- Taster weeks and rotations. Use F2 to sample specialties you are considering.
- Audit, teaching and quality improvement. These give you evidence for specialty applications.
- Applications. Core and specialty applications usually open in the autumn–winter of F2 for a start in August; read the timelines on Oriel and NHS England pages.
- Options. You can go straight into training, take an F3 year (locum, research, teaching or travel) or apply for academic pathways.
A timeline for F2
| When | Think about |
|---|---|
| August–October | Settle into the year; read the person specifications for specialties you like; attend taster days. |
| Autumn–winter | Specialty applications open on Oriel (check dates); prepare portfolio evidence and any assessments. |
| Spring | Interviews and offers; arrange references. |
| Summer | Complete F2 sign-off; start your next post in August, or an F3 year. |
- Ask senior colleagues in each specialty what they wish they had known.
- Keep a spreadsheet of audits, teaching and courses with dates and evidence.
This page is general education, reviewed 24 October 2026. Rules, fees and dates change: always confirm with the official sources below. It is not medical, legal or immigration advice.