News and Updates
Over 14,000 have their say on possible change to 2024 allocation process
Over 14,000 people have completed the survey seeking views on a possible change to the allocation process for next year’s UK foundation programme.
The survey, launched last month by the four UK Statutory Bodies, formed part of an engagement process looking at whether the process for allocation should remain in its current format which sees applicants ranked according to their FP Score based on an Educational Performance Measure (EPM) and their Situational Judgement Test (SJT) mark or move to a new system that will see each applicant given a computer-generated ranking.
Professor Elizabeth Hughes, HEE Medical Director and Chair of UK Foundation programme Allocation Group said:
“We are very grateful to everyone who took time out to complete the survey and in such huge numbers.
The feedback we have received is invaluable. We will discuss what it tells us and use this information to help shape our decision on how to manage the 2024 Foundation allocation across the four nations”.
We know that preparation for the Foundation Programme application can be stressful for many applicants, and that is why we have been keen to explore ways we can make the process as stress-free, transparent, and fair as possible.
A final decision on the way forward will be made in May with a view to changing the allocation process for those applying for a Foundation Programme place starting in August 2024.
IMPORTANT – ALLOCATION RESULTS RELEASE TIME
The UKFPO can confirm that the national allocation information will be available for applicants on Thursday 9 March from 0800 GMT. Applicants will be able to view their allocated foundation school and their SJT score on their front screen/ dashboard on Oriel, when they log in.
We understand that some of you may be anxious to see the outcome of your application, however please note that due to the volume of information being published, your individual outcome may take time to appear on the site, so we ask you to be patient when you log on to Oriel.
We are expecting the website to have a high volume of traffic on Thursday morning, so if possible, please log into your Oriel account later than the advertised time to view your results. The time you log in will not in any way affect your allocation.
You will also be sent an email from Oriel with your allocation details, so please look out for that. We suggest you also check your junk inbox if you can’t immediately find it as the email may have inadvertently gone there.
Group Preferencing window extension
Due to the Junior Doctor industrial action taking place on 15 March 2023, the UKFPO will be extending the closing date of the group preferencing window from 15 March 2023 to 16 March 2023 (12.00 midday GMT).
UKFPO update on industrial action for doctors in England
Heath Education England have published information on how this affects the training of postgraduate doctors in England.
Note that the Prescribing Safety Assessment (PSA) sitting scheduled for 13 March 2023 has been cancelled for all F1 doctors in England. The sitting will go ahead as planned in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. The following PSA sitting, for all F1 doctors in the UK who require it, is on Monday 24 April 2023. The third (and final) PSA sitting for F1 doctors in England will now be on Friday 2 June 2023. Foundation doctors and trust postgraduate centre staff with queries should contact their local foundation school team.
Psychiatry Foundation Fellowship programmes (PFF)
The Psychiatry Foundation Fellowship application process will begin on 13 April 2023. The application process will be separate from the UKFPO application process and will be managed by the Royal College of Psychiatrists. Up to 46 fellowship programmes will be available across the UK. Details of how to apply and the timeline for the process can be found on the Royal College of Psychiatrists website
An information evening for prospective PFF applicants will be held online on 8 March 2023 at 6pm. Please register to attend this event
SJT early score release error
The UKFPO are aware that the Situational Judgement Test (SJT) scores were made available to applicants earlier than the advertised date.
This was an error and we apologise if it has created any anxiety.
Whilst the SJT score is an important part of an applicant’s total FP score, we would like to reassure applicants that the early release of SJT scores will not in any way affect applicants’ allocation to either a Foundation School or programme. Information on allocation to Foundation School will be available on 9 March 2023. All eligible applicants currently in the application process will be allocated a place on the UK Foundation Programme in 2023.
We know this can be a very stressful time for applicants and apologise for any concern this has caused.
UKFPO webinar on proposals for the 2024 Foundation Programme allocation process
The UK Foundation Programme (UKFPO) held a national webinar on Wednesday 15 February to explain the proposals for next year’s allocation process, what it might mean for you and to answer your questions.
The four UK statutory bodies have engaged with key stakeholders including Foundation School Directors, Foundation School Managers, Postgraduate Deans, foundation doctors, medical schools, and medical students to let us know whether the process should remain in its current format, which sees applicants ranked according to their FP Score based on an Educational Performance Measure (EPM) and their Situational Judgement Test (SJT) mark, or move to a new system that will see each applicant given a computer-generated ranking.
Mike Masding, UKFPO’s co-chair talked through the allocation process, how it works and the models proposed. This was followed by a panel discussion.
Our panel of experts on the night were:
Dr Mike Masding MA(Ed) FRCP, Co-Chair UKFPO & Lead HEE Foundation School Director
Professor Amir H. Sam, Head of Imperial College School of Medicine, Imperial College London
Dr Tom Lawson, Co-Chair UKFPO, Postgraduate Medical Dean & Deputy Medical Director, Health Education and Improvement Wales (HEIW)
Elaine Colaҫo, National Foundation Programme Manager, UK Foundation Programme Office (UKFPO)
The recording of the webinar can be found at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ma10O8NSKVw
Further information on the consultation is here.
2023 UK Foundation Programme (FP) Application Statement
At the close of national application to the 2023 UK Foundation Programme on 21 September 2022, UKFPO had received 9905 applications.
We can confirm that all eligible applicants currently in the application process will be allocated a place on the UK Foundation Programme in 2023. Further guidance outlining the allocation process will be released by the end of January 2023.
The UKFP 2023 Applicant Guide to Allocation can be found under the key documents section of our programmes page.
UKFPO F2 Stand-alone Programme for 2023
There has been huge interest in the UKFPO Stand-alone F2 programme for 2023.
This year we have approximately 90 posts available in the following Foundation Schools:
| Foundation School | Number of vacancies (approximate and subject to change) |
| East Anglia | 31 |
| Essex, Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire (EBH) | 5 |
| Trent | 10 |
| Northern | 20 |
| Oxford | 4 |
| Wessex | 2 |
| Scotland | 5 |
| North West | 13 |
| Total | 90 |
Last year we had 1293 applicants for F2 Standalone posts and expect a similar number this year, which means it will be an extremely competitive process.
Applicants are advised that interviews will only be offered to applicants who have achieved the very highest SJT scores. As was the case last year, interviews will be offered on a 3:1 ratio of candidates to posts available.
The UKFPO would also like to remind applicants:
- UKFPO do not provide a pre-checking service for applications.
- Please refer to the F2 Standalone applicant handbook pages 5 -7 for a list of the geographical areas that fall under the foundation schools listed above.
- The details of specific programmes and posts available within each foundation school are not yet confirmed. These will be available to applicants on Oriel during the programme preferencing window (Thursday 27 April –Tuesday 09 May).
- Interviews will be held in April and successful applicants will be offered posts in May.
The application window closed on Monday 30 January 2023 (12:00 midday GMT).
UKFP 2023 Applicant Handbook
The 2023 Applicant Handbook can be found under the key documents section of our programmes page, along with How to Apply for Foundation Programme guidance.
UKFPO Bulletin
Read the latest UKFPO bulletin (January 2023)