THE FOUNDATION DOCTOR · FIRST FOUR MONTHS

From August changeover to the end of November.

Last updated: 2026-10-28

A week-by-week path for your first placement: what to focus on at work, what to read on AMaC, and which portfolio steps to start — with boxes to tick as you go.

Your local induction and your supervisors come first. Where your trust, foundation school or supervisor says something different, follow them.
Independent AMaC educational material. Not endorsed by the UKFPO, the Foundation Programme, NHS England, the GMC or any foundation school. Your answers and ticks are saved only in this browser on this device; nothing is sent anywhere.

How to use this path

Each block has three parts: what to do on the ward, what to read on AMaC, and portfolio steps to start. Tick items as you go — ticks are saved in this browser only. Meeting deadlines, rotation dates and ePortfolio requirements are set by your foundation school and trust, so check your foundation school where timings matter. Week 1 is taken as the first week of the August changeover.

F2? Specialty recruitment is now

If you are in F2 and applying for specialty training starting in 2027, Round 1 (CT1/ST1 posts starting August 2027) opens at 10am on Thursday 22 October 2026 and closes at 4pm on Thursday 19 November 2026 (medical.hee.nhs.uk). Academic clinical fellowship (ACF) applications run separately, 1–29 October 2026, closing 4pm Thursday 29 October (recruitment timeline). Confirm your specialty’s timeline on its recruitment page and Oriel. See Develop for help with planning and applications.