Archived Resources - UK Foundation Programme

Important reminders for the SJT – 6 December 2023
The test will consist of 3 parts in the following format:
Part 1 – Rating questions
Part 2 – Multiple choice questions
Optional 10-minute comfort break
Part 3 – Ranking questions
Please be aware – candidates will have the opportunity to review their answers to parts 1 & 2 once they have completed these first two sections, but once they choose the ‘End Review’ option, they will no longer be able to go back and review/amend any answers.
After clicking ‘End Review’, candidates will then be presented with the opportunity to take an optional 10-minute comfort break; or they can opt to start Part 3 without taking a break.
If you believe that extenuating circumstances seriously affect your ability to take the SJT on the date you are registered for, please review the information on Extenuating Circumstances: https://foundationprogramme.nhs.uk/resources/2-year-foundation-programme-documents/
If you wish to change the location, date, and/or time of your test, you can reschedule your appointment via the Pearson VUE website or by contacting Pearson VUE customer service, up to 48 hours before the scheduled start time of your existing booking. Please see https://foundationprogramme.nhs.uk/resources/situational-judgement-test-sjt/book-an-sjt/ for further information.

UKFP 2023 SJT Practice Papers
Practice papers for the SJT can be found on the SJT resources page. The papers are helpful for practicing and preparing to sit the SJT.

UKFP 2023 SJT booking window – further reminders
Please visit the SJT section under the Resources page for the UKFP 2023 Situational Judgement Test (SJT) Guidance and other information about taking the SJT.
The UKFPO has prioritised booking for candidates with reasonable adjustments (RA). This allows time for applicants with approved RAs to request and confirm their test slot ahead of the main booking window. Please bear in mind that the Pearson VUE team will take note of your preferred location/s and date/s and may not be able to confirm your booking immediately as they may need a few days to make the necessary arrangements.
Pearson VUE has sufficient test centre appointment slots to meet or exceed the expected demand for UKFP applicants and they will continue to frequently monitor demand vs availability.
Applicants can change their SJT exam booking up to 48 hours in advance of the current scheduled appointment start time. Pearson VUE review slot availability on a regular basis. Applicants who wish to take advantage of this option, should log into their Pearson VUE account at their earliest convenience.

Instructions for rescheduling
To make changes to your appointment, you will need to sign in at www.pearsonvue.com/ukfp, select your upcoming appointment and choose Reschedule.
If you have had reasonable adjustments applied to your booking, other than a simple time extension, you will not be able to make changes to your appointment via the website and must instead call Pearson VUE Customer Services within the published operating hours. Contact details are listed on the website at www.pearsonvue.com/ukfp/contact.
If you wish to change the delivery method (i.e. you are scheduled for a test centre appointment and now wish to book for an OnVUE delivery online from your home or office, or vice versa) you will first need to cancel and give up your scheduled appointment and then choose to book a new appointment, selecting the required delivery method. For further information or support, please contact Pearson VUE Customer Services in the first instance.

Extension of deadline to 09 January 2023 for final update of decile scores for FP2023 applications
A deadline of 23 November 2022 was agreed for medical schools to confirm final decile scores. This date was published in the FP2023 Applicant Handbook and in our communications throughout the summer and autumn of 2022.
Following the deadline, the UKFPO have received a number of queries from medical schools asking to make amendments or corrections to the original submission.
In order not to disadvantage applicants in the FP allocation process, the UKFPO have taken the decision on this occasion to extend the deadline for final decile score updates to Monday 09 January 2023.
There will be no further extensions or amendments allowed for any reason after this deadline.
UK medical schools should liaise with their local foundation school team as per the normal process to ensure that any decile score changes are input into Oriel by the January deadline.
Applicants who have applied via the eligibility process should email helpdesk@foundationprogramme.nhs.uk

Important notice – UKFP 2023 SJT Reasonable Adjustment booking window
It has been brought to our attention that some applicants are currently experiencing problems contacting Pearson VUE (PV) to make bookings for reasonable adjustments (RAs).
We are very sorry this is happening and would like to reassure applicants that we are taking this very seriously. We have been liaising with PV to understand what has happened and get it resolved as quickly as is possible.
PV have confirmed that the long wait times are a result of the sheer number of callers using the service and apologise for this. The issue with their customer service agents not being able to hear callers has been identified as an issue with British Telecom (BT) and PV are working closely with BT to resolve it.
Please be assured that all applicants needing RAs will get test centre slots with the accommodations they require, however it may take time for bookings to be confirmed as it can take a few days for the test centre agents to make the necessary arrangements.
We can also confirm that the correct number for applicants to call to book their test is: 0800 731 9905. Only applicants that require adjustments other than extra time should call PV. If your only RA is extra time please do follow the guidance to book online.
When through to an agent, please make reference to the exam sponsor as UK Foundation Programme and explain that it is an accommodation (reasonable adjustment) booking request (this will help PV with the booking process).

UKFP 2023 SJT main booking window opening time – 5 October 2022
The main SJT booking window will open on Monday 10 October 2022 between approximately 11:30am – 12:30pm (BST), until the booking window is open your exam status will be ‘no pre-approved exams’. Once the booking window opens the SJT exam will appear on your pre-approved exams.
All applicants will be able to book their test from this date and time.
Applicants are able to register from 3 October 2022
The booking window will close on Thursday 13 October (11:59pm BST).

IMPORTANT: UKFP 2023 Application Window Extension – 14 September 2022
We join NHS colleagues in mourning the death of Queen Elizabeth II. There will be a national bank holiday on Monday 19 September, during which time the UKFPO will be closed for the day.
The application window will therefore be extended so that it will now close on 21 September 2022 (12:00 midday BST) to allow the UKFPO, Medical Schools and Foundation School teams to support applicants with their application and queries.

