Training to become a GP in Scotland

The postgraduate medical training pathway

Through a combination of academic learning and hands-on clinical experience, you’ll gain the broad skills and confidence you need.

Stage 1: Foundation Programme (FY1 and FY2)

Duration: 2 Years

Before you can apply for specialty training, you must be signed off as "Foundation Competent."

Following graduation, all doctors begin with a 2-year programme. It's a practical, work-based period where you'll get hands-on experience by rotating through different specialties in hospitals and community settings.

Find out more about foundation training.

Stage 2: GP Specialty Training (GPST)

Duration: 3 Years

This is the core programme you must complete to become a fully qualified GP. Once you have finished your Foundation Training, you will enter the GPST programme (ST1, ST2, and ST3).

This stage combines academic learning with clinical experience. You will split your time between hospital rotations (learning specialties relevant to General Practice, like Paediatrics or Geriatrics) and working directly in GP practices under supervision.

Read more about GPST in Scotland.

The alternative route: Broad-based Training (BBT)

Duration: 2 Years (replaces ST1)

Not sure if General Practice is right for you yet? Scotland offers a unique alternative pathway called Broad-based Training.

This optional programme allows you to spend two years rotating through four distinct specialties before committing to a final career path:

• Paediatrics
• Psychiatry
• Internal Medicine
• General Practice

Completion of this programme provides a strong foundation for a GP career. If you choose to continue into General Practice, you can enter directly into year 2 (ST2) of the GP Specialty Training programme.

Learn more about broad-based training.

Your postgraduate medical training arrangements in Scotland

Postgraduate medical training in Scotland offers unique benefits and flexibility to support you.

Who employs you during postgraduate medical training?

One of the major benefits of training in Scotland is stability. NHS Education for Scotland (NES) acts as your single lead employer for the entire duration of your postgraduate training.

This arrangement means you remain on a single, continuous contract throughout your various rotations. NES manages your payroll, terms and conditions, and overall employment status, regardless of where you are physically working.

Understanding your placement boards

While NES is always your lead employer, your point of contact for HR issues changes depending on your rotation.

Hospital rotation

When you are working in a hospital post (e.g., Paediatrics or Emergency Medicine):

• Lead employer—NES
• Placement board—The health board hosting you in your hospital post
• Who to contact—For day-to-day HR queries you should contact the placement board's HR department.

GP practice rotation

When you are working in a GP practice:

• Lead employer—NES
• Placement board—NES (NES also assumes this role).
• Who to contact—For all HR queries, you should contact NES directly.

Find out more about lead employer arrangements.

Less than full-time training

LTFT training is an excellent option for balancing your professional development with your personal life. The application process requires careful planning. Key steps include:

1. Speak to your supervisors early—Discuss your plans with your educational supervisor and training programme director as soon as possible. They can offer advice and help you understand how LTFT might impact your training timeline.
2. Submit your application—When you complete the form, you'll need to clearly state your reason for applying, your proposed working hours, and your preferred start date. You should also include any necessary supporting documents.
3. Get Scotland Deanery approval—The Scotland Deanery will review your application. If approved, your LTFT status will be formally recognised, and your training schedule will be adjusted. 

Please remember to give enough notice, which is usually 3 to 6 months.

Learn more about LTFT training.

Taking time out of training

You may need to take a planned break from your training, known as Out of Programme (OOP). There are several types depending on the reason, such as for research (OOPR) or a career break (OOPC).

To request time out, you generally need to:

1. Discuss with your supervisors—Speak to your educational supervisor and training programme director as early as possible. This is the time to discuss your plans, feasibility, and which type of OOP is most suitable.
2. Prepare your application—Complete the necessary OOP application form, clearly outlining the purpose, duration, and location of your proposed time away.
3. Submit application for approval—Follow the specified process to submit your application. This can take some time, so allow for a minimum of 6 months for processing. Your application may also require approval from the GMC, the Scotland Deanery, and the service.

Learn more about taking time out of training.

Need to move location?

We understand that life changes. You may face unforeseen or significant changes in your personal circumstances when relocating your training is necessary. This could include:

• caring responsibilities
• health issues
• partner’s relocation for work

If this happens, mechanisms are in place to support you in transferring your training post.

Types of transfer

Depending on where you need to move, there are 2 different processes:

• Inter-regional transfers (IRT)—For moving between different regions within the Scotland Deanery (e.g., moving from the West of Scotland to the South East). Find out more about the IRT process.
• Inter-deanery transfers (IDT)—For moving from Scotland to a different Deanery elsewhere in the UK (e.g., moving to NHS England or Wales). Find out more about the IDT process.

Explore your next steps

Now that you understand the training process, you can explore your next steps. The resources and guidance below will help you prepare your application and progress towards a rewarding career in general practice.