NHSE Study Budget Guide for GP Trainees 2026

How the NHSE Study Budget Works

The NHSE centralised study leave funding model, introduced in April 2018, replaced the old system of fixed annual allowances per trainee. Under the current model, there is no nominal annual budget. If a course supports you in achieving the GP curriculum, it is eligible for funding, subject to approval by your educational supervisor (ES) and, for higher-cost items, your training programme director (TPD).

The budget is held centrally by NHSE, not by your practice or deanery. This means your training practice does not "run out" of study budget. However, the central pot is finite, and NHSE prioritises funding for regionally organised courses and essential curriculum requirements before discretionary individual requests.

The approval process varies slightly by region, but the general structure is:

• Courses under £600: require ES sign-off
• Courses over £600: require TPD sign-off
• Discretionary or aspirational courses: require TPD and Head of School approval, with a cap of £1,000 per course

Study leave days are separate from funding. You are entitled to up to 30 days of study leave per year (pro-rata for LTFT trainees). The day of your SCA exam is normally granted in addition to this entitlement.

What You Can Claim for SCA Preparation

NHSE funds one SCA/RCA preparation course per trainee across the entire training programme, up to a maximum of £600. This is claimed using code GP0001.

The key word is "course." NHSE does not distinguish between providers, so this covers a wide range of preparation resources:

• In-person SCA preparation courses (e.g., RCGP courses, Emedica, Mentor Medical Education)
• Online simulation platforms and subscriptions (e.g., MedTutor AI, SCA Revision, FourteenFish packages)
• Question bank resources

MedTutor's Foundation plan at £195 falls well within the £600 limit and may be eligible for study budget reimbursement as an SCA preparation resource. It includes 100 simulation credits, 40 GP trainer reviews, and access to all 100 SCA case scenarios.

If you have already used your SCA preparation claim on another resource, you can apply for additional funding through the discretionary study leave process. This requires TPD and Head of School approval, and is typically reserved for trainees who have had difficulty passing the exam and are receiving additional support through the Professional Support Unit (PSU).

What You Cannot Claim

Several common SCA-related expenses are not covered by the study budget:

The SCA exam fee (£1,207) is not claimable. This is a consistent rule across all deaneries. The exam fee is paid directly by the trainee. However, you can reclaim the tax (see section below).

Multiple preparation courses for the same exam. You get one funded SCA preparation resource and one funded AKT preparation resource across your entire programme. If you want to use multiple resources, the second one comes from your own pocket or via the discretionary route.

Audiobooks and podcasts are not usually eligible, though some deaneries may approve them on a case-by-case basis if supplied by a recognised provider.

Parking and congestion charges are not covered. Travel expenses are limited to public transport (standard class) or mileage at 28p per mile.

How Much Can You Claim?

Here's a practical summary of what's funded:

Note: the £600 limit per exam preparation resource is consistent across most deaneries, but individual regions may have slightly different processes. Always check with your local PGME team before committing to a purchase.

How to Submit a Claim

The process varies by region, but the general steps are consistent.

Step 1: Get approval before purchasing. Discuss the resource with your ES. For items over £600, involve your TPD. Do not purchase first and seek approval later, as retrospective claims are often rejected.

Step 2: Submit your study leave application. Most deaneries use INTREPID or a local equivalent. You'll need to select the correct course type and code (GP0001 for exam preparation). Some deaneries use a separate PDF claim form.

Step 3: Attend the course or use the resource. Keep receipts, confirmation emails, and any certificates of completion.

Step 4: Submit your expense claim. Upload receipts to the study leave system. Claims should be submitted within 2 months of attendance. NHSE processes claims monthly and payments are added to your payslip.

If you're unsure about the process in your region, contact your local PGME support team. The NHSE PGMDE Support Portal has detailed FAQs by region.

Tax Relief on Exam Fees

While the SCA exam fee is not claimable from the study budget, you can reclaim the tax through HMRC. The RCGP exam fee is an allowable expense for tax purposes because it is required for your professional qualification.

For a basic rate taxpayer (20%), the tax relief on £1,207 is approximately £241. For higher rate taxpayers (40%), it is approximately £483.

To claim, include the exam fee in your annual self-assessment tax return under "professional fees and subscriptions." If you don't normally file a self-assessment, you can claim by writing to HMRC or using the P87 form.

RCGP membership fees are also tax-deductible. If you're paying for both the exam and membership, include both on your return.

Making the Most of Your Budget

Your study budget is limited to one SCA preparation resource. Here's how to get the most from it.

Check regionally funded courses first. NHSE funds free regional SCA preparation days, SOX programmes (for trainees who have failed), and Red Whale update courses in many deaneries. These don't count against your individual £600 allowance. Check your deanery's course page before purchasing anything commercially.

Combine free and funded resources. The RCGP's Consultation Toolkit and SCA Preparation Webinars are free to all RCGP members. Use these as your foundation, then use your £600 claim on a practice-focused resource like MedTutor that gives you simulated consultations with feedback.

Time your purchase. If you're sitting the SCA in 3 months, buying a preparation resource now maximises its value. Buying it 12 months before your exam risks the subscription expiring before you're in peak preparation mode.

Ask your ES early. Some deaneries have long approval timelines, and the central budget can run low towards the end of the financial year (April to March). Get approval at the start of your ST3 year rather than scrambling weeks before the exam.

For specific advice on how to structure your SCA preparation timeline, see our How to Pass the MRCGP SCA guide.