Most Foundation Schools will not give permission for F1 to be completed overseas (for example, North Central Thames Foundation School – NCTFS - only permits non-UK/EEA citizens to apply for this in their home countries and they need to accept that they will apply in open competition for any vacant F2 posts, if they decide to return to the UK to complete F2). It is likely that you will need to gain permission from both your Medical School and Foundation School

As always, you need to plan very early and allow at least 8 months planning time ahead of your start of F1 year.

Traditionally, UK medical graduates would often consider working abroad after they had received full GMC registration (one year post-graduation) and before developing their career in the UK.  The new two year foundation programme has meant that a year working abroad has to be either delayed until after the end of F2, or consideration given to undertaking an approved F2 post abroad.

There may be a specific application process to go through if you wish to take a break between F1 and F2 years. Some Foundation Schools place a limit the number of trainees who can take time out in any year. There is usually no guarantee on which F2 posts you will be placed in on your return to the programme (your previously agreed F2 post will probably have been allocated to someone in the following year cohort).

Whilst it is possible, in theory, to complete an F2 post abroad, any post would have to be PROSPECTIVELY approved as providing the right environment in which to achieve all required F2 competencies. This will require careful planning, in depth discussion with the Foundation School Director and the prospective approval of the post.

There are various other requirements which need to be agreed and arranged prospectively and again this may involve long and complex negotiations with the receiving employer.  Foundation Schools typically require that applicants must find a suitable one year programme in an English-speaking hospital that meets a range of criteria, and that the F2 doctor must obtain evidence that F2 competencies have been achieved. 

You should also be aware that some countries do not start their yearly training programmes within the same time-frame as the UK (in the UK the foundation programmes start in August), so this is another consideration that you would need to check out.

If you are abroad during your F2 year, you will need to plan in advance how you are going to manage your return to the UK and applications for speciality training and employment on your return. Find out before you go how to keep up to date with future employment opportunities.

You may wish to discuss your career options and plans with your Foundation Programme Director or local education and training board careers service.

We have a case-study of trainee who spent her F2 in Australia.