Clinical Academic Training

PCPH Academic PCPPCAcademic SFP osSSFP posts provide selected SFP trainees (3 per year) with practical experience of research through apprenticeship to an established research team for a period of four months during their second Foundation year (FY2). Trainees receive individually tailored academic mentoring and supervision in order to develop knowledge and skills in areas such as epidemiology, qualitative research, intervention development and evaluation, implementation and translational research, clinical trials and methodological innovation.   

We offer experience in any one or more of our established and internationally recognised research units as follows:

•           Ageing 

•           eHealth Unit 

•           Mental Health 

•           Sexual Health and Infection 

•           Medical Education

See: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/epidemiology-health-care/research/pcph

PCPH also offers a regular programme of departmental academic meetings and access to a wider range of training courses including UCL short courses and access to NIHR SPCR training opportunities.  Practical experience of undergraduate teaching can also be available to SFP trainees subject to interest and experience.

Each year, subject to competitive funding application, we aim to offer one or two GP Academic Clinical Fellow (ACF) posts which provide specialist clinical training in general practice combined with training in academic primary care (research and teaching), usually over a four year period.

These posts form part of the NIHR Academic Clinical Fellowships Programme which is a national initiative offering entry-level (ST1) specialist training to doctors who have Foundation competences in medicine and can demonstrate that they have outstanding potential for development as a clinical academic. Programmes are usually for 4 years of which 75% is clinical and 25% academic overall. In some years there are opportunities for current GP trainees to apply for transfer into ACF programmes at ST2 or ST3.

GP ACFs at UCL are based for their academic training in the Research Department of Primary Care & Population Health where they receive individually tailored academic mentoring and supervision in order to develop knowledge, understanding and skills in research methods and medical education.

The academic programme includes:

1. Practical experience of research through apprenticeship to an established primary care research team with opportunities to conduct individual research with a view to developing an application for a doctoral training fellowship.

2. Practical experience of undergraduate teaching as part of the UCL MBBS programme with a view to accreditation by the Higher Education Academy (HEA).

UCL GP ACF posts are fully integrated into the NHS England (NHSE)  Royal Free GP Specialist Training Programme. Trainees rotate during years one and two through a sequence of 4 x 6 month clinical posts, two of which based in hospital and two in general practice. Academic training is weighted towards years three and four but ACFs develop links with the Department of Primary Care & Population Health during years one and two in order to promote the integration of their clinical and academic training.

During years three and four GP ACFs pursue an extended GP Registrar post in a North London training practice which is also actively engaged in research and/or undergraduate education. Over these two years Fellows develop their clinical competences as general practitioners while gaining in-depth exposure to academic primary care as they divide their time 60% clinical and 40% academic in year three; and 40% clinical, 60% academic in year four. Throughout the programme Fellows are linked to one of our established research groups where, under the supervision of their research supervisor, they gain experience and training with a view to journal publication and development of an application for a competitive, externally funded research fellowship. All ACFs are also actively engaged in teaching UCL medical students (in practice and on campus) on one of more of the Department's undergraduate teaching programmes.

Aims of the GP ACF programme at UCL

The UCL GP ACF Programme is an integral part of the Department's education and research training strategy for clinical and non-clinical academics, with strengths in several areas of community based and population health sciences. The programme has two primary aims:

• To recruit academically orientated trainees at the start of their specialist training in general practice and provide them with the clinical experience, teaching and research training to enable them to both gain specialist accreditation in general practice and be in a position to compete successfully for a national research training fellowship leading to a higher degree.
• To instil and support at the beginning of the trainees' careers the development of a reflective and curious attitude towards their clinical as well as their academic work and encourage a lifelong enquiring approach to their careers.

ACFs research activity will be linked to one of the Department's current research themes. All Fellows will be expected to take part in undergraduate GP teaching and to develop skills as medical educators as part of their academic development.

Clinical Training (hospital and GP based)

Clinical training in years one and two will take place at the Royal Free Hampstead NHS Trust and local training practices. Twelve months will be spent in hospital posts and twelve months in general practice.  In years three and four clinical training will be part time in an approved local training practice combined with academic training at University College London. Trainees will split their time 60% clinical and 40% academic in year 3; and 40% clinical, 60% academic in year four.

The Royal Free Hospital is one of London’s major teaching hospitals and also provides general hospital facilities to its local population. The main hospital site is in Hampstead, London NW3. The Royal Free has around 900 beds and provides one of the three main teaching campuses University College London Medical School. It is renowned in many areas of research, teaching and clinical care including liver, kidney and bone marrow transplantation, renal, AIDS/HIV, infectious diseases, plastic surgery, immunology and paediatric gastroenterology.  It is a leading cancer centre with a range of specialist diagnostic and treatment services in oncology and haematology and a major neuroscience base with a network extending throughout North London and the Home Counties. The training programme is closely linked to medical school’s academic Department of Primary Care and Population Health (PCPH) which has a well-established network of local undergraduate and postgraduate training and research general practices. 

Academic training for GP ACFs

The Research Department of Primary Care & Population Health (PCPH), within UCL's Institute of Epidemiology & Health Care, is one of the largest departments of its kind in Europe encompassing a vibrant programme of internationally competitive multi-disciplinary research as well as a large programme of undergraduate medical education and postgraduate academic training. Professors Greta Rait and Kate Walters are the joint Heads of the Department of PCPH. Professor Joe Rosenthal leads the Department's integrated Clinical Academic tTraining (iCAT) programme and the Royal Free's GP training programme. The Department is located on UCL's Royal Free Campus in Hampstead.

