1. Applying to FP/AFP 2015 Published June 2014
This presentation provides an overview of the process for applying to the Foundation Programme and Academic Foundation Programme commencing in August 2015.
For the full details, you should read the FP/AFP 2015 Applicant’s Handbook

2. Key dates for FP/AFP 2014 14 Jul – 15 Aug 2014 Eligibility checking
View Academic programmes on FPAS
29 Sept 2014
Register on FPAS and confirm nominated applicants. View outline of programmes*
6-17 Oct 2014
FP and AFP applications submitted
20 Oct 2014 – 16 Jan 2015
AFP local short-listing and interviews
5 Dec 2014, 9 Jan 2015
1st & 2nd SJT dates
21 Jan – 18 Feb 2015
AFP offers period
20 February 2015
Final programmes available to view on
FPAS
5 March 2015
FP primary list allocated to UoA
8 Apr 2015
FP primary list matched to programmes
May – Jul 2015
FP reserve list batch allocations
*Add explanation re changes to programmes between august and February

3. Information about programmes
To meet evolving healthcare and patient needs, the medical education framework and UK-wide NHS services are subject to constant review. In their recent review, HEE mandated that at least 80% of foundation doctors will undertake a community/integrated placement as part of their Foundation Programme by August 2015 (England only). Over the next year, LETBs will be working towards achieving this requirement. Consequently, there will be a delay in UoAs uploading their finalised FP 2015 programmes to FPAS. To provide FP 2015 applicants with as much information as possible, an example list of programmes will be available for applicants to view on 29 September 2014 when FPAS opens for registration and enrolment. This list is representative of programmes which are typically available at a particular UoA (based on previous years) and will be subject to change. Some UoAs may be able to provide a finalised list at this stage; if so, this will be clearly indicated on FPAS. All UoAs will provide a final list of all FP 2015 programmes viewable on FPAS by 20 February 2015, before the primary list allocations take place, and before applicants are required to rank their programmes.
Broadening the FP report

4. FP/AFP 2015 national process
UK medical schools and UKFPO’s Eligibility Office nominate applicants and provide EPM decile scores
Applicants register on FPAS and confirm nomination
Applicants complete the online application form, including supplementary information to support AFP applications
Educational achievements scores are verified by panels
Short-listed AFP applicants attend interviews
All applicants take the SJT (selection assessment for FP 2015)
AFP offers are issued to the highest scoring AFP applicants
SJT scores uploaded centrally
FP allocation to Unit of Application (UoA)* takes place
FP reserve list batch allocations take place (as required)
*A UoA comprises one or more foundation schools that are grouped together for the purposes of processing
applications. The groupings for processing AFP applications may be different and these are referred to as Academic
Units of Application (AUoA).

5. FP/AFP 2015 national process (cont)
If, as expected, there are more eligible applicants than vacancies, applications from individuals who cannot provide evidence of their right to work and remain in the UK will not be considered
If, at the end of the AFP offers period, there are more FP applicants than places, the highest scoring FP applicants will be included on the primary list. Those not on the primary list will be included automatically on the reserve list
Exceptionally low SJT scores will be reviewed
For more information on the FP/AFP 2015 national application process go to the UKFPO website:
Where applicants have the same score, the system will randomly select the order for allocation of applicants with that score.
Further information on the review process for exceptionally low SJT scores will be published on the UKFPO website by 1 December.

