Foundation Training

During your final year at medical school you may apply for a place on the two year Foundation programme via the Foundation programme website: www.foundationprogramme.nhs.uk

You may access the Scottish Foundation School and our Foundation programmes here.

Applications for Foundation Training are managed to a nationally agreed timetable commencing in September and ending in December.  Any Foundation vacancies which occur outwith this period will be advertised on the NHS Education for Scotland website http://www.nes.scot.nhs.uk/recruitment.aspx

Having successfully been appointed to your foundation school and passed your final year medical school exams, you will commence your Foundation programme in the following August.  During your time on the programme, you will demonstrate your abilities and competence against national standards.  As a foundation doctor, there will be an opportunity to develop experience in a range of specialties.  This will give you the chance to find out more about possible career options or to build a wider appreciation of medicine and surgery before embarking on your chosen specialty.

The foundation programme consists of 6, four month placements in a variety of settings.  These will include different specialties and different locations.  This is due to the generic nature of the programme and to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to complete the competencies as described in the curriculum.  Foundation Year 1 will support the requirements to allow you to obtain full registration with the GMC.  Foundation Year 2 tends to be in more specialised units and may include GP and Psychiatry.

During the F2 year you will be asked to apply to compete for a place on a training programme as a specialty registrar working towards a post as a hospital consultant, or as a GP registrar training to become a GP.  Many of these programmes begin with broad-based training, for example in general medicine, but as you progress you will be able to focus on a particular specialist field, such as cardiology or paediatrics.

Following successful completion of the specialist/GP training programme you will be eligible for entry to the Specialist Register or GP Register held by the GMC.  Once you are on the register you may apply for a senior medical appointment, such as a consultant post or a GP.

F1 / F2 Vacancies
The four Scottish postgraduate Deaneries will be responsible for filling their own vacancies and these will be advertised on the NES website in the Medical Directorate section.
The website address is http://www.nes.scot.nhs.uk/recruitment.aspx