You will need to ensure that you meet the eligibility criteria as outlined in the person specification.

The application process for ST3 Obstetrics and Gynaecology training consists of 2 stages.

  1. A standardised application, longlisting and shortlisting process.
  2. A standardised selection process with interviews for all vacancies held online.

Non-urgent advice: Self-assessment

This specialty will be using self-assessment as a method of shortlisting for 2024 national recruitment. This will replace white space questioning which was used in 2023.

Further details on each stage are provided below.

  1. Eligibility - Before applying, you should ensure that you meet the eligibility requirements.
  2. Registration - If eligible to apply, you will need to register on the new Oriel System.
  3. Information - You should ensure you are familar with all available sources of information about the process a nd the programme.
  4. Application - You will need to ensure you complete and submit an application form, via Oriel, before the deadline. This will include a number of self-scoring self-assessment domain questions for shortlisting purposes. For applicants progressing to the interview stage, the resulting verified self-assessment score will be used as part of the overall score at the offers stage for ranking purposes.
  5. Longlisting - All applications will be checked to ensure you are eligible.
  6. Shortlisting - All applications that have passed longlisting will be shortlisted according to the verified self-assessment questions score, completed as part of the application process. Applicants will be requested to upload the required supporting evidence per self-assessment domain question into a separate portal following the close of the application window and completion of the longlisting stage. Self-scores will then be verified based on evidence provided by an assessor and revised as necessary. Applicants will have a designated appeal window in which to appeal against any revised scores.
  7. Preferencing - You will have to preference all programmes in which you would be willing to accept a post.
  8. Eligible applicants will be invited to interview based on verified self-assessment score ranking and interview capacity. Applicants ranking below interview capacity will be placed on a reserve interview list and will be invited in rank order subject to invited applicants withdrawing from the process.
  9. Offers - When final scores have been collated and all applicants have been given a ranking based on their combined self-assessment verified score and interview performance. Offers will be made and will continue to be made until all posts are filled.

Person specification

You will be assessed against the essential eligibility criteria outlined in the national person specification for ST3 training.

Eligibility

Recognised primary medical qualification

If you do not hold a recognised primary medical qualification, you will not be considered.

Registration with the General Medicial Council (GMC)

You need to be eligible for full GMC registration by the application closing date and hold full registration by the time of post start date. All doctors wishing to practise medicine in the UK are required by law to hold both registration and a licence to practise. This applies to full time, part time, locum, private and NHS practitioners.

If you have completed an acceptable internship

If you have completed an acceptable internship either overseas or in the UK, you will be eligible for full registration with a licence to practise.

If you have not completed an acceptable internship

 If you have not completed an acceptable internship, you will be eligible for provisional registration with a licence to practise.

Right to work in the UK

Before you can take up an ST3 Obstetrics and Gynaecology training post, you will need to demonstrate that you are eligible to legally work in the UK. 

You will be requested to produce valid right to work documents. If you do not have valid right to work documents you will need to apply for Tier 2 or Skilled Worker sponsorship. Further information can be found on the Government website on Skilled Worker Visas.

Medical practitioners are now part of the Shortage Occupation List and the Health and Care visa route is also available to medical and dental practitioners. Information on the Health and Care visa can also be found on the Government website.

Information:

Find out more about overseas sponsorship.

English language skills

If your undergraduate training was not in English, you will need to provide written evidence of your English language skills. You will need the following scores in the academic International English Language Testing System (IELTS), in a single sitting, no more than 24 months prior to the date of application or a letter from a UK medical supervisor or employer attesting to your competence in English at the appropriate level.

  • Overall 7.5
  • Speaking 7.0
  • Listening 7.0
  • Reading 7.0
  • Writing 7.0

If the outcome of your IELTS test will not be available by the closing date please select Other on your application form and provide details in the text box. Your application will be processed and you will be required to bring the evidence of your results to any interview you attend.

Match to specialty level

Your employment history must show that your career progression is consistent with your personal circumstances and that your present achievement and performance is commensurate with the length of time you have spent in training.

Evidence of ST1/ST2 competences

You must be able to evidence ST1/ST2 or equivalent Obstetrics and Gynaecology competences. The person specification states that you must:

  • have evidence that achievement of ST1 and ST2 competences in Obstetrics and Gynaecology will be achieved by the time of appointment

The full Matrix of Educational progression can be found on the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists website.

Required competences may be evidenced in one of the following ways.

Important: Important

Please note that only the 2024 version of the Alternative Certificate of Core Competences will be accepted for 2024 National Recruitment and no older versions will be accepted.

If you are currently in a UK approved Obstetrics and Gynaecology training programme

If you are currently in a UK approved Obstetrics and Gynaecology training programme, please provide a copy of your ST1 Annual Review of Competency Progression (ARCP) for satisfactory completion/progression to ST2, together with confirmation from Educational Supervisor that you are on track to achieve ST2 competences by the time of appointment. You must also supply a copy of your National Training Number (NTN).

If you have completed a UK approved Obstetrics and Gynaecology training programme within 3 and a half years of post start date

If you have completed a UK approved Obstetrics and Gynaecology training programme within 3 and a half years of the advertised post start date. For example, this would be January 2021 for posts starting in August 2024. Please supply a copy of your final ST2 ARCP showing satisfactory completion.

If you have completed a UK approved Obstetrics and Gynaecology training programme more than 3 and a half years prior to post start date

If you have completed a UK approved Obstetrics and Gynaecology training programme more than 3 and a half years prior to the advertised post start date. For example, this would be prior to January 2021 for posts starting in August 2024. Please supply a completed Alternative Certificate of Core Competences 2024, dated within 3 and a half years of the advertised post start date.

If you are not currently in a UK approved Obstetrics and Gynaecology training programme

If you are not currently in a UK approved Obstetrics and Gynaecology training programme, that is you do not have a NTN, or have not undertaken a UK approved Obstetrics and Gynaecology training programme, please supply a completed Alternative Certificate of Core Competences 2024, dated within 3 and a half years of the advertised post start date.

Longlisting 

Once you have submitted your application, it will be reviewed by a central longlisting team to ensure that longlisting decisions are applied consistently to all applications.

During longlisting, your application will be screened against the entry criteria on the person specification. If your application does not meet the entry criteria, you will be informed by email, and your application will not progress any further.

It is not always possible to be absolutely certain whether you have met the entry requirements at the longlisting stage. There is a possibility that you might be permitted to progress if it is not possible to determine your eligibility at this time. If it is subsequently established that you do not meet the entry criteria at any stage in the recruitment process it is normal practice that your application will be rejected at that time. This still applies even if you have been interviewed and / or have received an offer.

If you know or become aware that you are not eligible, but have not disclosed relevant information, it is much better to let us know at the earliest opportunity to save both you and the recruiters the time and resources needed to progress your application.

Raising concerns

Should you wish to raise a concern about the recruitment process, that falls outside of the national complaints policy, for example, fraudulent submissions by other applicants, please contact the HEE confidential inbox via [email protected].

This email address may not be used as a way of raising a complaint and bypassing the process detailed in the complaints policy. Any complaint raised that falls within the scope of the national complaints policy will be returned for it to be submitted via the correct process.

Page last reviewed: 27 October 2023
Next review due: 1 October 2024