UK Foundation Programme

UK Foundation Programme

You can find information about how to apply to the 2-year Foundation Programme and Stand-alone Programme, as well as FP curriculum guidance.


Non-urgent advice: UKFP 2027 Application window

The application window for the 2027 Foundation Programme will open on 23 September 2026 and will close 07 October 2026 (12:00 midday BST).

Refer to pages on this website for the application timeline, guidance and resources and Oriel how to apply information. Queries about the application process should be sent to: england.helpdesk.foundationprogramme@nhs.net

Before completing an application for any part of the national application process, applicants must read the full guidance available to them on this website. The hints and tips provided within an application form are intended as prompts only and these do not replace the detailed applicant guidance on the website. Applicants are responsible for ensuring that they understand all relevant requirements and each stage of the application process before submitting an application.

24-hour Helpdesk deadline
The UKFPO helpdesk will not answer application queries from 24 hours prior to the close of the Foundation Programme application window on 07 October 2026. The only exception to this is that during this 24-hour period, email requests to unlock Oriel accounts will still be actioned by the team. All other email queries will be responded to after the 24-hour deadline has passed. Refer to the UKFP 2027 Key changes page for more information.

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UKFP 2027 Application window

The application window for the 2027 Foundation Programme will open on 23 September 2026 and will close 07 October 2026 (12:00 midday BST). Refer to pages on this website for the application […]

F2 Stand-alone recruitment for 2027 and beyond

Recruitment to F2 Stand-alone programmes will no longer be carried out by the UKFPO on a UK-wide basis. This means that the UKFPO will not advertise a national vacancy on […]

Important update to UKFP 2027 applicant guidance: Pre-allocation Criterion 1 Parent or Legal Guardian

Earlier this year the UKFPO announced a change to criterion 1 of the pre-allocation process. This change allowed pre-allocation only to the foundation school local to the applicant’s UK medical school. […]

One of my reflections in my first few months as an FY1

I started this job thinking I know a little something, a little about disease, a little about healing and holding. I learnt quickly that ‘little’ is really true, but I […]

You don’t need to see the finish line

A few weeks ago, I stood on the start line of a marathon in the Brecon Beacons. It felt slightly ridiculous. The race began at 5:30 pm. By the time […]

Do FORDEC – Decision Making as a Resident Doctor

So, what role does it have in medicine? During foundation teaching, a consultant orthopaedic surgeon introduced us to FOR-DEC: Facts. Options. Risks. Decision. Execute. Check. “Everyone should know about this,” […]

New 2025-26 Humans of the Foundation Programme e-book

The UKFPO are delighted to announce the launch of the UKFPO 2025-26 Humans of the Foundation Programme e-book! The e-book is also available on our Humans of the Foundation Programme […]

Release of computer-generated ranks for UKFP 2026 applicants

As part of the completion of the UKFP 2026 recruitment process, the UKFPO will issue each F1 doctor who remains allocated to a UKFP 2026 programme their individual computer-generated rank. […]

UKFP 2026 Reserve Allocation Update

The UKFPO can confirm that a further 15 applicants were allocated to a Foundation School on 12 August 2026 as part of round 5 of the reserve allocation process. 188 […]

UKFP 2027 Person Specification updated

The UKFP 2027 person specification has been updated with the following essential criterion: If re-applying, applicants must have resigned from their allocated foundation programme and must not be in post […]

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