This information is relevant for applicants to the NHS UK Foundation Training Programme for 2026 entry and is intended only as an introduction to the process. The NHS Foundation training Programme is run by the United Kingdom Foundation Programme Office (UKFPO). Further information on the Foundation Programme will be given during Year 5 in liaison with the UKFPO, however it is imperative all applicants refer to the UKFPO website for the most current set of information. The application process may differ when you enter training and you will be given further updates relevant to your cohort.
The National Online Recruitment Portal – Oriel
The national recruitment process for allocation to Foundation schools for those entering Foundation Training in August 2026 will be via the national online recruitment portal Oriel which can be accessed via the National Foundation Programme website. You will be able to enrol in the national system from 16th September 2025 and the application window will open from 24th September 2025 to 8th October 2025 (12:00 Noon BST). You can access your application form 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Preference Informed Allocation
The UKFPO will use a Preference Informed Allocation (PIA) process for 2026 Foundation Programme allocation.
Applicants will no longer be given a national application score calculated by the Situational Judgement Test (SJT) and the Educational Performance Measure (EPM) as had been used previously.
Further information about PIA and the timeline of the application process can be found in the UKFP 2026 Applicant guidance.
Specialised Foundation Programme (Formerly known as the Academic Foundation Programme)
Specialised Foundation Programme (SFP) application process will depend on the region you’re applying for. Please see link for further information : Specialised Foundation Programmes – UK Foundation Programme
Applicants will no longer submit an SFP application via Oriel as part of the standard Foundation Programme (FP)applications. See UKFPO Website for further details and the application timeline.
Foundation Programme – Matching to Individual Programmes
Following allocation to foundation schools, each foundation school will then run an individual process for matching to individual Hospitals/Programmes. Full details will be sent to each applicant by the foundation school to which they have been allocated.
Further Information
The key dates and time frames for both the standard and the SFP application are available on the UKFPO website. The 2026 Applicant Guidance provides detailed information on how to apply. It can be viewed, along with other useful resources, from the ‘How to Apply’ section of the National Foundation Programme’s website. The handbook includes full details of each step of the process and what applicants need to do to prepare in advance.
NHS England North West and the North West of England Foundation School will provide further details of any aspect of the recruitment process and answer any questions you may have. Please see below for their contact details:
- Professor Paul Baker, Deputy Postgraduate Dean, Foundation School Director.
- Dr Joanne Rowell, Deputy Foundation School Director
- Jacqui Phazey-Baines, Programme Support Business Manager.
- Julian Shepherd, Programme Support Manager.
- Melissa Dixon, Programme Support Coordinator
- Sana Gul, Programme Support Officer.
- Alma Egan, Programme Support Officer
Please direct all enquiries to: england.foundation.nw@nhs.net
You may also find the following websites useful:
- North West of England Foundation School
- Foundation School Careers
- UK Foundation Programme – UK Foundation Programme