UKFP 2023 National Application Window
The UKFP 2023 national application window for FP, FPP and SFP programmes opened on the 7 September 2022 at 9:00 BST and closes on the 21 September 2022 at 12:00 midday BST. For information on the UK Foundation programme and key timelines please visit: Foundation Programme (UKFP)

UKFP 2023 Pre-allocation Webinar
The UKFPO recently held a Pre-allocation webinar for FP2023. To view the webinar and for further information on FP2023 pre-allocation please visit: 2023 Pre-allocation Documents

UKFP 2023 Specialised Foundation Programme (SFP)
Top Tip: SFP White Space Queries has a 200 word limit. For information and key documents on the SFP 2023 please visit: Specialised Foundation Programme (SFP)

UKFP 2023 Eligibility Applicants
For information on the UK Foundation programme and key timelines please visit: Eligibility Applications for UK Foundation Programme (UKFP) 2023 entry – Timeline & Deadline

IFST 2023

IFST Applicant Guidance 2023
IFST Application Timeline 2023

F2 Stand-alone Programmes

F2 Stand-alone 2026

The application window for F2 Stand-alone 2025 opened on 06 January 2026 and closed on 20 January 2026 (12:00 midday, GMT).

Notification of indicative programme numbers

Prioritisation for F2 Stand-alone 2026

Applicant guidance

Introduction
Application and recruitment process
Recruitment timeline
What you will need
How to apply on Oriel
Longlisting outcomes
Situational Judgement Test (SJT)
Interviews
Preferencing and offers
What happens next?
Withdrawing an application
Complaints

F2 Stand-alone 2025

The application window for F2 Stand-alone 2025 opened on 07 January 2025 and closed on 21 January 2025 (12:00 midday, GMT).

F2 Stand-alone 2025 Notification of Post Numbers

Applicant guidance

Introduction
Key Changes
Recruitment Timeline
What you will need
How to apply on Oriel
What happens next?
Longlisting outcomes
Situational Judgement Test (SJT)
Interviews
Preferencing and Offers
Withdrawing an application
Complaints

F2 Stand-alone 2024

The application window for 2024 F2 Stand-alone programme recruitment will open on Tuesday 09 January 2024 and close on Tuesday 23 January 2024 (12:00 midday GMT). A link to the F2 Stand-alone 2024 vacancy on Oriel can be found below.

https://www.oriel.nhs.uk/Web/PermaLink/Vacancy/220AAC80

F2 Stand-alone 2024 Notification of post numbers

Recruitment Timeline
F2 Stand-alone 2024 – Recruitment Timeline [.pdf, 128KB]

Other guidance
PSA Guidance for F2 Stand-alone doctors
The details of specific programmes and posts available within each foundation school are not yet confirmed. These will be available to applicants on Oriel during the programme preferencing window (30 April –14 May 2024).

Frequently Asked Questions can be found on the Stand-alone Application FAQs page and Stand-alone Eligibility FAQs page.

F2 Stand-alone 2023

The application window for 2023 F2 Stand-alone programme recruitment closed on Monday 30 January 2023 (12:00 midday GMT)

Timeline

National Recruitment Timeline – F2 Stand-alone 2023

Guides

F2 Stand-alone Applicant Handbook 2023
How to Apply Guidance F2 Stand-alone 2023 (Note: The wording about how to preference programmes was updated on pages 11-12 on 26 April 2023 ahead of the release of interview outcomes to applicants)
F2 Stand-alone Person Specification 2023
Consultant Testimony Proforma
Reapplication to Foundation Training (F2)
F2 Stand-alone 2023 Guide To Longlist Outcomes
Disability Confident Scheme

F2 SJT

F2 Stand-alone 2023 – Situational Judgement Test (SJT) Guidance – Updated March 2023
F2 Stand-alone 2023 – Extenuating Circumstances Policy
F2 Stand-alone 2023 – Extenuating Circumstances Claim Form
F2 2023 Understanding your SJT score

Frequently Asked Questions can be found on the Stand-alone Application FAQs page and Stand-alone Eligibility FAQs page.

Education and Support

UKFPO Fellow application – 2026 timeline and deadlines

UKFPO Fellow recruitment timeline 2026-27
February
2 February
Advert for UKFPO Fellowship recruitment is published on the UKFPO website

17 February

UKFPO Fellow Q&A session 18:00-19:00. For joining details, please see Q&A event listing.

March
2 March
Application window opens at 12:00

9 March
Application window closes at 09:00, or once 100 submissions have been received

11 March – 20 March
Shortlisting window

Week commencing 23 March
Invites to interviews

April
15 April
Interviews

16 April
Outcome of interviews – 12:00

August
5 August
Commence in post – Start of F2 year

UKFPO Fellow application – 2025 timeline and deadlines

February

10 February – Advert for UKFPO Fellowship recruitment is published on the UKFPO website

13 February – UKFPO Fellow Q&A session

24 February – Application window opens at 12:00

March

3 March – Application window closes at 09:00, or once 100 submissions have been received

5 March – 18 March – Shortlisting window

19 March – Invites to interviews

April

4 April – Interviews

7 April – Outcome of interviews

August

6 August – Commence in post – Start of F2 year

UKFPO Fellow application – 2024 timeline and deadlines

February

26 February – Advert for UKFPO Fellowship recruitment is published on the UKFPO website

March

11 March 12:00 midday – Application window opens

18 March 09:00 – Application window closes

20 – 28 March – Shortlisting window

April

3 April – Invites to interview

30 April – UKFPO Fellow interviews

August

7 August – Commence in post. Start of F2 year.