Public Health ST1 essential guidance

1. Where can I find the eligibility requirements?

Read the Public Health ST1 2027 person specification before applying. Eligibility criteria, including qualification grades, registration and experience requirements, are applied strictly. Ineligible applications are rejected at the eligibility-checking stage.

2. Which application route should I use?

• Doctor applying through the medical route
  • Route: Medical route
  • Key point: Must evidence the required postgraduate experience and foundation competences
• Applicant without a medical degree
  • Route: Non-medical route
  • Key point: Must hold a qualification meeting the published person specification, meet all non-medical work-experience requirements and train towards registration with the UK Public Health Register
• Doctor choosing the non-medical route
  • Route: Non-medical route
  • Key point: Must hold a qualification meeting the published person specification, meet all non-medical work experience requirements and train towards registration with the UK Public Health Register
• Dentist
  • Route: Non-medical route
  • Key point: Must hold a qualification meeting the published person specification, meet all non-medical work experience requirements and train towards registration with the UK Public Health Register. A dental qualification alone does not establish eligibility
• Academic Clinical Fellowship applicant
  • Route: Medical or non-medical route, as applicable
  • Key point: Must complete and pass the required stages of national Public Health ST1 recruitment, including where the applicant is an existing trainee. Non-medical applicants must already hold a Public Health training number before applying for an Academic Clinical Fellowship

The application route determines the eligibility requirements that apply. Applicants appointed through the non-medical route train towards registration with the UK Public Health Register.

3. How can I gain insight into public health before applying?

Doctors in training may be able to arrange taster experience through their foundation programme director. Other applicants may approach a local public health organisation or training programme.

Applicants may also seek information from NHS England (NHSE), Public Services Delivery Scotland (PSD Scotland), Health Education and Improvement Wales (HEIW), or the Northern Ireland Medical and Dental Training Agency (NIMDTA).

4. How competitive is Public Health recruitment?

Recruitment is competitive and the number of available posts varies each year. Public Health accepts applications through both medical and non-medical routes; there is no quota allocating posts between these groups. Historical information is available on the Public Health competition ratios page.

5. What evidence of foundation competence do I need?

• Applicants whose eligibility depends on completing a UK Foundation Programme must complete the full required period before starting specialty training
• Only contracted periods of leave may be taken during the required Foundation Programme period. Applicants must not resign from or otherwise end their Foundation post early, as doing so may mean they no longer meet the eligibility requirements to commence specialty training. Evidence that the full required period has been completed may be required at enrolment with the Faculty of Public Health
• Applicants relying on a Certificate of Readiness to Enter Specialty Training (CREST) must have a complete and certified certificate by the application submission date
• Where foundation competence must have been achieved within the three-and-a-half years preceding the advertised August 2027 start date, the relevant period begins in February 2024
• Applicants currently in an educationally approved UK specialty training post with a National Training Number (NTN) or Deanery Reference Number (DRN) are treated as having had foundation competences assessed on entry and must enter the number in the application form
• Applicants awarded a Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT) in another specialty and in current or recent consultant-equivalent practice may not need to submit a CREST, subject to the person specification; where recent practice is required, this means at least three months within the period since February 2024 and by the application closing date
• The new 2027 CREST form should be used. However, the 2024 CREST versions currently in circulation (updated in 2023 or 2024) will continue to be accepted. For any CREST submission, applicants must ensure that it has been signed off within an appropriate timeframe and that any post assessed as providing equivalence to foundation competence was undertaken within the three-and-a-half years immediately preceding the post for which the application is being made. This requirement is intended to ensure that evidence of competence is both current and relevant to the recruitment process

6. What if I have previously undertaken, left or am currently in specialty training?

• Applicants who previously resigned from, relinquished or were removed from a training programme must declare this and submit the required Support for Reapplication to a Specialty Training Programme form, approved by the relevant Training Programme Director or Head of School and Postgraduate Dean
• Applicants who currently hold a Public Health training number and want to move region should discuss an inter-deanery transfer (IDT) with their programme director. Further information on the IDT process can be found on the Medical Specialty Recruitment website. If an IDT vacancy is unavailable or the applicant is ineligible, they should apply through national recruitment and submit the Support for Reapplication of Specialty Training in a Different Region form
• The above forms are available for download via the Medical Specialty Recruitment website
• Applications through national recruitment are assessed competitively in the same way as other applications

7. What are the core non-medical-route eligibility requirements?

By the application closing date, applicants must have an eligible completed and certified qualification and at least 48 months' whole-time-equivalent work experience. At least 24 months must be at Agenda for Change Band 6 or equivalent in work relevant to population health practice. This must include at least 3 months' whole-time-equivalent experience at Band 6 or equivalent within the 3 and a half years preceding the intended August 2027 start date—that is, from February 2024—and by the application closing date.

