Embarking on the PLAB journey to establish a medical career in the UK is a significant decision. One of the first questions that arise is, “What will the entire PLAB journey cost?” This article provides a detailed breakdown of the expenses involved in each step of the journey, from IELTS/OET and PLAB 1 to securing employment and settling in the UK.
“You’re not your job. You’re not how much money you have in the bank. You’re not the car you drive. You’re not the contents of your wallet. You’re the all-singing, all dancing crap of the world.”
Tyler Durden: Fight Club (1999)
However, when you start seeing the fruits of your labor, it’s a different story.
Your heart sings and dances.
Money is essential, and how you plan to spend it is even more critical. This guide will help you plan YOUR expenses for the PLAB journey in YOUR currency.
Table of Contents
Let’s first look at the steps of the PLAB journey
The PLAB Journey: A Step-by-Step Cost Breakdown
The journey from your home country to the UK to become a doctor involves a considerable investment. But remember, it’s an investment that yields returns. It’s crucial to understand the total cost of the PLAB journey, from obtaining a passport to landing a job in the UK.
- Passport – 4,025 BDT (if you don’t have it)
- IELTS – 19,500 or ~£175 (payable by a Standard Chartered Bank transfer). If you’re taking OET, it costs ~£338 – 37,656 BDT. (These are only exam fees)
- PLAB 1 – £255~ 27,520 BDT. (Only payable by a credit card)
- PLAB 2 – £934~ 100,940 BDT. (Only payable by a credit card)
- PLAB 2 Preparatory course fee- this can vary.
- Epic Verification, roughly £250 ~ 27,000 BDT
- Standard visitor visa fees ~ 11,140 BDT
- Airplane round trip tickets ~ 80,000 BDT or ~£700
- GMC registration fees – for doctors who submit their application within five years of passing a primary medical qualification (MBBS) – £161 ~ 17,940 BDT. If more than that then £420 ~ 46,790 BDT.
- Rent and living expenses in the UK – £500 to £600 / month. Within 6 months of Visa, if you plan the dates of the course and the exam dates well- hopefully, you will have to stay in the UK for 3-4 months to get a job and return home to apply for a Tier 2 visa. So, 4 months cost ~ 260,000 BDT.
- Police clearance certificate for Tier 2 visa, 500 BDT
- TB clearance certificate at IOM, $85 ~ 7,100 BDT
- Tier 2 visa (General – Health & Care visa) costs, £247 ~ 27,520 BDT for visa up to 3 years. And, £479 – 53,365 BDT, for visa more than 3 years. The difference between the start date and end date mentioned in your CoS determines your length of the visa, regardless of what your contract is. So, if the visa is for 6 months or 2 years- fees remain the same as mentioned (up to 3 years).
- The plane fare to go to the UK to start the job (one-way), £400 ~ 44,000 BDT
- Suggested GBP to take with you to survive first one-two months (until you start getting paid), £1000-1500 ~ 111,400 – 167,100 BDT.
Take a deep breath. Good.
In Total
The entire expenses for PLAB can be broken down in three steps:
- From IELTS to going for PLAB 2 in the UK
- PLAB 2 visit in the UK including GMC registration
- Tier 2 visa processing and going there to start your job
From IELTS till PLAB 2 visit
| Purpose | Cost in GBP | Cost in BDT |
| Passport | – | 4,025 |
| IELTS/OET | 175/338 | 19,500/37,656 |
| PLAB 1 | 247 | ~27,520 |
| PLAB 2 | 906 | ~100,940 |
| Standard Visitor Visa for PLAB 2 (if needed) | 100 | 11,140 |
| Epic Verification | ~250 | 27,000 |
| Total | 1,680 – 1,840 | 190,125 – 208,280 |
PLAB 2 visit in the UK including GMC registration
| Purpose | Cost in GBP | Cost in BDT |
| Round trip airplane ticket | 700 | 77,990 |
| PLAB 2 course | 550-595 | 61,280-66,290 |
| Rent and living expenses in the UK (4 months) | 600*3 = 1800 | ~ 200,535 |
| GMC Registration fees | 161 (fresh grad)/420 | 17,940/46,790 |
| Total | 3,211 – 3,515 | 357,745 – 391,605 |
Tier 2 visa processing until starting a job in the UK
| Purpose | Cost in GBP | Cost in BDT |
| Police Clearance | – | 500 |
| TB Clearance test at IOM | – | 7,100 |
| Tier 2 visa fees (up to/more than 3 years) | 247/479 | 27,520/53,365 |
| One way air-plane ticket to the UK | 400 | 44,000 |
| Startup money till you get paid | 1000-1500 | 111,400-167,100 |
| Total | 1,647 – 2,379 | 190,520 – 272,065 |
My GBP to BDT conversion is made on the basis of mid-market rate. I have also rounded up to overestimate to a few hundred so that it accounts for future drastic fluctuation of conversion rate. I would definitely urge you to look up the conversion rate at the time you are making your plan. Fortunately, you may end up with a significant lesser estimate than I have given here.
I need to clarify this a bit further. The above cost is NOT an absolute estimate. Many things can change and you yourself may find ways to save monies by finding cheaper air tickets or accommodation, thus making your total expenses for the PLAB journey significantly less.
You can look for airplane journey costs in Skiplagged or look for accommodation in Airbnb.
The ultimate guide for PLAB expenses
The cost of PLAB and subsequent steps to start working and living in the UK
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to have all the money required at once?
No. As you can see the cost can be easily broken down into three steps. And moreover, you can plan the gap between your PLAB 1 and PLAB 2, or even passing PLAB 2 and applying for GMC registration or between getting GMC registration and getting a job.
Do I need to keep all the money in one bank account?
You have 2 years after PLAB 1 to clear PLAB 2. You have 2 years after passing PLAB 2 to apply for GMC registration. So, the amount of money needed for your entire journey need not be stored in your account from the beginning of your journey.
How much do I need to show for getting a UK visa?
It’s very good you’re thinking about it now. But let me tell you, the money you will have to spend does not HAVE to reflect on the money you will have to show in the bank account. The bank depends on the visa application. Here you will find a broad discussion about that matter, UK Visa financial sponsorship fiasco.
But one thing for sure, before dreaming the union jack dream, plan and talk about the money with your parents/family. I am saying it again, it’s an investment. An investment that will return, God willing.
