Pathway to Residency

General:​

• The UK has approx. 8000 jobs available for interns. Their basic level training is the UK Foundation Programme (UKFP) and lasts 2 years (Foundation 1 and Foundation 2). To work in the UK, you need to complete both Foundation years

• https://foundationprogramme.nhs.uk/ 

• Who can apply?

  • Graduates from a European Medical School (EEA) are eligible to apply to the Foundation Programme 

  • The only difference from UK graduates is the need to submit an Eligibility Application prior to the main UKFP application. 

• In 2020, the UK has announced that due to the shortage of doctors in the UK, there is no distinction between UK graduates versus IMGs. This means that you have the same chance of getting accepted as the UK graduates. 

• The UK is divided into 20 regions/deaneries. You rank your preference of region. If the score of your application is within the top 8000 applicants, then you are guaranteed a job.

  • Whether or not you get your top choice will depends on your application score. 

  • https://jchui.github.io/fpas-calc/  a handy calculator to determine your chances of getting into each deanery with your application score 

• Salary is similar to Ireland (roughly 28,000 GBP, overtime 1.25), taxes are lower

• 2023 entry changes: there will be no more points awarded Educational Achievements (prior degrees and publications). Instead, your score will be based solely on your class ranking and you SJT score. 

• Foundation training is 2 years long, followed by specialty training which ranges from 3 years (for GP) to 8 years (for many hospital-based specialties).
   

 

 

 

Eligibility:

• As an IMG, you will first need to submit an eligibility application. Once deemed eligible, then you will be invited to apply for the main UKFP application. 

• You will need a Statement from the Dean with your centile on it that you will then upload (UCD will prepare this for you in June/July, but you must ask them). 

  • You can find this statement on the Foundation Programme website.

  • https://foundationprogramme.nhs.uk/programmes/2-year-foundation-programme/eligibility-information/ 

• Once you have the dean’s statement then the application is very quick. All you need is the statement and your passport. 

• DO NOT miss the date. It is due in early August****

 

 

How is your application scored?
Score is based on 100 points split into 2 categories worth 50 each:  

2023 changes: no more points for prior degrees or publications. The UKFP have not stated what the new score breakdown will do, but it is likely to be 50% class ranking and 50% SJT.

• 1) Academic – 50

  • You get a score for your class centile between 34-43 points

    • Extra points if you have a bachelors and finished with honours (1-4 points)

    • Extra point for master or phd

    • Extra 2 points for publications

 

• 2) Situational Judgement Test – 50

  • SJT is a multiple choice (ranking best to worst option) scenario based test you will have to write in December/January

  • Does not require much study

  • It is not based on clinical knowledge but common sense

  • ​Most people get around the average 39-41/5

  • Eg: Your senior colleague comes to work drunk?

    • A. buy him a drink and let him practise

    • B. Do not

    • C. Do not let him practise

    • D. Call your consultant and explain
       

Timeline

Please check the Foundation Programme website for accurate dates for each year. 

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Step 1. 
Ask the medical school for your Dean’s Statement that states your class ranking. Download the template from the eligibility application website and ask the school to fill it out. Ask them end of June/July so you have it ready for the eligibility application. 

 

Step 2. 
Eligibility application – Opens mid-July and closes beginning of August. 
Make an account on Oriel (https://www.oriel.nhs.uk/Web/) and submit your application. All you need is the Dean’s statement and your passport. 

 

Step 3. 
Application for UKFP (main application) – Opens start of September and is open for a couple of weeks. 
Once deemed eligible, then you can apply to the main application on Oriel. 
This is also a straight-forward application. You will be asked to rank the 20 deaneries in order of preference (you are able to change the order of your preferences after the submission of the application until January). 

 

Step 4. 
Situational Judgment Test – Either in December of January 
You can either do this in-person in the UK or other parts of the world (Unfortunately not Ireland) OR online through Pearson Vue proctoring. 

 

You will find out in March if you get a spot, Goodluck :)