The Academic Foundation Programme (AFP) is a scheme that runs alongside the normal Foundation Programme (FP) for UK doctors.  It was designed with the aim to provide protected time to foundation trainees to pursue interests in research (e.g. through lab based or clinical projects), medical education or public health.

PhDs in America are highly sought after, and for good reason. World-leading academics, a large scale research framework, impressively funded departments, all located in a globally prestigious university system: little wonder more and more people are applying for PhDs at Ivy League institutions.

In 2013, during my Masters’ year at Cambridge University, I applied to five graduate schools in the US for entry to Chemistry PhD programmes. I was successful in gaining a place at Harvard.

The GRE is a source of mystery and fear to many students contemplating applying for graduate school in the US. Virtually all universities and courses still require the GRE General Test, with some programmes also requiring Subject Tests, especially for courses in the maths and sciences.

Deciding to retrain was a big decision for me. I felt far too old to be a ‘Fresher’ again and the idea of blowing my savings and taking out student loans was unappealing, to say the least.

There are many ways to enter the realms of Postgraduate study. The fortunate few will fall into projects through successful final year placements whilst others will compete for one of a handful of funded spots on structured programmes across the UK.