Applicants working outside the NHS should compare their role’s duties, responsibilities, autonomy, knowledge and decision-making requirements with the published Agenda for Change Band 6 profile. The applicant is responsible for providing sufficient information in the application to demonstrate equivalence; job title or salary alone is not sufficient. Applicants may find the NHS Job Evaluation Handbook and national job profiles helpful when considering the level of their role. The Job Analysis Questionnaire may also provide useful background on the factors considered in job evaluation; however, these resources are for guidance only and do not constitute an assessment of eligibility or guarantee that a role will be considered equivalent to Agenda for Change Band 6.

• NHS Employers - Job evaluation handbook
• NHS Employers - National job profiles
• NHS Employers - Job analysis questionaire

8. How should I record and evidence my work experience?

Applicants should complete the work-experience sections carefully, as only the posts and periods listed in the relevant sections will be considered. See the model application in the appendix for an illustration of how the required information may be presented. It is provided as an example only; applicants remain responsible for ensuring that their own application accurately demonstrates that they meet the relevant requirements.

• List only the posts and periods you wish to claim in each relevant section of the application. Only the requested information recorded in that section will be considered.  Do not use these sections to provide additional information.  These sections are not a substitute for the 200-word question about the relevance of experience, which has now been removed.
• The same period cannot be counted twice. A sufficiently long post may be divided into separate periods for the general and relevant-experience requirements
• Declare all employment gaps, including statutory leave that cannot be counted as work experience
• Concurrent part-time roles may count, but total activity cannot exceed one whole-time equivalent, defined here as 40 hours per week
• Unpaid work counts only where there is a formal appointment and contract. Informal volunteering and applicant funded gap year placements do not count
• Applicants working outside the NHS should compare their role with Agenda for Change Band 6 descriptors. The applicant is responsible for demonstrating equivalence
• Academic work is not automatically relevant; applicants should ensure the duties and level of the role recorded in the application provide enough information for the experience to be assessed against the person specification and population-health practice

9. Do I need to provide a statement explaining how my experience is relevant to public health?

No. Applicants applying through the non-medical route are no longer required to provide a 200 word statement explaining how their experience is relevant. This applies to all non-medical applicants. Eligibility will be assessed from the employment information and other evidence requested in the application, so applicants should record their role(s),level and dates accurately and in sufficient detail.

10. Eligible qualifications

• BMBS, MBBS, or another equivalent medical qualification
  • Condition: Must be completed and certificated by the application submission date
• Honours BA or BSc, or an equivalent Level 6 UK qualification, with a 2:1 or higher classification
  • Condition: Must be completed and certificated by the application submission date
• Integrated master's degree, master's degree, PhD or equivalent Level 7 or higher UK qualification
  • Condition: Must be completed and certificated by the application submission date

Non-eligible qualifications

• Ordinary degree without honours
  • Condition: Not eligible, even where it is equivalent to a Level 6 UK qualification
• Honours degree below 2:1, without an eligible higher qualification
  • Condition: A higher qualification still in progress cannot be used

Overseas qualifications

For an overseas qualification, provide an appropriate official equivalence assessment where necessary. Use the cumulative grade point average (GPA) covering all years. If the scale is not a four or five point scale, or is provided as a percentage or grade, the result must be officially calculated by a suitable qualification comparison service. It is the applicant's responsibility to obtain the necessary evidence. This does not need to be uploaded with the application but may be required during pre-employment checks if an offer is accepted.

11. Can study and employment both count towards the work-experience requirement?

• Time spent studying does not count as work experience
• Employment undertaken while registered as a full-time student cannot be claimed
• Qualifying employment undertaken alongside part-time study may be claimed where appropriate
• For a part time higher degree, give the whole-time-equivalent study percentage and dates. For distance learning, state the proportion completed outside working time
• Combined study and employment activity must not exceed 40 hours per week

12. What should doctors and dentists know when applying through the non-medical route?

Doctors and dentists applying through the non-medical route must hold a qualification meeting the published person specification and meet all non-medical work experience requirements.

