Frequently Asked Questions - General

You’ll need at least a 2:2 degree or equivalent in any subject.

When you start your application you will be asked which specialism you want to apply for. As you will not be able to change specialism once you have applied it is crucial that you think carefully about your choice of specialism before you apply. Your chosen specialism will obviously dictate the professional qualification you undertake with us and the type of placement you have with us on the Scheme. However we expect you to be a leader first and specialist in your particular field second. We expect our graduates to work across silos and professional fields.

At the end of the Scheme many trainees decide to branch out into different specialisms from which they studied. The Scheme equips you to be a leader not limiting you to one particular specialism. Find out more about career paths of previous trainees here.

Learn more about the individual specialisms here. Read about the full range of careers within the NHS at NHS careers.

To find out if you have the right attributes and skills to be a success on our Scheme please use our match me tool.

All sorts of people can get a place on the Scheme. What they have in common are key competences, including resilience, values and strengths which fit with the values and needs of the NHS. Above all else our successful applicants understand the values of the NHS, have a desire to provide excellent healthcare to our patients and have aspirations to lead healthcare teams and organisations. Please use our match me tool at to find out if you are right for our Scheme.

No, the Scheme is designed to develop your leadership skills. However If you have substantial management experience, then you may find that the Scheme is not suitable for you. Please visit NHS Careers website for further opportunities.

Yes. We are keen to attract clinical and/or NHS employees on to the Scheme.

It isn’t essential. However during the assessment exercises prior knowledge of the NHS may be useful.

There is no age limit to the Scheme.

Starting salaries will be around £22,222 (excluding location allowance where applicable). For current NHS staff there is the opportunity of capped salary protection (conditions apply). Further information available on request.

Hugely. We receive many more applications than there are places. Therefore you have to be fully committed to joining the NHS and our Scheme, to persevere with a highly competitive and demanding process. Please use our match me tool to find out if you are right for our Scheme.

You can find a map showing how we divide England into regions here. When you apply you can choose which region you wish to be based in. We will try to place you in your first choice. However, this may not always be possible and we may need to offer you a role outside your preferred locations. Please note that in choosing an area, you are agreeing to work anywhere in that region.

There are separate graduate training Schemes for the NHS in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. To find out more, please go to the relevant websites.

You’ll be supported by your programme and placement managers, mentor, education tutors, fellow trainees, a leadership development manager and our large alumni network.

Yes. You’ll be supported in achieving your professional and post-graduate qualifications appropriate to your chosen specialism.

If you are already CIMA/CIPFA/ACCA qualified you will not be eligible to join the Finance specialism. The educational component has been designed specifically for the NHS, so you will still need to take part fully. You can however apply to join another specialism if you wish.

If you are studying or already have completed a post graduate qualification in health informatics you will not be eligible to join the Health Informatics specialism. The educational component has been designed specifically for the NHS, so you will still need to take part fully. You can however apply to join another specialism if you wish.

If you are a Graduate CIPD you will not be eligible to join the HR specialism. The educational component has been designed specifically for the NHS, so you will still need to take part fully. You can however apply to join another specialism if you wish.

During the Scheme you'll be employed on a fixed-term contract. At the end of the Scheme we work hard with you to help you secure your first management post in the NHS.

There’s a wide range of posts to choose from across NHS organisations. Your experiences on the Scheme will help you decide what type of job you may wish take up upon leaving the Scheme.

The average salary on leaving the Scheme is currently between £27,000 and £37,000. You can expect possible future earnings of up to £90,000 as a Director or £100,000 plus as a Chief Executive.

Please check the apply section of our website. We will open for applications in mid-November and will close 9th December.

Yes. This is part of the first stage of online assessment.

If you are invited to the next stage, you will receive your invitation via email and or text. You can also log on and check your progress via this website.

We will also be posting regular updates about the Scheme on both our Facebook fan page and our Twitter page.

The Scheme will last up to 2 years for people on the General Management, HR and Health Informatics specialisms. However for people on the Finance specialism it will take up to 30 months due to their qualifications.

We strongly recommend that candidates complete the online match me tool to assess their suitability before they apply. You should also carefully consider which specialism you want to apply for as you will need to choose this at the beginning of the application form and will not be able to change this.

Yes you can