6. FP/AFP 2015 application process
NATIONAL Processes
Eligibility checking
Nominating eligible applicants
Online application form (FPAS)
Verifying educational achievements scores
SJT scores, plus low score review
AFP offers timetable
FP allocation to UoA
FP reserve list batch allocations
Your UK medical school or the UKFPO Eligibility Office will liaise with you regarding arrangements for sitting the SJT
Each Academic UoA will have their own timetable for short-listing and interviews. For more information on local timetables refer to the relevant AUoA website
Matching to a specific programme can only be completed once you are allocated to a UoA
Each UoA will match to programmes locally. For more information on how local matching is completed, go to your allocated UoA’s website.
LOCAL Processes
SJT arrangements (medical school)
AFP short-listing, interviews and offers
FP matching to programmes
Pre-employment checks

7. Scoring applications 100 points maximum Part 1
Educational Performance Measure (EPM)
50 points maximum
Part 2
SJT (selection assessment for FP 2014) 7

8. Scoring applications - EPM
Part 1
Educational Performance Measure (EPM) - 50 points (max)
EPM score comprises:
EPM decile score (up to 43 points)
Calculated by each medical school
First decile (the top 10% of the year) = 43 points
Tenth decile = 34 points
You will be able to see your EPM decile score once you are confirmed as a nominated applicant on FPAS
Educational achievements score (up to 7 points)
Calculated from information provided on your application form
Additional degree = up to 5 points
Publications = up to 2 points
You will be able to view your verified educational achievements score on FPAS from 28 October 2014 8

9. EPM decile score
Each UK medical school will divide its year group into 10 equal groups (deciles) based on performance in a number of assessments, as agreed with its students
Your UK medical school will supply your EPM decile score and it will be uploaded onto FPAS
If you are applying through the Eligibility Office, your EPM decile score will be calculated from the medical school ranking information provided on your Dean’s Statement
Your EPM decile score will be available to you on FPAS once you register and confirm you are a nominated applicant
If your EPM decile score shown on FPAS is not as you expect, contact your UK medical school or the Eligibility Office as soon as possible. Changes to the decile score must be made as soon as possible and cannot be made after 17 December 2014.

10. Educational achievements score
Based on the information you enter on your application form, FPAS will allocate a provisional score
A panel will verify the provisional score against the information you entered and the evidence you uploaded
The panel will amend the provisional score if necessary*
Panels will comprise medical school and foundation school administrative staff
A panel will not see any other sections of your application form
Your verified score for educational achievements will be available to view on FPAS from 28 October 2014
*Verifiers will only decrease scores, therefore if you choose mistakenly
a degree classification that is worth less points your score will NOT be increased
Presentations no longer qualify for points – only publications
*If you choose a degree classification that is worth less points i.e. you achieved a 2.1 but mistakenly chose a 2.2 from the drop down list your application, your score will NOT be increased even if your evidence supports that you achieved a 2.1.
If the evidence you provide for any educational achievements is in a different name to the one given on your application for, the question ‘previous family name/surname’ will be verified
If you have changed your surname for any reason, you must answer the above question in the ‘Personal’ section of the application form otherwise 0 points will be awarded for the educational achievement as it will not be possible to verify it is your achievement 10

11. Scoring applications - SJT
Part 2
SJT (selection assessment for FP 2015) - 50 points
(maximum)
Once all SJT answer sheets are completed they will be marked nationally
The range of marks across all applicants will be translated to a 0-50 point scale, with the scaling method designed to reflect a 50:50 weighting between the SJT and EPM
Exceptionally low SJT scores will be reviewed.
It is anticipated that only 0.0 – 0.5% of applicants will achieve an exceptionally low SJT score
Exceptionally low SJT scores will be reviewed and there is a possibility that they may be withdrawn from the national application process. Details of the process for reviewing low scoring applications and withdrawing affected applicants will be published as soon as possible, and no later than 1 December 2014 (i.e. prior to the date of the first SJT). 11

12. Distribution of SJT/EPM scores from FP 2014
These graphs demonstrate how the EPM and SJT are equally weighted despite being scored on different scales (by demonstrating the distribution of both scores for FP 2014). An applicant can score anywhere between 34 and 50 points for the EPM and anywhere between 0.00 and points for the SJT. The scores from each of these measures are combined to provide a total score and this is what determines the applicant’s ranking. It is the distribution of scores across this scale which affects the weighting of the two measures, not the scale itself. For a full explanation see Appendix 3 of the Applicant’s Handbook.
EPM points
SJT points

