UKFPO NCA Course to Help You Pass with Confidence

The UKFPO Clinical Assessment – commonly referred to as the National Clinical Assessment or NCA – is a mandatory OSCE-format exam required by the UK Foundation Programme Office (UKFPO). It is required for any doctor applying to the Foundation Programme who graduated from medical school more than 2 years before the Foundation Programme start date, regardless of whether they are a UK or international medical graduate (IMG).

For a full guide to the NCA and how to prepare, read our blog: What is the National Clinical Assessment and how to prepare?

Any doctor who graduated from medical school more than 2 years before the start date of the Foundation Programme they are applying for. This applies to both UK and international graduates. You still need to sit the assessment even if you have passed PLAB 1 and PLAB 2, since PLAB fulfils GMC registration requirements only and does not substitute for the UKFPO Clinical Assessment.

It is a 12-station OSCE lasting approximately 4 hours. Each station is 10 minutes, including 1 minute of preparation and reading time. Stations cover history taking, clinical examination, prescribing, procedural skills and communication scenarios – including ethics, consent, breaking bad news and handling challenging situations. The standard expected is that of a newly qualified UK medical graduate starting as an FY1 doctor.

For UKFP 2027 entry, the Clinical Assessment fee is £1,000. This is an increase from the previous fee of £850, reflecting rising delivery costs. The fee is non-refundable, even if your application is withdrawn or you fail to attend. Payment instructions are sent by email once you are confirmed as requiring the assessment, and the payment window opens 7 September 2026 and closes 17 September 2026. Missing this window means your application will be automatically withdrawn.

For UKFP 2027 entry, the Clinical Assessment takes place on 9–12 November 2026 at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust venues (Oxford Road and Wythenshawe). You are allocated a morning or afternoon session – no choice of date or rescheduling is permitted. Clinical Assessment outcomes are issued on 3 December 2026.

The key dates for UKFP 2027 entry are:

       – Eligibility application window: 2–22 July 2026
       – Eligibility outcomes released: 13 August 2026
       – Clinical Assessment payment window: 7–17 September 2026
       – Arora NCA+ Course: October 2026
       – Clinical Assessment exam dates: 9–12 November 2026
       – Clinical Assessment results: 3 December 2026
       – Foundation Programme start: August 2027

For a full timeline and deadlines, read our blog: UKFPO for IMG Doctors: Eligibility, Assessment and Deadlines

No. UKFPO allocates your examination date and session. Once allocated, no changes are permitted. Candidates should ensure they are available for the full assessment window of 9–12 November 2026.

Yes, and this is an important question for 2027 applicants to understand. The Medical Training (Prioritisation) Act 2026 became law in March 2026. It requires that Foundation Programme places are offered first to applicants with a UK or Irish primary medical qualification, and to certain other priority groups, before being allocated to other applicants. Non-prioritised applicants – including most IMGs – can still apply, but will only receive offers if places remain once the priority group has been served.

This makes passing the NCA first time more important than ever. Failing and reapplying a year later means entering a process where prioritisation also applies at shortlisting from 2027 onwards, which is a further tightening compared to 2026. Thorough preparation is not optional – it is the single most important thing you can do to protect your chances in this cycle.

For a fuller explanation of how this Act affects IMGs and the NCA pathway, read our blog: What is the National Clinical Assessment and how to prepare?

Yes. For UKFP 2027, two new requirements have been introduced that catch candidates out if they are not prepared in advance.

First, if your primary medical qualification was awarded by an institution on the GMC’s list of overseas qualifications they “may accept” or “do not accept”, and you are not already GMC-registered, you must obtain written confirmation from the GMC that your qualification is acceptable. This evidence must be dated no earlier than 3 months before the application window opens and must be uploaded with your eligibility application in Oriel. There is no opportunity to submit it afterwards.

Second, your medical degree certificate must clearly display your date of qualification. If it does not, you must use the UKFP 2027 confirmation form instead.

The UKFPO will not grant extensions or exceptions for either requirement. Contact the GMC as early as possible if you are affected.

For more detail on eligibility requirements and the full application process, read our blog: UKFPO for IMG Doctors: Eligibility, Assessment and Deadlines

A fail means your Foundation Programme application for that year is deemed ineligible and withdrawn. You cannot progress to the Foundation Programme until you pass. Appeals on academic judgement grounds are not permitted – only administrative or procedural appeals, submitted in writing to UKFPO. Given the increased competition created by the Medical Training (Prioritisation) Act 2026, reapplying a year later carries greater risk than before. First-time preparation matters.

