NHSE Education NE
Extended Learning Opportunities - 2025
The Extended Learning Opportunites application process for 2025 has now closed. Subject to funding we will open the 2026 Extended Learning Opportunites in Spring 2026.
We are delighted to offer a range of extended learning opportunities funded by NHSE Education North East. These programmes offer a variety of learning styles and durations and have been carefully selected to provide a diverse choice. In addition, we continue to offer a wide range of standalone leadership workshops which can be found on FAST as well as a range of links and resources, to develop your individual leadership skills. Please note that while you can apply for multiple extended opportunity programmes you can only enrol in one at a time.
Extended Opportunities
Previously, NHS England North East commissioned Newcastle and Sunderland Universities to deliver Postgraduate Medical Education opportunities for residents. As you may be aware, given national announcements relating to NHS England, the deanery continues to operate in challenging circumstances due to prolonged organisational change. This includes uncertainty with regards to our financial position and future budgets. Given these difficulties, we are not in a position to re-procure contracts at this time. We will be utilising this break to evaluate and reflect on the feedback from our residents who have undertaken the courses in the past and how we can potentially re-engage with an offer in the future when we hope to be in a more stable position.
We are pleased to announce we do still have some leadership and flexible portfolio opportunities in Clinical Informatics and Sustainable Healthcare accepting applications from Spring 2026.
FAQs for the Extended Learning Opportunities.
FAQs for the Flexible Portfolio Training route.
Programme 1 – Healthcare Leadership Academy Scholar’s Programme
The Healthcare Leadership Academy (HLA) Scholars Programme is a 12-month leadership development experience that combines advanced theoretical learning with practical application. Over the course of the year, Scholars design and deliver a substantive project that demonstrates their leadership skills, enabling them to apply their learning in practice and create meaningful impact within their professional context.
The programme offers further development of leadership theory, leading to a qualification for those wishing to explore innovative strategic options. Through this international programme, HLA Scholars benefit from learning alongside healthcare professionals across the globe. Successful completion leads to a postgraduate-level leadership qualification and eligibility to become a Member of the HLA (MHLA letters after your name).
Our Scholarship Programme is offered both in person and virtually, ensuring that regardless of your location, you receive the same curriculum and opportunities. It is designed to fit around busy schedules, allowing healthcare professionals to continue working while participating in the programme. Residents can find more information about the programme on The Healthcare Leadership Academy (HLA) Scholars Programme Application portal.
Programme 2 – Healthcare Leadership Academy Intermediate Level 1
The HLA Intermediate Level One leadership development programme is designed for resident doctors and dentists (ST1/CT1/IMT1 and above) who are keen to strengthen their leadership capabilities in complex clinical environments, including crisis management, enabling diversity through leadership, clinically effective leadership, and healthcare management.
The Intermediate Level One Programme will focus on leadership theory, using real-world examples and case studies to demonstrate how these theories translate into everyday clinical and organisational practice. The workshops are led by industry experts who draw directly on their practical experience and real-life insights to guide participants through each topic and workshop.
The programme is accredited and supported by UCLan Medical School and The Healthcare Leadership Academy. This structured programme, worth 20 master’s-level credits, is built on years of experience delivering leadership training to scholars, fellows, and clinicians. Places are limited. On completion, participants will gain a Level 7 leadership qualification.
For further details and to apply, you can visit the Healthcare Leadership Academy (HLA) Intermediate Level One Programme Application portal.
Programme 3 – Flexible Portfolio Training in Clinical Informatics (FPT-CI)
An initiative to support doctors and dentists in higher training to spend 20% of their non-on call working week developing their skills and experience in Digital Health. You will be a high performing resident with the ability to compress your clinical work (excluding on call activity) into 80% of the week to free up a day a week to undertake a clinical informatics project in the trust hosting you. You will work alongside the clinical digital services team in the trust to deliver a project or be part of an existing project during your time in the trust. Doctors and dentists in training can apply to join FPT after entering higher training (usually ST3/ST4 for doctors or ST1 for dentists) and successful FPT can remain as FPT until CCT.
Programme 4 – Flexible Portfolio Training in Sustainable Healthcare (FPT-SH)
A novel initiative to support doctors in higher training to spend 20% of their working week in developing their skills, experience and understanding of sustainable healthcare. You will be a high performing doctor with the ability to compress your clinical work (excluding on call activity) into 80% of the week to free up a day a week to undertake a Sustainable Healthcare Quality Improvement Project in the trust hosting you. You will work alongside the sustainability teams – both clinical and non-clinical to deliver your project to help align the organisation with Net Zero targets. Doctors and Dentists in training can apply to join FPT after entering higher training (usually ST3/ST4 for doctors or ST1 for dentists) and a successful FPT can remain an FPT until CCT.
If you require any further information or advice about any of the Extended Learning Opportunity programmes please contact us at england.educationsupport.ne@nhs.net
International Medical Graduates