13. Getting started (from 29 September 2014)
Register and confirm nomination on FPAS
You must register on FPAS before you can apply:
You should register with the address supplied to FPAS by your UK medical school or the Eligibility Office
A once-only password will be ed to you
You must change the password and then use your selected password for all future logins
To confirm you are a nominated applicant, you must type your details exactly as supplied to FPAS by your UK medical school or the Eligibility Office
When you are confirmed as a nominated applicant, you can access the application form from 6 October 2014

14. The application form (6–17 October 2014)
You must complete and submit your application form on FPAS between 6 October and midday UK time on 17 October 2014
Late applications will not be accepted under any circumstances
The application form is divided into sections:
Personal (name, contact details, etc)
Qualifications (educational qualifications)
Clinical Skills (self assessment of practical and clinical skills)
Equal Opportunities (equal opportunities monitoring information)
Referees (details of 2 referees)
Educational achievements (details and evidence to claim points)
UoA Preferences (ranking of all UoAs in order of preference)
Academic selection (if applying to AFP, selection of up to 2 AUoAs)
Declaration (includes declarations)
FPAS will prevent you from submitting your application if any sections are not complete
Clinical skills – this section is not used to assess you as part of the application process; it is only used by foundation schools for the purpose of coordinating your training
Referees – References are not taken into account when allocating you to a UoA; they are collected on behalf of your employer as part of pre-employment checks

15. Linked applications
You may link your application to another applicant’s in order for you both to be allocated to the same UoA
You and the other applicant must link to each other and you must rank the UoAs in the same order of preference
If you are both on the primary list, you will both be allocated based on the lower of your individual scores
You cannot “un-link” once your application is submitted
Some UoAs will not guarantee that linked applicants are in the same area. Check UoA websites for more information on their policies
The link will be severed if either or both of you accepts an AFP offer
The link will be severed if either or both of you are on the reserve list
Some schools endeavour to place linked applicants within an hour’s commute of each other, others don’t check individual school websites for their policy.
You cannot link to a military applicants or someone applying to specialty or any other medical training programme; only to another foundation applicant

16. Special Circumstances
If necessary, you can request pre-allocation to a particular UoA on the grounds of special circumstances:
Criterion 1: You are a parent or legal guardian of a child or children under the age of 18 who resides primarily with you and for whom you have significant caring responsibilities
Criterion 2: You are the primary carer for someone who is disabled (as defined by the Equality Act 2010) (expected to be a partner, sibling or parent)
Criterion 3: You have a medical condition or disability for which on-going follow up in the specified location is an absolute requirement
Requests and supporting evidence must be submitted to your UK medical school or the Eligibility Office by 17 October 2014
Important: if you do not rank your requested UoA as first choice on FPAS then your special circumstances application will not be considered
Pre-allocation is not applicable for AFP applications
More information about the special circumstances process and the form are available on the UKFPO website
If you are applying for special circumstances at a particular Foundation School you must rank this Foundation School first in your preferences during your application to the Foundation Programme. Failure to do so will result in your special circumstances application not being considered

17. Educational Achievements
The application form is divided into 9 sections:
Personal (name, contact details, etc)
Qualifications (educational qualifications)
Clinical skills (self assessment of your own practical and clinical skills)
Equal opps (equal opportunities monitoring information)
Referees (details of 2 referees)
Educational achievements (details and evidence)
UoA preferences (ranking all UoAs in order of preference)
Academic selection (if applying for AFP, selection of up to 2 AUoAs)
Declaration
This is the only section that will be seen by the verification panels

18. Educational Achievements (cont)
PART A – Additional degree (max. 5 points)
Additional degrees include Bachelors, Masters and Doctorates, regardless of the subject
A score is given for one additional degree only
If you have an MA and a PhD, you should enter details of the PhD as it attracts the highest number of points
More points are awarded for better class degrees
For example, a 1st class BSc degree will attract more points than a 3rd class degree
You need to upload a copy of your degree certificate
A letter from the dean/registrar confirming the pass has been ratified by the exam board is acceptable if your certificate has not been issued
Educational achievements must be awarded before the close of the application period. For degrees, this means the degree result must have been ratified by the examination board before 17 October Evidence required to prove this is available in the Applicant’s Handbook.

