Foundation Programme

I was wondering if there's anyone who has taken a gap year before starting the Foundation Programme immediately after medical school? Or whether you have heard of/know anyone who has.
I'm thinking about doing this but am worried it will have a negative effect on my application.

Would really appreciate any first hand advice!

I know two people who've done it - both used the time to do a masters degree. I don't think it caused them any issues, but personally I think the more natural and appropriate point to take some time out would be after FY2. What would you be planning to do with the time?

I was wondering if there's anyone who has taken a gap year before starting the Foundation Programme immediately after medical school? Or whether you have heard of/know anyone who has.
I'm thinking about doing this but am worried it will have a negative effect on my application.

Would really appreciate any first hand advice!

I was wondering if there's anyone who has taken a gap year before starting the Foundation Programme right after medical school? Or whether you have heard of/know anyone who has.
I'm thinking about doing this but am worried it will have a negative effect on my application.

Would really appreciate any first hand advice!

The thing is I am thinking of taking a year out entirely. I would be doing a few conferences/workshops and maybe an article, but otherwise nothing related to medicine. I was in fact considering doing this after FY2, but have been reading up and asking around, and I don't think taking a year to do something unrelated will go down well just before BST. It seems it's already pretty competitive and unless that gap year is spend on placements abroad/research ext. I'm afraid it will make it even more difficult for me when it comes to applying for specialisation.

Thing is I don't know whether taking a break before FY will go down any better to be honest. Struggling to find people who would be able to guide me on this.

Really appreciate your feedback! Thanks

You can't start with a locum job. You won't have full registration until completing the F1 year.
How would you support yourself if unemployed for a year?

I dont know if this will really apply to you, but after my a levels, I took a Gap year. I have been working at a multinational bank, for about 9 months now.
(I’ve generally worked every holiday I have had from school, I included it to my personal statement.


I applied to University of St Andrews CIFP for Management, Economics and Finance. I got accepted. And during the interview. They were particularly interested in my work placement. If you ask me, inan addition to my ,somewhat ,high grade in business. My placements are what got me in.

Gap years don’t only help you (if your doing something “worthy” to your career) but they seriously mature you. You properly understand what is going to happen after university.

Many of the student population these days, always run after education to finish it as fast as they can. However they don’t notice that , when they are done with uni. It’s all about marketing yourself.

Graduate A- Business Degree with no experience

Graduate B- Business Degree with a years worth of experience in the finance sector.

🤷🏿*♂️


It’s all about what the employer can get from you. That’s it. Nothing else matters.

Let me hear your thoughts?

Several things to bear in mind:

1) You can only be provisionally registered for 1125 days. If you're applying for GMC registration during your final year, that clock will start ticking. If 365 of those days are spent not actually working and progressing and something unforseen happens further on down the line when you actually do start FY1, you might end up with much less time than you could have had.

2) It's my understanding that CV gaps aren't necessarily problematic (particularly earlier on in your career), but they do have to be accounted for in a way which makes sense and sounds appropriate to future interviewers and employers. Completing the foundation programme and taking an FY3 year is now pretty routine and the time out would occur at a natural break point. Delaying FY1 is a pretty unusual move and will lead to more questions than an FY3 year. Which brings me to...

3) If you're planning on taking time out (especially at an unusual point), I would ensure you have a very good reason for doing so, i.e. make sure it's for something which will enhance your career in a significant way. Aside from attending a few conferences (this is something everyone does anyway), what else are you planning to do with the rest of your time? I think this is even more important if you're planning on going into a competitive specialty.

4) There are practical considerations too e.g. where will you live, how will you earn money since you won't be able to locum, etc.

Yeah I'm aware of the time limit, and believe there is also a clinical assessment which you need to sit for if you've qualified more than two years before applying. But as long as I stick to that time frame and make sure I'm available to sit for all relevant exams, I don't mind 'falling behind' so to speak.

The unusual time to be taking a gap year is what I'm most concerned about, and the questions that will come with it. Like you said I will have to show that I used this time well. What I plan on doing which would be CV related is mostly voluntary work and a research placement if I get one.

In the meantime I would be doing odd jobs in exchange for some cash or accommodation as I move around. If I could find work related to medicine or health care all the better of course, but I would have no guarantee of this opportunity.

What kind of voluntary work?

And what do you mean by odd jobs?

Also, what's your motivation behind wishing to delay starting work as a doctor?