Expansion of Medical Specialty Training Posts from February 2027

Over 350 additional postgraduate training places are being made available to resident doctors on the reserve list for February starts (with some slightly earlier or later depending on local rotations). This goes beyond the 250 committed to as part of the June Deal.

In late June, trusts were asked to identify additional training posts and specialties needed locally for February 2027 starts. This was done at pace to release the committed 250 training posts as early as possible. The proposed posts were agreed through the Training Allocation Distribution Group, established as part of the BMA deal. We will use lessons from this first tranche to refine future rounds, recognising this first round does not meet every local or specialty need. The group will continue to review the distribution of posts and emerging lessons.

The figure reflects expressions of interest received from NHS trusts following a call in late July. The number may fluctuate at the margins and any posts that remain unfilled will be put in the October round.

The original commitment was profiled as 1,000 places this year (250 for February 2027 and 750 for August 2027), 1,750 in the second year and 1,750 in year three. These 350+ places sit within this year's allocation, with the remaining places (c.650 posts) being advertised in Round 1 for August 2027 starts.

This release relates specifically to the August recruitment window, which is the final stage of the 25/26 recruitment process and allows for February starts. The remaining places will go through the standard October 2026 recruitment round for August 2027 starts, once we've had time to properly match places to local service need.

Any places not taken up will be carried into the October 2026 recruitment round.

This expansion in training posts will further address training bottlenecks. Alongside the Prioritisation Act which has contributed to halving competition ratios for training places, meaning applicants have a better chance of securing a post. These 350 posts will be made available to the reserve list where possible, including the prioritised groups and non-prioritised groups.

The preference window for resident doctors on the reserve list will open Monday 10 August 2026. Offers will be issued from 17 August 2026.

These posts have been delivered at pace, and so in this instance recruitment will use existing reserve lists where these exist and are sufficient although there will be some new posts added Round 3 advertisements. The usual recruitment round for August 2027 will open on 22nd October 2026.