19. Educational Achievements (cont)
PART B: Publications (max. 2 points)
You can claim points for:
Publications (must have a PubMed ID)
Two points available in total
You need to upload evidence for each achievement
The FP/AFP 2015 Applicant’s Handbook gives details of the
evidence required for all educational achievements, available at
Presentations have been removed for FP 2015 applications. You can enter up to two publications.

20. UoA Preferences
All applicants must rank all UoAs in order of preference
You must do this even if you intend to apply for an academic programme
If your AFP application is not successful, you will be included in the FP allocation automatically
You must do this even if you have been approved for pre-allocation to a particular UoA for special circumstances
If you are not on the primary list, it may not be possible to honour your pre-allocation

21. UoA Preferences (cont)
Check the FP/AFP 2015 Applicant’s Handbook for competition ratios for FP 2014
Check UoA/foundation school websites for local policies
View an outline of individual programmes in each UoA on FPAS from 29 September 2014
Linked applicants must rank the UoAs in the same order of preference or the link is broken
For FP 2014 over 92% of applicants were allocated to one of their top 5 choices

22. Academic Selection
If you indicate you wish to apply for an Academic Foundation Programme (AFP), you will be asked to select one or two AUoAs that you wish to apply to
Once you have selected your AUoA(s), you will be invited to note any further academic achievements you have (over and above the ones included in the Educational Achievements section)
Further sections will be added to your application for each AUoA selected:
Additional information
AFP programme preferences
If you apply to two AUoAs:
You do not have to list them in order of preference
Neither will know which other AUoA you applied to

23. AFP Additional Information
Each AUoA will determine what additional information it wishes to receive from its applicants, up to 6 items
There is space on the application form for you to supply the information requested by the AUoA(s) you select
If an AUoA requires a copy of your CV, you will need to upload it
AUoAs will have the option of using three common items provided by the UKFPO and up to three of their own; or can just use up to six of their own.
If the AUoAs you apply to use the common items, you are able to use the same answer for both. However, please be aware that it is possible that you may be awarded different points for the same answer, as schools will score your answers based on their own criteria. It is possible you could be short-listed for one and not the other.

24. AFP Programme Preferences
You will need to rank the Academic programmes available in each AUoA you select before you can submit your application
You do not need to rank all the programmes if there are some you know you will not accept
However, the fewer you rank the lower your chance of receiving an AFP offer
Highest scoring AFP applicants will receive offers first from each AUoA
If higher scoring applicants decline these offers, they will then be offered to lower scoring applicants during the cascade process
If all the programmes you ranked were offered to higher scoring applicants, you will only receive an offer if the higher scoring applicants decline any of these offers.

25. Processing AFP applications
Local short-listing and interviews
Each AUoA will:
undertake its own short-listing according to local criteria
invite its own short-listed applicants to attend an interview
determine its own interview criteria
assign a local score to each applicant it interviews
The AUoA score is added to your EPM score to give your total AFP application ranking score
Each AUoA is responsible for its own local short listing and interview process; the UKFPO is not involved in this part of the academic application process.
If you are invited for an interview for an academic programme you MUST provide evidence of the educational achievements you claimed on your AFP application.

26. Processing AFP applications (cont)
AFP offers
Highest scoring AFP applicants will receive offers first from each AUoA
If higher scoring applicants decline these offers, they will then be offered to lower scoring applicants
There is a strict timetable for accepting/declining AFP offers
IMPORTANT: You should familiarise yourself with the AFP offers timetable given in the FP/AFP 2015 Applicant’s Handbook: add the dates for your diary
All AFP offers are subject to a satisfactory SJT score
If you accept an AFP offer, you are excluded from the FP allocation
If you do not secure an AFP post, you will be included in the FP allocation automatically
A satisfactory SJT score means that you are not withdrawn from the national process due to an exceptionally low SJT score.

