Selection process

NHS England (South West) co-ordinates the national selection process for Ophthalmology ST1 recruitment. We would like to highlight the changes that will take place over the next 2 recruitment rounds.

Changes to the recruitment process

Change for 2027

In the previous recruitment round the Multi-Specialty Recruitment Assessment (MSRA) and unverified self-assessment score were combined to create an overall shortlisting score. Going forward the shortlisting score will be solely the MSRA score and will not include the self-assessment score. The verified self-assessment score will continue to be incorporated into the final total score.

Change for 2028

The same process will be adopted as in previous years, but candidates will be required to self-score their competencies and achievements in Oriel at the time of application. Only competencies achieved by the application closing date, in November 2027, can be included in the self-assessment. This change does not apply to the current recruitment round.

Training posts and locations

Each Deanery/local office submits its indicative number of vacancies with a brief outline of the programme, see the Posts page for more information including local contact details.

The vacancies are correct at the point of advertisement but may be subject to change.

Eligibility checks

All applications will be longlisted against the Ophthalmology ST1 Person specification.

Due to the number of applicants, eligibility checks will take place later in the process and by allowing applicants to progress through the selection process, NHS England does not accept or confirm that applicants meet all eligibility requirements.

This includes GMC registration, evidence of achievement of foundation competencies or equivalent, and requisite length of time in training as per the national person specification.

This list is not exhaustive and is applicable to all eligibility criteria.

You may still be withdrawn from the application process at any stage, including after the interviews have taken place, if the evidence pertaining to an eligibility criterion is found to be unsatisfactory.

It is possible that during the longlisting process you will be asked to provide further information on any aspects of your application to confirm your eligibility or to clear up any anomalies.

If this happens, you will need to provide the required information within the time frame given for your application to be considered.

If your application does not meet the entry criteria, you will be informed by email, and your application will not progress any further.

Selection process

The selection process for Ophthalmology ST1 training has 3 stages; Multi-Specialty Recruitment Assessment (MSRA), Evidence folder and Self assessment.

Multi-Specialty Recruitment Assessment (MSRA)

Full details of the MSRA along information to help you prepare for the MSRA can be found on Medical Specialty Recruitment website.

All applicants will be invited to attend the MSRA.

Attendance at this assessment is mandatory for applicants to Ophthalmology ST1 and candidates who fail to attend the assessment will be withdrawn from the selection process.

Scores from previous years or rounds cannot be carried forward.

The assessment will be available be undertaken at Pearson Vue.

Invitations to book the assessment will be sent early in December and will be messaged through Oriel.

Other specialties will also be using the MSRA within their selection processes and candidates applying to a combination of the specialties will only be required to sit the assessment once.

There will be places for all candidates to sit the assessment, but some centres may have limited availability, with spaces being reserved on a first come first served basis so it is important for you to book your slot as soon as possible.

See the Multi-Specialty Recruitment Assessment (MSRA) page for more details.

Self assessment

Candidates will be asked to self-score their achievements and to allow candidates a similar timeframe as in previous years to gain competences, the deadline to submit the self-score will be the document upload deadline.

There will be 8 domains to score and the maximum score that can be achieved is 47 points. A minimum threshold has been set as in previous years and candidates are required to score a minimum of 19 points to continue in the process.

Candidates that self-score themselves below this threshold irrespective of the MSRA score will not progress beyond this stage.

We strongly recommend, prior to applying, that you review the scoring framework and if your self-scoring is below 19 points to consider if it would be beneficial to delay your application until the next recruitment year.

It is important the scoring accurately represents your achievements. Any instances of candidates found to be blatantly or persistently trying to gain an unfair advantage by over-claiming scores and/or exaggerating their achievements will lead to a probity investigation. This could lead to an application being deemed not appointable, or, in very serious cases, could be reported as a probity matter to the GMC; however, this is a very rare outcome.

Submitting the self assessment scores

We will ask candidates to submit the scores via two different methods: 

• A standard proforma should be completed where you should add the scores you awarded yourself and a brief description of the evidence used to support the score. This will aid the panel when reviewing the evidence. This document should be uploaded as the first document within your evidence folder
• A link will also be provided to an online form where we will ask you to enter just the scores but no comments

Any candidates that fail to submit both components will not progress through the process.

Evidence folder

The evidence folder of the 350 candidates put forward will be reviewed by a panel. The self-scoring will be verified against the evidence uploaded and scored in line with scoring guidance that has been published. A second ranked list will be produced based solely on the verified self-assessment score. Those candidates whose verified score is below 20 points will not progress to the next stage.

The scores and the comments recorded as part of the review will be released to candidates as feedback in February 2027.

Upon receipt of the feedback if you feel your evidence has been overlooked/misinterpreted you can submit an appeal. Instructions for submitting an appeal will be included in the email containing your feedback. You will be given 48 hours to submit your appeal. You will not be able to upload any additional documents during the appeals process; appeals can only be made using the evidence originally submitted.

An appeals panel will review your appeal. Scores awarded by the appeals panel are final and there is no further recourse to appeal even if the appeals panel reduces the original score.

Virtual assessment/interview

The assessment/interview will take place during March 2027 and will be virtual so there will be no need to attend in person.

Candidates will be asked to book a slot through Oriel.

The slots are booked on a first come first served basis.

The assessment itself will include two separate interviews/role plays and each one will be up to 10 minutes in length.

There will be 5 minutes reading time before candidates enter each interview room to prepare where the scenario will be shared. Candidates can make notes during this time and take the notes into the interview room to refer to.

Interview 1

Assessment will be in the form of a medical consultation focusing on clinical knowledge and will involve conversing with an actor playing the role of a patient or carer of a patient. Two assessors will observe the interaction and score each candidate according to set criteria. The assessors will not be seen or heard by the candidate. At times there will be a third quality assurance assessor or lay representative observing the interaction.

Interview 2

Assessment will be in the form of a medical consultation focusing on a difficult communication or ethical scenario and will involve conversing with an actor playing the role of a patient or carer of a patient. Two assessors will observe the interaction and score each candidate according to set criteria. The assessors will not be seen or heard by the candidate. At times there will a be a third quality assurance assessor or lay representative observing the interaction.

Although the assessments are labelled interview 1 and 2, candidates may start in either one.

The process for each candidate including the initial identity checks, assessment and the debrief will take approximately 45 minutes.

Expressing a preference - where you want to train

Candidates that have progressed to the offer stage will be asked to rank the training locations in order of preference.

This process will be carried out within Oriel.

An automated message, containing instructions, will be sent to candidates when the preferences open.

It is intended that the offers process will commence towards the end of March.

At the point of making offers, the preferences will be temporarily suspended.

Following this a matching process will take place and successful candidates will receive their highest ranked preference available.

Candidates whose preferences have been exhausted before their name is reached will not receive an offer and will be notified of this.

Further details about preferencing are available within the Specialty Training Website.

Offers

All offers will be made through Oriel. The posts will be offered in rank order.

Posts can be added at anytime until the next advertisement is placed later in the year.

Further details about the offers process are available within the Specialty Training Website.

Feedback

Feedback will be released in stages during the selection process. Please refer to the Recruitment timelines page for more details.

References

As part of the national application process candidates will be asked to provide the names of 3 referees.

References will only be requested once applicants have accepted the offer of a training post.

The purpose of the reference is to confirm employment history and to highlight any concerns.

If no offer is made, or an offer is not accepted, referees will not be contacted. Please note references will not be required at the interview.