The Savvy IMG

Apply for the UK Foundation Programme 2024 as an IMG

Table of Contents

What is new in the eligibility guidance for the UK foundation programme for international medical graduates

IMG applications for FY1 starting in August 2024 open on July 4, 2023 and close on July 25, 2023 at 12:00pm midday BST.

UPDATED: June 23, 2023

The UK Foundation Programme (UKFP) is the UK postgraduate training programme for new medical graduates. It’s a 2-year programme consisting of Foundation Year 1 (FY1) which is equivalent to internship, and Foundation Year 2 (FY2) which is an additional year of experience before starting specialty training.

Please take note that if you have already completed internship, then you cannot apply for the UK Foundation Programme.

The UKFP office has just released the new eligibility guidance for applications to FY1 starting in August 2024. Non-UK medical students and international medical graduates who wish to join in August 2024 will need to submit the eligibility application this July 2023 so make sure you’re up to date with the guidance!

Let’s review some of the important aspects of applying for this programme for an IMG.

Questions to ask yourself before you apply

As mentioned in the introduction, the UKFP is specifically designed for new medical graduates. This means that if you have already completed an internship overseas or you plan to, then you won’t be able to apply.

However, if your internship was rejected by the GMC and you’re unable to remedy the issues, then you might also want to consider applying.

That’s really up to you and your background. If you plan to work in the UK long-term, there is obviously an advantage of starting your postgraduate medical career in the UK right from the beginning. By doing this, you will integrate into the system faster and you will be strongly supported in your transition to the NHS.

But this isn’t the best option for everyone. For example, some IMGs are simply not in a position to migrate to the UK for internship as they need to complete a pre-graduate internship before they are awarded their medical degree. Or some IMGs need to save up money first before they can on the whole PLAB journey and many do this during or after internship.

Related: The cost of PLAB & GMC fees + tips on saving money

 

For most IMGs, there will be a gap of up to a year or more between graduating and starting FY1 due to the timing of applications.

You’ll have to decide for yourself whether this gap is worth it or not.

To be fair, this one-year gap is really just a blip in an otherwise long medical career that will not affect your future progression in any way.

Important points for IMGs

If you graduated from a medical school outside the EU or the UK, then you need to pass PLAB regardless of your nationality. Yes, this now includes EU nationals.

Due to changes in immigration rules in October 2019, IMGs will now be given equal opportunity to apply for the Foundation Programme. This has confirmed by the UKFP office for 2021.

You do not need to have right to work in the UK before you apply. You will attain right to work by the time you start the Foundation Programme because you will be sponsored. The Certificate of Sponsorship or COS is usually issued around 2-3 months before the start of FY1 so you can use it to apply for your work visa.

With this visa, you can bring over any dependants from overseas. Dependants mean your spouse and any children below the age of 18. Parents and siblings cannot be brought over as dependants.

All IMGs will need to provide proof of English proficiency regardless of nationality. The UK FP only accepts the following as evidence of English proficiency:

  1. IELTS with a minimum of 7.5 in all sections,  OR
  2. OET Medicine with a minimum score of 400 in all sections,  OR
  3. Dean’s statement confirming that your medical degree was taught and examined solely in English, and more than 75% of clinical interactions were also conducted in English. (This is only valid if your school is not the list on this page)

These cut-off scores are higher than the GMC requirements. So if you’re planning to apply for UKFP, you’d better start preparing for that English test!

Please take note that the UKFP will accept either the General or Academic IELTS this year, but starting next year they will only accept the Academic version.

Related: IELTS vs OET for PLAB, GMC and UK work visa

There is no age limit to apply for the Foundation Programme. Provided you meet all the eligibility criteria, you can apply at any age.

Related: 6 things that don’t matter when applying for UK specialty training (residency) and 4 things that do

If you qualified before 7th August 2022, then you will be required to sit the Clinical Assessment. This is the same for both UK and international medical graduates. The Clinical Assessment is a practical exam quite similar to PLAB 2, however passing PLAB 2 does not exempt you from the Clinical Assessment.

How to apply as an IMG

There are two main phases of applying for the UK Foundation Programme as an International Medical Graduate.

Stage 1. Eligibility application

This is when the UKFP assess whether or not you are eligible to apply for FY1. Eligibility checking takes place one year in advance. So if you want to apply for UKFP 2024, you need to submit an online application through the website Oriel between 4th July 2023 to 25th August 2023 12:00 BST.

You can find the official guidance for eligibility applications here:

Stage 2. Application for UKFP

You’ll find out on in August 2023 whether or not you are eligible to apply for UKFP.

  • If you are deemed eligible, then you need to submit your online application the website Oriel in September 2023. The exact date is yet to be confirmed.
  • If it’s decided that you’re not eligible, you’ll have a chance to appeal that outcome before a final decision is made.

How to submit your application for eligibility checking

Applications for eligibility must be submitted online through the Oriel website. You will be asked to complete an online application form and upload your supporting documents.

The eligibility application window will open on 4th July 2023. All applications must be submitted by 25th July 2023 12:00 BST.

Make sure you know all the other requirements for GMC so you make the deadline.

