Training pathway pilots

  1. Summary
  2. Colleges and faculties
  3. Educational supervisors and training programme directors
  4. Local office or deanery administrators
  1. Postgraduate deans
  2. Training pathways pilots
  3. Frequently asked questions about programmes

Specialty curricula must specify the training pathways that doctors follow to enter the GMC specialist register.

  • A run through training pathway guarantees that doctors, after a single competitive selection process and satisfactory progress, will receive training covering the entire specialty curriculum.
  • Uncoupled training pathways require a second stage of competitive recruitment following the first two or three years of 'core' training in order to progress to higher specialty training.

Any organisation may make a proposal for the introduction of a new run through or uncoupled training pathway, however it must be piloted for an agreed period first in order to assess its impact.

Approved training pathway pilots

We have approved the following training pathway pilots.

Child and adolescent psychiatry run through effective from August 2018 for three years in eleven regions:

  • London
  • Yorkshire and the Humber
  • North East
  • North West
  • Thames Valley
  • East of England
  • Kent, Surrey and Sussex
  • Wessex
  • East Midlands
  • Severn
  • Peninsula
  • West Midlands.

Otolaryngology run through effective from August 2018 for three years in four regions:

  • London
  • North West
  • Kent, Surrey and Sussex
  • West Midlands.

General surgery run through effective from August 2018 for three years in nine regions:

  • East Midlands
  • East of England
  • Kent, Surrey and Sussex
  • South London
  • North West
  • South West
  • Yorkshire and the Humber
  • Scotland
  • Wales.

Urology run through effective from August 2019 for three years in six regions:

  • East Midlands
  • East of England
  • London
  • North West
  • Yorkshire and the Humber
  • Scotland.

Vascular surgery run through effective from August 2019 for three years in six regions:

  • East Midlands
  • East of England
  • London
  • North West
  • Yorkshire and the Humber
  • Scotland.

To pilot a new run through or uncoupled training pathway, please see our guidance and application form.

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