The UKMLA will first replace the PLAB exam for international students in early 2024. You may find 2023 listed in certain places, but that's because it was the original plan before COVID pushed it back by a year. According to the new plan, UK students who will graduate in the academic year 2024-2025 and beyond will also have to sit the UKMLA exam alongside students who have studied abroad.
How much will the UKMLA cost?
Currently, there isn't much information available on how much the UKMLA fees will be. We only know that those who graduate from UK universities will have the costs covered by said universities. However, the same does not apply to IMGs and UK students who choose to study elsewhere. This means that UKMLA for European graduates will, unfortunately, need to be paid out of pocket.
The price will be high for them, but it's doubtful that it'll be any higher than the costs of PLAB, which is about £1,300 for both parts (and an extra ~£200 for IELTS if you're an international student). The price will likely be slightly lower for UKMLA due to its computerised nature, but until we have an official confirmation, PLAB serves as a good enough reference.
Is UKMLA different from PLAB?
Given that they're different exams with different standards organised by different people, the two are naturally very different… But not as different as you might expect. They're both held in two parts, one of which involves a theoretical part, the other being practical. The theoretical part (PLAB 1 for PLAB and AKT for UKMLA) is all multiple-choice questions with fairly straightforward answers. The most substantial difference is that AKT is computerised rather than on paper.Â
As for the practical part, both PLAB 2 and UKMLA's CPSA involve examining patients and then answering questions in a "single best answer"-type format. This means the questions will usually require short, to-the-point answers about the most likely diagnosis, the best course of treatment, the next steps for the patient, etc. In both cases, it's simply a matter of testing your knowledge in a more practical environment, and it should be no different than interacting with actual patients.
UKMLA vs PLAB: Which one is harder?
A natural follow-up question is, "Will UKMLA be harder than PLAB?"
Unfortunately, so far, the answer seems to be "yes". According to students who have taken PLAB, the questions are structured so that it's often pretty obvious what the correct answer is, even if you don't have all the information. UKMLA, on the other hand, has trickier questions and a generally higher threshold for passing.
If you're starting to feel tightness in your chest and shortness of breath after reading this, first, use what you've learned preparing for the exam to ensure you do not have a heart attack. Second, remind yourself that the difficulty of an exam is entirely subjective. 99/100 people can tell you that PLAB is easier than UKMLA, but that doesn't matter to #100, who found UKMLA easier. So don't panic, and prepare for the exam like any other.
Is UKMLA like USMLE?
They're similar in that they're both the exams you need to pass to practise medicine in their respective countries. The clues are in their names: UKMLA is for the UK, and USMLE is for the US. Beyond that, however, UKMLA is significantly different from USMLE and PLAB. For instance, USMLE has three stages as opposed to PLAB/UKMLA's two, with the additional stage focusing on an all-encompassing exam in biology, biochemistry, pharmacology, genetics and more. In addition, USMLE also requires clinical experience in a US hospital, which is done after you have already passed its 3 exams. Beyond the examinations that are part of UKMLA's second part, there is no such requirement for the UK equivalent.
UKMLA vs USMLE: Which one is harder?
The general consensus is that USMLE is significantly harder than UKMLA, and the standards for American doctors are significantly higher than those for UK ones. In fact, it's not uncommon for UK med students to study for the USMLA instead of the UKMLA since, in comparison, the UKMLA is going to be relatively easy and can be passed with a much higher grade. So hey, if you're concerned about the difficulty, take a small comfort that at least you're not going to be taking the American exam!
Still got questions? We can help!
Every year, our student advisors help hundreds of students achieve their dream of studying medicine in Europe. Not only that, but even after they get into medical school, our advisors continue to guide them on their way, support them, and ensure they can get their licence. Part of that support includes ensuring they'll pass their final exams and any other major milestones throughout their 6-year programme.
If you are about to become a medical student and wish to practise in the UK, you'll certainly have to take the UKMLA by the time you graduate. And you'll need all the help you can get! Our advisors can answer any questions you may have, not just about the exam but about anything related to the life of a medical student, all while making sure you get accepted into the European med school of your dreams! They're always available to help through a free consultation.
33 comments on “What is the UKMLA?”
Leave a Reply
About Medlink Students
Leading international recruitment company for medical students in Europe. British Council Certified Agents. 10+ years of experience and more than 10,000 students advised.
Hello,
thank you for this article. I would like to ask about EEA graduates, from which year will it be required for these students to take the UKMLA?
Thank you,
Hassib
Hi Hassib, the answer is 2024. Good luck!
Hello,
thank you for this article. I would like to ask whether international students studying medicine in UK universities will have to sit for UKLMA in order to graduate from 2025 onwards?
Thanks,
Htoo
Hey Htoo! Thank you for contacting us. Whether you studied for your degree abroad or in the UK, you will need to sit the UKMLA from 2025.
Will the UKMLA replace the MRCS route of getting GMC registration after 2024?
Hey John! Thank you for contacting us. There is no reputable source that has confirmed this. However, PLAB will definitely be replaced by the UKMLA.
