Route-in guides
How to get into women's health careers
In short
Each guide sets out the actual UK route into a role: what you need before you start, which qualification is required, who regulates it, how long it takes, what it costs and what a realistic first job looks like.
- How to become a midwifeThree years full time, or 18 to 24 months on the shortened route for registered nurses.
- How to become a clinical psychologistSix to nine years from starting the undergraduate degree, depending on how long you spend gaining experience before the doctorate.
- How to become a nurse practitionerAround five to eight years from starting nurse training: three years for the degree, two or more in practice, then two to three years of part-time MSc study.
- How to become a GPRoughly ten years: five for the medical degree, two foundation years, three years of GP specialty training.
- How to become an ADHD assessorSix months to two years of additional training once you already hold a relevant clinical registration.
- How to become a sonographerAround four to five years: a three-year first degree, then 18 to 24 months part time on the PgDip. Direct-entry BSc routes take three years.
- How to become a phlebotomistThree to six months from starting training to working independently.
- How to become a dietitianThree to four years for a BSc, or two years for the postgraduate route.
- How to become a health visitorOne year full time on the SCPHN programme, after three years of nurse or midwifery training.
- How to become a practice nurseThree years to register as a nurse, then six to twelve months to become fully autonomous in a practice nurse role.
- How to become an occupational health nurseThree years for nurse registration, then one to two years part time for the SCPHN OH qualification while working.
- How to become a counsellorTwo to four years part time from the introductory course to accredited practice.
- How to become a CBT therapistOne year full time for the postgraduate diploma, plus the time to reach BABCP accreditation afterwards.
- How to become a pelvic health physiotherapistThree years for the degree, then two to four years of rotations and specialist training.
- How to become a healthcare assistantA few weeks to start, around twelve weeks to complete the Care Certificate.