In England, general practice vocational training schemes (GP VTS) have traditionally lasted for three years. Many commentators have suggested that such a short period of structured training is inadequate to prepare GPs for the variety of experiences and challenges that they encounter within the first years of their practice. The education of GPs in all regions of England is administered by the local Deanery whose task is to commission postgraduate medical and dental education and to implement national policies on postgraduate dental and medical education. Deaneries have developed higher professional education (HPE) programmes to address further training needs for newly qualified GPs. This report is the first of a series evaluating the experience of HPE participants in the London area and focuses on the area of self and professional development.