The short answer
Wessex shares a single GP School study leave policy with Thames Valley. An SCA course in ST3 is a green, automatically fundable curriculum requirement, one per resident doctor, ideally RCGP accredited, with the school's own regionally funded courses taking priority and expensive commercial packages generally excluded.
How much you get
The joint policy's automatic funding list includes "SCA course ST3 *Ideally RCGP accredited. 1 per GP resident doctor for ST3 year" (Study leave for GP resident doctors, Thames Valley and Wessex GP School, March 2026). Across the whole of training the entitlement is one AKT and one SCA preparation course or resource claim. No cash cap is published, but the school explicitly warns that expensive commercial packages will not in general be reimbursed outside exceptional circumstances, and asks trainees to book regionally funded courses first.
The South East framework classifies activities as essential, supporting or aspirational, with essential and supporting activities taking priority as budgets are finite.
Does it cover SCA prep courses?
Yes, at curriculum level. The practical guidance is the same as Thames Valley: prefer an RCGP-accredited or modestly priced course, secure approval before paying, and remember subscriptions are only claimable when bundled inside a course fee. The "ideally RCGP accredited" wording is a preference, not a hard rule. Because accredited courses have limited places and set dates, a non-accredited course can be put forward where an accredited one cannot take you in time: cite the accredited option you tried, explain that its capacity or timing did not fit your sitting, and present the alternative as the same curriculum requirement. GP resident doctors are also reminded there is free, evidence-based deanery exam support that the school expects trainees to engage with.
Is the SCA exam fee itself reimbursed?
Not from the study budget. 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 TV and Wessex regional exam course offer first.
- PDP entry with ES approval, then prospective application through the South East study leave process before booking.
- Reimbursement with receipts after the course.
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)”