A dental qualification alone does not establish eligibility. Like all other non-medical applicants, they are not required to provide a 200 word statement explaining how their experience is relevant.

Medical or dental professional status, or foundation competence, does not by itself establish eligibility for this route. Applicants recruited through the non-medical route train towards registration with the UK Public Health Register and cannot change registration route during training or at completion.

Consultant employment terms may differ from medical consultant terms and conditions.

13. What should I check when completing the application form?

• Complete a new application in full; information from previous applications is not reused
• Give a complete employment history, including all gaps
• Declare any ongoing fitness-to-practise proceedings, investigations, restrictions or conditions, and provide the information requested in the application
• Read the person specification, the Public Health recruitment webpages, the wider Medical Specialty Training guidance and the information provided in the current Oriel application before starting
• Obtain and upload all required supporting evidence before submission
• Check names, dates, qualification details, grades, registrations and claimed experience carefully
• Publications and presentations are not requested because there is no scored application form shortlisting; all eligible applicants proceed to the assessment centre stage

14. Can I add missing evidence or amend my application after submission?

The submitted application is final. No application, supporting evidence, correction or clarification received after 4pm on Thursday 19 November 2026 will be accepted. Eligibility is assessed solely from the information submitted by the deadline. The recruitment team will not ask for missing evidence.

15. What should I know about right to work in the UK?

Applicants must be able to demonstrate that they have the right to work in the UK by the time they take up an appointment. Applicants who require immigration permission or visa sponsorship may apply, but any appointment will depend on meeting the applicable UK immigration requirements and on the appointing organisation being able and willing to provide sponsorship where this is required. Sponsorship cannot be guaranteed. All appointments remain subject to satisfactory right-to-work and other pre-employment checks.

16. Will my existing pay be protected?

Pay protection depends on individual terms and conditions. Applicants should seek advice from the Human Resources team for the relevant programme before accepting a post. Human Resources contact details can be found in individual programme descriptions or obtained from the Training Programme Director. Training Programme Director contact information is available on the Faculty of Public Health website.

17. Is less-than-full-time training available?

Less-than-full-time training may be available. Successful applicants should discuss eligibility, approval and local arrangements with the relevant programme or deanery.

18. Where can I get help with the application process or Oriel?

Send recruitment process and Oriel queries to the recruitment team through the support desk. The team can explain the process but cannot determine or advise on an individual's eligibility.

19. What does the assessment centre involve, and how should I prepare?

The computer based assessment comprises 3 timed papers: numerical reasoning, critical thinking and situational judgement. Applicants should use the official example questions and any other preparation material published for the 2027 recruitment round.

External preparation resources, including commercial books, courses, websites, videos or regional briefings, are optional and are not endorsed by the recruitment team.

20. How and when do I book an assessment centre?

• Eligible applicants will receive an email from Pearson with instructions on how to create an account and book an assessment-centre appointment. If you have not received this email when bookings open, check your junk or spam folder and then contact the recruitment team through the support desk
• Assessment-centre bookings are expected to open on Wednesday 16 December 2026
• The assessment centre will take place on Tuesday 5 January and Wednesday 6 January 2027
• Test centres are available across the UK and globally. Applicants requiring an overseas centre should declare this in the application
• If you cannot book after bookings have opened and your eligibility has been confirmed, contact Pearson first. If the issue is not resolved, contact the recruitment team through the support desk

21. What identification must I take to the assessment centre?

Bring current identification in the same name as the booking.

Accepted evidence includes a passport, photocard driving licence, or government issued national identity card where valid in the country of testing. Work photo cards and expired documents are not accepted.

If the name differs, or you do not hold suitable identification, contact the recruitment team through the support desk in advance.

Alternative arrangements cannot be made on the day. Applicants should review the Pearson exam check in process before attending.

22. How do I request reasonable adjustments?

Declare required adjustments in the application and upload supporting evidence by 4pm on Thursday 19 November 2026.

This includes adjustments related to a disability, health condition, pregnancy, breastfeeding or another evidenced adjustment need.

