Postgraduate education
Doctors in the UK spend the first year after graduating from medical school training in a programme for provisionally registered doctors. This is the first year of a two-year Foundation Programme.
The GMC is responsible for doctors in the first year of the Foundation Programme, which is called F1.
Our guidance for this period is called The New Doctor 2007. This sets out the standards that Foundation Programme providers must meet, and the outcomes that F1 doctors must demonstrate before they move to full registration.
An organisation called PMETB is responsible for the second year of the Foundation Programme, which is called F2.
The GMC and PMETB are undertaking a joint project to develop a single system to quality assure the Foundation Programme (QAFP), which will meet our different but complementary legal responsibilities to regulate Foundation Programme training.
After completing a medical degree and foundation training, many doctors complete a third stage – postgraduate training – to become general practitioners (GPs) or consultants. PMETB is also responsible for setting standards for this stage of training.
Tell me about
About the Foundation Programme
For further detail on the first years after graduating, see our section on the Foundation programme.
The New Doctor
For information about standards and outcomes for the foundation course, the curriculum framework and the legislation underpinning the course, see The New Doctor.
Quality Assurance of the Foundation Programme
The GMC quality assures the Foundation Programme and conducts visits to deaneries. Access all information about Quality Assurance of the Foundation Programme
Frequently asked questions about Foundation training
Read our frequently asked questions about the Foundation programme.
Postgraduate training
After graduating from medical school and completing their foundation training, many doctors complete a third stage, postgraduate training, to become general practitioners (GPs) or consultants. Read about postgraduate training.
Archive
For information about closed consultations and historic postgraduate policy, research and guidance documents, see our postgraduate archive page.
