Applying to BST
When can I apply for Basic Specialist Training?
Where can I apply for BST Training?
You can apply for BST by clicking on the link on the "Applying to Basic Specialist Training" page on our website. The link will only be available while applications are open during the dates given above.
What BST programmes are there?
There are 4 BST programmes. For more information on each programme, please follow the relevant link:
Is there funding available?
For details on training supports available, please refer to the guidance documents in the Reimbursements/ Refund Schemes section on our website.
If I have questions about applying, who do I contact?
If you have questions about applying for our Medical Training programmes, please review "Applying to Basic Specialist Training" page on our website. If you can't find the answer you are looking for there, please email training@rcpi.ie
Entry Requirements & Eligibility
Do I meet the entry requirements?
In order to be eligible for BST, you must:
- have completed your medical degree
- have completed your internship by the start date of the programme (Monday, 4 July 2024)
- have proof of current or previous registration, or proof eligibility for one of the divisions on the Irish Medical Council.
- have proof of competency in the English language in line with HSE Specifications
- (for BST GIM only) be competent in:
- intravenous cannulation
- phlebotomy
- nasogastric tube placement
You can find the entry requirements for the BST programmes on the "Applying to Basic Specialist Training" page on our website.
How can I confirm my eligibility for Irish Medical Council registration?
There are three ways to confirm your eligibility for Irish Medical Council (IMC) registration:
- Submit your certificate of current OR previous registration on one of the divisions of the IMC.
- If you are not currently and have never been registered on one of the divisions of the IMC, you may be considered automatically eligible for registration if you completed your medical degree in one of a list of EU countries. Please refer to this document to see if your country is on the list. If your country is listed, please submit a copy of your medical degree from that country.
- If you do not fall into either category 1 or 2 above, please contact the IMC and ask them to provide a letter confirming your eligibility for registration and submit this with your application.
Can I apply for RCPI training programmes if I am from an EU or non-EU country?
Yes, there is no restriction on any nationalities applying for BST. We are required to comply with national policy relating to the recruitment, training, retention and development of specialist medical practitioners. However, at present the EU or non-EU status impacts how places are allocated. Places in BST are allocated in the first instance to applicants who, at the time of application, are citizens of Ireland or nationals of another Member State of the European Union, Stamp 4 Visa Holders and UK nationals. For more details on how places on our training programmes are allocated, please refer to this document.
How do I know if my degree meets the requirements for BST?
Candidates must be currently or previously registered or eligible to register on one of the divisions of the Irish Medical Council, and therefore, by that merit, must hold a valid medical degree. You can check if your medical degree is accepted by the Medical Council on their website.
What are the English Language Requirements for BST?
We are required to follow the English Language Competency guidelines supplied by the HSE. Please refer to this guidance document to check which category applies to you and to ensure your eligibility.
What English Language exams are accepted?
Both the IELTS (International English Language Testing System) and the OET (Occupational English Test) are accepted.
IELTS: an overall band score of 7 or more is required with a minimum of 6.5 in each of the four skills – reading, writing, listening and speaking.
OET: an overall Grade B is required with a minimum score of Grade B in each of the four skills – reading, writing, listening and speaking.
Certificates must be dated within 2 years of the date of application to BST.
Further details of minimum scores can be found on the HSE website
I registered by the Medical Council on the Register of Medical Practitioners prior to 1 January 2015, do I still need to submit an IELTS/ OET certificate?
If you were registered by the Medical Council in any of the divisions of the Register of Medical prior to 1 January 2015, you must provide evidence from Irish Medical Council confirming date of registration prior to 1 January 2015 in order to meet the English Language Requirements.
For more information, please refer to this guidance document.
I completed my medical degree in English in an English-speaking country, do I still need to prove that I meet the English Language requirements?
You must upload a copy of your degree if you completed your Medical Degree in English in one of the following countries:
- Ireland
- Australia
- Canada
- New Zealand
- The United States of America
- The United Kingdom
For more information, please refer to this guidance document.
I completed my medical degree in English, but in a non-English speaking country, do I still need to prove that I meet the English Language requirements?
If you completed the Irish State Leaving Certificate examination or A Levels in the United Kingdom and your Medical Degree was completed in English, you must submit the following in order to meet the English Language Requirements:
- A copy of Irish Leaving Certificate/UK A Level transcript results
- A copy of your Medical Degree
- Certificate/confirmation from your University confirming your Medical degree was taught and examined solely in English.
English is not my first language, but I am currently employed by the HSE, do I still need to prove that I meet the English Language requirements?
