How to Get Into Medical Training in the UK

A practical guide to entering Core Training / CT1 / ST1 and Higher Specialty Training / ST3 / ST4 in the UK. Built for doctors planning a training application through Oriel, with official links, key dates, eligibility pointers, competition data, and a clear disclaimer on the Medical Training (Prioritisation) Act 2026.

Apply on Oriel Medical Specialty Recruitment Person Specifications

5 max

Round 1 applications

For 2026 recruitment, applicants in Round 1 are limited to five applications.

31 Mar 2026

Round 1 offers by

Expected first-offer date for Round 1 specialties starting August 2026.

14 Apr 2026

Round 2 offers by

Expected first-offer date for Round 2 ST3/ST4 recruitment.

40k

CT1/ST1 applicants

Approximate individual applicants in 2026 at CT1/ST1 level across the UK.

10k

CT1/ST1 posts

Approximate advertised training posts referenced in 2026 planning data.

2.37

Average applications

Average number of Round 1 applications submitted per individual before the new cap.

Important Disclaimer: Medical Training (Prioritisation) Act 2026

This page is a general information resource only and is not legal advice, immigration advice, or a guarantee of eligibility, interview, ranking, or appointment. Recruitment rules can change between rounds and specialties.

Under the Medical Training (Prioritisation) Act 2026, specialty training offers made in 2026 must prioritise certain eligible groups ahead of other eligible applicants. This includes UK medical graduates and other groups defined in the legislation. For specialty training from 2027 onwards, prioritisation can apply at both interview/shortlisting and offer stages under regulations. Public health training is excluded from this prioritisation scheme.

Always check the Act itself, the current person specification, and the official recruitment guidance for your chosen specialty before applying.

Your Main Routes into UK Specialty Training

1) Core Training / CT1 / ST1 / Run-through Entry

This is the entry route for many specialties after Foundation Programme or equivalent competencies. Examples include Internal Medicine Training (IMT), Core Surgical Training (CST), Core Psychiatry, GP ST1, Paediatrics ST1, Radiology ST1, and some run-through programmes.

Usually applied for via Oriel.
Often requires evidence matching the 2026 person specification.
Some specialties use the MSRA; others use portfolio scoring and interview.
For 2026 recruitment, applicants must already have full GMC registration at application.

2) Higher Specialty Training / ST3 / ST4 Entry

This route is for doctors progressing after core training, IMT, ACCS, CST, or another preceding stage, depending on specialty. Examples include physician specialties, surgery ST3, anaesthetics ST4, obstetrics & gynaecology ST3, and many others.

Entry point depends on specialty curriculum and pathway.
You normally need the previous training stage or equivalent competencies.
Selection often includes portfolio assessment, structured interview, and evidence of progression.
Higher specialty timetables may differ slightly by specialty recruitment office.

How to Apply Successfully

Step-by-step checklist

Create and maintain an Oriel account early.
Read the official 2026 person specification for your specialty.
Confirm you hold full GMC registration before submitting your application.
Prepare evidence for audits, QI, teaching, leadership, courses, presentations, prizes, and commitment to specialty where relevant.
Prepare for MSRA if your specialty uses it.
Track interview dates, offer windows, and preference deadlines carefully.
Rank locations/programmes realistically and strategically.

Common evidence that helps

Quality improvement or clinical audit work with measurable outcomes.
Teaching experience with feedback and reflection.
Presentations, posters, publications, or academic involvement.
Leadership, management, and service improvement experience.
Taster weeks, specialty commitment, or relevant clinical exposure.
Competence forms and validated evidence where required.

2026 Recruitment Timeline Snapshot

Round 1 – CT1 / ST1 / Run-through (posts starting August 2026) Applications opened in late October 2025 and closed in November 2025. First offers are expected by 31 March 2026.

Round 2 – ST3 / ST4 (posts starting August 2026) Interviews run through spring 2026, with first offers expected by 14 April 2026.

Round 3 – Later recruitment for posts starting early 2027 Applications open from 28 July 2026, with first offers expected by 20 October 2026.

Timings can vary by specialty. Always confirm dates on the official specialty recruitment page.

Competition Ratios: What the Numbers Mean

Competition ratios show applications per post, not your personal odds of success. Many applicants submit more than one application, and appointability, interview performance, portfolio quality, and preference ranking all matter.

Specialty / Level	Applications	Posts	2025 Competition Ratio
Core Psychiatry CT1	10,677	489	21.83
Core Surgical Training CT1	5,399	630	8.57
General Practice ST1	20,995	4,276	4.91
Internal Medicine Training CT1	8,841	1,678	5.27
Clinical Radiology ST1	4,011	356	11.27
Paediatrics ST1	2,680	476	5.63

Use ratios as broad market signals only. The best strategy is to apply where your profile, evidence, and interview preparation are strongest.

Core Training / CT1 / ST1: What You Usually Need

Typical essentials

Foundation Programme completion or equivalent competencies.
Full GMC registration at time of application for 2026 recruitment.
Evidence that you meet the person specification for the training level.
Eligibility to work in the UK and ability to meet start-date requirements.
Good standing and probity declarations.

Best preparation strategy

Start portfolio building at least 6 to 12 months in advance.
Check whether your specialty uses MSRA, interview, self-assessment, or all three.
Keep scanned evidence organised by domain.
Prepare examples for commitment, teamwork, leadership, safety, and reflection.

Higher Specialty Training / ST3 / ST4: What You Usually Need

Typical essentials

Completion of the required prior stage of training, or equivalent competences signed appropriately.
Specialty-specific procedural, curricular, or exam requirements where applicable.
Structured evidence of progression, including clinics, procedures, audits, and teaching.
Portfolio evidence tailored to the specialty’s scoring framework.

Best preparation strategy

Read the exact recruitment handbook for your ST3/ST4 specialty.
Map your evidence against the person specification and interview domains.
Check whether there is a specialty-specific recruitment office website.
Do not rely on previous years alone; scoring and evidence rules can change.

Official Links You Should Bookmark

National recruitment

Other essential resources

Bottom line

To maximise your chances, apply early, verify your eligibility against the latest person specification, make sure your GMC registration is already complete, and build a portfolio that directly matches the scoring domains of your target specialty. For higher specialty training, evidence of readiness for the next stage is critical.