Modernising Medical Careers (MMC)
Do I qualify for the Foundation Programme?
Do I qualify to apply through MTAS?
Only eligible candidates can apply through MTAS. If you are an applicant from a UK medical school, then things are easy. You just need to check
your eligibility (not usually a problem) and then provide your email address to your medical school. They should then take keep you updated
with information on the application procedures and deadlines via your local Deanery.
If you are an applicant from a non-UK medical school, then you will need to check with MTAS to ensure that you are eligible. There are some
basic English language requirements that you will need to demonstrate if your medical degree was not undertaken in English. MTAS will usually
need to verify your documentation. These include, for example:
• IELTS academic level 7
• CAE (Certificate in Advanced English) Level A or B
• CPE (Certificate of Proficiency in English)
• NQF (National Qualifications Framework) Level 3
• CEF (Common European Framework) Level C2
How do I apply?
Places for the 2-year UK Foundation Programme are, in general, reserved for final year UK medical students. The national online application process is
operated via the MTAS (Medical Training Application System). There are usually some standalone 1-year F2 places. These are aranged through the Deaneries
themselves (look at our list of deaneries for contact details). To go the MTAS website, click on the link below:
• MTAS
The application process
At the initial stages of the application process, you will need to rank deaneries in order of preference. For FY1/2 posts, you have to rank every single deanery.
Once you have been accepted by a Deanary / Foundation School, you will be asked to give your preferences for individual posts within that Deanary /
School.
For ST applications, you have a choice of applying with 4 choices.
You can divide your 4 choices either by applying to the same speciality in 4 different 'Units of Application' (UoAs - essentially deaneries grouped by region),
or alternatively you can mix-and-match, for example, by applying to 1 speciality in 2 UoAs, and another speciality in 2 other UoAs.
Applications are scored by a panel that includes a clinician, and follow nationally agreed scoring criteria. A F1/2 applicant's overall score
consists of an academic score provided by their medical school, as well as a score based upon the application form itself. The ST application is based soley on the score from the application form (GP applications are a little different and instead include an entrance exam). Whilst this may sound fair, all has not gone
smoothly...
Although the F1/2 applications process has resulted in the majority of candidates obtaining places in their first choice deanery, the overall application form, and in particular,
the ST application process, have not been well received. With intentions to bring about an overhaul to the formerly 'goal-less' and sometimes unfair and nepotistic job applications systems of old, MTAS' first ST-applications incarnation has unfortunately been a
spectacular failure, revealing itself to be far from meritocratic. With minimal points on the form catering for actual academic qualifications, and absolutely no
space to mention all those extracurricular activities you've managed to find time for, the frustration amongst junior medics has sadly led to a number giving
up on a career that they have worked long and hard for.
In its first guinea-pig run (for ST posts starting August 2007), many talented doctors
have been left without having been shortlisted in the first round of interviews. The website has regularly crashed, and worrying rumours have flown, for example of consultants having been lumbered with hundreds of forms
to score over a single weekend, resulting in many being left unscored and leading to some candidates having lost out on interviews simply
through MTAS' lack of planning.
Despite overwhelming resistance, MMC has pressed ahead. MTAS - in some shape or form - is here to stay. This website has been designed to ensure that all candidates have the very best chance of understanding the new system and succeeding. With this in mind, we've
put together some application process tips from the experiences of former applicants that we hope will help. Take a look at them here:
• MTAS Application Tips
Flexibility & Special Circumstances
There are some nationally agreed 'special circumstances' that may enable trainees to undertake periods of break during the Foundation Programme.
If you fall under any of the groups below, or have any other circumstances that may require you to take time off from your training, you should
talk to your Medical School to confirm your eligibility before you apply. These circumstances include:
• Significant family responsibilities (most commonly a student who has responsibility as the primary carer for a young, school-aged child or for a seriously ill partner or first degree relative).
• Chronic illness (physical or psychological) or disability for which local follow up is an absolute requirement as confirmed by an Occupational Health report.
• Terminally ill first-degree relative living locally as confirmed by a doctor's note.
Last updated 05/03/07
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