BST Applications Cycle Opens 2nd September 2025 and Closes 29th September 2025
The entry requirements for BST programmes are:
- You must have completed your internship by the start date of the programme
- You must submit documentation that clearly demonstrates your eligibility for registration with the Irish Medical Council (IMC).
The specific documents needed will vary depending on individual circumstances.
Please refer to the section below for detailed guidance.
- You must have proof of competency in the English language in line with HSE specifications (PDF, 506KB)
- You must be eligible to work in Ireland at the time of application. Proof of eligibility must be provided during the application process. Documents submitted after the application deadline will not be accepted.
Under current legislation, candidates are divided into two groups for the purpose of ranking and allocation.
Group 1 includes: Irish, UK, EU nationals, and holders of Stamp 4 or Stamp 4 EUFAM.
These candidates must be treated equally in the ranking and allocation process, as required by EU law.
Group 2 includes: holders of Stamp 1G and Stamp 1H (typically associated with medical posts or education provisions).
Places in BST are allocated in the first instance to applicants who, at the time of application, are considered Group 1 and must be treated equally in the ranking and allocation process under EU legislation. Offers may only be made to candidates in Group 2 once the pool of qualified candidates in Group 1 has been fully considered and exhausted, based on ranking.
Read more about the Allocation of Places on Specialist Training Programmes (PDF, 623KB)
In addition, to be eligible for a place on the BST General Internal Medicine programme, you must be competent in:
- intravenous cannulation
- phlebotomy
- nasogastric tube placement
**PLEASE NOTE ALL REQUIRED DOCUMENTS MUST BE SUBMITTED AT THE TIME OF APPLICATION.
PLEASE ENSURE YOU HAVE ALL DOCUMENTS BEFORE BEGINNING YOUR APPLICATION. LATE DOCUMENT SUBMISSIONS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED***
- IMC Registration / Proof of Eligibility
- Academic Transcript and Medical Degree Certificate
- Proof of English language competency
- Passport identity page or National ID card for EU citizens
- Visa (if applicable): Copy of either Stamp 4, Stamp 4 EUFAM, Stamp 1G, or Stamp 1H. Documentation must be submitted at the time of application. Changes in immigration status after submission will not be considered. Only documents submitted with the application will be reviewed.
The Irish Medical Council criteria for entry to the trainee specialist register has been revised to only include applicants that meet one of the following at application stage:
| Criteria |
Required Supporting Documentation to support TSR |
| A. Doctors who have graduated from an Irish Medical School and have successfully completed their internship in Ireland |
Certificate of experience from IMC OR a copy of previous IMC intern registration certificate |
| B. Doctors who have graduated from an Irish Medical School and will complete their internship in Ireland by July 2026 |
Certificate of registration from Medical Council indicating intern registration & Irish Medical Degree |
| C. Doctors who are currently registered with the IMC on the General or Trainee register |
Current IMC registration certificate |
| D. Doctors who were previously registered with the IMC on the General or Trainee register |
Previous IMC registration certificate |
| E. Doctors who have been made eligible for IMC registration and issued with an email from IMC confirming eligibility |
Email from IMC confirming eligibility |
| F. Doctors who have successfully completed their medical Qualification in one of the following countries – Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Latvia, Netherlands, Romania, Spain, Switzerland or Slovak Republic (this list is subject to change based on the EU Directive) |
Medical Degree from one of the listed EU Countries |
Please note that RCPI is a separate institution and cannot provide advice or assistance regarding the IMC registration process.
For detailed information on how to register, please contact the Irish Medical Council directly.
You can find more information and apply via the IMC website at the link below:
Irish Medical Council