Preferencing
Can I preference in both Scotland and England/Wales?
Yes, you are free to apply for a training programme in England, Scotland and Wales.
Please do take note the differences in application and preferencing processes.
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Is there is a smart way to preference to be more likely to get your top choices?
There is no special technique for preferencing, as your offer will be based on your performance at the assessments and how others have preferenced.
We advise you to select programmes where you are prepared to undertake training.
Please note that hospital and multi-sector places are competitive, so we recommend that you preference as widely as possible.
Think carefully about your lists, and do not include programmes as ‘back-ups’ unless you are happy to work there.
If you include a programme in your ‘preference’ and/or ‘no preference’ list(s), there is a chance you will be offered it.
What is the average number of preferences?
The average number varies every year and is based purely on the selection choices of candidates for that cohort. It does not represent an ‘ideal’ number, as the most ideal number of places to preference is the number that is right for you!
The best number for you is the number of training sites that you would be willing to travel to and work in. You can be as selective as you wish, but please remember to only select those training sites that you would be willing to train in.
There is no limit on the number of training programmes you can preference in England and Wales, however in Scotland the limit is 16.
The limit is because there are a smaller number of training programmes available in Scotland.
What is meant by speciality?
This is a filter within the Oriel platform and describes specialist hospitals. See page 32 of Foundation Trainee Pharmacist Recruitment Applicant Handbook (England and Wales). See page 29 of the Foundation Trainee Pharmacist Recruitment Applicant Handbook (Scotland)
I’ve heard that there is not a ‘no preference’ list for applications in Scotland, is that correct?
Yes. You should preference training programmes in your ‘preference’ list. This is the only list that will be used when matching applicants.
Can I place the same option in more than one list, i.e. once in the ‘preference’ list and in the ‘no preference’ list?
No, you cannot place the same programme in more than one list.
Can I change my preferences at any time, before I accept with upgrades?
In England and Wales, you can change your preferences as many times as you wish right up to the submission deadline on 31st October 2023.
In Scotland you cannot change your preferences after the deadline of submission of your preference list on 25th October 2023.
If an option is listed in your ‘not wanted’ list, could you still be offered it?
No, if you have placed a programme in the ‘not wanted’ list you have made clear that you do not want to undertake the programme, so will not be offered it.
If I don't get a programme in the preference section will I be guaranteed a ‘no preference’ programme? Is there a case where I would not receive a programme?
Yes, if the programmes listed in your ‘preference’ list have been offered to other candidates and are therefore unavailable, you will be offered a programme in your ‘no preference’ list.
In England and Wales, if all the programmes you have selected (i.e. in both the preference and no preference lists) are allocated to other candidates, you have the option of re-preferencing until such time as the national recruitment scheme (NRS) closes the process.
There is still the possibility that you may not be offered a place if all of your choices have been allocated to other candidates.
In Scotland, applicants will be matched to programmes in rank order from the SJT and numeracy assessment until all places are filled. It is a competitive process and there is no guarantee of obtaining a place.
If I have a special circumstance and need to work in certain geographic location, can I also choose community pharmacy only, as this my preferred option?
The special circumstances process does not allow you to specify in which sector of practice you would like to work, only the geographical location you must work in.
In order to maximise the chances of you obtaining a place in your chosen geographical location, you are encouraged to preference all those training places in that location.
You can still rank your preferences so that those places you would like to work in appear at the top of your ranking list.
In Scotland, you would need to preference training providers based in these geographical locations and discuss particular requests for locations with them directly.
How do you submit your preferences within the platform? Are they automatically submitted when the window closes?
Yes, there is no submit button for preferences. You can continue to save and amend them until the preference window closes.
How much time do I have to accept my offer before an upgrade is offered?
This will be specified in your offer email.
If you accidentally decline an offer, can you get in touch and explain it was an accident and will you then be offered a place or kept in the ORIEL system?
It would be difficult to accidentally decline an offer as it would involve having to check a couple of boxes. It's not just one click that could be hit by accident.
However, in Scotland if an offer was declined accidentally then we would advise the applicant to contact Pharmacy Recruitment.
For England and Wales contact the NRS team via the NHS England National Recruitment Scheme Enquires form
For Scotland contact the NRS team via the HR Trainee Services form
What about modular programmes in Scotland?
Further information about modular programmes can be found on the NES website. You can also find a list of training provider information statements in Scotland here
What is a training provider preference list? Do some training providers need to get onto their preference list to be considered for matching?
There is no training provider preference list for vacancies in England and Wales.
In Scotland, training providers have the option to submit a preference list of candidates they are willing to be matched with. Some community pharmacy providers have chosen to do this.
If a provider has submitted a preference list, matching takes into account both your preference list and the training provider’s preference list. It’s up to you to find out what the employers recruitment criteria are and whether they are submitting a preference list.
It is recommended that you contact training providers to improve your chances of being included on their preference list.
Further details of each individual training providers process can be found in the Training providers information site (TPIS) and also See page 24 of the Foundation Trainee Pharmacist Recruitment Applicant Handbook (Scotland).
There is no training provider preference list for vacancies in England and Wales.