Please take note that these times are very strict. Late applications will not be considered under any circumstances.

What you need when you submit your application for eligibility checking

What can be submitted after eligibility checking

  • Passing your medical school final exams
  • Your medical degree certificate
  • PLAB 1 & PLAB 2
  • Proof of provisional GMC registration

Deadlines for the other requirements

These requirements do not need to be ready or submitted during the eligibility checking period. They can be submitted after, but you have to submit them by the deadline or your application will be rejected.

RequirementDeadlineNotes
Passing your medical school final exams3rd October 2023If you have not yet qualified from medical school, your Dean’s statement must state that you will qualify by 5th October 2021 at the latest. (Qualify means you pass your final exams, not when you attend your graduation ceremony.)
PLAB 1 booking12th September 2023 12:00 BSTYou must submit proof of booking PLAB 1 by this date.
PLAB 12nd November 2023This is the last PLAB 1 date you can sit if you want to start FY1 in August 2024. If you do not book a place on this date, then you will not be able to proceed with your FP application.
PLAB 2 booking13th February 2024You must submit proof of booking PLAB 2 by this date.
PLAB 2 31st May 2024This is the last PLAB 2 date you can sit if you want to start FY1 in August 2024. If you do not book a place on this date, then you will not be able to proceed with your FP application.
Provisional GMC registration5th July 2024The is the latest date to submit application for registration with GMC.

How to maximise your application score

*This section is due to be updated when the new guidance is published.*

Each application to FY1 is scored out of 100. 50 points are allocated to the Situation Judgement Test (SJT), and 50 to the Educational Performance Measure (EPM).

To maximise your score, you need to:

  • Do well on the Situational Judgement Test (up to 50 points)
  • Be in the top of your class in medical school (34-43 points)
  • Publish peer-reviewed articles with a PubMed ID (up to 2 points)
  • Complete an additional degree, if feasible (up to 5 points)
There is no interview for UKFP.

What’s this Situational Judgement Test?

The Situational Judgement test (SJT) makes up half the application score for FY1 so it’s really important to do well in it. All FY1 applicants must sit the SJT. There is no exception.

The SJT is a computer-based test designed to assess your professional judgement in situations you may possibly encounter as an FY1 doctor.

Essentially you are scored by how well you can demonstrate the desirable characteristics and attributes of a GMC registered professional. Such attributes include team-working, integrity, and empathy.

Here’s an example of a question that you might encounter in the SJT:

How to maximise your application score

To be honest, we don’t know anymore. The UKFP has abolished the previous scoring system for this year. This means there will no Situational Judgement Test (SJT), and there no points will be awarded for academic performance in medical school.

In it’s place, will be a computer-generated rank, and an algorithm that will try to place as many people in their top preference as possible. How this is going to work exactly, remains to be seen.

You can read more about the reason for change here.

 

Mrs Jenson has arthritis and works in the pharmaceutical industry. She appears very well informed about her arthritis medication. She tells you that she can show you evidence that using double the recommended dose of her current medication will be safe for her and will allow her to return to her job more quickly. She asks you to prescribe to her double the recommended dose. 

Rank in order the appropriateness of the following actions in response to this situation (1= Most appropriate; 5= Least appropriate). 

  1. Advise Mrs Jenson that if she chooses to self-administer the double dose she is going against medical advice 
  2. Tell Mrs Jenson that you cannot prescribe more than the recommended dose without senior consultation 
  3. Ask your consultant to speak with Mrs Jenson 
  4. Ask Mrs Jenson to show you the evidence that she cites 
  5. Seek advice from the ward pharmacist

For more examples of questions, check out these official SJT practice papers.

SJT preparation material

Summary

The UK Foundation Programme is a 2-year programme for new medical graduates and is ideal for IMGs who have not yet completed internship. You will most likely have to sit PLAB and pass an English test with high scores.

Applications are in 2 phases: eligibility checking (July 2023) and the proper application (September 2023). Late applications will not be accepted under any circumstances so be sure to understand the requirements very carefully.

If you have already completed internship, read our article on the best first jobs in the UK to see what an ideal first job in the UK would be for you.

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132 Responses

  1. Hi! I decide to ask a probably tricky question. As a student graduate from China and received a Bachelor of Medicine in Medicine degree (not MBBS!), I’m mandatory to complete the 1-year clerkship. However, I will not be able to be registered as a physician in China with only that clerkship, since it generally requires 1 year of practice experience AFTER graduation. My question is: will this clerkship experience be considered as an internship to receive a full registration? Will I be able to apply for a UKFP position?

    1. Hello there! I want to clarify that clerkship and internship are not the same. You can find more detailed information in our article here: https://thesavvyimg.co.uk/is-clerkship-accepted-as-internship-by-the-gmc/

      In this case, because its not accepted as internship, you would be eligible for provisional registration rather than full registration. . However, with provisional registration, you can still apply for the UK Foundation Programme (UKFP) FY1. On the other hand, if the experience was accepted, and you obtained full registration, it would mean that you are not eligible to apply for the UKFP FY1.

