Oncologist

Oncologists are at the forefront of the battle against cancer, playing a pivotal role in diagnosing and treating one of the most challenging diseases that affects millions globally. Their expertise not only saves lives but also enhances the quality of life for patients, making their work crucial in the UK healthcare system and beyond.

Oncologist

6

Medicine and Dentistry

AI IMPACT
AI CAN DO6%moving to54%
THE DOOR, NOWB
THE DOOR, 20 YRSC
STARTING PAY£40,000 - £50,000
REGULATORY MOATThe law requires human oversight. That human could be you.
This job holds up well against AI
AI cannot yet do much of what this job actually involves, and the law requires human oversight. That human could be you. That is about as safe as careers get right now, though it is still worth learning to use the tools well.

Career progression path

Is this the only route?

This is the standard academic trajectory, but modern careers are highly flexible. You can often skip stagesby entering the industry with an advanced qualification (like a Master's or PhD), or pivot sideways from a related discipline.

0ACADEMIC FOUNDATIONUniversity DegreeUsually 3 to 4 years of full-time academic study, explicitly preparing you for the theoretical realities of the industry. Requires A-Levels, BTECs, or equivalent Level 3.-£100,470Avg. UK tuition & living
1FIRST STEPJunior OncologistAs a Junior Oncologist, you will begin your career by gaining experience in various oncology settings, assisting senior oncologists in patient care and treatment planning.£40,000 - £50,000
2GAINING EXPERIENCEMid-Level OncologistIn this role, you will take on more responsibility, managing your own patient caseload and leading treatment discussions with patients and their families.£60,000 - £80,000
3PEAK CAREERSenior OncologistAs a Senior Oncologist, you will lead a team of healthcare professionals, oversee complex cases, and contribute to the advancement of oncology through research and education.£90,000+

Recommended UK degrees

Real courses that qualify you for this career, from the same register that priced the degree above.

Careermash

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AI EXPOSURE = the share of a job's day-to-day tasks AI can already do today, from the same exposure engine used across this site (Anthropic labour market research, 2026, observed real-world AI usage by occupation). Higher means more exposed. It is a measurement of now, not a prediction. THE DOOR = how hard the job is to get into, grade A (easy) to E (extremely hard), from each career's published forecast (OpenAI, "The AI Jobs Transition Framework", Richmond 2026, CC BY 4.0). A card marked MOAT NOT YET CLASSIFIED has a real exposure score but no entry yet in our moat register, so we make no claim about what structurally protects it. Scorecard grades and verdicts are Careermash editorial judgment: we show forecasts as forecasts and own our conclusions. Salary and pathway figures are each career's own published profile. Careermash is a service provided by What School Ltd.

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