Prepare and apply for 12 months of formal pre-specialist training post in Year 2 of the UK’s Foundation Programme, and get moving on the highway to specialist training and research in the NHS, the world’s largest public health service.

F2 Standalone applications are submitted in mid-to-late January every year. Your application will be assessed for longlisting. If successful, you will have to well in the SJT (Situational Judgement Test), a clinical & ethics assessment available from Pearson Vue test centres worldwide.

Finally, provided that you score highly enough in the SJT, you will be invited to an online interview. Successful interviewees will be offered a post starting in August.

F2 posts last 12 months split into three four-month long placements.

UKmed fully covers every step of F2 Standalone recruitment apart from teaching you medicine.

Four reasons to choose the Foundation Year 2 Standalone Service by Ukmed

We know what makes an F2 candidate stand out, hence our comprehensive package. Working with UKmed will get you:

  • the right advice and guidance in good time for better marks in your F2 application
  • an actual application CV that will increase your chances of being invited to the next stage – the SJT
  • prepared for the SJT ethics station
  • using sound interview skills.

Our full service includes:

  • an in-depth CV assessment of your strengths and weaknesses as an F2 candidate
  • practical suggestions for filling gaps in your CV – but you need to start working with us early
  • the F2 Standalone application itself
  • our NHS Ethics for SJT course with our own NHS course instructors led by our Dr Coach
  • our NHS Interview Skills
  • exclusive access to our trainers for ongoing advice.

Should I take part in Foundation Year 2 Standalone recruitment?

F2 Standalone selection is highly competitive. That’s why we recommend it for truly committed doctors willing to prepare well in advance. A last-minute submission is a negative predictor of success. We advise against lack of serious preparation.

If you succeed in being selected for an F2 post, your chances of being selected into a specialist training post the following year are much higher. So, you will be on course for a lifelong career in a senior NHS post later, including as permanent Consultant.

Even if you don’t succeed in being selected for an F2 post, simply preparing and going through the SJT and interview will make you much stronger – and better prepared – for other alternatives, such as Trust and specialist training posts. So, your hard work and commitment will pay off one way or another.

On the other hand, if you have not prepared seriously, then there is no point in applying. But isn’t this generally true in life?

Do I need GMC registration to apply for F2 Standalone?

No. Your F2 application requires a GMC reference number, which is not the same as GMC registration. You don’t need GMC registration at F2 application time.

However, if you do receive an offer of an F2 Standalone post, you will have to complete your GMC registration by late July, otherwise you will lose your offer.

See our GMC Registration with ECFMG-EPIC service for more.

English language level for Foundation Standalone

F2 posts are the only ones that require higher marks than GMC registration. Achieving these marks before the end of January is your most urgent task.

Academic IELTS OET (Occupational English Test)
Reading 7.5 B at 400 or higher
Writing 7.5 B at 400 or higher
Speaking 7.5 B at 400 or higher
Listening 7.5 B at 400 or higher
Overall 7.5 B at 400 or higher

Building up a strong portfolio and CV

This is not the same for every doctor, so contact us about our Career advice service with our lead coach.

Having said that, some requirements – and good ideas – apply generally, for example:

  • ALS or ILS or similar (e.g. ATLS) obtained by application submission. Not BLS.
  • Don’t apply without at least three months of real-world clinical experience after graduation. This is not a rule, but it is our experience. To plan ahead for the right type of early clinical experience, talk to us as early as possible, even before you graduate.
  • Learn and use your Foundation skills routinely.
  • Avoid long work experience gaps after graduation. A holiday break is necessary, but don’t overdo it.

The research and clinical-academic pathway

The UK offers a distinct specialist training pathway after Foundation Year 2. It’s called the Academic Clinical Fellowship and it’s extremely competitive.

If you have already engaged in research projects consistently and substantially even as an undergraduate, then this route may also be worth aiming for.

Discuss your aspirations with us as early as possible, ideally at least two years before you graduate from medical school. You will need plenty of time to boost the research side of your CV.

More questions?

We offer career advice online to individual Doctors and – starting in Autumn 2024 – groups. All your questions about F2, Trust Doctor and specialist training posts will be answered. Contact us to book your place. There may be a waiting list.

Common mistakes Doctors make in their F2 attempts

  • Starting late.
  • Not allowing sufficient time for portfolio and CV building.
  • Not starting medical practice immediately (or at least shortly) after medical school.
  • Practising medicine of little clinical value, e.g. as a phlebotomist or a medical secretary.
  • Volunteering for unpaid medical work without a clear agreement and job plan.
  • Underestimating how hard it is to score highly enough in your English language test.
  • Turning up for SJT without training in judging ethical dilemmas.

Price for UKmed’s Foundation Year 2 Standalone Service

Our full service includes:

  • an in-depth x-ray of your CV, strengths and weaknesses as an F2 candidate
  • personal support from our Lead coach and Dr Coach
  • practical ideas on how to fill gaps in your CV, so long as you arrange a consultation early enough
  • writing your F2 Standalone application
  • our three-day Introduction to the NHS, Ethics and Professionalism course for small groups
  • our two-day Improving MSRA and SJT performance course for small groups
  • our one-to-one Interview skills for NHS selection personal training
  • exclusive ongoing access to our course instructors.

We also offer stepwise support. So, we could:

  • write your F2 Standalone application.
  • boost your awareness of Good Medical Practice and dilemma judgement skills.
  • prepare you for F2 Standalone interviews.

Contact us for the current price of our full package of support.

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