Medical school graduates continue to train for two years while working as junior doctors in the NHS, in Foundation Year 1 posts.
This two-year foundation period forms a bridge for newly qualified doctors between medical school and specialist training. Trainees gain experience in a variety of healthcare settings, including hospitals and GP surgeries.
To obtain a Foundation Year 1 post you will need to apply during the final year of your undergraduate course through the UK Foundation Programme Office selection scheme, which allocates these posts to graduates on a competitive basis.
So far, all suitably qualified UK graduates have found a place on the Foundation Year 1 programme, but this cannot be guaranteed, for instance if there were to be an increased number of competitive applications from non-UK graduates.
Successful completion of the Foundation Year 1 programme is normally achieved within 12 months and is marked by the award of a Certificate of Experience. You will then be eligible to apply for full registration with the General Medical Council.
You need full registration with a licence to practise for unsupervised medical practice in the NHS or private practice in the UK.
In North and East Yorkshire, Foundation training is coordinated by the North Yorkshire East Coast Foundation School, one of three sub-deaneries within the broader Yorkshire and the Humber Postgraduate Deanery. We have close links with the Deanery, as the majority of our graduating students choose to stay in the Yorkshire region to continue their training.