Questions
How do I apply?
The UK Foundation Programme website provides a centralised application portal for the Foundation Programme. All UK Foundation Schools will be using this system to appoint candidates to their two year Foundation Programmes.
I am an overseas applicant/graduate – am I eligible to apply?
Applicants who qualified at a medical school outside the UK must submit evidence of their eligibility before they can apply for the Foundation Programme. For further information on eligibility please see the UK Foundation Programme website.
Is priority given to local graduates?
No. The national application process is based on open competition (subject to eligibility).
Will you be honouring linked applications for allocation to programme?
Are Special Circumstances taken into account?
There are a small number of students entering the first year of foundation training who need extra support in ensuring that the geographical location of their training programme is manageable with existing care commitments for their children or others dependent on them, as well as their own personal support needs. These students may be eligible to apply for pre-allocation to a foundation school on the grounds of their special circumstances.
The current nationally agreed special circumstances criteria are:
- Childcare responsibilities
- Primary carer for disabled partner, sibling or parent
- Chronic illness or disability for which local follow up is an absolute requirement
Applicants who believe that they are eligible for Special Circumstances must submit the relevant application form, along with supporting documentation, to their medical school (or the national Eligibility Office if they are a non-UK graduate).
For more information, please see the UK Foundation Programme website.
When allocating Special Circumstances applicants to programme, Severn Foundation School will take into account any recommendation from the applicant's medical school, personal circumstances and requirements and overall rank. Applicants should, therefore, rank the programmes based on their specific needs.
Will there be interviews?
For 2024 entry, we will not be using interviews to allocate applicants to programme. Successful applicants will be asked to rank programmes online, then allocated using the score by which they were allocated to Foundation School.
Do applicants need references?
Yes, applicants will need to supply details of two referees. References will not be scored, but if an application is successful, they will be forwarded to the Trust to which the applicant is allocated. References are a statutory requirement for employment. For more information, see the 'Applicant's Handbook' on the UK Foundation Programme website.
What is the application process for Specialised Foundation Programmes?
Please see our Specialised Foundation Programmes webpage.
When is Shadowing/Induction?
All Trusts in Severn have a mandatory week-long paid Induction and Shadowing period immediately before the beginning of F1, which applicants should be prepared to attend. Successful applicants will be sent more details by their F1 Trust once they have been allocated to programme.
Who can answer questions about terms and conditions, pay and accommodation?
General information about Terms and Conditions can be found on the NHS Employers website. Queries about pay bandings and accommodation should be directed to individual Trusts.
For both F1 and F2, an acute Trust will act as lead Trust and employer for the whole year. This is the Trust where foundation doctors are based for the majority of their programme. This arrangement is particularly important for foundation doctors undertaking placements in general practice, as indemnity will be provided by the acute Trust.
Will there be any Stand Alone vacancies available?
There may be a limited number of Stand Alone F2 posts available each year. These will be managed by the UKFPO. Please see the UKFPO website for more information.
What should a foundation doctor do if they wish to resign from their Foundation Programme?
Please see our resignation policy under Policies and Procedures.