Changes to Medical Specialty Training recruitment for 2027

We would like to inform applicants of some key changes to 2027 specialty training recruitment.

Introduction of a maximum number of applications in Round 2

Applicants to Round 2 will be permitted to submit a maximum of five applications.

The limit of five applications in Round 1 which was introduced in 2026 remains unchanged.

Medical Training (Prioritisation) Act 2026

Regulations laid on 14 September 2026 will direct how prioritisation is applied for specialty recruitment from 2027.

For Round 1 of 2027 Academic Clinical Fellowship (ACF) recruitment, prioritisation will apply at the offer stage only.

For all other specialty recruitment processes apart from ST1 Public Health, prioritisation will apply at the following stages:

• Offer of an interview.
• Offer of a place on a specialty training programme.

Please see our dedicated guidance relating to the Act for further details.

Certificate of Readiness to Enter Specialty Training (CREST) Form

The CREST form used by some applicants to demonstrate Foundation competencies has been revised for 2027 recruitment to provide greater detail about the Foundation Year 2 capabilities required.

The 2024 and 2027 versions of the form may be used for 2027 recruitment. From 2028 recruitment, the 2024 version will no longer be accepted.