Compare roles in health

Not sure where to start with the hundreds of NHS careers? Use our compare roles section to get bite-size information on the entry requirements and training, pay and conditions, prospects and skills needed of up to three roles. If there is something that you think you could do, then get more in-depth information on the role.

Don't forget, you can also save your role comparisons by registering with us.  

  1. Neurosurgeon

    Neurosurgeons diagnose, assess and perform surgery on disorders affecting the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord) and the peripheral nervous system which can involve any area of the body.  

    Training usually starts with a five year first degree in medicine and two years of foundation training. This is followed by eight years of specialist training (ST1-8).
    Working hours should not exceed 48 hours a week. The working hours may sometimes extend beyond the normal working day including early mornings, evenings and weekends. You'll also need to be on call. The basic salary ranges from £29,384 to £34,012. Once you start your specialty training as a neurosurgeon employed by the NHS, you can expect to earn a salary of at least £40,257, which can increase to between £84,559 and £114,003 as a consultant.
    You'll need excellent communication skills and be emotionally resilient, have a calm temperament and the ability to work well under pressure. You'll have the capacity to lead multidisciplinary teams and have excellent problem-solving and diagnostic skills. As a neurosurgeon, you'll have: a high degree of manual dexterity; superb hand-eye co-ordination; excellent vision; visuospatial awareness and the physical stamina to cope with the demands of surgery.
    In 2020 there were 220 applications for 26 specialty training places. In May 2021 there were 362 consultant neurosurgeons working in the NHS in England. You could specialise or conduct research in areas such as paediatric neurosurgery, neuro-oncology, spinal surgery, and conditions such as epilepsy, movement disorders and cerebral palsy. You could also teach medical or postgraduate students. get involved in research at universities, the NHS or private sector
Make a comment or report a problem with this page

Help us improve

This form is for you to tell us about something that could be improved about the website or if there's anything wrong, incorrect or inaccurate with what you see. 

If you have a query about a career in the NHS, please visit our contact us page and call or email us.