A four year graduate programme for future primary care physicians is described. The programme is particularly oriented towards those who are likely to become leaders and teachers in the discipline but it is believed that the principles involved should be generally applicable in education for primary care practice. Arguments are advanced in favour of the strong basic science core which has been included in the programme, especially in the traditionally community oriented subjects of biostatistics, epidemiology and research methodology. Considerable emphasis is also given to a dissertation. Areas of required knowledge and experience are documented in the curriculum as 24 courses, each the subject of continuing assessment and end of course examination. There are also two comprehensive examinations, one just after the mid point of the programme and the other at the end. This combination of multiple course assessments and two comprehensive examinations is regarded as a means of maintaining high standards while, at the same time, ensuring that candidates with real potential are not lost to the discipline.