The most common framework for Foundation Year 2 are 4 x 3 month specialty placements one of which, where practicable will be in General Practice (This varies between Foundation Schools and you are urged to check with the Foundation Schools you are applying to). If you feel there are other specialty areas you would like to experience it is possible in most cases to organise a “taster” which last for a week. This is an ideal opportunity to “try before you buy” and will help you come to a well informed decision about which specialty jobs you would like to go for after completing the Foundation Programme. There is detailed information about Specialties on this site. Selection and recruitment into Specialty Training typically starts around the November or December of FY2.

You should be aware that there is no guarantee of which specialties you will get in Foundation Year 2 as the programme is generic. There are only so many placements available so not everyone is going to get their preferred choices, however Foundation Schools will do their best to place you in your preferred specialty.

Do not despair if you do not get the opportunity to experience a specialty of your choice on the Foundation Programme as this will not affect your career route on completion. Remember, you can always try to arrange some taster sessions during your Foundation Year 2.

It is also worth considering specialties that you maybe less familiar with as these will have less competition. There could be a specialty out there that you have previously discounted or not even thought about as a future career option. It is important to research all your choices so you go into any placement with “your eyes wide open”

Shortage areas currently are:

• audiological medicine
• chemical pathology/metabolic medicine
• clinical genetics
• genito-urinary medicine
• intensive care medicine/critical care medicine
• medical microbiology
• nuclear medicine
• psychiatry
• public health medicine
• virology
• allergy
• histopathology
• immunology
• radiology

(Source: Rough Guide to the Foundation Programme; 2nd Edition, July 2007)

Information on these and other specialties can be found on this site on the Specialty Pages.

The assessments that you are undertake in Foundation Year 2 are by the same method as those used in FY1.

On successful completion of your Foundation Year 2 you will be eligible to receive the Foundation Achievement of Competence Document (FACD) and you will move into Specialty Training after successfully applying for the training route of your choice

We have advice for F2 trainees about applying to GP and specialty training programmes:

See our pages on:

• Application to specialty
• Interviews and Specialty Selection Centres