Important: the Medical Training (Prioritisation) Act 2026

• The Act applies to Foundation Programme and specialty training places, from recruitment for August 2026 starts.
• The priority group includes graduates of UK and Republic of Ireland medical schools and some others. The precise list of those included for specialty training has been described differently by different organisations, so read the Act and the NHS England guidance.
• Applicants outside the priority group can still apply, and can be offered places that are not filled by the priority group.
• The Act does not change PLAB or GMC registration. It changes which applicants are offered training posts first.

What to do about it

1. Read the Act (legislation.gov.uk) and the NHS England guidance for the recruitment round you plan to enter.
2. Check whether you belong to the priority group, for example through residence status or particular qualifications.
3. Plan for non-training posts (locally employed doctor, SAS, clinical fellow) as legitimate career options, not just stepping stones.
4. Consider specialties and regions with more unfilled posts, but check before you assume.
5. Keep an alternative plan, such as working in another country, and don’t spend your life savings on a single route.

Fees, English-test scores and dates were last checked against official sources on 24 October 2026.

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.