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: Update for applicants on the Reserve List

The UKFPO would like to update you on the current position regarding the likelihood of foundation programmes being available for applicants in the non-priority group. Following the enactment of the Medical Training (Prioritisation) Act, we are committed to allocating all the priority-group applicants to foundation programmes first.

When subsequent vacancies occur through applicant withdrawals, we will allocate applicants from the national reserve list, which is made up of non-priority group applicants. Applicants will be allocated on Oriel via Preference Informed Allocation using their computer-generated rank and their foundation school preferences.

We hope to start this process week commencing 15 June 2026, subject to available vacancies, and then continue to allocate on a regular basis. These withdrawals and offers may take place late in the recruitment process, possibly into July, but we are keen to work with applicants to ensure that as many as possible are allocated. We will publish a proposed timetable and guidance to support this process in due course.

Education and support quick links

Non-urgent advice: Important update: Medical Training (Prioritisation) Act becomes law

The Government’s Medical Training (Prioritisation) Act has now been passed by Parliament and become law. The Act brings in new rules which prioritise UK medical graduates for Foundation training and give preference to UK graduates and doctors with significant NHS experience for Specialty training.

The Government has confirmed that these changes will take immediate effect. This includes recruitment to all Foundation and Specialty training programmes commencing from August 2026.

We encourage applicants to review the Prioritisation FAQs for the Foundation Programme and to continue checking our website for further information. We are unable to respond to individual enquiries regarding the rationale for the introduction of the bill.
 
Please also refer to the NHS England Frequently Asked Questions for  information on the bill and background on its introduction.

Upcoming Events

Latest news

Update for applicants on the Reserve List

The UKFPO would like to update you on the current position regarding the likelihood of foundation programmes being available for applicants in the non-priority group. Following the enactment of the […]

Bulletin – May 2026

National Walking Month Mental Health Awareness Week – 11-17 May Global Accessibility Awareness Day – 21 May Other national campaigns this month Action for happiness calendar – Meaningful May Introduction […]

The Yellow Wallpaper and the Baby Blues: A Book Review with Historical Context

‘The Yellow Wallpaper’ by Charlotte Perkins Gilman is a ten-page short story chronicling a new mother’s descent into postpartum depression (PPD) and psychosis. It is the protagonist’s secret diary, logging […]

When the Hospital Follows You Home: finding purpose from transitioning from medical student to resident doctor

As a foundation year two doctor, I reflect on my evolving relationship with medicine and the complex interplay between identity, vocation, and wellbeing. Through the exhaustion of long on-call shifts […]

2026 Inter-foundation School Transfer (IFST) application outcomes

IFST application outcomes will be released to applicants on 24 April 2026 (AM). We apologise these were not released on 23 April 2026 as per the published timeline. Applicants should refer […]

Prioritisation for F2 Stand-alone 2026

The Government’s Medical Training (Prioritisation) Act has now been passed by Parliament and become law. The Act brings in new rules which prioritise UK medical graduates for Foundation training and […]

Royal College of Psychiatrists Foundation doctor bursary

Foundation doctors are eligible to apply for the Royal College of Psychiatrists Foundation doctor bursary. Closing date: 20 April 2026 Find out more about eligibility criteria and how to apply […]

Bulletin – April 2026

Stress Awareness Month Lesbian Visibility Day – 26 April Other national campaigns this month Action for happiness calendar – Active April Introduction Welcome to the April edition of the UKFPO […]

A love letter to Grief

A love letter to Grief because you’ve taught me more about love than life ever could. You’ve made me realise time makes fools of us all. I’ve learned your lessons […]

The Left Field Shift: embracing the unexpected opportunities of rural medicine

Moving to Aberystwyth for Foundation Training was quite an unexpected plot twist to say the least. I was hoping to stay in Oxford, but the first year of Preference Informed […]

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