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Scottish Medical Training

Scotland - the home of medical excellence

General Practice Specialty Training

General Practice offers a career with variety, flexibility and challenge. GPs work in teams to provide holistic and continuing care for patients and their families across a range of settings - urban, rural and in more remote communities.  GP training in Scotland reflects this variety with posts available in large cities, small towns, and in rural locations; all in a country world famous for its scenery and culture.  

Whatever your preferred lifestyle, GP Training in Scotland has it all:

  • Excellent training programmes with supportive and enthusiastic Educational Supervisors
  • High pass rates in MRCGP
  • Post training opportunities (such as Fellowship posts)
  • Unparalleled recreational, cultural and sporting opportunities

To find out what its like as a GP trainee in Scotland, read this first hand account from Dr Alex Thain.

What are you waiting for? Apply now for General Practice at the GPNRO website.

How to apply for a General Practice programme in Scotland in 2024/2025

Key dates for recruitment in 2024/25 can be found here - Key Dates for Hospital Specialty Training Programme Recruitment (scot.nhs.uk)

The GPNRO is the administrative body responsible for co-ordinating the nationally agreed and quality assured process for recruitment to GP Specialty Training Programmes in Great Britain and Northern Ireland.  If you wish to apply only for General Practice, the GPNRO Website (external link) has all the documentation and guidance you require.

You do not apply to General Practice Training Programmes via the Scottish Medical Training website. However, if you wish to apply to other specialties in Scotland, in addition to General Practice, then you must do so via this website, or via the relevant recruiting website noted on the How To Apply page.

Please click on the link below for the GP Training brochure.

GP Training Brochure (pdf)

For further information on training as a GP in Scotland and for details of the programmes on offer, please visit our Programme Information section.

For vacancy information, please view the GP Recruitment section.

Geographical Preferences & Offers 

Candidates must preference all programmes they wish to be considered for within the designated time-frame on the Oriel system. Preferences expressed in any other way (e.g. verbally or by email) or after the deadline will not be considered.

Further information on the geographical preference and offers process for GP Recruitment will be uploaded in due course. 

Applying From Another Medical Specialty?

You may be able to shorten your GP training by six months through the Accreditation of Transferable Competences Framework process.  Follow this link for more information and ensure that you add this to your application if you are eligible.


Dr Rebecca Lindemann, GPST

Dr Rebecca Lindemann, GPST in Fort William talks about her journey from Brazil to Scotland and her options as a GPST

Dr. Ume Onengiye-Ofori, GPST Training in Orkney

Dr Ume Onengiye-Ofori has been living and working in Orkney since 2020. She had moved from Canada and quickly settled into Orkney life, her children at local schools and her husband works for Orkney Islands Council. 

Her trainer, Dr Holly Tyson, has helped guide her through the GP training program and she plans to qualify in 2024.

Orkney has lots of training opportunities, indeed 3 out of the 5 GMS surgeries undertake training and all practices host students. Following CCT, most GPs stay on the island, developing specialist interests and achieving a broad level of skills necessary to practice in a remote environment.

Preferencing? Consider posts in the Scottish Targeted Enhanced Recruitment Scheme (TERS)

Some posts in this round of recruitment are part of the Scottish Enhanced Targeted Recruitment Scheme (TERS) and have an additional payment of £20,000.

These posts are:

  • Borders
  • Caledonian
  • Dumfries and Galloway
  • Rural Track
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