The recruitment team may contact applicants to discuss their requirements. New requests after the closing date will be considered only where circumstances have changed.

• Not every test centre can accommodate every adjustment. Pearson may allocate the nearest suitable centre
• Declare requirements for a larger font, additional time, comfort aids, medication, food or drink in advance
• Review the Pearson comfort-aid information. Items may be subject to visual inspection
• Breastfeeding arrangements must be agreed in advance. A short break may be possible, but babies and accompanying adults cannot wait inside the test centre. Applicants who leave the centre to breastfeed will need to complete the check-in process again on return

23. What are the assessment-centre paper timings and marking arrangements?

The assessment centre comprises three separately timed papers. The confirmed total appointment length and the time allowed for each paper will be published before booking opens. Each paper is marked separately.

24. What happens at the assessment centre on the day?

• Arrive in sufficient time to register and complete identity checks
• Applicants will be seated at a computer and given time to adjust the equipment and complete a short tutorial
• Each paper has its own time limit. Applicants cannot return to an earlier paper or carry unused time into another paper
• There is a scheduled 5 minute break between the second and third papers
• Applicants may leave the room to use the toilet or obtain water at other times, but the timer continues
• There may be other candidates completing different exams, such as driving theory tests, in the same centre
• When all papers are complete, applicants may leave and will receive the outcome later through Oriel

25. What should I do if there is a problem on the day?

Report any test-centre or technical issue immediately to centre staff so that it can be addressed and recorded. Contact the recruitment team through the support desk afterwards where further review is needed.

26. Is remote assessment available?

The assessment centre is ordinarily delivered in person at an approved test centre. Remote testing is not a standard option. If exceptional circumstances mean that an applicant cannot attend an approved centre, they should contact the recruitment team through the support desk as early as possible and provide any requested evidence.

Requests will be considered individually, subject to test provider capability, security requirements and the need to maintain a fair and consistent process. An alternative arrangement cannot be guaranteed.

27. What if I am late, cannot attend or cannot complete the assessment centre?

Applicants are responsible for attending the booked appointment on time with acceptable identification. Late arrival may result in admission being refused, and a replacement appointment cannot be guaranteed.

If illness, bereavement or another serious unforeseen event may prevent attendance or completion of the assessment centre, contact Pearson and the recruitment team through the support desk as soon as possible and provide any evidence requested.

For a problem that arises during a paper, follow the reporting process in 'What should I do if there is a problem on the day?'

Any request for review will be considered under the published recruitment policy and does not guarantee a further assessment opportunity.

28. How will I receive my assessment centre results?

Assessment-centre results will be communicated electronically through Oriel.

Applicants will receive their scores for each of the 3 assessment-centre papers; however, personalised feedback or commentary on their performance will not be provided.

Applicants must pass all 3 papers and rank highly enough to be invited to the selection centre. Passing all 3 papers does not guarantee progression, as invitations depend on the applicant's ranking and the number invited to the next stage.

29. What does the selection centre involve?

The 2027 selection centre is expected to be held virtually; the dates are to be confirmed.

The interview assesses essential criteria from the person specification. Selection materials are quality assured, and selectors are trained for their role and in equality and diversity.

Applicants should consider how examples from their own experience demonstrate the relevant elements of the person specification.

30. How is the virtual selection centre structured, and what equipment do I need?

The confirmed number of interview questions, time allowed for each question and overall appointment length will be published when the 2027 selection centre format is finalised.

The appointment includes identity and technical checks. Applicants will need a reliable internet connection, a compatible computer or laptop with a working camera, microphone and speakers or headphones, an approved browser, and a private, well lit room where they will not be interrupted.

A mobile phone or tablet should not be relied upon unless the joining instructions expressly permit it.

Applicants should complete any required system test in advance, have acceptable identification available and follow the joining instructions issued through Oriel.

If the connection fails or another technical problem occurs, follow the instructions provided, attempt to reconnect and notify the recruitment team promptly.

Alternative arrangements or a further interview cannot be guaranteed.

31. Are reasonable adjustments available for the selection centre?

Use the declaration and evidence process described in 'How do I request reasonable adjustments?'.

Where possible, reasonable adjustments will be made to meet applicants' needs at the selection centre.

