F2 Stand-alone 2026 – Recruitment Timeline

06 – 20 January (12:00 midday, GMT)
The national application window opens on 06 January 2026 and closes 20 January 2026 (12:00 midday, GMT). Applications must be submitted on Oriel. Late applications will not be considered under any circumstances.

PLAB
If you need to take PLAB, PLAB 1 must already be completed and passed at the point of application.

15 January
If you have passed PLAB 1 and do not have PLAB 2 booked on or before 01 May 2026, you should request a PLAB 2 booking directly from the GMC by no later than 15 January 2026. You should provide the GMC with a screenshot from Oriel showing that your F2 Stand-alone application is still active.

28 January
Longlisting outcomes released to applicants.

29 January
SJT reasonable adjustments outcomes released to applicants.

29 January – 02 February 12:00 midday (GMT)
Appeal submission window for SJT reasonable adjustment outcomes.

04 February
SJT reasonable adjustment appeal outcomes released to applicants

05 – 11 February 12:00 midday (GMT)
Longlisted applicants invited to book their Situational Judgement Test appointment.

03 – 10 March
Situational Judgement Test (SJT) testing window.

07 April
SJT outcomes shared with applicants.

07 – 13 April (12:00 midday, BST)
Applicants invited to book interview slots on Oriel.

28, 29 and 30 April
Interviews take place. Applicants will attend a 20-minute panel interview (virtually through Qpercom) using national scoring criteria.

Throughout May
Applicants must apply for full registration with the General Medical Council (GMC). Note: applicants should begin their application process with EPIC (Electronic Portfolio of International Credentials) as early as possible and before they begin their GMC application. Applicants cannot start their online application for registration with the GMC until they have an EPIC reference number. EPIC application does not need to be completed before starting GMC registration application.

01 May
Latest date to sit PLAB 2.

05 May
Interview outcomes released to applicants.

05 – 12 May 12:00 midday (BST)
Programme preferencing window opens on Oriel. Applicants should rank all programmes they wish to be considered for in the preference column, and any they would not accept offers for in the not wanted column.

13 May
Round 1 offers released (48 hours for applicants to respond).

20 May
Round 2 offers released (48 hours for applicants to respond).

27 May
Round 3 offers released (48 hours for applicants to respond).

13 May – 10 July
Reference requests sent and collected through Oriel for round 1, 2 and 3 appointments.

01 June
Round 1, 2 and 3 appointee information released to employing organisations.

03 June
Applicants should receive their PLAB 2 results from the GMC on or before this date.

08 June 12:00 midday (BST)
Applicants must forward the email confirmation they receive from the GMC which states that they have met the required standard for part 2 of the PLAB test, by no later than 12:00 midday (BST) on 08 June 2026. Evidence must be sent to england.helpdesk.foundationprogramme@nhs.net, quoting the Oriel PIN number associated with their UKFP application.

10 – 16 June 12:00 midday (BST)
Clearing round programme preferencing window opens. Applicants should rank all programmes they wish to be considered for in the preference column, and any they would not accept offers for in the not wanted column.

12 June
Latest recommended date for applicants to submit their registration application to the GMC.

17 June
Clearing round 1 offers released (48 hours for applicants to respond).

24 June
Clearing round 2 offers released (48 hours for applicants to respond).

17 June – 10 July
Reference requests sent and collected through Oriel for clearing rounds.

29 June
Clearing round appointee information released to employing organisations.

17 June – 10 July
Reference requests sent and collected through Oriel for clearing rounds.

05 August
F2 Stand-alone training programme commences.

Note: Individual employer-organised shadowing and induction period may start earlier than 05 August 2026. Exact start dates will be confirmed by the employing organisation.