  2. Hello… I’m originally indian but i graduated medicine from Philippines since 2018. I didnt go to internships from 2018 to 2022. Can i get fy1 in uk if i pass plab 1 &2. Is there any year gap issue? Is there any path way to get fy1

    1. Hi, Yes you’ll need to pass PLAB 1 & 2. There is always a gap of 1 year between submitting your application and starting the program. Eg. If you submit your application in July 2023, you will only be able to start FY1 in Aug 2024. There’s no way around that I’m afraid.

  3. I’m a originally Indian completed MBBS from Philippines University after completing plab 1 and 2 can I directly join in fy2 or should i join fy1 ?

    1. Hi there, it depends on whether or not you have completed internship. If yes, then you can apply for FY2. If not, then you’d need to apply for FY1. Clerkship is not the same as internship, please see our separate article on that.

  4. Is it possible to apply for UKFP the year of graduation(June) as an IMG? Is it true that the GMC helps the UKFP applicants get PLAB dates? I want to be sure if people still get PLAB dates the same year of graduation

    1. Hi there, do you mean you will graduate in June then you want to start UKFP the same year in August? If that’s the case then no, that’s not possible because that gives you less than 2 months to sit PLAB 1 and PLAB 2 which is impossible. If you mean you will graduate in June, then you wish to start UKFP the following year, then yes that may be possible. The GMC may assist UKFP applicants in getting PLAB dates but that is not a formal policy.

  5. Hi, thank you for the insightful post. I am a final year medical student, planning on applying to the 2023 UKFP. I’m asking at this blog because the 2023 guidance has yet to come out. Due to COVID, I might pass my finals around mid August (past the eligibility application window; my graduation ceremony will be in November). In your post it states that we can pass and submit our degree certificate AFTER eligibility checking, but the Eligibility Applicant Guidance for 2022 states that Applicants who do not have a degree certificate should provide a letter of recommendation from the medical school as proof of qualification (see Appendix 2). The letter requires the degree classification/pass level. How is the school supposed to provide this information if I have yet to pass my finals at the time of application? Any information you can provide would be truly helpful

    1. Hi there, it’s all based on your previous grades. The letter should say you have passed all your previous assessments and you are on track to qualify by a certain date. Your place in FY1 will then be dependent on your passing finals. It’s the same for UK applicants, medical students apply to UKFP in their final year several months before sitting finals. If you fail finals, you don’t get a place. Best of luck with your application!

  6. Hello. Thanks for this article. It’s really a detailed explanation. I want to ask…

    Do I need a Deans statement for eligibility registration if I have my PMQ and transcript with me?

    Is it my Dean that calculates my EPM on the Dean’s statement or UKFP?

    Thanks.

    1. Hi there! Yes, the dean’s statement is compulsory for eligibility applications. And yes, the dean’s statement should contain the decile rank for the EPM score, the UKFP does not calculate this. Best of luck!

  7. Dr. Tan,
    Greetings sir, I have two questions. I am currently enrolled at Newcastle University Malaysia campus, and by my graduation I will receive a qualification from Newcastle University in UK, which is a UK PMQ, however, I do need to apply for a Tier 2 work visa. In this case, am I going to be considered as an IMG? Secondly, does which medical school I attended going to be the factor being considered when it comes to the application for specialty trainings? Or it is solely based on my performance during the FY1/2 in UK? Thank you doctor, hope to hear from you soon.

    1. Hi there! I would advise you to clarify that with the GMC, particularly with regards to PLAB. If the PMQ is considered a UK PMQ, then you may not need to take PLAB, but the GMC will be able to inform you better. Do let us know!

      Which school you go to our what country you went to medical school have no weight in the application process – thankfully! Application scores to specialty training are made up of 1-3 the following components: the MSRA, your professional achievements or portfolio, and your interview performance. Many parts of the portfolio can be done overseas so you can start now. Best of luck!

  8. Dear Dr. Tan
    I’m a 5th year medical student, I have 2 questions if you could be kind enough to answer, firstly am I allowed to apply for FY1 this year(2022 august) since the results will be announced on 2023 august(i’m supposed to graduate next summer)? I’m only asking because I’m confused about the class ranking part in dean’s letter since I still need to sit more exams and I’m not sure if its applicable for me. Secondly, I’ve read if you fail your IELTS/OET (and by fail I mean get below 7.5/400 in one part) your application will be discarded(you basically have 1 shot at passing), is this true?
    Thank you so much for your time, I really appreciate all the work you put here
    Kindest Regards

    1. Hi there, the ranking will be decided by whatever grades you have up until that point. Typically final year exams are not included since these will take place after the application.

      The English requirement is fixed so yes, if you don’t meet the passing score in all components then the application will be rejected. You can take IELTS/OET multiple times, if you take the test next month and don’t reach the passing score, you may be able to retake it in time for the application.

      To maximise the chances of passing it the first time, we recommend preparing with Swoosh English. They are officially recommended by OET for the medicine test and they also do IELTS. You can check out their free Pass First Time video mini-series before you enrol.