27. Sitting the SJT (selection assessment FP 2015)
All applicants to the Foundation Programme and the Academic Foundation Programme commencing in August 2015 must sit the SJT in the UK on either:
Friday, 5 December 2014 at 2.00 pm
Friday, 9 January 2015 at am
Defence Deanery applicants are also required to sit the SJT. However, they do not have to complete the national application form
Your UK medical school or the Eligibility Office will contact you to let you know which date/s is/are available to you
It is your responsibility to know the time and venue of your SJT, and to arrive on time regardless of the mode of transport you use
There are many commercial courses and books available which offer to prepare you for the SJT; however the UKFPO does not endorse any of these resources. The UKFPO practice paper is the only official resource that will prepare you to take the test.

28. Sitting the SJT (cont)
You must sit the SJT on the date for which you are registered
The SJT is a measure of meeting the attributes required to be a foundation doctor, as defined in the national FP personal specification
It is not an assessment of your clinical knowledge and cannot be revised for, although you can prepare for it.
You should be familiar with Good Medical Practice (2013) and the attributes expected of a foundation doctor (monograph).
You should also practice responding to different question formats using the practice paper and OMR answer sheet available on the UKFPO website

29. Sitting the SJT (cont)
You must take the following with you on the day:
Two HB or 2B pencils, an eraser and a pencil sharpener. A transparent ruler is optional.
Current, photographic ID
Your SJT booking confirmation (if you applied through the Eligibility Office)
You may also wish to take a transparent ruler
Your ID will be checked on the day at the SJT venue
At the end of the test you must return both your answer sheet and the question paper
Removal of question papers is strictly forbidden
No other materials, including dictionaries and electronic devices, are permitted in the SJT venue
Some applicants last year found it helpful to use a ruler as an aid to complete the answer sheet – this is entirely optional, but a transparent ruler may be taken into the test hall
Removal of the question paper from the SJT venue (or failure to comply with the invigilator’s instructions) will result in your application being withdrawn from the process.

30. The SJT answer sheet
You must complete the answer sheet within the time allowed – you will not receive any credit for answers recorded elsewhere i.e. on the question paper
Fill in the question sheet neatly and do not make any stray marks on the sheet
The next slide shows how to complete your answer sheet correctly
The following slides then show some of the more common examples of answer sheets which were not completed properly last year, and which prevented the scanner from recording the response given.
If the scanner is unable to record the response given, this slows down the entire scanning process and a judgement is required.

31. SJT answer sheet This is an example of a correctly completed

32. Example 2
Marks outside
the lines provided
See number 18, line C

33. Example 3
Numbers crossed
through

34. Example 4
Marks too faint
See number 13, lines C and E

35. Example 5
Marks too big

36. What happens if… …I require adjustments for the SJT?
You may request reasonable adjustments to the format of the SJT on the grounds of a disability, health condition or impairment, or other (e.g. religious observance)
You should contact your UK medical school or the Eligibility Office as soon as possible, and no later than 1st October 2014 to submit a form requesting Reasonable Adjustments to the SJT.

37. What happens if …I require adjustments for the SJT? (cont)
Reasonable adjustments for the SJT may not always be precisely the same as the adjustments accommodated during your education
Refer to the SJT Reasonable Adjustments Guidance document and form on the UKFPO website
The SJT is a selection assessment for employment

38. What happens if ….
…I can’t attend the SJT on the date for which I’m registered?
If a severe and exceptional event means you can’t sit the SJT, you must submit an Extenuating Circumstances claim with supporting evidence to your UK medical school or the Eligibility Office at the earliest opportunity
If you cannot submit your evidence in advance, you have up to one working day after the date of the SJT to submit it
If you arrive more than 30 minutes late or fail to turn up, and do not have a valid extenuating circumstances claim, you will not be allowed to sit the SJT at all and will be withdrawn from the application process
For more information, read the SJT Extenuating Circumstances Guidance on the UKFPO website
If you have approved extenuating circumstances for the SJT on 9 January 2015, you will be allowed to sit the SJT on the contingency date of 16 January 2015 at am