The recruitment team may contact applicants who have declared an adjustment need to discuss the arrangements. Reasonable adjustments will be considered separately from any request for consideration under the Disability Confident Scheme. Disability Confident progression arrangements apply only where the applicant meets the essential eligibility criteria and passes all 3 assessment-centre papers.

If appointed, applicants should discuss any workplace adjustments with the relevant programme; all successful candidates remain subject to occupational health checks.

32. What if I cannot attend the selection centre or experience exceptional circumstances?

If illness, bereavement or another serious unforeseen event affects attendance, contact the recruitment team through the support desk as soon as possible and provide any evidence requested.

Applicants should not assume that another appointment will be available.

33. How will I receive my selection centre outcome, scores and feedback?

Selection-centre outcomes will be communicated electronically through Oriel.

Applicants will be sent their interview scoresheets within 7 working days of the initial offers deadline. The scoresheets will include their selection centre scores and any written feedback provided by the interview assessors.

34. How can I raise a concern, complaint or request a review?

Raise concerns about administration, accessibility, test centre or selection centre arrangements, technical issues, the conduct of a selection process or an alleged procedural irregularity through the support desk as soon as possible and within any deadline stated in the recruitment policy.

Include the relevant dates, a factual description of what happened and any supporting evidence.

The recruitment team may review whether the published process was followed, but it cannot substitute a different academic or professional judgement simply because an applicant disagrees with a score or outcome.

Assessment centre scores cannot be appealed, and disagreement with an assessor's professional judgement or a selection centre score is not, by itself, grounds for a review or appeal.

Any review will be limited to the grounds and remedies permitted by the published recruitment policy.

35. How and when will I be asked to preference programmes and posts?

Applicants should submit one national application and indicate their first-choice region in the initial application.

Applicants invited to attend the selection centre will later be asked to rank all available posts before offers are made. They will receive a notification through Oriel and by email when preferencing opens, together with the deadline for submitting or amending their preferences.

Preferences cannot normally be changed after the window closes.

Geographically zoned programmes should be treated as separate preferences. Applicants should preference only posts they would be willing to accept and locations to which they would be willing to move. Before submitting preferences, applicants should review the programme and post information, including relocation and local travel expectations.

36. How are applicants ranked and allocated to programmes?

Applicants attending the selection centre are ranked by selection centre score. Offers are made in rank order against programme preferences until available posts are filled. An applicant may be considered appointable because they have met the required selection standard, but this does not guarantee an offer.

An offer can be made only if the applicant's ranking is reached and a post they have preferenced remains available. An applicant may therefore receive no offer if all of their selected programmes have already been allocated.

37. How and when will I receive an offer?

Correspondence and offers are managed electronically through Oriel. Initial 2027 Public Health offers will be released by Tuesday 6 April 2027.

Applicants should monitor Oriel and their registered email address.

38. Where can I find information about offers, feedback and upgrades?

For current national information about accepting, declining or holding an offer, response deadlines, upgrades, the effect of offer actions on other applications, and feedback, see the Offers, feedback and upgrades guidance.

Applicants should read this guidance before responding to an offer and follow the options and deadlines shown in Oriel.

39. Can I defer an accepted offer?

Deferral is permitted only for statutory reasons, such as maternity, paternity or adoption leave, or personal ill health.

Applicants should not accept an offer on the assumption that a deferral will be approved and should follow the published process for requesting one.

40. Can I apply to both Public Health and General Practice, or to the dual programme?

Medical applicants may apply separately to Public Health and General Practice and choose between offers. The Public Health and General Practice dual programme has a separate application; applying only to the dual programme does not create eligibility for a standalone offer.

41. Can I receive an offer after the initial offers are released?

Yes. Further rounds of offers may take place where posts remain available or become available because another applicant declines an offer, accepts an upgrade or withdraws.

Applicants who do not receive an initial offer may remain eligible for a later offer if they are still active in the recruitment process, are sufficiently ranked and have preferenced an available post.

Applicants should continue to monitor Oriel and their registered email address.

42. What happens after I accept an offer?

• All offers are made at ST1. After starting the programme, applicants with a relevant master's degree may ask the programme to consider recognition of prior learning. This is decided locally, requires programme approval and is not guaranteed. It does not mean that the applicant has been recruited at ST2
• Discuss less-than-full-time training, pay, local travel and any workplace adjustments with the appointing programme

43. When are references required?

References are normally requested after an offer has been accepted or when instructed by the appointing organisation.