      Sign up to the free OET mini-series herehttps://go.swooshenglish.com/pass-oet?fpr=thesavvyimg

      Sign up to the free IELTS mini-series herehttps://go.swooshenglish.com/pass-ielts?fpr=thesavvyimgielts

      Best of luck!

      If you are looking for one-to-one guidance for your specific personal circumstances, you might be interested in booking a session to discuss your options. For more details, please visit our page here.

      https://calendly.com/drkimberlytan

  9. Hello, First of all I want to say thank you for your efforts. These really healped me. I am studying for MBBS from Russia and I will be graduating on June 28 ,2022. Will it be possible for me to apply for the foundation program on 2023. Also I have my classes in English. Will the language certificate by the dean is enough or do I have to sit in OET or IELTS?

    1. Hi, yes you can. Just follow the application process and make sure you pass PLAB by the deadlines ?
      Yes, you still need to take OET/IELTS.

  10. Hi, I am a IMG originally from India but I am doing my MBBS in PHILIPPINES. My doubt is do i need to get registered in India my home country or just the PMQ from my university in Philippines is fine? THANK YOU!

  11. Hi Nick
    I understood the concept of RTW.
    Just one thing is not clear to me is that when the application says I’m eligible to apply for ukfpo with condition which is RTW.
    Would we be eligible to receive offers from UKFPO even if the visa status is overseas.
    My understanding is that once we receive offer from UKFPO, HEE for example will automatically be informed to send us a sponsorship application.
    Do share your experience with us.
    Regards

    1. Hi Alpa, yes HEE will give you a certificate of sponsorship around May or June which you’ll then use to apply for a work visa. This will give you RTW so you can start work in August. Good luck!

  12. Hey There Dr. Nick Tan,

    I just want to make sure if everything is clear and understood. Right now I’m in my final year, 6th year in Portugal, and I’ll be graduating at June 2022. Is it possible for me to apply for UK FP starting 2023? If I do a General formation which is an 1 year internship program before training, will I still be eligible for UK FY1&2 or I have to apply for the FY2 standalone?

    1. Hi there! If you complete an internship in Portugal that is considered as an FY1 equivalent by the GMC, then you will be ineligible to apply for FY1. You can only work as an FY1 if you have provisional GMC registration.

  13. Hi everyone ,
    I would appreciate if someone could help/guide me in this problem , I have the same of her request , Please we must know to decide
    Thank nick and thank you all.

  14. Hi! I will be graduating in june 2023 from Russia. If I’m counting right it means that my gap between fy1 an graduation will be around 2 years. Is there anything i can do in my final year to make the gap smaller?
    Or maybe I’m counting wrong and it’s not 2 years?

    1. Hi there! No your gap will only be 1 year. You can apply for FY1 in July 2023, then you will start FY1 in August 2024 provided you pass PLAB in that time.

  15. Hi Nick,

    Hope you’re well. Can I ask regarding the window period between graduating from medical school and application to UKFP? Are there any information regarding the number of years capped post completion to be eligible to apply for the UKFP? i.e., if I graduated from medical school 2018, to further my studies for PG, am I still considered eligible to apply for the internship?

    1. Hi Maya, there is no limit to apply for UKFP as long as you pass the Clinical Assessment. If someone graduated in 2002 they can still apply for UKFP provided they pass the Clinical Assessment and meet all the other requirements.

  16. Hi Dr Nick,

    I am currently applying for the UKFP 2022 application. Since I’ve just graduated from medical school this year, I’m technically taking a gap year/year-long break before (hopefully) starting out as a FY1 next year. Within the application, do I leave it as: I have no postgraduate activity if I have no internship planned?

    Thanks!

    1. Hi there! Yes you can just put career gap if you want. It’s not really important when it comes to UKFP applications. Most if not all IMG applicants have that gap year, we had it too! All the best!

  17. dear commentators please have attention, my final year mbbs result has just been announced on Sept. 2, 2021. now i want to do internship(house job) directly in UK but application process for IMGs have been closed. now what should i do kindly do respond earlier. thank you

    1. Hi doc, congrats on passing your finals! Unfortunately the eligibility applications for UK FP starting in 2022 are now closed. To apply for UK internship (FY1), you’ll need to submit an eligibility application next year (around July 2022), and then if all goes well, you can start FY1 in August 2023.

  18. I was just denied my eligibilty application for ukfp 2022. I am an img just arrived in the uk. What should I do in the meantime? Do internship then apply for FY” standalone or wait for 2 year foundation programme??? plz help.

    1. Hi Mustafa, sorry to hear that. What was the reason for rejection?
      Ultimately, it’s up to you. If you wait for the next foundation programme, what will you do in the meantime? Also, is the reason for rejection something you can fix by next year? These are some things for you to think about.

    1. Hi Sid, I believe where it says the general IELTS is accepted is actually a mistake as the general IELTS is for non-university level English proficiency and is a completely different test to the academic one. But if you have done the general IELTS and it was accepted for eligibility checking this year then I may be wrong. Please let me know!

  19. Hi Dr.Nick

    Just read your article and wonder … Is it still possible to apply for FY1 2022? I fervently hope so!

    Please say ‘yes’. Thank you so much.

