Dual Sponsorship Scheme

The Dual Sponsorship Scheme gives some international medical graduates a route to undertake a limited period of targeted ophthalmology training in the UK.

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Use this page to understand whether the scheme may be right for you, what you need in place before you apply, and what happens next.

The College act as a sponsoring body to support General Medical Council (GMC) registration through this route. Scroll down to check your eligibility and download the application form.

You should use the scheme only if you already have a suitable UK training post and both UK and overseas sponsors in place. We do not find training posts for applicants. 

What the scheme allows

The scheme provides a limited period of targeted ophthalmology training in the UK. The training period is normally 12 months, with a possible extension in exceptional circumstances. 

The scheme supports focused training in an approved post or fellowship. Research-only posts are not accepted through this route.  

Before you apply, check that:

  • you are eligible for the scheme 
  • you have identified a suitable UK sponsor and overseas sponsor 
  • your proposed post meets the scheme requirements 
  • you are still in current clinical practice overseas while your application is being processed 
  • you meet the English language requirements
  • you have enough time to submit your documents well before your proposed start date
ODT01 form Dual Sponsorship Scheme Booklet
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Before applying to the Dual Sponsorship Scheme, make sure you understand the requirements and have everything in place. The information below outlines who can apply, what you need to prepare, and the responsibilities of both applicants and UK sponsors.

  1. A suitable training post

    You must have a suitable UK post identified and offered before you apply. The post must be supported locally by the relevant training leads. 

  2. Recent medical practice

    You must meet the GMC requirements for recent medical practice. The current page states that applicants must have been engaged in medical practice for three of the last five years and must show at least 10 months of medical practice in the most recent 12 months. Clinical attachments, observerships and internships do not count towards this requirement. 

  3. English language evidence

    We accept either: 

  • International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic 
  • Occupational English Test (OET) Medicine 

For IELTS, you need: 

  • at least 7.0 in speaking, listening, reading and writing 
  • an overall score of at least 7.5 

For OET, your certificate must show: 

  • your candidate number 
  • the medicine version of the test 
  • at least grade B in each area 
  • all grades achieved in the same test 
  • the grades from your most recent sitting

Before you submit your application, prepare: 

  • your completed application form 
  • a CV validated by your overseas sponsor 
  • a surgical log or case list within your CV 
  • a job description and timetable for the UK post 
  • your brief career plan 
  • your reasons for applying through the scheme 
  • referee details and sponsor details 

Do not leave your current overseas post before your sponsorship paperwork has been processed and your sponsorship registration certificate has been issued. The page is clear that this must happen before you finish your current clinical practice overseas. 

The employing trust must provide a detailed job description with training objectives. The UK sponsor must also provide a mid-term report after six months and an end-of-term report after 12 months, showing the doctor’s progress against those objectives. 

What UK sponsors need to provide
  • detailed job description from the employing trust
    clear training objectives
  • mid-term report at six months
  • end-of-term report at 12 month

Visa and work permit arrangements are the responsibility of the applicant and employer, not the College.

During sponsorship, you should keep a log of your surgical activity and outcomes as required by the scheme.

Sponsored trainees must agree to return to their country of origin at the end of the training period.

If you think this route may be right for you:

  1. read the eligibility information carefully
  2. confirm that you have a suitable UK post and sponsors in place
  3. gather your documents
  4. complete the application form (ODT01)
  5. review GMC guidance on registration and English language evidence
Non-UK doctors working in the UK Careers in ophthalmology