UKFP 2027 Application Timeline

01 – 22 July 2026 12:00 midday (BST)
Applicants who are required to apply via the Eligibility route must complete and submit an Eligibility application form on Oriel. Information about the eligibility criteria and a timeline for the Eligibility application process can be found on the Eligibility Applications page.

If you are a UK medical student expecting to qualify by 03 August 2027, or you qualified from a UK medical school on or after 04 August 2025, you do not need to submit an Eligibility application.

Guidance and forms to support the 2027 application process will be published to applicants.

15 September 2026 09:00 (BST)

Nomination emails will be sent to nominated applicants from UK medical schools at 09:00 (BST). Applicants should note that this email may take some time to appear in their inbox.

23 September 2026

The national application window for the 2027 Foundation Programme opens on 23 September and closes 07 October 2026 12:00 midday (BST). All applications for the 2-year Foundation Programme must be submitted during this window.

Applications for pre-allocation must also be submitted on Oriel between 23 September – 07 October 2026 12:00 midday (BST).

06 October 2026 12:00 midday (BST) – 24-hour Helpdesk deadline

The UKFPO helpdesk will not answer application queries from 24 hours prior to the close of the Foundation Programme application window on 07 October 2026. The only exception to this is that during this 24-hour period, email requests to unlock Oriel accounts will still be actioned by the team. All other email queries will be responded to after the 24-hour deadline has passed. Refer to the UKFP 2027 Key changes page for more information.

07 October 2026 12:00 midday (BST)

The national application window for the Foundation Programme closes at 12:00 midday (BST) on 07 October 2026.

Applications for pre-allocation must also be submitted on Oriel by 07 October 2026 12:00 midday (BST).

Late applications will not be accepted. Applications can only be submitted on Oriel and through the 2027 FP vacancy.

There are no other alternative routes for applications to be submitted. Applicants who do not submit their application on Oriel by the national deadline of 07 October 2026 12:00 midday (BST) will not be granted an extension to do so, under any circumstances (this includes partially completed applications).

National Pre-allocation application review panels take place.

Date TBC

Pre-allocation application outcomes to be released to applicants.

None

10 February 2027 (12:00 midday GMT)

Deadline for applicants to finish preferencing Foundation Schools in their order of choice on Oriel. Refer to foundation school preferencing guidance.

Date TBC

Allocation to a Foundation School

Date TBC

Reference submission window opens in Oriel

Date TBC

Group preferencing and match to Group

Date TBC

Programme preferencing and match to programme

29 April 2027 (12:00 midday BST)

Reference submission window closes in Oriel