The short answer
London GP trainees can claim up to £600 towards one SCA preparation course, using budget code GP0001. One course per exam is allowed, with your Educational Supervisor's agreement, and the £600 cap was set deliberately to sit at the upper end of what most courses charge. Question bank resources can be funded too, but they count as your single exam preparation claim.
How much you get
London's optional funding arrangement allows, per trainee: one AKT preparation course and one SCA preparation course, each "up to a maximum of £600" and each claimed "using code GP0001" (NHS England London and South East GP exam preparation FAQ, and the General Practice approved study leave list, September 2025). The approved course list states the same rule from the other direction: "Max £600 per AKT or RCA/SCA preparation course", listed as an external supporting activity available at every training stage (London approved study leave list, September 2025).
NHS England in London does not maintain a list of preferred providers. The guidance is explicit that they "do not distinguish between providers"; the cap exists because course fees vary widely. FourteenFish packages are given as an example of a claimable SCA preparation product, which confirms that online-delivered preparation qualifies when it is framed as a course or package rather than a bare subscription.
Does it cover SCA prep courses?
Yes, directly and by name. This is one of the cleanest positions in the country: one SCA preparation course, up to £600, code GP0001, ES agreement. Two wrinkles worth knowing. First, question bank and resource claims count as your one course: the London and South East FAQ states "Question bank resources can be funded but these would count as a single exam preparation course", and that if you have already funded another preparation course you would need to apply for any additional resources through the discretionary study leave process. Subscriptions are not usually funded. Second, if you are struggling with exams, the Professional Support Unit runs free AKT and SCA workshops including 1:1 SCA preparation, and additional external courses can be funded on individual need with TPD and Head of School approval.
Is the SCA exam fee itself reimbursed?
Not from the study budget. Separately, under the June 2026 resident doctor contract agreement, doctors in England are entitled to reimbursement of their first two SCA attempts for exams sat from 1 April 2026, paid upfront and claimed through your employing trust. Details: Is the SCA exam fee reimbursed?.
How to claim
- Agree the course with your Educational Supervisor and record it in your PDP.
- Apply prospectively through the study leave process before booking, quoting code GP0001.
- Pay, then claim reimbursement with your receipt. Travel to exams is claimed separately under TRAC0001 (exam fees themselves are excluded).
NHS study budget
Most trainees can claim our Complete SCA Course on the NHS study budget.
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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)”