The UK Foundation Programme (UKFP) is the generic training every UK graduate does before specialty training. It is run nationally by the UKFPO with local foundation schools, and its curriculum is set by the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges.
| Year | Registration | What you do |
|---|---|---|
| Foundation Year 1 (FY1/F1) | Provisional registration with a licence to practise | Work in a series of placements (often three four-month rotations, for example medicine, surgery and a community or psychiatry post) under close supervision |
| Foundation Year 2 (FY2/F2) | Full registration with a licence to practise (after satisfactory F1) | Further rotations with more responsibility, often including General Practice or emergency medicine |
- You build an electronic portfolio, complete supervised learning events and are reviewed annually at the ARCP.
- On completing F2 you receive a Foundation Programme Certificate of Completion (FPCC), which you need to apply for most specialty training.
- Some doctors use an extra “F3” year for work, travel, research or teaching before applying for specialty training.
What the programme gives you
- A safe, supervised start in practising as a doctor.
- Experience in a range of specialties, to help you choose your career.
- The foundation of an e-portfolio you will use through revalidation.
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.