First of all check here: Cost Of The Standard Pathway To Work As A Doctor In United Kingdom From A To Z The term junior doctor is misleading as it covers a wide range of medics, with varying amounts of experience. It covers any doctor who has left medical school but has yet to become a consultant. In total, there are more than 50,000 such doctors in England, of whom 38,000 are members of the British Medical Association. What does it take to qualify as a junior doctor? Most universities require at least three A-grade A-levels, usually including chemistry and biology. Having undergone a medical degree which takes at least five years, it takes a minimum of eight more years to become a consultant, or five to become a GP. This means many of those termed “junior doctors” can be in their thirties, bringing up families. During their degree, students pay tuition fees of up to £9,000 a year, plus student loans to cover the costs of living. Together the average medic is left with debts of around £70,000, the British Medical Association says. The cost to the state is still larger. By the time a medical student finishes university, more than £250,000 has been spent on training – rising to more than £500,000 by the time a medic becomes a consultant or GP. What are junior doctors paid? Basic pay rates for those coming out of medical school start at £22,000, rising to £45,000 for a doctor who has been working for a decade. However, a large proportion of income comes from banding systems, which mean juniors are paid supplements of up to 50 per cent for working “unsocial” hours such as evenings and weekends. The system means that the most experienced junior doctors receiving the maximum banding can earn up to £65,000 a year. What is their earning potential later in their carers? When medics become consultants, salaries start at £74,000. Around half of consultants also receive annual merit awards, which can be as much as £75,000. Overall, the average consultant earns around £120,000, while the average GP earns £100,000. Source
