Science

You can get into this job through:

• a university course

University

There are 2 main routes to become a pathologist:

• medical doctor route
• clinical scientist route

For the medical doctor route you'll need to do:

• 5-year degree in medicine, recognised by the General Medical Council
• 2-year general training foundation course
• 5 or 6-year specialist training programme in pathology

If you do not have qualifications in science, you may be able to take a 6-year degree course in medicine, which includes a 1-year pre-medical or foundation year.

If you already have a degree in a science subject, minimum grade upper second class, you could take a fast-track 4-year graduate entry to medicine programme.

When you apply for a course in medicine, you could be asked to take the University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT) or BioMedical Admissions Test (BMAT). They test the skills you'll need on the course, like critical thinking, problem solving, data analysis, communication and scientific knowledge.

There's a lot of competition for places on medical degrees. Most university admissions departments will expect you to have done some relevant paid or voluntary experience.

For the clinical scientist route you'll need:3 or 4 years for a degree or master's in a pure or applied science subject like biology, chemistry, clinical or biomedical science; a 3 year, work-based Scientist Training Programme leading to a master's degree; 5 year Higher Specialist Scientist Training following the pathology specialty

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English, maths and science
• 3 A levels, or equivalent, including biology and chemistry

For more information

• equivalent entry requirements
• university courses and entry requirements
• student finance for fees and living costs
• University Clinical Aptitude Test
• BioMedical Admissions Test

Other routes

To become a veterinary pathologist, you'll need to train as a vet. The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons has more information about becoming a vet.

More information

Further information

You can find out more about a career in pathology from the Royal College of Pathologists.

With experience, you may go on to lead a team or manage a department.

With experience and entry on the General Medical Council (GMC) Specialist Register, you could apply for senior (or consultant) roles.

You could also progress to teaching and training students, trainee doctors and other healthcare professionals.