39. More information about the SJT
The following information is available on the UKFPO website:
Frequently asked questions and answers
An introductory video
A practice SJT paper
A monograph
Information about the design and development of the EPM and SJT, including evaluations of the pilots and live use of the SJT, is available on the Improving Selection to the Foundation Programme (ISFP) project website:

40. Processing FP applications
Primary and reserve list
If, as anticipated, there are more fully eligible applicants than places, applications from individuals who cannot provide evidence of their right to work in UK will not be considered
If, at the end of the AFP offers period, there are more FP applicants than vacancies, the ‘n’ highest scoring applicants will be placed on the primary list (where ‘n’ is the number of FP 2015 vacancies across the UK)
If there are a number of applicants with the same score at the primary list cut-off, random selection will decide which ones are included on the primary list
If you are not on the primary list you will be included automatically on the reserve list

41. Processing FP applications (cont)
Primary List allocation (5 March 2015)
Applicants on the primary list who have been approved for pre-allocation to a particular UoA (special circumstances) will be allocated before other primary list applicants
Applicants on the primary list will be allocated to UoAs in score order
Linked applicants will be allocated based on the lower score of the linked pair
When it is your turn to be allocated, FPAS will look at your first choice UoA and allocate you there if there is a place available
If all the places are filled in your first choice UoA, the system will look at your second choice, and so on down your list of preferences until a space is available
If you are on the primary list and have been approved for pre-allocation to a particular UoA on the grounds of special circumstances, you will be allocated to that UoA before other applicants are allocated.

42. Processing FP applications (cont)
Reserve list batch allocation (May – Jul 2015)
Following the primary list allocation, it is expected that a number of allocated applicants will withdraw from the process, e.g. they fail final exams, fail PLAB, etc
Reserve list applicants will be allocated to these vacancies in batches on pre-determined dates between May and July 2015
Applicants in each batch will be allocated to a UoA in score order
Applicants included in each batch who are approved for pre-allocation (special circumstances) will only be allocated to the particular UoA if a place is available in the batch
If you are on the reserve list and have been approved for pre-allocation to a particular UoA, you will only be allocated to that UoA if there is a place available when it is your turn to be allocated
If there is no place available at the particular UoA, you will be allocated to a different UoA according to the places available, your score and your order of preference

43. Local matching to programmes
Primary list applicants
If you are on the primary list, you will be invited to state your programme preferences by your allocated UoA by a given deadline
UoAs each have their own process for matching applicants to programmes
Some UoAs may choose to use a two-stage matching process
Check the UoA/foundation school websites for more information. (Most UoAs match to programmes based on score first, then preferences - highest scoring applicants get first pick)
Reserve list applicants
If you are on the reserve list, you will be matched to whichever programme is available when you are allocated to a UoA

44. Pre-employment checks
Pre-employment checks include Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) checks, and occupational health checks
They may also include a locally conducted, structured interview or local assessment of clinical skills
These checks are undertaken on behalf of the employing healthcare organisation
Contracts of employment will not be issued until pre-employment checks are successfully completed
These checks begin as soon as you accept an AFP offer or are matched to an FP programme

45. Referees You must provide details of two referees:
one clinical referee
one medical school/academic referee
Once provided by your referees, references are passed to employers as part of pre-employment checks
References and their content are not used to assess your application, nor are they used in deciding who gets offered an AFP or matching you to an FP programme
If one or both of you referees does not submit a reference on FPAS it will not affect your application; any missing references will be collected later by your employing healthcare organisation
See the FP/AFP 2015 Applicant’s Handbook for more information