Applicants should provide accurate referee details and ensure that referees can verify the relevant employment, conduct and experience.

A reference is not a substitute for information or evidence that was required in the application by the closing date.

Failure to provide satisfactory references may delay appointment or result in the offer being withdrawn, subject to the applicable recruitment and employment policies.

44. What checks take place after an offer, and could an offer be withdrawn?

All offers are conditional and remain subject to satisfactory pre-employment checks by the appointing organisation.

These may include checks relating to identity, right to work, qualifications, professional registration, employment history, references, occupational health, criminal records and fitness to practise, as applicable.

Information and evidence provided in the application may be verified with employers, referees, regulators, awarding bodies or other relevant organisations.

Applicants must respond promptly to requests from the appointing organisation and disclose any change that could affect their eligibility or appointment.

An offer may be withdrawn if a required check is not completed satisfactorily, information provided by the applicant is materially inaccurate or misleading, or an eligibility requirement is not met.

An offer may also be withdrawn if the applicant is unable to take up the post as required, subject to the applicable recruitment and employment policies.

45. Can I start later than August 2027?

Applicants should be available to start the programme on the nationally advertised start date in August 2027.

Any request for a different start date must be discussed with the appointing programme and is subject to the applicable terms and conditions, service requirements and approval processes. For deferral of an accepted offer, refer to 'Can I defer an accepted offer?'.

Applicants should not accept an offer on the assumption that a later start date will be approved.

This illustrative example shows 1 way an applicant could present the work experience they wish to claim through the non-medical route.

It does not reproduce the Oriel application form and does not guarantee eligibility.

Applicants must complete the current application form accurately and provide enough detail for their experience to be assessed against the published person specification.

Whole-time-equivalent (WTE) is used throughout the appendix.

Primary qualification

• Primary qualification
  • Illustrative entry: BSc Nursing
• Degree classification
  • Illustrative entry: 2:2
• Date of certification
  • Illustrative entry: June 2011
• University or college
  • Illustrative entry: Healthcare University, Anytown
• Higher degree held
  • Illustrative entry: Yes

Higher degree

• Name of higher degree
  • Illustrative entry: Master of Public Health (MPH)
• Awarding body
  • Illustrative entry: Anytown University
• Start and end dates
  • Illustrative entry: September 2012 to May 2014
• Date of certification
  • Illustrative entry: June 2014
• Full-time or part-time
  • Illustrative entry: Full-time
• Distance learning
  • Illustrative entry: No

Employment history

List each post separately, including the employer, post title, dates, whether the role was less than full time, whether the employer was an NHS organisation, the grade or equivalent level, whether it is the current post, and the duration on a whole-time-equivalent basis.

• Employer and post: Anytown Hospital — Nurse, adult surgical ward
  • Dates: 1 July 2011 to 31 August 2012
  • Working pattern: 1.0 WTE; NHS employer; not current
  • Grade or equivalent: Band 5
  • Duration: 14.0 months WTE
• Employer and post: University of Anytown — Research Assistant
  • Dates: 1 July 2014 to 31 May 2017
  • Working pattern: 0.8 WTE; non-NHS employer; not current
  • Grade or equivalent: NHS Band 5 equivalent
  • Duration: 28.0 months WTE
• Employer and post: University of Anytown — Research Assistant
  • Dates: 1 June 2018 to 31 August 2018
  • Working pattern: 0.8 WTE; non-NHS employer; not current
  • Grade or equivalent: NHS Band 5 equivalent
  • Duration: 2.4 months WTE
• Employer and post: University of Anytown — Senior Research Assistant
  • Dates: 1 September 2018 to 31 October 2020
  • Working pattern: 0.8 WTE; non-NHS employer; not current
  • Grade or equivalent: NHS Band 6 equivalent
  • Duration: 20.8 months WTE
• Employer and post: University of Anytown — Senior Research Assistant
  • Dates: 1 November 2021 to 31 August 2022
  • Working pattern: 0.8 WTE; non-NHS employer; not current
  • Grade or equivalent: NHS Band 6 equivalent
  • Duration: 8.0 months WTE
• Employer and post: Anytown Council — Public Health Programme Manager
  • Dates: 1 September 2022 to 19 November 2026
  • Working pattern: 0.8 WTE; non-NHS employer; current
  • Grade or equivalent: Grade 9, equivalent to NHS Band 7
  • Duration: Approximately 40.5 months WTE

