Study Leave Process and Application

Study Leave (Foundation Programme)

  • The Scotland Deanery Study Leave policy [PDF].
  • Study Leave in Foundation can only be used to satisfy your completion of the Foundation curriculum.

F1 Study Leave

  • Mandatory Foundation Teaching - F1 doctors do not have a formal study leave budget. However, time is allocated to attend the mandatory Foundation education programme delivered by local Health Boards (core learning). Which will include Immediate Life Support (ILS) or equivalent training is provided by local Health Boards. Attendance at this session should be arranged while working within the respective Board area, there is no study leave budget to attend, this is part of the locally delivered mandatory teaching programme of F1s.
  • Prescribing Safety Assessment (PSA) - F1 doctors who have not yet passed the PSA may apply for study leave and funding to sit the exam, which is mandatory for progression to F2. PSA is not required for progression from F2, but standalone F2 doctors are invited to sit the exam.
  • Taster Leave - F1s may apply for study leave (but not funding) to attend up to five Taster Leave days per training year, with a maximum of ten days across both years.

F1 and F2 Study Leave

  • IMGs and the WINS Programme - F1 and standalone F2 doctors who are International Medical Graduates (IMGs) may apply for study leave and funding to attend the WINS programme (Welcoming International Medical Graduate New to Scotland).

F2 Study Leave

  • Foundation Education Programme for F2s - mandatory education programme for F2s is delivered locally or centrally. Recordings of sessions are also available for viewing.
  • Prescribing Safety Assessment (PSA) - PSA is not required for progression from F2, but standalone F2 doctors are invited to sit the exam, therefore can apply for study leave and funding to attend the exam
  • Taster Leave - F2s may apply for study leave (but not funding) to attend up to five Taster Leave days per training year, with a maximum of ten days across both years.
  • ALS/eALS Courses for F2s - F2 doctors may apply for study leave and funding to attend ALS or eALS courses organised by NHS Health Boards. Attendance should ideally be within your local Health Board area. No private ALS course will be funded.
  • Simulation Sessions - F2 doctors may apply for study leave and funding to attend locally delivered simulation sessions, which form part of core learning.
  • Study Leave Allocation for F2s - F2 doctors have approximately eight days of study leave available, with funding subject to budget availability. Leave must be discussed and approved by the Foundation Programme Director (FPD). You may apply for time to attend postgraduate exams but not courses to enhance your specialty application. Study leave is non-transferable and can only be used for these purposes. Of the remainder, much is taken up with your formal mandatory foundation delivered education programme (core learning).
  •  You are permitted to attend interviews. This should be taken as service leave and you are contractually entitled to this however you must give adequate notice.

Tasters

  • Tasters are usually taken in your own training region unless the clinical specialty is not available locally. Further information is available. 
  • A Taster would usually be taken as 5 days for each specialty and/ or GP area.
  • Applications for Tasters must be requested via the Turas Study Leave app.

Study Leave Application Process

  • Firstly, you should request leave from the service and then submit a request on Turas for your FPD to approve.
  • This should be submitted at least six weeks in advance of the leave date. If you are uncertain as to whether your application is appropriate use of study leave please contact your FPD for advice in advance of the application.
  • If you are applying for a Taster, please make sure that you specify on Turas the specialty and location/ hospital in which the taster will be undertaken.
  • A process flowchart is available on the Scotland Deanery Study Leave pages also see the study leave FAQs for more information.
  • Application Process update from August 2024 - for F2 applying for eALS/ALS and Simulation [PDF] also see specific FAQs for Foundation doctors.

 

If you have any queries, please contact: study.leave@nes.scot.nhs.uk

This page was last updated on: 02.12.2025 at 16.44