The recruitment process for Specialised Foundation Programmes has changed for 2025.
Applicants should note, that due to the changes that have been made to the SFP selection process across England, Scotland and Northern Ireland, there is no longer a separate SFP vacancy or SFP application form in Oriel. Nor is there a section in the Oriel application where applicants are required to indicate an interest in SFP because this is not required at this point.
Each of the four-nations is managing selection to the Specialised Foundation Programme in a different way. Information about how the selection process will be managed is available on an individual website for each nation.
Refer to the main Specialised Foundation Programme webpage for further information and links to other websites where you can find information about the process for each nation.
Non-urgent advice: Oriel application
All applicants for the 2025 Foundation Programme must still complete the main FP application form on Oriel, irrespective of whether they plan on applying for an SFP programme or not. The national FP application deadline on Oriel applies to all 2025 applicants. The main FP application form is a mandatory part of the process.
Summary of SFP selection processes, per nation
England
1/3 of SFPs will be appointed to via local medical school selection processes in autumn 2024 (exact timelines will be set by individual medical schools). Applicants wishing to apply for these must still complete the main FP application form on Oriel by the national application deadline and this is a mandatory and important part of the process.
2/3 of SFPs are now included within the main Foundation Programme vacancy and programmes are matched to applicants via the main allocation process (using PIA). After allocation to a foundation school, applicants will be required to preference groups, and if they are matched to the SFP group within their foundation school, they will be able to preference the SFP programmes within the group. The match to programme will use PIA. For full guidance – refer to specific England guidance.
Northern Ireland
After allocation to foundation school, a local selection process will be held by the Northern Ireland Foundation School for applicants who are interested in applying for an SFP. Refer to Northern Ireland specific guidance.
Scotland
After allocation to foundation school, a local selection process will be held by the Scotland Foundation School for applicants who are interested in applying for an SFP. Refer to Scotland specific guidance.
Wales
There is no change to the SFP process for Wales. All SFP’s in Wales are included within the main Foundation Programme vacancy and programmes are allocated via main allocation (using Preference Informed Allocation). Refer to Wales specific guidance.