Employment gaps

• Period: 1 September 2012 to 30 June 2014
  • Reason: Full-time MPH study from September 2012 to May 2014; seeking employment during June 2014
• Period: 1 June 2017 to 31 May 2018
  • Reason: Parental leave
• Period: 1 November 2020 to 31 October 2021
  • Reason: Parental leave

Eligibility confirmations

• Question: Will you have completed at least 48 months' work, on a whole-time-equivalent basis, by the application closing date?
  • Illustrative response: Yes
• Question: Will you have completed at least 24 months' employment, on a whole-time-equivalent basis, at Agenda for Change Band 6 or equivalent in an area relevant to population health practice by the application closing date?
  • Illustrative response: Yes

Posts claimed towards the experience requirements

General work experience

• Band 5 Nurse, July 2011 to August 2012—14 months WTE
• Research Assistant, NHS Band 5 equivalent, July 2014 to August 2018—30.4 months WTE, excluding the recorded employment gap

General work experience total: 44.4 months WTE.

Band 6 or above experience relevant to population health practice

• Senior Research Assistant, NHS Band 6 equivalent, September 2018 to August 2022 at 0.8 WTE—28.8 months WTE, excluding the recorded employment gap
• Public Health Programme Manager, Grade 9 equivalent to NHS Band 7, 1 September 2022 to 19 November 2026 at 0.8 WTE—approximately 40.5 months WTE

Relevant Band 6-or-above total: approximately 69.3 months WTE.

Overall total: approximately 113.7 months WTE.

WTE durations are shown to one decimal place.  Totals are calculated using the underlying dates and may differ slightly because of rounding.

Alternative example: dividing 1 post between the 2 experience requirements

The worked example above shows how an applicant may claim different posts towards the general and relevant work-experience requirements.

The following alternative scenario shows how a single sufficiently long post may be divided into two separate, non-overlapping periods.

The applicant has worked continuously in one full time post at Band 6 or equivalent that is relevant to population health practice. They choose to claim one non-overlapping period as general work experience and a later 24 month period as Band 6 or equivalent experience relevant to population health practice.

The relevant period ends on the application closing date and includes at least 3 months between February 2024 and that date.

• Application section: General work experience
  • Post and employer: Project Officer, Example Organisation
  • Period claimed: 20 November 2022 to 19 November 2024
  • Hours / WTE: 40 hours per week / 1.0 WTE
  • Information to include: List this post and the period being claimed towards general work experience requirement
• Application section: Band 6 or equivalent experience relevant to population health practice
  • Post and employer: Project Officer, Example Organisation
  • Period claimed: 20 November 2024 to 19 November 2026
  • Hours / WTE: 40 hours per week / 1.0 WTE
  • Information to include: List this post and the period being claimed towards the Band 6 or equivalent experience relevant to population health practice requirement. Ensure that the period does not overlap with the period claimed as general work experience

Alternative-example totals

24 months WTE claimed as general work experience and 24 months WTE claimed as relevant Band 6 or equivalent experience, giving an overall total of 48 months WTE. The periods are consecutive, do not overlap and end on the application closing date.

Further examples

• Part-time work: enter the actual hours worked and calculate the period on a whole-time-equivalent basis. Where more than 1 role was held at the same time, combined activity must not exceed one whole-time equivalent, defined in these FAQs as 40 hours per week
• Employment gap or statutory leave: record the dates and reason in the employment history section. Do not include time that cannot be counted as work experience within a claimed period
• Multiple posts: list each post separately and identify the precise dates being claimed under each requirement

Checks before submission

• The total experience claimed is at least 48 months on a whole-time-equivalent basis
• At least 24 months are at Agenda for Change Band 6 or equivalent and relevant to population health practice
• The relevant experience includes at least 3 months between February 2024 and the application closing date
• No employment period is counted in both experience categories
• All dates, gaps, hours, duties and responsibilities are recorded accurately
• Only posts and periods intended to be assessed are listed in the relevant application sections