Academic activity in ACF years 1 and 2

Whilst there is limited time for research and teaching during years one and two ACFs do engage early on in specific activities from the broad range of work taking place in the Department. They meet regularly with their educational supervisor and a research mentor to guide their development and the integration of their clinical and academic training. This will form the basis of their more intensive research and teaching programme in years three and four.

Academic activity in ACF Years 3 and 4

Trainees in this programme are matched with a postgraduate training practice. During this time ACFs benefit from an in-depth exposure to academic life as they split their time 60% clinical and 40% academic in year 3; and 40% clinical, 60% academic in year 4. Each ACF is a full member of a research team and will be provided with desk space, UCL computer access, and access to statistical and research support.

ACF Application and Selection Process

Applications for these highly competitive posts are made by completing both an ACF application form in the national NIHR application window and a standard GP ST1 application in the national medical recruitment window. Applicants must demonstrate suitability for a clinical GP training programme via the usual assessment methods (computer based test and Selection Centre) in order to be considered for an academic programme. See: https://gprecruitment.hee.nhs.uk/Recruitment/Academic

Further Information

Further details about the Department of Primary Care and Population Health at UCL can be found at www.ucl.ac.uk/epidemiology-health-care/research/pcph

Further details about the Royal Free GP Training Programme can be found at:  https://london.hee.nhs.uk/gp/school-general-practice

Specific enquiries about the UCL ACF programme can be addressed to Professor Joe Rosenthal via j.rosenthal@ucl.ac.uk

NIHR Predoctoral Fellowships (formerly known as In Practice Fellowships) offer academic training to fully-qualified general practitioners, who have been successfully awarded IPF funding by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR). They will have demonstrated commitment to a career as a clinical academic in primary care research and/or education, and have outstanding potential for development as a future clinical academic leader. Training will be flexible and trainee-centred, with structured supervision to ensure the attainment of academic goals.

The NIHR IPF is a two-year award (or can be taken up part-time over 30 or 40 months), during which Fellows divide their time between their clinical position and the academic training funded through the award. Applicants must, therefore, have arrangements in place for a separate clinical post that will constitute 50% of their proposed Fellowship. The 50% academic component of the training period may include completion of a Master’s degree and the preparation of an application for a competitive, peer-reviewed Research Training Fellowship leading to the award of a higher degree such as an NIHR Doctoral Research Fellowship. 

Further information about NIHR In Practice Fellowships is available here.

Several types of PhD research fellowships are available to primary care clinicians, each designed to support different career goals and institutional settings. 

Examples of doctoral fellowships supported in previous years include MRC, ESRC, NIHR, Cancer Research UK, Diabetes UK, Wellcome Trust, Dunhill Trust,  British Heart Foundation.

Self-funding or part-time study alongside part-time work are also options, but it is important to ensure you have the plans and resources in place at the start of the PhD to enable you to commit and engage fully, for the entire duration of the programme.

For list of the funding opportunities available at UCL, please visit the UCL Scholarships and Funding website.

NIHR GP Clinical Lectureships provide opportunities for qualified GPs already holding PhD or equivalent to undertake postdoctoral research within one of the NIHR priority research themes.  Availability of these posts varies  year to year according to funding allocation by NIHR across institutions, specialities and themes.

UCL has in recent years been awarded GP CL posts  under the research themes of Health Needs of Older People, Clinical Education and Dementia

Furter information on NIHR Clinical Lectureship can be found here:  https://www.nihr.ac.uk/career-development/research-career-funding-programmes/postdoctoral/clinical-lectureship

Undergraduate GP education is a vital part of medical students’ training and has a powerful effect on their future career plans. Both the Royal College of General Practitioners and NHS England have highlighted the importance of enhancing teaching skills for postgraduate GP trainees in order to provide positive role models for students and to develop the next generation of GP medical educators. UCL Medical School is committed to supporting “near per teaching”  by GP trainees within our expanding programme of community-based teaching.

These innovative medical training posts provide opportunities for future general practitioners to developing experience and expertise in undergraduate medical education for three sessions per week for six months whilst the rest to their week is spent in clinical general practice. ITPs may undertake practice based and/or campus-based teaching/curriculum development.

The NHS General Practice Salaried Portfolio Innovation (SPIN) Scheme provides recently qualified GPs with the opportunity to apply for 1-2 sessions per week funded to develop special interests relevant to primary care

It is a two-year programme of support, available to all newly-qualified GPs, newly-qualified nurses and nurses who are new to general practice, working substantively in general practice, with an explicit focus on working within and across a primary care network (PCN). 

The programme offers support with PCN portfolio working and learning and development, supporting nurses and GPs to take up substantive roles, understand the context they are working in and become embedded in the PCN, as well as increase and maintain high levels of participation in the primary care workforce.

Participants receive funded mentorship and funded CPD opportunities of one session per week (pro rata), and rotational placements within or across PCNs to develop experience and support transition into the workforce.

For further information on the London Salaried Portfolio Innovation (SPIN) and Fellowships Scheme see: https://www.hee.nhs.uk/our-work/in-your-area/london/salaried-portfolio-innovation-spin-scheme-%E2%80%93-new-practice-fellowships

The NHS England London Workforce, Training & Education (WT&E) Innovate-MD Fellowship is a prestigious 12-month part-time programme designed to empower the next generation of clinical and healthcare leaders. Delivered alongside clinical work, this fellowship supports exceptional talent to drive innovation, enhance leadership capabilities, and address critical challenges within London’s health and care systems. Fellows engage in impactful projects aligned with NHS England - London’s strategic priorities, contributing to the delivery of sustainable, inclusive, and effective healthcare.

PCPH has hosted two successful Innovate MD fellowship application from GP trainees in 2025 and we are happy to consider supporting further applications to this pan-London programme.

For further information see:  https://nwltraininghub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/London-Fellowships-Programme-Guidance-2026.pdf