  20. Hi Dr Nick,

    This may seem like a trivial question but I was wondering what the chances are for 2 IMGs getting positions in the same hospital or at least the same deanery? Am hoping to apply with my partner for UKFPO 2022.

    Thanks so much!

    1. Hi there, totally valid concern! ASFAIK you can link your applications and get into the deanery of the person with the lower score as long as you’re both on the primary list. Please check the applicant guidance about linking applications.

  21. Hi
    Thanks so much for this, so helpful!!!

    I see that one has to have finished the final exams for med school by 5th october 21 if you wanna start FY1 in 22.

    I am a medical student that is hoping to start my FY1 in August 2023 and my final medical school exam will be in May/June of 2023. Does this mean I can still start my application process in 2022? (or do I need to wait a year and apply for 2024?

    Thanks so much in advance.

  22. Greetings,

    It’s written on this website and many others that the HEE can sponsor us for tier 2 visa purposes. However, I read a statement on the BMA website that suggests otherwise.

    “Doctors from non-UK medical schools cannot apply for tier 4 sponsorship, and therefore can’t readily apply to the foundation programme. Contact the Home Office for further information.”

    So from what I gather HEE acts as a sponsor only for the UK grads in the first year to continue their tier 4 visa whereas if we were to apply for the FY2 standalone they can sponsor us too since FY2 is eligible for tier 2 visa.
    Do you have any information on this? Do you know for sure if tier 2 visas are issued to FY1 doctors? Thanks

  23. Hi, if one is not sure whether Internship done abroad would be accepted by GMC, is it possible to still apply for UKFP? Rather than wait for it to be rejected and delay another yr? I am due to take plab1 in august and hopefully plab2 next yr. I took the licensure exam in PHL and my internship was under the National Internship Program however the hospital wasnt a teaching hospital. So im worried my full GMC reg would get rejected.
    Hope to get some advice. Thabks

    1. You can if you wish so you have a backup plan, then withdraw later if you get full registration. But if your internship is accepted by the medical authority, then there’s no reason why it should be rejected.

  24. Hello Doctor Nick
    Will there be fy1 program for 2023 for imgs or is there cancellation of the fy1 program after 2022?

    Thank you

    1. Hi there, you’d need to check with the UKFP or GMC. But I don’t understand, why would you think there will there be a cancellation of FY1 after 2022?

  25. Hello, thank you for the detailed article!
    can you please elaborate on which type of post grad certificate is awarded points ?

    1. Hi there! Please refer to the Applicant Handbook for details of how many points are awarded for different types of qualifications.

  26. Hello! I found some people have to take a Clinical Assessment before being considered elegible. Who has to take it? Thank you so much for your help!

    1. You need to be considered eligible first before they allow you to book the clinical assessment. It’s for those who will start FY1 more than 2 years after graduation.

  27. Hi Dr Nick,

    I have graduated in 2021 in `Czech Republic, so my question is all I need are my ID, Dean’s statement, medical school diploma and language certificate beside provisional registration? And I have to obtain my language certificate until 4th of august 2021?

    Thanks in advance

    1. Hi Elchin! Unfortunately according to the GMC website, Czech Republic graduates are not eligible to apply for provisional registration and subsequently ineligible to apply for UKFP. I recommend contacting the GMC and UKFP to clarify your situation, but this is the relevant webpage https://www.gmc-uk.org/registration-and-licensing/join-the-register/eea-countries/czech-republic

      If you can only apply for full registration, you can apply for Standalone FY2 instead.

      Hope it all works out! Let us know how it goes.

  28. Hi,

    I was wondering if there was any word on the eligibility for the Foundation Programme changing for this coming year or it will be the same in terms of IMGs, visas, and right to work?

    1. Hi there! There have not been any changes to the immigration rules this year so it eligibility for UKFP remains the same. Rules can still change though, but it’s unlikely. The eligibility guidance has been published, I would advise reading it in full. All the best!

  29. Hi Dr Nick,

    1. I will be commencing internship/foundation year in Ireland starting July 2021 and this will be completed in July 2022. I am unsure of what the pathway would be for me as my end goal would be to transfer to the UK having completed my Irish internship year. Will I be eligible to apply for a FY2 stand alone program in January 2022 despite not completing my Irish internship yet or must I restart the whole process by applying for UKFP this July 2021?

    2. Is it possible to apply for both the UKFP and FY2 programs?

    Thanks very much

    1. Hi there!
      1. Yes, as long as you complete your Irish internship by the start of FY2.
      2. Yes but if you get into UKFP and wish to start from FY1, you’ll need to quit your internship early. If you complete your internship you will have to apply for full GMC registration which makes you ineligible for UKFP. If you get a job offer in FY2 standalone then you can complete your internship and continue with FY2. If you get an offer for both UKFP and FY2 standalone, then it’s up to you which one you decide to go with and you’ll need to make a decision about whether or not to complete your internship. Hope that’s clear! Best of luck!

      1. Hello Dr nick.
        Is there a limit on how long after graduation you can apply for the UKFP?
        Would it be okay to start applying for the programme a year after graduating..and so, beginning the programme two years after?

