Foundation Training in Scotland

What is Foundation Training?

Foundation Training is the paid training programme you’ll do after graduating from medical school.

It’s designed to build on what you learnt as a student and prepare you for GP Specialty Training. During the 2-year programme, you’ll develop your core skills in:

• Clinical practice—You'll strengthen your clinical reasoning and decision-making by seeing patients with a range of medical conditions.
• Patient care—You’ll learn about managing complex cases and the value of continuity of care.
• Communication—Good communication skills are vital for talking with patients about their health and wellbeing.
• Teamwork—You'll learn to work effectively with nurses, pharmacists, senior doctors, and other specialists to provide the best patient care.

These skills provide a strong foundation for your future in General Practice. 

Visit the Scottish Foundation School website for more information about the foundation programme.

How to apply for Foundation Training

To apply, you must first get provisional registration with a licence to practise from the General Medical Council (GMC).

Get details about provisional registration on the GMC website.

National recruitment process

Applications for Foundation Training are part of a national recruitment process with important deadlines. You’ll use Oriel, the national online recruitment system, to apply.

See the UK Foundation Programme recruitment timeline to check all key dates.

What to expect during Foundation Training

Foundation Training is a 2-year, work-based training period. You’ll record all your learning and progress in your Turas Training Portfolio.

Foundation year 1 (FY1) 

In your first year as a resident doctor, you’ll strengthen the knowledge and skills gained in medical school. You’ll gain experience in a range of clinical settings, building a solid foundation for any medical specialty. On successful completion, you can apply for full GMC registration and progress to your second year.

Foundation year 2 (FY2) 

During your second year, you will continue to develop your clinical knowledge. This is also a crucial time for career exploration. If you're considering General Practice, you should:

• attend taster days in a GP setting
• seek advice from experienced GPs
• reflect on your interests and skills

This is also a great time to find a mentor. During your GP placements, talk to the GPs you work with about their career path and the realities of the job. Their informal mentorship can help you with your long-term career goals.

What happens when you complete Foundation Training?

During FY2, you'll focus on your next career move based on your experiences and goals. An Annual Review of Competency Progression (ARCP) panel will review your training portfolio to determine if you are ready to progress.

Successful completion of FY2 allows you to apply for specialty training. You'll be issued a Foundation Programme Certificate of Completion (FPCC), which is a requirement for applying to GP Specialty Training.

Learn more about the FPCC.