If you are currently employed by the HSE whereby IELTS/OET/ (CAE accepted until 2016) was completed upon entering service to the HSE, you must submit:
- A letter confirming you are currently employed in HSE.
- A copy of your original IELTS/OET submitted to your employer.
IELTS/OET test results must be dated within two years of the date submitted to the
employer
For more information, please refer to this guidance document.
Application Forms and Supporting Documentation
I am having a technical issue with my application who do I contact?
Please email training@rcpi.ie advising which section of the application you are having an issue with and providing details of the error message, and if possible, a screen shot of the error.
What do the acronyms used in the application form mean?
Click here to review list of Acronyms
What information will I need to provide on the application form?
Please select the relevant programme to see the application information for that programme:
What is the difference between Direct and Graduate entry?
Direct entry to medicine means you went straight from secondary school to study your medical degree. Graduate entry to medicine means that you had a prior undergraduate degree before studying your medical degree.
What supporting documentation should I submit with my application?
The following is a list of documents that are you are required to upload to your BST application:
- Evidence of Decile/Centile place
- Proof of Irish Medical Council registration/eligibility for registration
- Proof of English language competency
- Two appraisal forms - submitted electronically via MS Forms
- Passport identity page
- Stamp 4 Residency Permit (if applicable to you – other types of Residency Permits do not need to be submitted)
- Applications without these required documents will not be accepted.
For more detailed information about these documents, please visit the "Applying to Basic Specialist Training" page on our website and this documentation checklist.
I’m not from Ireland and I don’t have a Stamp 4 Residency Permit, can I still apply for BST?
Yes. All applicants, no matter their citizenship, can apply to BST. If you hold a Residency Permit other than Stamp 4, you are still welcome to apply, but you do not need to submit a copy of your Residency Permit with your application.
Places in BST are allocated in the first instance to applicants who, at the time of application, are citizens of Ireland or nationals of another Member State of the European Union, Stamp 4 Visa Holders and UK nationals. This is the reason we ask for a copy of your Stamp 4 permit if applicable to you. Further information on allocation of training places can be found here.
I presented at a National/International meeting, what evidence should I submit?
A certificate of participation from the meeting organisers is the best thing to submit. Where you have not received a certificate from the meeting organisers, please submit PDF of your poster/presentation along with a PDF copy of the National/International meeting programme.
Should I submit extra documents like course certificates, projects and other activities?
Please only submit documentation which provides evidence of meeting the entry requirements.
If you are submitting documents related to research and other qualifications, please ensure the documents correspond to the categories outlined where marks are available. Only documents falling under these
categories will be reviewed.
Click here for further details on Research and Other Qualifications for BST BST Histopathology and BST Obstetrics & Gynaecology
Click here for further details on Research and Other Qualifications for BST General Paediatrics
Click here for further details on Research and Other Qualifications for BST GIM
Do I need to submit certificates from any Skills Courses I have attended?
No.
What is an appraisal form?
You are required to submit two appraisal forms from two referees with your BST application, electronically via MS Forms. Your referees are asked to rate your professional attitude and personal attributes on the appraisal form.
One of your appraisal forms should be from your current or most recent employer.
Please note that PDF appraisal forms will not be accepted .
Please use this link to use for submitting Appraisal forms electronically.
I forgot to upload a document with my application, how can I submit it once my application has been submitted?
Once an application has been submitted, it is not possible to access the application again. If you have forgotten to upload any of the required supporting documentation with your application, please email the missing documentation to Training@rcpi.ie including your application number before the closing date for applications. Document submissions after the closing date will not be accepted.
When will I know if my application has been accepted?
Once applications close, the verifications process will commence immediately. You should receive an email in the weeks following the closing date confirming if your application has been accepted and if you will move forward to the next stage of the recruitment process.
When will I know if I will be invited for interview?
Interviews take place in January and February. You will be sent details in advance should you be selected for interview.
Scoring
How will my application and interview be scored?
Please select the relevant training programme below to view how scores are allocated for your application and interview:
Scoring for GIM
How are my qualifications scored?
Qualifications are scored according to the centile/ decile scores you provide in your application from your university. Marks are awarded as follows:
Top 10% (i.e. 90 – 100%) 20 marks
Next 20% (i.e. 70 – 89%) 16 marks
Next 40% (i.e. 30 – 69%) 12 marks
Next 20% (i.e. 10 – 29%) 6 marks
Lowest 10% (i.e. 0 – 9%) 4 marks
If a candidate does not supply a centile/ decile ranking, they will be awarded the lowest score of 4 marks.
