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 the Oriel application system nor will we manage the recruitment process for applicants (shortlisting, SJT and interview process).

Applicants will have noted the significant decline in the number of F2 Stand-alone programmes available in recent years, which makes the UKFPO process no longer sustainable.

Each nation (England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales statutory education bodies) is responsible for deciding what happens next for F2 Stand-alone vacancies in their respective nation, and the UKFPO will share further information as it becomes available.

It is possible that there will still be F2 stand-alone programmes available in some areas in 2027 but it is important to note that these posts are not the only employment and career development opportunities available to doctors who hold full registration with the GMC. We have published some resources on our Careers advice and returning to practice page that you may find helpful.