Specialised Foundation Programmes (SFP)
Overview
The Yorkshire and the Humber Foundation School offers 81 SFP programmes.
- 51 Research
- 27 Medical Education
F1 has 3 four-month clinical placements
F2 has 2 four-month clinical placements and a four-month academic placement
SFP gives Foundation trainees an opportunity to produce and evaluate academic evidence, to translate novel treatments and best practices into optimal patient care. It is the first step in postgraduate clinical research or medical academic training, providing exposure to the academic environment and required skills.
Clinical Research SFP
Doctors with an interest in an academic career can gain exposure to the clinical academic research environment and obtain experience in research skills relevant to enhancing patient care.
SFP combines clinical training with training in research methods. The role of the clinical academic programme is to combine research and/or teaching with clinical practice, hence great emphasis is placed upon acquiring strong clinical skills as well as high quality research training during the course of the programme.
Medical Education SFP
These placements give Foundation doctors experience in generic teaching skills, essential for modern doctors.
The four-month placement includes working within the Medical School and postgraduate Medical Education department, focusing on undergraduate and postgraduate education, and developing novel teaching techniques.
Project in F2
Those allocated to an SFP programme will be asked to submit an application to be involved in a project in their 4 month placement. Applications are submitted towards the end of their F1 year. Please see the guidance and application form at the bottom of this page.
Applications are reviewed by the Deputy Foundation School Director and the local Academic leads.
YHFS SFP Presentation Day
YHFS host an annual presentation event where all SFP doctors are invited to submit a poster presentation. A number of posters will be selected from the poster submissions to be presented orallly at the event. This is a fantastic opportunity for doctors to showcase their project work to their peers.
Recruitment and Selection Arrangements for 2025
Regional programmes are listed on Oriel. Further regional information is also available to view via the links below:
Application Process
The SPF allocation process changed for the August 2025 intake
Pathway 1 - Medical School Selection
Applicants who are interested in SFP and are current final year medical students in England can apply directly to their medical school to be matched to an SFP programme within their local foundation school. Students who are selected via this route will be matched and allocated to a 2-year SFP programme.
The number of students per medical school will be determined per region, based on the total number of available SFPs in the local foundation school and the number of students due to graduate in that medical school.
In 2025 YHFS allocated
- Sheffield Medical School: 10 programmes
- Leeds Medical School: 10 programmes
- HYMS Medical School: 8 programmes
The method of selection will be determined by each medical school. Students must speak to their medical school to understand their local process. Each medical school will also facilitate an appeals process for this selection process.
Pathway 2 – allocation via PIA
One-third of specialised foundation programmes in England will be recruited to via pathway 1, but two-thirds of SFPs in England will be matched to applicants who are eligible for the 2025 foundation programme via the national allocation process on Oriel using PIA. Please refer to the UKFPO website for information about how the PIA process works.
All eligible applicants who are interested in applying for a 2025 SFP in England can do so via the main application/allocation process, if they fall into one of the following categories:
- the applicant is a final year student at an English medical school but does not wish to apply via pathway one
- the applicant is a final year student at an English medical school who applied for an SFP via pathway 1 but was not selected for an SFP via this route
- the applicant qualified from a medical school in the UK on or after 06 August 2023 and has been re-nominated to apply for the 2025 foundation programme but does not wish to apply via pathway one
- the applicant qualified from a medical school in the UK on or after 06 August 2023, has been re-nominated to apply for the 2025 foundation programme, and applied for an SFP via pathway 1 but was not selected for an SFP via this route
- the applicant is a final year student/eligible applicant from elsewhere in the UK
- the applicant has been deemed eligible to apply for the 2025 foundation programme via the national eligibility application route
An applicant will not be able to apply on Oriel for an SFP via pathway 2 if they were selected by their medical school for an SFP via the pathway 1 process. Applicants who are successful via pathway 1 will be removed from the main application/allocation process on Oriel.
Please visit 2025 Specialised foundation programme (SFP) recruitment and allocation
Further Information
UKFPO website: Specialised Foundation Programme
If you have any queries about the application process, please contact us via email at england.foundation.yh@nhs.net
Checklist of Competencies
YHFS has developed a checklist of competencies for Research and Medical Education programmes. This guide helps Academic trainees track their achievements over the 2-year programme. It is not mandatory but provides a structured expectation and record of academic progress. Trainees should work with their Supervisors, the University, and their Employers to complete as many requirements as possible.
