Overview of Higher Training

Higher Training in Psychiatry

The different Higher Training programmes usually last between 36, 48 or 60 months (depending on your specialty). The programmes start at ST4 level and lead to Certificate of Training (CCT).

Applies to: England, Scotland and Wales. See guidance for Northern Ireland.

Important: Accuracy

Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained on this page. The information presented is accurate at the time of publication.

These pages should be your first 'port of call' for specific information relating to the Higher Training programme in Psychiatry within England, Scotland and Wales. They should be read in conjunction with the Medical Specialty Recruitment pages which contain more generic recruitment and application guidance.

Northern Ireland operates its own recruitment process for Psychiatry. If you are interested in applying to posts in Northern Ireland, you will need to apply seperately on the Northern Ireland Medical and Dental Training Agency website.

Psychiatry

The Higher Training programme in Psychiatry is comprised of a minimum of 36 months of advanced training. This may be in one of the 6 General Medical Council (GMC) approved single specialties or in one of the 7 approved dual programmes.

You must complete an entire programme of training, core and higher, to obtain a Certificate of Training (CCT) and pass all sections of the MRCPsych examination.

The specialties in Psychiatry are:

  • General Psychiatry
  • Old Age Psychiatry
  • Forensic Psychiatry
  • Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
  • Psychiatry of Learning Disability
  • Medical Psychotherapy

To successfully complete the training programme, you must achieve all competencies as set out in the relevant advanced curriculum and achieve an Annual Review of Competence Progession (ARCP) Outcome 6. 

General Adult Psychiatry

The Higher Training programme in General Adult Psychiatry consists of the equivalent of 3 years full-time clinical experience. This is comprised of 2 years in a General Psychiatry post and 1 year spent in an approved GMC sub-specialty of General Psychiatry.

Placements include supervised in-patient and out-patient management with both new patients and follow-up cases. You will also gain supervised experience of emergencies and ‘on call’ duties.

Placements take place in hospital and/or community settings. They are also often delivered in functional services specialising in a specific area of work including crisis, home treatment, early interventions, assertive interventions or recovery models. 

Old Age Psychiatry

The Higher Training programme in Old Age Psychiatry consists of the equivalent of 3 years full-time clinical experience. This is comprised of two 12 month placements in different Old Age Psychiatry settings. A third 12 month placement may be spent in an approved GMC liasion sub-specialty of Old Age Psychiatry.

You will gain experience working with older adults in a variety of in-patient and community settings including:

  • in-patient wards
  • assessment wards
  • continuing care wards
  • joint psychiatric and geriatic wards
  • day hospitals
  • sheltered housing
  • residential care
  • home assessment and treatment
  • out-patients
Psychiatry of Learning Disability

The Higher Training programme in Old Age Psychiatry consists of the equivalent of 3 years full-time clinical experience.

During the placement, you will gain experience working in a variety of experience working with patients in different settings including:

  • acute treatment of in-patients
  • managing the treatment of People with Learning Disabilities (PWLD) and their mental health and behavioural problems
  • working in the communtiy as part of multidisciplinary teams
  • working with patients and their carers' in out-patient community settings

You could also spend one year within a designated Psychiatry of Learning Disability service targeted at children.

Your third year could comprise of further community-based expereince with an emphasis on a sub-specialty of interest.

Child and Adolescent Psychiatry

The Higher Training programme in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry consists of the equivalent of 3 years full-time clinical experience.

Forensic Psychiatry

The Higher Training programme in Forensic Psychiatry consists of the equivalent of 3 years full-time clinical experience.

Medical Psychotherapy

The Higher Training programme in Medical Psychotherapy consists of the equivalent of 3 years full-time clinical experience.

Dual training

You are also able to apply for entry into dual training programmes after completing Core Training. Application to the GMC for a CCT will only take place once both of the programmes are successfully completed.

The approved GMC training combinations are:

  • General Adult Psychiatry and Old Age Psychiatry
  • General Adult Psychiatry and Forensic Psychiatry
  • General Adult Psychiatry and Medical Psychotherapy
  • Forensice Psychiatry and Medical Psychotherapy
  • Forensice Psychiatry and Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
  • Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Medical Psychotherapy
  • Psychiatry of Learning Disability Child and Adolescent Psychiatry 

Related information

Page last reviewed: 11 July 2023
Next review due: 11 July 2024