Higher Specialty Training in Medicine
Following medical school, foundation training and core training, the final part of training in the progression from trainee to consultant is specialty training, or Higher Specialty Training (HST).
Internal medicine curriculum and Group 1 and Group 2 specialties
The revised internal medicine curriculum and introduction of the three-year IMT core programme, has led to changes for physician higher specialty training. Specialties are categorised into two groups: Group 1 and Group 2; the JRCPTB website details which specialties fall into each group.
- Group 1 - these specialties' programmes start at ST4-level, require the full three years training in internal medicine training (IMT) or equivalent and all programmes will dual specialise with general internal medicine.
- Group 2 - programmes start at ST3-level, can be entered after two years of IMT or equivalent and do not involve training in general internal medicine. Many of these specialties also accept trainees from a non-physician pathway.
Applying for Higher Specialty Training
Trainees can start applying for HST in the final year of the programme required for entry to that specialty; for Group 1 this is the third year of IMT and Group 2 is the second year.
Further training
Upon selection to an HST programme, a trainee will then progress through several further years of training (typically between four and five) in the chosen specialty.
This will continue until the trainee completes their training and becomes a fully-qualified consultant in that specialty.
Completing training
Completion of higher specialty training in a GMC approved programme within the UK, will result for most trainees in the award of a CCT (certificate of completion of training).
Trainees who seek to reduce the length of their HST by gaining recognition for experience outside of UK training, will receive a CESR-CP (certificate of entry to the specialist register - combined programme).
More information about certification can be found on the JRCPTB website.
Higher Specialties
Other specialities recruiting
Other Higher Medicine specialities not currently advertised on this site are also recruiting. You will find their details below.