        1. No, there is no limit. Just keep in mind that if you begin the programme 2 years after graduating, you need to take an additional exam (the Clinical Assessment).

  30. Hello, Nick. Your site is really useful!
    I am a medical student in EU and will graduate in May 2022. In this case, I am not eligible to apply for the foundation programme during July-Sept in this year even if I get dean’s statement?
    Thanks in advance!

  31. Hi I need some clarification and confirmation from you as I am a bit confused over the many articles I read.
    1. My son is a Malaysian graduating this year from an Irish Medical School. Can he have a provisional registration with GMC without sitting for PLAB tests?
    2. If yes, for application to UKFP, he just needs to sit for SJT later ?
    3 Does EPM still count in his application? If yes,how does an IMG present his EPM?
    4. Having qualified to sit for SJT and has provisional registration with GMC, does that guarantee a place in UKFP?

    1. Hi there!
      1. Yes
      2. Yes, as long as he is starts UKFP within 2 years of graduation. If it’s more than 2 years he’ll need to pass the clinical assessment as well.
      3. Yes, the components of the application are the same for both UK graduates and IMGs. Please see this about EPM https://foundationprogramme.nhs.uk/faqs/educational-performance-measure-epm-faqs/
      4. No, there are never any guarantees of a job. However, IMGs and UK graduates are currently considered equally so provided he does well in the SJT, he should get a place.

      Good luck to your son! UKFP applications are one year in advance for IMGs so if he graduates this year, he needs to submit an eligibility application around July, then he’ll be able to start next August 2022. Applications for 2021 closed in 2020.

  32. Hi Nick,

    First of all, wow! Your website is amazing! I have a question about maximizing our scores for FYapplication. I hold a previous degree (B.A. in Psychology). How many points does this award me? I am a bit confused about how they word about this extra points. It seems like they would only award points to me if I graduated with honours. Could you please clarify this for me? Also, if you have any link to how to increase my points for FY application (in terms of extra degrees/publications), I would really appreciate it!
    Thank you so much!
    Mafa

    1. Dear Mafa, thanks for stopping by! An honours degree in the UK refers to a Bachelor’s degree with a thesis/dissertation at the end. If you have done this, then it should count as an honours degree. Please see the UK Foundation Programme website for the applicant handbook where it details the scores. All the best!

  33. Hi Nick,
    A few questions about FY1 application Process:
    1. If I get GMC provisional status via the USMLE pathway, do I still need to take PLAB 1/2 ?
    2. If I graduated from a MD school taught only in english, do I need to sit for OET exam?

    Thank you in advance and your website is honestly the best!

    1. Hi again,
      1. No.
      [I’m sure you know this but for anyone reading this comment, gaining GMC registration via USMLE is only possible if you passed it previously, not if you plan to pass it in the future.]
      2. Depends on whether the GMC considers the country where you graduated as having English as the first and native language. Our medical school in the Philippines was all in English but we still had to sit IELTS because English is not the national language.
      Please see this article: https://thesavvyimg.co.uk/can-i-bypass-ielts/

  34. hi
    I am enquiring on behalf of my brother, he has recently graduated in a non-UK medical school and is planning to sit for both the PLAB 1 and PLAB 2 in order to qualify for full registration.
    Our question is :
    – Does he need to have full registration before applying for the UK FP
    – Will he be eligible for the UK FP as a non-UK national with no current RTW in the UK? We have seen so many statements from them contradicting this

    Regards,
    Phoebe

    1. Hi there!

      1. No. If your brother has full registration, he would be ineligible to apply for the Foundation Programme. It is only open to those with provisional registration ie. those who have not yet completed internship. He would still need to pass PLAB to get provisional registration. He doesn’t need to be registered before applying for UK FP, but he needs to meet the PLAB deadlines as listed above.

      2. According to current immigration rules, yes. Please see this article which has excerpts from the official UKFP documents: https://thesavvyimg.co.uk/uk-internship-2020-open/
      This can always change though but hopefully it will remain open.

      Hope that helps!

  35. Hi! Thanks for all the information.

    I’m in my final year of med school and in my country we have to complete a pre-graduate 18-month internship before we are awarded our medical degree. After finishing I really want to take PG studies in Canada (MSc in experimental medicine) that is about 3 years long. Is it possible for me to apply after this break in pratice to GMC registration and a FY1 or FY2 standalone job in UK? I’m really looking foward to work in the UK long-term!

    Thank you in advance.

    1. Hi there, if you have already completed internship then you wouldn’t be able to apply for FY1, but you can apply for FY2 standalone. But yes, you can do that after completing your course. Best of luck!

  36. Hi Dr Tan,

    I am a non-UK EU-medical school final year student, I was wondering if I am eligible to start my application to the FP1 programme 2021, without having sat for my final year exam? or can we only start applying after we have sat and passed our final exam? Many thanks.

    1. Hi there, applications for UKFP 2021 closed in October/November 2020. Your next opportunity to apply will be this July 2021 to start in August 2022.