A Clinical Assessment pass is valid for 2 years.

No. PLAB fulfils GMC registration criteria only. Even if you have passed PLAB 1 and PLAB 2, you must still sit the UKFPO Clinical Assessment if you graduated more than 2 years before the Foundation Programme start date. They assess different things and one does not replace the other.

The standard required is that of a newly qualified UK medical graduate at FY1 level. Preparation must go beyond reading – it needs to include timed OSCE practice across all station types, with structured feedback. Familiarise yourself with current UK resuscitation guidelines and NICE guidance, and practise UK-style consultation communication, not just clinical knowledge.

The Arora NCA+ Package is specifically designed around these requirements, combining digital learning with a hybrid live teaching course that includes in-person practical clinical elements at the Arora teaching centre in Solihull.

For a full guide to preparation, read our blog: What is the National Clinical Assessment and how to prepare?

Regular timed OSCE practice with structured feedback is the most effective method. Practise the full range of station types – history taking, examination, prescribing, ethics and communication – not just your strongest areas. The in-person days of the Arora NCA+ course focus specifically on the practical clinical elements, including examinations, SimMan procedures and prescribing practice, that cannot be adequately prepared through video or reading alone.

Both are clinical OSCE-format exams, but they serve different purposes and are run by different organisations. PLAB 2 is administered by the GMC and assesses whether an IMG has the clinical skills required for GMC registration. The NCA is administered by the UKFPO and assesses whether a doctor is ready to start Foundation Programme training as an FY1. They are independent assessments – passing one does not exempt you from the other, and the two exams have different station formats, different marking frameworks and different pass standards.

Yes. PLAB and the NCA run on separate timelines. However, you must have GMC registration in place before you can take up a Foundation Programme post. If you still need to pass PLAB at the time of your eligibility application, you should indicate this on your form. There are specific deadlines for passing PLAB 1 (by 5 November 2026) and PLAB 2 (by 1 May 2027) within the UKFP 2027 timeline.

If you have a disability or health condition requiring adjustments, contact UKFPO as early as possible at helpdesk@foundationprogramme.nhs.uk with supporting evidence. The reasonable adjustment request window for UKFP 2027 opens 7 September 2026 and closes 17 September 2026 at 12:00 midday BST. Late requests will not be considered under any circumstances.

The NCA+ Package is our most comprehensive UKFPO Clinical Assessment preparation option. It includes 5 live teaching days in a hybrid format: the first 2 days online via Zoom and the final 3 days in person at the Arora teaching centre in Solihull for practical clinical station elements. The package also includes recorded video courses, NCA case bank and multiple flashcards. All materials are accessible via the Arora app.

It is a hybrid model. The first 2 days are live online via Zoom. The final 3 days are in person at the Arora teaching centre in Solihull, covering the practical OSCE station elements – clinical examinations, procedures and skills stations that are best practised face to face.

Yes. If unable to travel, you can attend the in-person days online via livestream. You can then arrange in-person attendance at a later date for the hands-on practical components when you are in the UK.

Yes. All Arora NCA packages include access to the Arora app on iOS and Android.

No. Not all doctors wish to have mocks and hence we don’t include these in the package in order to keep prices as low as possible.

Mocks can be booked as an optional extra if wished.

Yes, you can book in-person or online NCA Mocks at any point after the course. Taking mocks earlier gives you more time to act on the feedback before your exam.

Yes. Each NCA package includes 6 hours of practice suite time, split across two sessions of 3 hours each. These sessions are bookable at no extra cost and are arranged based on your exam date.

The sessions are designed for focused, high-quality practice, with a maximum of 5 doctors per room, full access to mannequins, and a quiet environment. Most doctors find that 1 session is sufficient, but up to 2 sessions are available if needed.

If you have worked through the full NCA package and are unlucky on the day, Arora has a range of low-cost extension options. There is no need to re-purchase a full package.

Yes. At checkout, select the PayPal option and choose ‘Pay Later’ to spread the cost. Available in certain countries.

Arora Medical Education
Regus Building
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Central Boulevard
Solihull
B90 8AG, UK.