Programme match

The same computer-generated rank which was used for allocation to foundation school will be used when allocating applicants at the group/programme match stage. Applicants will not receive a new rank for group or programme matching.  The same rank is used at all stages.

The Oriel application system will match applicants to a programme based on their computer-generated rank and programme preferences. Refer to the PIA guidance for further information about the allocation method.

If it is not possible to match you to one of your preferenced programmes, that is those that have preferenced positively, the system will randomly allocate you to a vacant programme, after others that have expressed a preference have been matched.

Some applicants will be matched to a placeholder group and programme in their allocated foundation school.  This means that they have not yet been matched to a confirmed two-year programme and employing trust/health board.  

All eligible applicants who are allocated to a foundation school are guaranteed a two-year foundation programme and we would like to reassure applicants that everyone will be matched to a programme. Foundation schools will communicate directly with their allocated applicants about this process.

All applicants who have been matched to a placeholder programme will be contacted by their foundation school on 10 April 2025 with further details on next steps. Applicants will be allocated to a confirmed programme as soon as possible, and foundation schools will keep in regular touch with this group of applicants to keep them informed of what is happening.  

Applicants who are matched to a placeholder group in March and subsequently to a placeholder programme in April, are advised not to organise accommodation for their Foundation Programme until they have been informed of their final matched training programme and employer.  Some foundation school regions cover a large geography and therefore it is wise to wait until the details are known about where in the region the Foundation Programme will be based before arranging and paying for accommodation.

We appreciate that this may cause some anxiety, but experience from previous placeholder applicants tells us that it’s best to wait until you know where you are going to be working.

As far as possible, foundation schools and employers aim to honour programme allocations. However, it is important to note that after being matched to a programme, placements within that programme and rotation may change as a result of service redesign, working time regulations or national directives. There are many different reasons why your employing trust, hospital or health board may need to change a part or parts of a training programme.

Once allocated to a foundation school and programme, there is no system for swaps between foundation schools or within individual foundation schools and programmes.  Swaps will not be facilitated by the UKFPO or by Foundation Schools under any circumstances.

There is no national appeals process for foundation school allocation, nor to the match via the national process on Oriel to a programme (FP, FPP or SFP). Applicants are not able to appeal their allocation outcome or national programme match. Allocation outcomes are final and there is no national swap process to facilitate applicant swaps between foundation schools or programmes.

Applicants who are considering withdrawing from their allocated programme should refer to the withdrawal guidance and discuss this first with their foundation school and medical school.