The main difference is that round 2 will be smaller with fewer programmes available and fewer interview centres.
Other than that the process will proceed in much the same way as round 1. More information is found on the round 2 page of the website.
Because of the overlap between the two rounds, at the beginning of round 2 it will not be possible to know how many, if any, vacancies each region will have available. What we will publish is:
- Previous round 2 vacancies - the number of vacancies each region has recruited to in round 2 in recent years of recruitment are published as a guide.
- Provisional numbers - when round 1 offering closes, which will be either on or shortly after the upgrading deadline for the round, we will add the numbers known at that time.
This information will be published to the round 2 area of the dates & posts page. The document library contains fill rates from recent years which shows the number of programmes that were available in round 2 each year and how many were filled.
It will only be when round 1 closes that we will be able to give a more accurate picture of the availability of programmes. However, please note that even then there are no guarantees of accuracy, as vacancy numbers are subject to change during the round. If a region has no vacancies at the start of the round, it is possible they will add some during the process if any become available. Therefore, the only way to be in contention for posts which may arise later in the round is to submit an application.
Until round 1 is completed it is very difficult to be able to specify which regions will have vacancies and how many will be available. However round 2 will have considerably fewer posts than round 1; around 80% of all programmes are usually filled in round 1.
Experience from previous years indicates that even those regions which filled all their programmes in round 1 could have programmes available in round 2, although this is likely to be a small number.
Fill rates from previous years, which are published in the document library, give an indication of potential vacancy numbers.
This is entirely up to you! However, if you apply in round 2, but then need to withdraw your application shortly afterwards due to accepting an offer via your round 1 application - this is absolutely not a problem.
The application period for round 2 overlaps the end of the offers period for round 1. If you are still waiting for an outcome our advice is to be prepared to submit an application in round 2 so that if it appears you will not find out in time you are ready to submit before the deadline.
If you apply in round 2, and then receive a round 1 offer, don't feel under any pressure to accept it; if you would prefer to decline the offer and proceed with your round 2 application, then by all means you can do so.
Yes, however, as applications will again be completed/submitted via the Oriel system, this will have retained much of the information you submitted in round 1 (ie your information added under applicant registration).
Yes, absolutely.
Regardless of whether your round 1 application was successful or unsuccessful, you can still make an application in round 2. Recruiters/interviewers will not even know you made an application in round 1, less still its outcome.
One caveat to add here is that, if you accept a post in round 1, then re-apply and go on to accept a second post offer in round 2, it will be necessary to release one of your accepted posts, notify that region, then make arrangements with them regarding working a notice period; although in most cases, provided that you notify them as soon as you accept another offer, this will not be necessary.
Yes. If your visa/immigration status means your application is subject to the RLMT, you can be assessed as eligible in round 2, unlike round 1.
However, please note that before a post can be offered to an RLMT-subject candidate, all appointable candidates without restrictions must be considered first, even if they are ranked lower than someone who is RLMT-subject.
More information on the resident labour market test (RLMT) is given on the UK eligibility page of this website.