  37. Hello
    I’ve made a mistake on my UKFPO application.
    I selected yes instead of no on the language skills tab.
    My medical degree was taught and examined solely in English, and more than 75% of clinical interactions were also conducted in English, however my school is not on the list.
    I didn’t realized that until I submitted the application. I did take the IELTS but as I selected yes before, I didn’t get to enter a score or anything.
    I didn’t take the OET.
    Should I email them? Withdraw my application or just wait and explain if asked?
    Thank you

    1. Hi there! Sorry for the late reply, I hope you managed to contact them. In these cases you should contact UKFPO to amend any details. If you withdraw your application then you can’t submit another application and you will forfeit any chance of being able to start this August.

  38. Hi Nick, your site is amazing. I am 5th year medical student in Bulgaria and will graduate in March 2023. I am non-EU citizen. The good thing is that I wont need to take PLAB. However, the graduation is in March, 2023. The diploma will be issued in April. Therefore, I think I will not be able to apply for eligibility application for the foundation programme during July-Sept in 2022. In this case, do you think I have to wait to apply for 2024 intake? The funny thing is that I know many UK nationals who graduated from my university could start their foundation programme in August after they graduated in March. It means that they did not participate in “eligibility application”. They keep telling me “don’t worry and FY1 positions are available…” I am wondering if there is some kind of 2nd round application period for remained positions of foundation programme or not. Thank you.

    1. Hi there! Thank you so much for visiting our site! I have just checked the GMC website and it looks like as a graduate from Bulgaria, you will not be eligible for provisional registration which means that you will not be eligible to apply for the Foundation Programme. This is probably why the UK nationals you know did not go through an eligibility application and because they had full registration. The FY1 jobs they are referring to would not be part of the UK Foundation Programme, rather they are non-training FY1 positions. There is not 2nd round of application I’m afraid as all positions are filled every year.
      https://www.gmc-uk.org/registration-and-licensing/join-the-register/eea-countries/bulgaria
      Do keep checking this site in case this changes and contact the GMC to clarify your situation. Hope it works out for you, best of luck!

  39. Hello, i am a doctor and have graduated from ukraine . i haven’t completed my internship yet and i am living in the uk , i was wondering whether i am eligible for IMG or any training as i have recently taken the IELTS exam . i am desperate to work for any job in a hospital in london , please advise me . thanks.

    1. Hi there, if you haven’t completed internship and you don’t plan to complete internship overseas, then your only option to work in the UK now is to apply for provisional registration and the UK Foundation Programme. This will involve passing PLAB. Please see the full guide above on how to do this. Best of luck!

  40. Hello there, thanks for the clear and comprehensive guide! Just to check, there has been an update on the need to take the PLAB. Graduates whose degree awarded by a relevant European Qualification are exempted from taking it. How would we register with the GMC for a provisional license then?

    1. Hi there, yes it has been a new development! In that case you’d just apply like normal and submit the other requirements except for PLAB.

      1. Hi
        I am a bit stuck . I need to get deen statement . But china is closed off and no one is replying to emails . Are there special circumstances for this . As I will not get my statement and Chinese on holiday in July . Also it say must do my f1 and 2 within 3 years of gmc provisional registration . Which I just got this month.I did my degree in china and passed plab last year.

        1. Hi there! Sorry to hear about your struggles, it sounds very frustrating. You will need to contact the UKFP directly about this for an official response. They tend to be strict with the submission of the dean’s statement so definitely contact them ASAP to discuss any wiggle room with deadlines. You only need to complete F1 within a certain period of getting provisional GMC registration, not F1 and 2. After completion of F1, you can apply for full registration. There is then no strict limit about when to complete F2.

  41. Hi Nick. First of all thank you for all your information. Very useful. I want to work in UK and settle there.
    I am UE national and doing MBBS final year in India. So I don’t need a PLAB test right?
    And I have to do one year internship (between May 2021 and April 2022), it’s compulsory to get my medical degree. So I can’t apply for FP isn’t it? In this case my only option is to apply for GMC registration (provisional or full?) and start FY2? Kindly help me. I’m confused when I have to apply. When I have to register for GMC (in 2021) to join FY2 in 2022? Thank you.

    1. Hi there, do you mean EU national? According to this GMC news announcement, after Brexit, doctors will need to take PLAB/UKMLA based on WHERE they graduated and no longer by nationality so it looks like you will need to sit PLAB/UKMLA.
      https://www.gmc-uk.org/news/news-archive/brexit—information-for-doctors
      If you have completed internship then you apply for full registration and go through Pathway B. Provisional registration is ONLY for those who have not completed internship. Please see this guide for the Pathways https://thesavvyimg.co.uk/category/uk-pre-specialty-training/

    1. Hi i have learnt alot from this blog
      I am a medical final year student i was supposed to grad this june but my school had some issues and moved it to December. Can i still write the plab 1 in February 2022 and still start the foundation program august 2022

  42. Hello Nick,

    I’m just trying to apply to UKFP since the application opened on 19th Oct.
    I’m a bit confused about the application, which i should apply for
    Is it FP, AFP or FFP?
    And how many application is allowed?

    I look forward to your response asap.
    Thank you.

