This policy was updated in May 2025 to reflect national study leave guidance. This new policy applies to study leave from 6 August 2025. For study leave policy until 5 August 2025, please click this link.
Advanced Life Support (ALS) Courses
Wessex Foundation School funds ALS courses at each employing hospital. Foundation doctors in Wessex must access ALS courses via their employer. If you are unable access a course at your hospital, you should speak to your local education team who will assist you. Please do not book an external course.
Taster days
To support career planning, foundation doctors can take up to 5 taster days across F1 and F2 which will be deducted from F2 study leave entitlement. Taster days are expected to be taken at the employing organisation but taster days at other Wessex employers may be considered if the specialty is not represented at the doctor’s own organisation.
F1 Study Leave
As detailed in the Terms and Conditions for NHS Doctors in training paragraph 36, study leave for F1 doctors will take the form of regular scheduled teaching/training sessions at the employing organisation.
F2 Study Leave
F2 study leave will comprise employer based or regional teaching/training sessions and leave to sit professional examinations aligned to future career intention. For many F2 doctors, no additional study leave will be required to meet the outcomes of the foundation curriculum. Applications for any additional study leave will only be considered if the activity is required to meet the outcomes of the curriculum.
Presenting at a scientific conference
Applications to attend one scientific conference in either F1 or F2 may be supported if a foundation doctor is presenting their own original work. Study leave to present at international conferences will only be approved in exceptional circumstances and only with the agreement of educational supervisor and foundation programme director. For further information see the section on international study leave here.
How to apply
Information on the application process and expense claims is here. You must discuss any study leave activities with your educational supervisor before applying. Study leave is only granted to those on track to receive a favourable ARCP outcome.
Additional study leave in enhance explore programmes or F2 public health fellowships
Foundation doctors appointed to enhance explore programmes or F2 public health fellowships may be granted additional study leave to attend education days organised as part of these programmes at the discretion of Wessex Foundation School.