Applying for Core Training

Before you apply for Core Training you should check that you're eligible.

The application process

There is a single application process for CT1 Core Psychiatry, ST1 Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and ST1 Psychiatry of Learning Disability.

The application process involves a standardised application, longlisting and a standardised computer-based test: the Multi-Specialty Recruitment Assessment (MSRA).

Please note that there will be no face-to-face or online interviews for this round of recruitment. Offers will be based on MSRA scores only.

Person specifications

You will be assessed against the essential eligibility criteria outlined in the national person specification for CT1 or ST1 training.

Your eligibility will be reviewed by a central longlisting team. If your application does not meet the entry criteria, you will be informed by email, and your application will not progress any further.

• CT1 Core Psychiatry Training 2024person specification
• ST1 Child and Adolescent Psychiatry 2024 person specification
• ST1 Psychiatry of Learning Disability 2024 person specification

Document upload

As you progress through your application, you may be required to upload documentation to allow the recruitment team to assess your eligibility. All documentation must be uploaded by the required deadline.

If you are required to do this, you must ensure the document is:

• uploaded as a single document and not in separate pages
• appropriately named for clarity
• uploaded into the correct document section
• accessible to the recruitment team, such as providing the password if the document is password protected

You may be asked to re-submit your documentation if this document guidance is not followed.

Match to specialty 

Your employment history must show that your career progression is consistent with your personal circumstances. You must be able to evidence how your present achievements and performance is in proportion to the length of time you have spent in training.

Evidence of English Language skills

You must have demonstrable skills in written and spoken English. These must be adequate to enable effective communication about medical topics with patients and colleagues, as assessed by the General Medical Council (GMC). The GMC provides details on accepted evidence of English Language skills. Further information can be found on the GMC website.

Evidence of Foundation competences

You are required to provide evidence of achievement of Foundation competence within the 3 and a half years prior to the intended start date for the post you apply to. These competences are in line with GMC standards and Good Medical Practice and include:

• make the care of your patient your first concern
• provide a good standard of practice and care
• take prompt action if you think that patient safety, dignity, or comfort is being compromised
• protect and promote the health of patients and of the public
• treat patients as individuals and respect their dignity
• work in partnership with patients
• work with colleagues in the ways that best serve patients’ interests
• be honest and open and act with integrity
• never discriminate unfairly against patients or colleagues
• never abuse your patients’ trust in you or the public’s trust in the profession

There are 6 ways you can demonstrate that you possess Foundation competence. The application form will ask you a series of questions to help you determine the most appropriate form of evidence for you to submit.

If you are not covered by the above

If you do not fall into any of the above categories will be required to submit a Certificate of Readiness to Enter Specialty Training (CREST, 2024 version). This needs to be signed by a consultant who has supervised you for at least 3 months (whole time equivalent and continuous period) in the 3 and a half years prior to the advertised start date for the training programme to which you are applying.

You must submit a single scanned CREST form with your application. 

Additional information for CREST applicants

The CT and ST person specifications state that you need to have had 12 months’ experience after full GMC registration, or equivalent, and evidence of achievement of Foundation competences.

If you are submitting a CREST form with your application, we therefore require at least 24 months' experience in appropriate posts, either in the UK or overseas, since gaining your primary medical qualification and before taking up a specialty training programme.

Appropriate posts are detailed below.

• 12 months' satisfactory completion of a pre-registration, internship, or Foundation year 1 (FY1) post and 12 months' full time satisfactory completion in posts approved for the purposes of medical education by the relevant authority.
• 12 months' satisfactory completion of a pre-registration, internship, or Foundation year 1 (FY1) post and 12 months' full-time experience at a publicly funded hospital in at least two specialties with acute medical responsibilities.
• 12 months' satisfactory completion of either a pre-registration, internship, or Foundation year 1 (FY1) post and a 12-month full-time FY2 post.

You will not be required to submit evidence of your previous experience at the application stage, but you may be requested to provide it during the recruitment process.

Accreditation of Transferable Competences Framework (ATCF)

Many core competences are common across some, but not all, specialty curricula. When moving from one approved training programme to another, competences gained in core, specialty or general practice training should not have to be repeated if already achieved.

The Academy of Medical Royal Colleges developed the Accreditation of Transferable Competences Framework (ATCF) to help those who have already achieved competences in one core, specialty or general practice training programme, transfer where appropriate and valid, to another training programme.

The ATCF applies only to those moving between periods of GMC approved training and is aimed at the early years of training. The time to be recognised within the ATCF will need to be reviewed at your first Annual Review of Competence Progression (ARCP), if appointed.

If you wish to be considered for accreditation of transferable competences, you should indicate this on your application form. It should also be raised with your Training Programme Director or Head of School within the first three months of your CT1 Core Psychiatry, ST1 Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, or ST1 Psychiatry of Learning Disability training post. More information can be found on the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges' website.

Right to 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.

• Recruitment timelines

  The key Core Training recruitment dates

• Posts

  Find out what posts are available

• Documents to support your application

  Documents you may need for your application