Oriel 2028/29 Timeline: When to Apply and How to Prepare

Starting foundation training in summer 2028? You'll apply through Oriel in summer 2027. When the window is likely to open, when you sit the SJT and numeracy test, how preferencing and offers work, and how to prepare.

By Umar Majid · 9 Nov 2026

To start your foundation training year in summer 2028, you'll apply through Oriel in summer 2027, which for most people is the end of third year of the MPharm. For the 2027/28 cohort, student applications ran from 15 June to 3 July 2026, so expect a similar window in 2027. The situational judgement test (SJT) and numeracy test follow in the autumn, and offers come out in November.

These dates are based on previous cycles. We'll update this page once NHS England confirms the 2027 dates.

What is Oriel?

Oriel is the national online system for recruiting foundation trainee pharmacists. In England and Wales it's run by the Pharmacy National Recruitment Office (PNRO). Scotland runs its own scheme through PSD Scotland, which also uses Oriel.

Every foundation training post in England and Wales is recruited through the National Recruitment Scheme. There's no separate route into a funded training post.

When does each stage happen?

When	What happens
January to early March 2027	Employers register their 2028/29 training places.
Spring 2027	Places are checked and published on Oriel and the national recruitment website.
June to early July 2027	Student application window. In 2026 it ran 15 June (12 noon) to 3 July (10am).
Late summer 2027	You book your SJT and numeracy test at a Pearson VUE test centre.
Autumn 2027	SJT and numeracy test. In 2024 the window ran from 19 September to 2 October.
October 2027	Preferencing: you rank the programmes you want. In 2024 the deadline was 29 October.
November 2027	Offers are made in rank order, with the option to upgrade.
After offers	Clearing, if places remain.
Summer 2028	Your foundation training year starts.

Always check the current applicant handbook on Oriel. Deadlines are strict, and late applications aren't accepted.

What do you sit, and how are you ranked?

You sit two tests on the same day at a Pearson VUE test centre:

Test	What it assesses	Time
Situational judgement test (SJT)	How you'd act in realistic pharmacy scenarios: patient safety, professionalism, teamwork, prioritising	104 minutes
Numeracy test	Practice-based calculations	20 minutes

If you're entitled to 25% extra time, you get proportionally longer.

According to the NHS England applicant handbook, your SJT score sets your national rank. The numeracy score isn't added to it. It's used as a tie-breaker and to flag students who may need extra support, so don't skip numeracy practice, because a weak score can still matter. Our page on how Oriel scores work goes into the detail.

The SJT doesn't test clinical knowledge. It tests judgement. Strong students most often underperform because they answer based on how a busy pharmacy actually runs, rather than what a safe, professional trainee should do.

How do offers work?

Offers go out in rank order. When your turn comes, you're offered your highest-ranked preference that still has a place.

If you're happy with it, accept. If you'd still prefer one of your higher-ranked choices, opt into upgrades, and you may be moved up if a place becomes free. Think carefully before declining, because declining usually means you won't get any further offers in that round. If places are left over, clearing may run, and you can preference again.

So your preferences matter as much as your score. Only rank programmes you'd genuinely accept.

Are there enough places?

Overall, yes. In 2024 there were 4,732 training places for 3,687 eligible applicants. The competition is for your preferred places, not for a place at all. In 2025/26, community pharmacy places filled at 58% and general practice places at 84%.

What your rank really decides is how many of your preferences are still open when your turn comes.

How should you prepare?

There's no need to panic. A simple plan works:

When	Focus
Now to March 2027	Get pharmacy experience if you can: part-time work, a summer placement or volunteering. It helps you answer SJT scenarios realistically.
April to May 2027	Read the applicant handbook. Research the sectors: community, hospital, GP and multi-sector.
June to July 2027	Apply on time. Then start SJT practice, little and often.
August to September 2027	Timed SJT and numeracy practice. Review why the best answer is best.
October 2027	Rank your preferences carefully. Visit or speak to training sites if you can.

For the SJT

Put patient safety first, every time.
Know when to act yourself and when to escalate to the pharmacist or supervisor.
Be honest about mistakes. Covering up is never the right answer.
Keep practising until you can explain why one good answer beats another.

For numeracy

Revise the core calculations: doses, concentrations, dilutions, infusion rates and quantities. Write units on every line. And practise against the clock, because 20 minutes goes quickly.

Common questions

When do Oriel applications open for 2028/29? It's not confirmed yet. In 2026 the student window ran from 15 June to 3 July, so expect June 2027.

What tests do I sit? A situational judgement test (104 minutes) and a numeracy test (20 minutes), both at a Pearson VUE test centre.

When are offers made? In previous cycles they've come out in November, in rank order.

Can I get a foundation training post outside Oriel? Not a funded one in England or Wales. All posts there go through the National Recruitment Scheme.

What if I don't get an offer? You may still get a place through upgrades or clearing. Our guide to Oriel offers and what to do next sets out your options.

Getting ready for Oriel

A strong Oriel ranking gives you more say over where you train, and that shapes your whole foundation year.

Our Oriel course takes you through the SJT and numeracy test with practice questions and clear explanations of why the best answer is the best one. Create your free Pre-Reg Shortcuts account to get started. You'll also unlock the first lesson of every chapter across our foundation year courses.

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