How long does it take to train to be a pathologist?
It takes at least 12 years to qualify as a pathologist after leaving school.
Once you have qualified from medical school, all doctors complete two years of foundation training, in which you learn more about looking after patients who come into hospital. Many also have the opportunity to work in general practice.
After completing all the foundation year assessments to show that you have the necessary skills, you can apply for a specialist training scheme in the discipline of your choice.
After you’ve got a place on a training scheme, it takes approximately 5 years to train to be a pathologist. Some people take longer, choosing to do research during their training. So over all it takes at least 12 years to qualify as a pathologist after leaving school.
