The Foundation Programme (FP) curriculum, which underpins the training and professional development of newly graduated doctors, relaunched for the first time in five years in summer 2021. The curriculum sets out a holistic approach to care including physical health, mental health and social health and the skills required to manage this in both acute and community settings and for patients with chronic conditions. Foundation doctors must demonstrate that they are competent in the traditional elements of medical training but also in areas such as communication and consultation skills, patient safety and teamwork. The curriculum provides a framework for educational progression that will help them achieve these skills and supports them through the first two years of professional development after graduation from medical school.

“The last curriculum was published in 2016 and a lot has happened since then, not least the coronavirus pandemic. To remain fit for purpose, the Foundation Programme must evolve with medical practice and training, so our doctors are properly equipped to practice in a range of healthcare setting, now and in the future.” Dr Tony Choules, Chair of the AoMRC Foundation Programme Committee and Operational Advisor to the UKFPO.

If you have any queries or comments about the 2021 curriculum, please contact us at educationandsupport@foundationprogramme.nhs.uk.

See below a series of UKFPO resources that will help foundation doctors, trainers and foundation schools to understand what the 2021 curriculum means for them.

– UK FP Curriculum 2021 (interactive pdf) –> We recommend users access the new curriculum document through Adobe Reader or an up to date browser (for example Chrome or Firefox). Users accessing the document through Microsoft Edge may not get the full experience of the interactive PDF.

– The Gold Guide (9th edition) –> A reference guide for postgraduate foundation and specialty training in the UK

– Rough guide to the curriculum –> written by foundation doctors, for foundation doctors

– Curriculum resource –> This resource document highlights national guidance and protocols available to support each of the curriculum’s foundation professional capabilities. It lists many of the freely available evidence-based resources, including helpful web links (such as e-lfh and BMA) and guidance notes.

See our Webinars page to access the recordings of webinars supporting the 2021 curriculum.

Detailed information about forms to be completed as part of foundation training:

– Assessments

– Supervised Learning Events (SLEs)

– Other forms

– Annual Review of Competence Progression (ARCP)

– FAQS

— ARCP

— Curriculum and Assessment

— SLEs

The AoMRC Foundation Programme Committee have produced guidance supporting foundation doctors on giving written feedback to their colleagues [.pdf, 156KB, July 2023]

View information on membership offers in UKFP and other medical education forums for foundation doctors, as of April 2021, in this Overview of Membership and Representation Options document.

View information about the FP Curriculum 2016, the previous version of the curriculum (archived).

Our Careers page contains information on life after the Foundation Programme.

UK patient representatives – thanks to those who took our survey on the new curriculum for 2021!

– Presentation – The new FP curriculum (for patient reps)

– Written summary of changes to the curriculum (for patient reps)

Guidance on Undertaking Additional Work (published by COPMeD on 07 January 2019)