Applying to HST

 

When and where can I apply for Higher Specialist Training?

 

You can apply for HST by clicking on the link on the "Applying to Higher Specialist Training" page on our website. The link will only be available while applications are open during the dates given above. 

 

What HST Specialities are there?

 

We offer training programmes in 29 specialities. Details of all of our HST programmes are available on our website.

 

If I have questions about applying, who do I contact?

 

If you have questions about applying for our HST training programmes, please review "Applying to Higher Specialist Training" page on our website. Please also review the FAQs on this Knowledge Base. If you still can't find the answer you are looking for, please email training@rcpi.ie 

 

I am having a technical issue with my application, who do I contact?

 

Please email Helpdesk@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.

 

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.

 

Entry Requirements & Eligibility (Institute of Medicine)

 

What are the entry requirements for HST?

 

The general entry requirements for HST are:

 

  1. You must have completed Basic Specialist Training in the relevant speciality by the start date for HST.
  2. You must have achieved a relevant postgraduate qualification such as MRCPI in General Medicine, General Paediatrics or Obstetrics and Gynaecology.
  3. You must have proof of current or previous registration, or proof eligibility for one of the divisions on the Irish Medical Council.
  4. You must have proof of competency in the English language in line with HSE Specifications.
  5. You must demonstrate an aptitude for, and an interest in, that speciality.

 

Entry requirements for Higher Specialist Training are programme-specific. To see the entry

requirements for your preferred programme, please check the relevant HST curriculum here.

 

Can I apply for BST equivalency? 

 

Not all programmes are eligible for BST equivalency. Please refer to this guidance document for more information.

 

Entry Requirements & Eligibility (Faculty of Paediatrics)

 

What are the entry requirements for HST in General Paediatrics?

 

  1. A certificate of completion of Basic Specialist Training (BST) in Paediatrics
  2. Achieved MRCPI in Paediatrics
  3. At least six months’ experience in General Paediatrics and six months in Neonatology

 

For full details, please visit our website.

 

Entry Requirements & Eligibility (Faculty of Pathology)

 

What training programmes are there in HST Pathology?

 

We offer six Higher Specialist Training (HST) programmes in Pathology:
 

  • Chemical Pathology
  • Clinical Microbiology
  • Haematology
  • Histopathology
  • Immunology
  • Neuropathology

 

For more details, please visit our website.

 

What are the entry requirements for HST Pathology training programmes?

 

To find out the specific entry requirements for each of the Pathology specialities, please view the relevant curricula here.

 

I want to apply to HST Histopathology. Can I apply for BST equivalency?

 

Programmes undertaken outside of Ireland are not considered for equivalence of Basic Specialist Training for Histopathology.

 For the full details on BST equivalency, please refer to page 2 of this guidance document.

 

Can I apply for BST equivalency for other Pathology programmes? 

 

Not all programmes are eligible for BST equivalency. Please refer to this guidance document for more information.

 

Entry Requirements & Eligibility (Institute of Obstetrics & Gynaecology)

 

What are the entry requirements for HST Obstetrics & Gynaecology?

 

  1. A certificate of completion of Basic Specialist Training (BST) in Obstetrics and Gynaecology
  2. Achieved MRCPI in Obstetrics and Gynaecology or MRCOG or evidence of an equivalent qualification
  3. At least 36 months’ experience in Obstetrics and Gynaecology

 

For full details, please visit our website.

 

I want to apply to HST Obstetrics & Gynaecology. Can I apply for BST equivalency? 

 

Programmes undertaken outside of Ireland are not considered for equivalence of Basic Specialist Training for Obstetrics and Gynaecology.

  For the full details on BST equivalency, please refer to page 3 of this guidance document.

 

Entry Requirements & Eligibility (Faculty of Public Health)

 

What are the entry requirements for HST in Public Health?

 

  1. A certificate of completion of Basic Specialist Training in General Internal Medicine or Paediatrics or Obstetrics and Gynaecology or Histopathology
  2. OR evidence of completion of an equivalent two-year training programme approved by a postgraduate training body
  3. OR completed at least two years of General Practice training with the Irish College of General Practitioners
  4. OR specialist registration on the register of General Practice with the Medical Council of Ireland
  5. OR evidence of exceptional academic achievements or professional public health experience.