If a candidate provides a letter from their university confirming that the university does not provide centile/decile rankings, 6 marks will be awarded.
I was only awarded 4 marks for my medical degree. Why?
There can be three possible reasons for this:
- You placed in the lowest 10% of your graduating class.
- You did not submit the centile/ decile ranking in your application.
- You did not submit a letter from your university confirming that they do not provide centile/decile rankings.
I was only awarded 6 marks for my medical degree. Why?
There can be two possible reasons for this:
- You placed in the lowest 10% - 29% of your graduating class.
- You submitted a letter from your university confirming that they do not provide centile/decile rankings.
How is my research and other qualifications scored?
Research and other qualifications are awarded marks as follows:
NQAI level 10 qualification (PhD) (relevant to medical practice) - 4 marks
Published International Journal (First Author) - 4 marks
Presented at International peer review mtg (first author) - Oral – 3 marks / Poster – 1 mark
Published in an International Journal (Joint Author) - 2 marks
Published in a National Journal (First Author) - 2 marks
Published a Case Report in a Peer-Reviewed Journal - 1 mark
Presented at a National Meeting (first author) - Oral – 2 marks / Poster – 1 mark
Published in a National Journal (Joint Author) - 1 mark
The same publication or presentation cannot be submitted for more than one category.
For the full details on scoring, please refer to this guidance document.
I submitted the name of my publication, but I wasn't awarded any marks for it. Why?
As stated in the application form, applicants are required to submit the DOI or the link to the published article. If a DOI or link is not submitted, no marks will be awarded.
*Please note marks will be awarded once per publication, so if you have provided DOI or link to the same publication multiple times in different sections of the application form, it will only be counted once for marking.
*Please note medical journals where you have been published must be listed in The SCImago Journal & Country Rank portal for your publication to be considered for marking. Articles from local websites/blogs/etc will not be awarded marks.
I submitted the details of a publication that will be published in the future, but I wasn't awarded marks for it. Why?
Only articles that have already been published will be awarded marks. Marks will not be awarded for articles that have not been published yet.
I submitted the details of a presentation that I will be presenting at a national/ international meeting in the future, but I wasn't awarded marks for it. Why?
Only presentations that have already been delivered will be awarded marks. Marks will not be awarded for presentations that have not been made yet.
Scoring for General Paediatrics
I am applying for BST General Paediatrics, how will my qualifications be scored?
Qualifications are scored according to the centile/ decile scores you provide in your application from your university. Marks are awarded as follows:
Top 10% (90 – 100%) 10 marks
Next 20% (70 – 89%) 8 marks
Next 40% (30 – 69%) 6 marks
Next 20% (10 – 29%) 4 marks
Lowest 10% (0 – 9%) 2 marks
If you do not supply a centile/ decile ranking, you will be awarded the lowest score of 2 marks.
If your university does not provide centile/decile ranking, you can submit a letter from your university confirming this. If you submit a letter from your university confirming it does not provide centile/decile rankings, 4 marks will be awarded. Please Click here for more information on this question.
I am applying for BST General Paediatrics, how will my research and other qualifications be scored?
For BST in General Paediatrics, research and other qualifications are awarded marks as follows:
Published International Journal (First Author)- 3 marks
Presented at International peer review mtg Oral – 2 marks / Poster – 1 mark
Published in an International Journal (Joint Author) - 2 marks
Published in a National Journal (First Author) - 2 marks
Published a Case Report in a Peer-Reviewed Journal - 1 mark
Presented at a National Meeting - Oral – 1 mark | Poster - 0.5 mark
Published in a National Journal (Joint Author) - 1 mark
NQAI level 10 qualification (PhD) (relevant to medical practice) - 4 marks
NQAI Level 8/9 qualification (Degree or Masters) (other than your medical degree and relevant to medical practice) - 3 marks
Abstracts of research (not included in other categories above) - 0.5 mark
The same publication or presentation cannot be submitted for more than one category.
For the full details on scoring, please refer to this guidance document.
I was only awarded 2 marks for my medical degree. Why?
There can be three possible reasons for this:
- You placed in the lowest 10% of your graduating class.
- You did not submit the centile/ decile ranking in your application.
- You did not submit a letter from your university confirming that they do not provide centile/decile rankings.
I was only awarded 4 marks for my medical degree. Why?
There can be two possible reasons for this:
- You placed in the lowest 10% - 29% of your graduating class.
- You submitted a letter from your university confirming that they do not provide centile/decile rankings.
