The City of Birmingham has a diverse and active cultural base ranging from socially deprived, multi-ethnic inner city wards to wealthy suburbs. The city centre is dynamic with a huge range of bars, restaurants and cultural centres, and excellent links to the whole of the UK and Europe.
There are six teaching hubs in two major acute Trusts:
In addition, the School offers placements in Paediatrics at Birmingham Children’s Hospital, Public Health at Warwick University and Sandwell Local Authority, Psychiatry at Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health Trust and GP placements throughout the City and Solihull.
Most placements involve trainees in teaching medical students from the University of Birmingham Medical School and Aston University.
The School has a well organised but demanding Foundation Programme that was one of the first established in the UK. A tight QA policy ensures training is to a high standard, with regular revision of teaching programmes and educational supervision practices.
In addition, all trainees are encouraged to participate in a Windmills career planning course, and ‘Taster’ weeks are available for F1 and F2 trainees.
Foundation Teaching is organised centrally at each Hub on a weekly basis. Additional departmental teaching is also made available, which Foundation trainees are expected to attend. Teaching methods range from traditional lectures to interactive small group sessions, in which trainees are again expected to play a full part.
Linked application at programme level
Not applicable at allocation to programme stage.
Support for study abroad
West Midlands Central Foundation School does not support or accredit doctors who wish to undertake their F2 year outside the UK.
Foundation School contacts
Head of School: Dr Julian Chilvers
Postgraduate Dean: Professor Andy Whallett
Deputy FSD: Mihaela Chirita
Aston University Prof Helen Cameron - Interim Head of Aston Medical School
Dean of Medical Education
Page updated: July 2025