  43. Hi Nick, I looked up UKFP eligibility application guidance and it said a copy of your medical degree certificate for your primary medical qualification is required. If i am already qualified and graduated, I think i should submit my medical degree certificate instead of a letter of recommendation from my school as a proof of passing the final exam. What do you think?

    1. If you have it then yes, submit it. If you don’t have it because it has not been given to you yet, then you cant submit what you don’t have and the dean’s statement (download it from this article or from the official Foundation Programme website) should suffice for now until you receive your certificate. When you receive it then you can submit it. Please contact the UK FP through their official email address to confirm how to proceed. Best of luck!

  44. Hi, I believe medical degree certificate is acceptable as a proof of passing medical school final exams if someone has already qualified. Those who do not have their certificate, They should submit an official letter from your Dean confirming your qualification. Please correct me if i am wrong. Thank you.

  45. Hey, I just wanted to ask if an IMG apply for the FY2 programme can apply for the academic foundation programme

    1. Hi, the academic Foundation Programme starts from FY1 so you can’t join if you have already completed internship. I don’t think there are any academic standalone FY2 posts but you can check the official website for further information. Best of luck!

  46. Thanks a lot for the information. Please can you send a copy of the dean’s statement to my email. I can’t seam to download it. Thanks a lot.

    1. Hi, please visit the official Foundation Programme website linked above for the original document. Best of luck with your application!

  47. Hi , my graduated date is march 2020 , so can i sit Plab1 now and apply for UKFP ? and what is the deans statement ? is it the syllabus ? what is the RTW ?
    Thank you

    1. Hi, yes you can. You can download the dean’s statement by clicking the link above to review the content. For information about RTW, please see number 2 in the article above under the section “Important points for IMGs”

  48. Hello Dr. Tan,

    Thank you for this comprehensive guide to the UKFP application process and key information contained within it. My attention has been brought to some important steps and relevant dates. Your guidance is greatly appreciated. ?

    1. You’re most welcome! Best of luck with your application! Eligibility applications opened today 🙂

  49. Hi there, If I graduate as an International Medical Graduate in March 2021 and my School is willing to write a Deans statement. Would I be able to apply for eligibility for 2021 this year?

    1. Hi, if you need to sit PLAB, then unfortunately no because you will not have time to sit PLAB 1 & 2 before August 2021.

    1. Hi, you can submit a letter of recommendation from your medical school confirming that you have met all the requirements for your degree including passing the final exam. Please see the UKFP eligibility application guidance or handbook where you can see all of the required documents.

  50. Could it be possible to gain information regarding IMGs applying for an FY2 standalone position (2021)?

  51. Do you know where to get information about the approx cost of the foundation programme application process?

    I was able to find the one for PLAB and the clinical assessment…

    1. Hi there, there are no fees for the eligibility check or application to the UK foundation programme.

  52. Hi.. the English proficiency clearance is needed for eligibility right?
    And the application for eligibility starts on july 20th and ends on September 2nd
    Yet you instructed that results of IELTS or OET should be in my hands before August 7th?
    Why is that?
    Isn’t it okay as long as i submit the eligibility requirements on time i.e., before September 2nd?
    Please help me to comprehend this.
    Thank you.!

    1. Hi there, it said August 7, 2019 so this date was simply from the eligibility period last year. I have now updated this overlooked date in the article to this year. Thanks for pointing it out!

        1. Hi there, the deadline was extended because of COVID. So you need to submit proof that you have passed it by 7th October, so you need to take it before then. Best of luck!

          1. Thank you very much!

            Could you say please if it is possible to get a job if you have not been taken to the FY?

          2. All information is taken from the official UK Foundation Programme website. Links provided above. If you notice any discrepancies, please let us know!

          3. How can you send in your eligibility application when the portal on oriel is closed? I wasn’t aware of the criteria for eligibility if you graduate from a medical school outside of the UK.

          4. Hi Semanti, unfortunately the eligibility applications for UK FP starting in 2022 are now closed. If you went to a medical school outside the UK, you’ll need to submit an eligibility application next year (around July 2022), and then if all goes well, you can start FY1 in August 2023.

  53. Wow man. Thanks for the info??
    However, the new 2021 Eligibility Guidance mention the RTW in the Summary on page 6.
    I suppose UKFPO haven’t properly updated this info owing to the fact that all medical professions fall under the SOL?

    1. Hi there, you need RTW by the time you start. There is no longer a requirement to submit proof of RTW by a certain date. So the way it works now, once you are successful with your application, then you will be issued a Certificate of Sponsorship so you can get a Tier 2 work visa. This will give you RTW by the start of FY1. As it says in the guidance “Certificates of Sponsorship (CoS) will be arranged for applicants who need to apply for a Tier 2 visa” Hope that helps!

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Meet the Team

Hi, we’re Drs Nick & Kimberly Tan, the two IMGs behind The Savvy IMG. We write comprehensive guides, create courses, and provide one-to-one guidance to help other overseas qualified doctors on their journey to the UK.
We have scoured the official guidance to put these posts together, but we can make mistakes! If you spot anything that is incorrect, please get in touch and we’ll put it right.
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