I submitted the name of my publication, but I wasn't awarded any marks for it. Why?
As stated in the application form, applicants are required to submit the DOI or the link to the published article. If a DOI or link is not submitted, no marks will be awarded.
*Please note marks will be awarded once per publication, so if you have provided DOI or link to the same publication multiple times in different sections of the application form, it will only be counted once for marking.
*Please note medical journals where you have been published must be listed in The SCImago Journal & Country Rank portal for your publication to be considered for marking. Articles from local websites/blogs/etc will not be awarded marks.
I submitted the details of a publication that will be published in the future, but I wasn't awarded marks for it. Why?
Only articles that have already been published will be awarded marks. Marks will not be awarded for articles that have not been published yet.
I submitted the details of a presentation that I will be presenting at a national/ international meeting in the future, but I wasn't awarded marks for it. Why?
Only presentations that have already been delivered will be awarded marks. Marks will not be awarded for presentations that have not been made yet.
Scoring for Histopathology and Obstetrics & Gynaecology
How are my qualifications scored?
Qualifications are scored according to the centile/ decile scores you provide in your application from your university. Marks are awarded as follows:
Top 10% (i.e. 90 – 100%) 20 marks
Next 20% (i.e. 70 – 89%) 16 marks
Next 40% (i.e. 30 – 69%) 12 marks
Next 20% (i.e. 10 – 29%) 6 marks
Lowest 10% (i.e. 0 – 9%) 4 marks
If a candidate does not supply a centile/ decile ranking, they will be awarded the lowest score of 4 marks.
If a candidate provides a letter from their university confirming that the university does not provide centile/decile rankings, 6 marks will be awarded.
I was only awarded 4 marks for my medical degree. Why?
There can be three possible reasons for this:
- You placed in the lowest 10% of your graduating class.
- You did not submit the centile/ decile ranking in your application.
- You did not submit a letter from your university confirming that they do not provide centile/decile rankings.
I was only awarded 6 marks for my medical degree. Why?
There can be two possible reasons for this:
- You placed in the lowest 10% - 29% of your graduating class.
- You submitted a letter from your university confirming that they do not provide centile/decile rankings.
How is my research and other qualifications scored?
Research and other qualifications are awarded marks as follows:
NQAI level 10 qualification (PhD) (relevant to medical practice) - 3 marks
Published International Journal (First Author) - 3 marks
Presented at International peer review mtg - Oral 2 marks|Poster 1 mark
Published in an International Journal (Joint Author) - 2 marks
Published in a National Journal (First Author) - 2 marks
Published a Case Report in a Peer-Reviewed Journal - 1 mark
Presented at a National Meeting - Oral 1 mark|Poster .5 mark
Published in a National Journal (Joint Author) - 1 mark
The same publication or presentation cannot be submitted for more than one category.
For the full details on scoring, please refer to this guidance document.
I submitted the name of my publication, but I wasn't awarded any marks for it. Why?
As stated in the application form, applicants are required to submit the DOI or the link to the published article. If a DOI or link is not submitted, no marks will be awarded.
*Please note marks will be awarded once per publication, so if you have provided DOI or link to the same publication multiple times in different sections of the application form, it will only be counted once for marking.
*Please note medical journals where you have been published must be listed in The SCImago Journal & Country Rank portal for your publication to be considered for marking. Articles from local websites/blogs/etc will not be awarded marks.
I submitted the details of a publication that will be published in the future, but I wasn't awarded marks for it. Why?
Only articles that have already been published will be awarded marks. Marks will not be awarded for articles that have not been published yet.
I submitted the details of a presentation that I will be presenting at a national/ international meeting in the future, but I wasn't awarded marks for it. Why?
Only presentations that have already been delivered will be awarded marks. Marks will not be awarded for presentations that have not been made yet.
After Application is Submitted
What happens after I submit my application?
Once applications close, the verifications process will commence immediately. You should receive an email in the weeks following the closing date confirming if your application has been accepted and if you will move forward to the next stage of the recruitment process.
When will I know if I have been invited for interview?
Interviews take place in January and February. You will be sent details in advance should you be selected for interview.
How are places allocated on the BST training programmes?
Places in BST are allocated in the first instance to applicants who, at the time of application, are citizens of Ireland or nationals of another Member State of the European Union, Stamp 4 Visa Holders and UK nationals. You can read more about training places are allocated here.
I have other questions about what it's like to be a Trainee on a BST programme.
Where can I get more information?
Please refer to the Training Guides/ Handbooks for the relevant Faculty or Institute at the bottom of this webpage on our website.