Foundation Training in Scotland

The Scottish Foundation School provides a wide range of programmes offering a unique experience covering different types of populations, hospitals and specialties as well as geographical diversity. 

Information about the Scottish Foundation School and the opportunities we provide can be found on the Scotland Deanery website.

A two-year Foundation Programme is the first stage of postgraduate medical training in the UK following graduation from medical school. Recruitment to the two-year programmes in the Scottish Foundation School is undertaken as part of the UK-wide recruitment process to a national UK agreed timetable.

The purpose of the Foundation Programmes is to provide clinical training to ensure that foundation doctors develop and demonstrate a range of crucial clinical skills as well as interpersonal skills for managing both acute and long-term conditions no matter what specialty. Foundation doctors are assessed against the outcomes in the curriculum – which ensures competency in a number of areas including communication and consultation skills, patient safety and teamwork as well as the more traditional elements of medical training.

All assessments will be recorded and kept in the Foundation doctor’s Portfolio (Turas Training Portfolio). 

The 4 regions in Scotland offer different opportunities for the allocated Foundation doctor with all being allocated to a 2-year programme.

The information below is based on August 2025.

Please note that the Scottish Foundation School does not support or accredit doctors who wish to undertake their F1 or F2 training year outside the UK.

For all enquiries about Foundation Training in Scotland please contact sfas@nes.scot.nhs.uk