Tell me some UK based fellowships for paediatrics that does not require me to go through plan or mrcpch
Searching the Web
UK paediatrics fellowship without MRCPCH PLAN route 2024 2025
Searching the Web
UK paediatric fellowship international medical graduates no MRCPCH required
Reading Web Page
https://www.rcpch.ac.uk/resources/opportunities-uk-internati…
Searching the Web
Great Ormond Street GOSH international fellowship paediatrics 2025 requirements eligibility
Searching the Web
UK hospital paediatric clinical fellowship no PLAB MRCPCH required NHS jobs 2025
Here is a thorough breakdown of UK-based paediatric fellowships and pathways that do not require PLAB or MRCPCH:
UK Paediatric Fellowships / Pathways Without PLAB or MRCPCH
1. GOSH International Medical Fellowship Programme
Great Ormond Street Hospital, London
The GOSH International Medical Fellowship is one of the most well-known options. It is aimed at post-graduate doctors already well advanced in their specialty training who want sub-specialist paediatric expertise.
- No MRCPCH or PLAB required - it is an internationally focused programme
- Covers a broad range of paediatric medical, surgical, and diagnostic sub-specialties
- Self-funded (your home institution or government must sponsor you - GOSH does not provide scholarships)
- Contact: International.Fellowship@gosh.nhs.uk
2. Oxford International Neonatal and Paediatric Fellowship (OINPF)
Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
The OINPF scheme is for non-UK/EEA paediatricians to undergo up to 24 months of high-quality NHS postgraduate training.
- Accepts applicants with MRCPCH or equivalent postgraduate qualifications - so MRCPCH is not mandatory if you hold another recognised postgraduate paediatric qualification from your home country
- Posts are at a senior level (equivalent to Level 2/3 training)
- Includes a 3-6 month induction period before progressing to more senior work
- Requires you to demonstrate clinical knowledge sufficient for GMC registration
- Designed for doctors who return to their home country afterwards
- Contact: NeonatalPaedFellowship@ouh.nhs.uk
3. RCPCH Medical Training Initiative - Paediatrics [MTI(p)]
National scheme, various NHS Trusts
Important update: The MTI(p) scheme was stopped by NHS centrally from 1 April 2026. As of July 2026, this route is no longer active. It is listed here for completeness, but you should verify its current status.
- It did not require PLAB or MRCPCH - GMC registration was facilitated through RCPCH sponsorship
- Was for doctors from lower/lower-middle income countries (World Bank classification)
4. IPSS - International Paediatric Sponsorship Scheme
RCPCH, for upper/upper-middle income countries
The IPSS is for doctors from upper or upper-middle income countries who do not qualify for MTI(p). It facilitates GMC registration without PLAB, so you can take up a fellowship post.
- Requires a 3-year postgraduate paediatric qualification (from your home country - assessed by RCPCH, not equivalent to MRCPCH)
- Requires at least 36 months of clinical practice in the last 60 months
- Requires OET Medicine with grade B or above
- You still need to have a job offer first, then RCPCH helps with GMC registration
- Contact: ipss@rcpch.ac.uk
5. NHS Jobs - Direct Clinical Fellow Applications
Many NHS Trusts advertise paediatric clinical fellow posts directly on NHS Jobs. These are non-training posts and:
- Do not require MRCPCH or PLAB to apply (requirements vary per post)
- Titles include: Clinical Fellow, Senior Clinical Fellow, Specialty Doctor
- Popular search terms: "paediatric fellow", "neonatal fellow", "paediatric clinical fellow"
- Once you secure a post, the employer helps you obtain GMC registration (many will sponsor via MTI or IPSS routes above)
Key Things to Keep in Mind
| Programme | MRCPCH Required? | PLAB Required? | Funding |
|---|---|---|---|
| GOSH International Fellowship | No | No | Self-funded |
| Oxford OINPF | Equivalent PG qual needed | No | Self/employer funded |
| RCPCH IPSS | No (3-yr PG qual instead) | No | Self-funded |
| NHS Jobs (Clinical Fellow) | Varies by post | Usually no | NHS salary |
| MTI(p) | No | No | NHS salary - STOPPED April 2026 |
- GMC registration is still required to work clinically - the above routes help you get it without PLAB or MRCPCH
- If you are from an upper/upper-middle income country (e.g. India, UAE, Saudi Arabia), IPSS is the relevant RCPCH route
- The GOSH and Oxford programmes often expect self-funding or home institution sponsorship, so check your financial arrangements first
This is a shared conversation. Sign in to Orris to start your own chat.