46. Transfer of Information
The GMC’s Tomorrow’s Doctors (2009) places an obligation on UK medical schools to ensure graduates meet the outcomes required and to transfer information to those who may need it during their foundation training
UK medical schools or the Eligibility Office will provide more details about the Transfer Of Information (TOI) process and will request you complete a TOI form
The national TOI process and forms can be found on the UKFPO website under “Transfer of Information Procesas”

47. Employment contracts
Your employing healthcare organisation is responsible for all contractual issues including:
Pay
Banding
Rotas
Accommodation (if applicable)
Shadowing and induction
In England, check the NHS Employers website for more information:

48. Data security
Personal data is protected under data protection legislation
The Foundation Programme Application System (FPAS) is secure and has undergone rigorous checks
Your information is held on a secure database and is only accessible to those that need to process your application
You information is passed to your employer by your allocated UoA once you have been matched to a programme
Your data will be anonymised before it is used for research or evaluation purposes, unless you have given your permission for personalised data to be shared

49. Important dates 5 June 2014 FP/AFP 2015 Applicant’s Handbook available
26 Aug 2014 AFP programmes available to view on FPAS
29 Sept 2014 You can register on FPAS and confirm you are nominated
Outline of programmes available to view on FPAS
Oct 2014 FP and AFP application period Late applications will not be accepted under any circumstances

50. Important dates (cont)
20 Oct 2014 – 16 Jan 2015 AFP local short-listing and interviews
5 Dec 2014 and 9 Jan st and 2nd SJT dates
21 Jan – 18 Feb AFP offers period
20 February Final programmes available to view on FPAS
5 Mar Primary list applicants allocated to UoAs

51. Important dates (cont)
5 Mar – 8 Apr Primary list applicants state programme preferences (deadlines and methods will vary by UoA)
8 Apr Primary list applicants matched to programmes
May – Jul Reserve list batch allocations

52. Planning and preparation
You should:
Print and read the FP 2015 national person specification and the FP/AFP 2015 Applicant’s Handbook available online now at
Start collecting the required evidence for your educational achievements (i.e. additional degree and publications)
Identify a GP, consultant or associate specialist who you can ask to provide a reference about your clinical skills
Identify a lecturer, senior lecturer, professor or reader at your medical school who you can ask to provide a medical school reference
Ask your referees to supply an address they access regularly 52

53. Planning and preparation (cont)
Register on FPAS as soon as the system is available, i.e. from 29 September 2014, remembering to use the address you provided to your UK medical school or the Eligibility Office
Make sure you know exactly how your details were supplied to FPAS by your UK medical school or the Eligibility Office
Confirm you are a nominated applicant as soon as possible after registering your FPAS account

54. Planning and preparation (cont)
Ensure you submit your application before the last morning of the application period to avoid any last minute problems with your local PC or internet connection that may prevent you submitting it
Remember: late applications will not be accepted under any circumstances
Note that technical support is available via Monday to Friday, 8.00 am – 6.30 pm (BST). This is particularly important if you are submitting your application from overseas where they may be a significant time difference

55. What happens if . . .
. . . more people apply than there are FP vacancies available?
This situation is anticipated
In this instance, applications from individuals who cannot provide evidence of their right to work in the UK by 15 January 2015 will not be considered
The ‘n’ highest scoring applicants will be placed on the primary list and allocated to UoAs on 5 March 2015 (where ‘n’ = the total number of FP places across the UK)
Other eligible applicants will be placed on a reserve list and allocated in batches in score order to vacancies that arise between May and July 2015
(vacancies typically arise due to failed finals or not passing PLAB, etc)

56. What happens if . . .
. . . there are not enough applicants for all the FP vacancies?
This situation is known as under-subscription and is not expected for FP 2015
If under-subscription is significant, a percentage of posts will be suspended in each UoA in England to help ensure an even fill-rate across the country
Posts will not be suspended in Wales, Northern Ireland or Scotland

57. Where to go for more info
Go to
For further details on the application process
For answers to frequently asked questions
For a list of UoAs and AUoAs with web links
To sign up for regular e-updates