Thank you
Will students studying in countries in the EU such as Bulgaria be required to take the UKMLA (from 2024 onwards£ and if not what exam will they be taking since the PLAB would be replaced.
Hello John. Yes it's the UKMLA. The good thing is that you will have been studying medicine for 6-years and will have acquired the knowledge necessary to pass it. The hard part is getting through medical school.
Also, our team of doctors will be supporting you with this post-graduation. Speak to one of our student advisors to find out more here: https://www.medlinkstudents.com/apply
hello Im one of IMG planning to apply for PLAB1 exam on november 2023 then start preparing for plab 2
When is the last time to do PLAP 2?
Is it possible to do PLAB 2 for example on march 2024 ? Or I should do CPSA insted
Hey! Thank you for contacting us. This is an excellent question that is best answered in person after considering your situation. You can do that for free here https://www.medlinkstudents.com/apply/. It takes only 10 seconds, and one of our advisors will contact you as soon as possible.
Hey I wanted to ask that the requirement for ukmla part 1 is to be a graduate or we can take part one of ukmla before graduating ?
Hey! Thank you for contacting us. This is an excellent question that is best answered in person after considering your situation. You can do that for free here https://www.medlinkstudents.com/apply/. It takes only 10 seconds, and one of our advisors will contact you as soon as possible.
Hello there is not yet any official announcement from the gmc that doctors from EEA/EU will be required to sit any test to be registered for practice in the UK.
future UK agreements with the EU after brexit may change the laws but according the current regulation the UK is not allowed to question the lisence of practice of European states graduated doctors with any further examination.
Hey! Thank you for contacting us. This is an excellent question that is best answered in person after considering your situation. You can do that for free here https://www.medlinkstudents.com/apply/. It takes only 10 seconds, and one of our advisors will contact you as soon as possible.
Thanks for these information.
For overseas doctors, do we have to take OET or ilets to book step 1 UKMLA?
THANKS IN ADVANCE
Hey! Thank you for contacting us. This is an excellent question that is best answered in person after considering your situation. You can do that for free here https://www.medlinkstudents.com/apply/. It takes only 10 seconds, and one of our advisors will contact you as soon as possible.
Are IMG required to sit for UK MLA from 2024 or 2025? There seem to be different years listed on various websites.
Hey! Thank you for contacting us. This is an excellent question that is best answered in person after considering your situation. You can do that for free here https://www.medlinkstudents.com/apply/. It takes only 10 seconds, and one of our advisors will contact you as soon as possible.
Hello. Thankyou for this informative article. I just want to ask that i want to give my oet and I don't know when the seats for ukmla will open so do you have any idea about the opening months of seats so i can give oet as close as possible to those months
Hey! Thank you for contacting us. This is an excellent question that is best answered in person after considering your situation. You can do that for free here https://www.medlinkstudents.com/apply/. It takes only 10 seconds, and one of our advisors will contact you as soon as possible.
I have completed a 1.5-year internship in my country (non-EU), do I have to take another course in England after the UKMLA exam? Before applying for Residency?
Hey! Thank you for contacting us. This is an excellent question that is best answered in person after considering your situation. You can do that for free here https://www.medlinkstudents.com/apply/. It takes only 10 seconds, and one of our advisors will contact you as soon as possible.
Hello , is it still useful to study from plab sources to pass the UKMLA exam ?
Hey! Thank you for contacting us. Everything you need to know about university exams can be learned from our expert advisors. This is an excellent question that is best answered in person after considering your situation. You can do that for free here https://www.medlinkstudents.com/apply/. It takes only 10 seconds, and one of our advisors will contact you as soon as possible.
Isn't it unfair for students graduating from UK university (specially International students who pay very high fee) yet they have to go through this additional test in order to enable them to practice in the UK. I thought the idea was to ensure that those studied overseas meet the required standards of UK. Does it mean that even UK graduated students don't meet these standards?
Hey Nitin! These are requirements set by each country independently and aim to choose the best candidates. However, after studying in English in Europe this test would be an easy job to do!
Hello,
Can I participate even before graduation or only after being a doctor?
Thank you
Hey! Thank you for contacting us. This is an excellent question that is best answered in person by one of our expert advisors. You can submit an application for free here https://www.medlinkstudents.com/apply/. It takes only 10 seconds, and one of our advisors will contact you as soon as possible.
Thank you for this article! If someone has passed usmle step 2 alone (without step1) will they be required to sit the ukmla also? Or does it suffice?
Hey! Thank you for contacting us. This is an excellent question that is best answered in person by one of our expert advisors. You can submit an application for free here https://www.medlinkstudents.com/apply/. It only takes 10 seconds, and one of our advisors will contact you as soon as possible.
Hello! When taking the UKMLA will we be put into a percentile that helps with applying for FY jobs? I.e. being in a higher percentile will allow us to apply for more sought after FY jobs?
Hey Fazal! Thank you for contacting us. This is an excellent question that is best answered in person by one of our expert advisors. You can submit an application for free here https://www.medlinkstudents.com/apply/. It only takes 10 seconds, and one of our advisors will contact you as soon as possible.