Removing Educational Achievement Points From the Foundation Programme Application System: Is This the Right Decision? (Preprint)

Abstract

UNSTRUCTURED On 30th November 2020, United Kingdom’s Foundation Programme Office’s announced their decision to reform the points-based Foundation Programme Application System, by removing Educational Achievement point scores. The Foundation Programme Application System aids in the transition of graduating medical students into Foundation Programme rotations as newly qualified doctors. United Kingdom’s Foundation Programme Office revealed that their decisions were in accordance to that: a vast majority of applicants gain Educational Achievement point scores hence it is no longer a differentiating factor between candidates, as well as that Educational Achievement point scores favour students from more advantaged backgrounds. Whilst we recognise the validity of these points raised, we as current UK-based, medical students, share our concerns that removing Educational Achievement point scores will undoubtedly hinder the long-term progression of medicine as well as removing valuable transferrable skills gained through undertaking Educational Achievement point scores.