 

For the full details of entry requirements, please visit our website.

 

Is it possible to choose the training site location during the HST Programme?

 

While consideration is given to trainees’ preferences of location, it isn’t always guaranteed that trainees will be placed according to their preferences. Depending on the applicant’s CV strength and performance at the interview stage, applicants will be ranked and accordingly will get priority for being allocated in their preferred location. Applicants state their preferences and training sites for the first 2 (if MPH completed at entry) or 2.5 years are allocated on the basis of their place on the panel at interview. At that point, preferences are sought for specialist sites.

 

Do I need to apply to a particular MPH for eligibility to the programme?

 

The Faculty does not specify a particular MPH, though those taking it in Year 1 of HST do so on a fulltime basis. Qualifications and evidence of interest in the specialty are assessed in shortlisting and at interview. Starting (or completing) a part time Master’s would count towards both of those criteria.

  

Entry Requirements & Eligibility (Faculty of Occupational Medicine)

 

What are the entry requirements for HST in Occupational Medicine?

 

  1. A certificate of completion of Basic Specialist Training (BST) in General Internal Medicine or evidence of an equivalent qualification, such as completion of General Practice training with the Irish College of General Practitioners
  2. Achieved MRCPI in General Internal Medicine or MICGP or MRCP (UK) or evidence of knowledge, training and experience equivalent to MRCPI

 

For the full details of entry requirements, please visit our website.

 

Eligibility for all Faculties & Institutes

 

What are the English Language Requirements for HST?

 

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?

 

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.

 

I was 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 Practitioners 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:
 

  1. A copy of Irish Leaving Certificate/UK A Level transcript results
  2. A copy of your Medical Degree
  3. Certificate/confirmation from your University confirming your Medical degree was taught and examined solely in English.

 

For more information, please refer to this guidance document.

 

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.

 

I haven't completed my MRCPI exams, can I still apply?

 

For current BST Trainees who intend to apply for HST Programmes to commence in July 2024, please be aware that you must have successfully passed your MRCPI Clinical examination or be awaiting results from the Autumn clinical in order to attend for interview. The interviews will commence at the end of January 2024. No candidate will be invited to interview without the clinical examination. 
  

Application Form & Supporting Documentation

 

What do the Acronyms Mean used in the applications form?

 

Click here to review list of Acronyms

 

What supporting documentation should I submit with my application?

 

The following is a list of required documents that you must upload to your HST application:
 

  1. Certificate of completion of Basic Specialist Training (BST)
  2. Evidence of postgraduate qualification such as MRCPI
  3. Proof of current or previous registration, or proof eligibility for one of the divisions on the Irish Medical Council.
  4. Proof of English language competency
  5. Professional Contact Details of 2 Referees. RCPI will reach out to Referees to obtain appraisals.
  6. Passport Identity Page
  1. Stamp 4 Residency Permit (if applicable to you – other types of Residency Permits do not need to be submitted)

 

  1. Applications without these required documents will not be accepted.

 

For more detailed information, please refer to the FAQs at the bottom of the "Applying to Higher Specialist Training" webpage on our website and this documentation checklist

 

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:

 

  1. Submit your certificate of current OR previous registration on one of the divisions of the IMC.
  2. 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 PDF copy of your medical degree from that country.
  3. 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.

 

I’m not from Ireland and I don’t have a Stamp 4 Residency Permit, can I still apply for HST?

 

Yes. All applicants, no matter their citizenship, can apply to HST. 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 HST 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. 


 After Submission of Application 

 

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. 

 

What happens after I submit my application?

 

Once applications close, the verification's 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?

 

Once the applications have been verified, they are sent to the Specialist Training Committee for the relevant specialty for shortlisting. Once the shortlisting is complete, you will be notified if you will be proceeding to the interview stage. You can find the shortlisting criteria for each speciality at the bottom of this page on our website.

 

How are places allocated on the HST training programmes?

 

For details on how places are allocated on the HST training programmes, please refer to this document.

 

I have other questions about what it's like to be a Trainee on a HST programme. Where can I get more information?

 

You can find further information on our HST programmes on our website. Should you have further queries please contact training@rcpi.ie for assistance.