Re-applying after starting F1 - UK Foundation Programme

If you are a current foundation doctor and are considering re-applying to the foundation programme, you must resign from your current post and your allocated 2-year foundation programme before submitting your application on Oriel. The deadline for submission of an application on Oriel can be found in the application timeline.

The UKFP 2027 person specification has been updated with the following essential criterion:

If re-applying, applicants must have resigned from their allocated foundation programme and must not be in post as a foundation doctor at the point of application submission. This includes those who have deferred the start of their FP programme for statutory reasons or are on statutory leave at the time of application submission.

When resigning from your current post with your employing organisation, you must also inform your foundation school, which will terminate the training contract and notify the medical school. The foundation school will inform your current and any known future employer as part of the foundation programme when terminating a training contract.

FAQs

I have just qualified from a UK medical school and started F1 and remain in post but wish to re-apply for next year. How do I do this?

If you are currently in post as a foundation doctor, you must first resign from your foundation programme to be eligible to re-apply. You cannot remain in post when submitting a new application on Oriel. You must resign first before submitting your application. Refer to the UK Nomination or Eligibility Route for more information about application routes.

I applied through the eligibility application process and have just started F1 and remain in post but wish to re-apply for next year. How do I do this?

I qualified from a UK medical school last year and have just started F1 after a year out but wish to re-apply for next year. How do I do this?

How much notice to I need to give my employer and foundation school of my intention to resign?

Please refer to your employment contract for this information.

I am currently on statutory leave (e.g. maternity/paternity/adoption leave, ill health), can I re-apply for next year?

If you are currently on statutory leave from your employment as a foundation doctor, you must first resign from your place on the foundation programme to be eligible to re-apply. Refer to the UK Nomination or Eligibility Route for more information about application routes. Please note the eligibility application process for UKFP 2027 closed on 22 July 2026.

I have deferred the start of my foundation programme with my allocated foundation school for statutory reasons (e.g. maternity/paternity/adoption leave, ill health), can I re-apply for next year?

If you have deferred the start of your foundation programme for statutory reasons, you must first resign from your allocated foundation programme to be eligible to re-apply. You must discuss this with your allocated foundation school who may have reserved a foundation programme and particular placements for you. Refer to the UK Nomination or Eligibility Route for more information about application routes. Please note the eligibility application process for UKFP 2027 closed on 22 July 2026.

I withdrew my application before commencing the foundation programme, do I need to resign before re-applying?

If you withdrew your application before the start of the foundation programme, you do not need to resign before re-applying as you are not currently a foundation doctor.

I am currently an F2 doctor, can I re-apply if I resign my current post?

To apply for the two-year UK Foundation Programme (F1), you must be eligible for Provisional Registration with the GMC. If you are a current F2 doctor, you will already hold Full Registration with the GMC, which means that you cannot apply for F1.