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Written question asked by Liz Jarvis (Liberal Democrat) on Thursday, 14 May 2026, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 18 May 2026. It was answered by Karin Smyth (Labour) on Monday, 1 June 2026 on behalf of the Department of Health and Social Care.

Medicine: British Students Abroad

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the Medical Training (Prioritisation) Act 2026 on the eligibility of British citizens studying medicine at UK-accredited overseas campuses for NHS Foundation Year 1 posts; whether he has made an assessment of the consistency of eligibility criteria applied to different UK-accredited international medical training pathways; and whether he plans to introduce transitional arrangements for students who enrolled before the implementation of the Act.

Answer

Under the Medical Training (Prioritisation) Act 2026, graduates of United Kingdom medical schools will be prioritised for foundation training places, but not if they spent the majority of the time training for that qualification outside the British Islands. The Government has no plans to introduce transitional arrangements for students studying at overseas campuses of UK medical schools.

Non-prioritised graduates can still apply for foundation training and will be offered places if vacancies remain after prioritised applicants have been allocated. If graduates of overseas campuses have not secured a foundation year one post this year, there are alternative routes to full General Medical Council registration, such as completing an approved internship in the country where they trained.

The Government will, as for all legislation, keep the act under review to ensure that it delivers its policy intent.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
1569
Session
2026-27
Subjects
Medicine British students abroad
Legislation
Medical Training (Prioritisation) Act 2026
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk