The short answer
East of England will reimburse one SCA preparation course per trainee across the whole of training, approved as an aspirational activity with TPD sign off. There is no fixed personal allocation: the school funds free regional exam courses first and expects you to check those before booking anything commercial, and warns that expensive commercial packages are generally not reimbursed.
How much you get
The school's FAQ is direct: "There is no longer a nominal 'allocation' of funding per training year" (NHSE EoE GP study leave FAQs). Requests are split by value and type: curriculum requirements under £600 need ES sign off, over £600 need TPD sign off, and "Aspirational Activities (To include Exam Preparation Courses)" need TPD sign off plus a PDP entry. Exam preparation always takes the TPD route regardless of price.
The allowance itself: "a maximum of 1 AKT preparation course/resource claim and 1 CSA/RCA preparation course/resource claim throughout the course of their training", including travel and subsistence. Audiobooks and podcasts are not usually eligible, though packages from a recognised exam preparation provider may be approved and count as the one claim. Books and exam fees are not funded.
Does it cover SCA prep courses?
Yes, one per training programme, but with two real constraints. First, regional courses come first: the school runs free accredited SCA preparation days and expects trainees to book those "in the first instance"; external courses are approved where attending the regional offer was not possible. Second, the school states that "more expensive commercial packages" will generally not be reimbursed "apart from in exceptional circumstances". In practice this rewards courses priced modestly and framed tightly around the RCGP curriculum, and punishes four-figure packages. Get written TPD approval before paying for anything.
Note for the diligent: the standing EoE guidance document dates from October 2020 and still references the CSA; the website FAQs are the live articulation of the policy. If your TPD quotes different rules, ask which version they are working from.
Is the SCA exam fee itself reimbursed?
Not from the study budget. Separately, under the June 2026 resident doctor contract agreement, doctors in England can reclaim their first two SCA attempts for exams sat from 1 April 2026, through their employing trust. Details: Is the SCA exam fee reimbursed?.
How to claim
- Check the regional course list and the monthly newsletter first (england.primarycare.eoe@nhs.net for queries).
- Add the course to your PDP with ES agreement, then complete Part B of the Study Leave Application and Claim Form for TPD sign off, before booking.
- Overseas activity needs submission to studyleave.eoe@hee.nhs.uk at least 6 weeks ahead; domestic requests should still go in well in advance.
NHS study budget
Most trainees can claim our Complete SCA Course on the NHS study budget.
Check your deanery in 10 seconds — we've drafted the pre-approval email for you.
I'm training in .
Deaneries decide locally
Most English deaneries fund one SCA preparation course (typically up to £600, code GP0001), but each applies its own rules: some fund two, some cap at £500, some run named lists, and the devolved nations differ again. Select your deanery above for the specific position, with the policy evidence quoted.
“National default: one preparation course per exam, up to £600 (GP0001)”