Applying to ST3 Training

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

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 satisfied longlisting criteria will be initially shortlisted according to their submitted self-assessment score (raw score). This initial shortlisting stage means that any application with a submitted self-assessment raw score below the published threshold score will be longlisted/shortlisted out at this point.

They will not be invited to upload supporting self-assessment evidence for review. For further details, including the required self-assessment threshold score please see Self-assessment for ST3 Training.

All applications satisfying longlisting criteria and the minimum self-assessment threshold score at this point will be requested to upload supporting self-assessment domain evidence in the next stage of the shortlisting process. This will be via a dedicated link to the Qpercom Recruit portal (not Oriel) following completion of the longlisting and initial shortlisting stages. Applicants will be provided with a fixed upload window in which to provide this evidence. Please see Recruitment timelines for published date window.

Self-assessment raw scores will then be verified by an assessor based on evidence provided in the portal and adjusted where deemed necessary to provide a verified self-assessment score, which will then be issued to applicants.

No evidence provided outside of the portal will be accepted or reviewed. Applicants will then have a designated standard 48-hour window in which to appeal any self-assessment verified score, but no new evidence may be introduced at this stage. The outcome of the appeal process will be final. Applicants will be advised of their final shortlisting outcome at this stage. Please see section Self-assessment for ST3 Training – Outcomes for details of shortlisting outcomes.

7. 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
8. Preferencing - You will have to preference all programmes in which you would be willing to accept a post
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.

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.

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 2023 for posts starting in August 2026. 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 2023 for posts starting in August 2026. Please supply a completed Alternative Certificate of Core Competences 2026, 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 2026, 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 NHS England 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.