Download HSE clinical course and examination refund scheme guidance document (PDF, 391KB)

Download training support scheme guidance document (PDF, 668KB)

Download specialist training fund for HST reimbursement form 2024 2025

Download specialist training fund for HST guidance document

If you need to take sick leave, maternity leave, compassionate leave or Force Majeure Leave during Higher Specialist Training, you must let your HST coordinator know.

You will need to complete a leave of absence form, available below.

You can obtain a maximum of three months’ credit for approved leave of absence during HST. If you take more than three months’ leave during HST, your period of clinical training will be extended accordingly.

For further information, please read Training Handbook for your programme.

• Download Leave of Absence Form for Higher Specialist Training (Word, 33KB)
• In Obstetrics and Gynaecology? Use this Leave of Absence Form (Word, 41KB)

• Download the Out if Clinical Programme Experience Form (OCPE) Obstetrics and Gynaecology
• Download the Out of Clinical Programme Experience Form (OCPE) in other specialties 

View the Guide to HSE National Supernumerary Flexible Training Scheme (PDF, 948KB)

Download the Application Form (Word, 82KB)

Download Post Re-Assignment Policy (PDF, 289KB)

Download Post Re-Assignment Application Form (Word, 27KB)

Download Job Sharing Policy (PDF, 183KB)

Download Job Sharing Application Form (Word, 27KB)

Download Grievance Procedures for Trainees (PDF, 182KB)

Download Disciplinary Procedure for Trainees (PDF, 232KB)

Download Equal Opportunities Policy (PDF, 180KB)

Download Progression Through Training: Higher Specialist Training (PDF, 280KB)

Download the HST Allocations Policy (PDF, 124KB)

The RPT process is the formal recognition of a structured medical training programme which, if deemed equivalent to one of our BST programmes, will enable application to a RCPI HST training programme and avoid unnecessary duplication of training. It does not enable the applicant to receive a BST Certificate of Completion from the RCPI.  The applicant must have completed a structured training programme in full and have evidence to prove same.   For more, please see

Download Recognition of Prior Training Policy - V3 (PDF, 325.9 KB)

MRCPI General Medicine Part I Written exam can be taken just six months after graduating from medical school. This allows you to get an early start on your medical career.

Download Appeals Policy: Postgraduate Training (Word, 1.2MB)

Download Appeals Policy: Recruitment and Selection (Word, 1.1MB)

Download Anti-Bullying Policy (PDF, 304KB)

Download RCPI Confidentiality Policy (PDF, 281KB)

Download RCPI Referral Policy (PDF, 322KB)

Download RCPI Remediation Policy (PDF, 309KB)

Download RCPI Return to Training Policy (PDF, 347KB)

Download RCPI Disability Policy (PDF, 214KB)

The RCPI have a strong commitment to ensuring all doctors in training have the opportunity to reach their full potential.

Flexible or Less Than Full Time (LTFT) training guidelines are designed to support those trainees who wish to train flexibly for either professional or personal reasons and thereby ensures a pathway by which a trainee has the opportunity to continue their training on a flexible bases while continuing to attain the required competencies and range of experience necessary.

RCPI would consider that all training posts can be used for flexible training arrangements, and we envisage to work and support a trainee on this principle.

All Postgraduate trainees can apply for flexible training at any stage of their training pathway but, it is acknowledged that those in the first year of training BST training should if possible complete a full year in training before requesting flexible options.


Aims of Flexible training

1. Retention of trainees who are unable to continue their training on a full-time basis.
2. Promote career development and work/life balance for trainees.
3. Ensure continued training on a time equivalent basis.
4. Maintain a balance between flexible training arrangements, the educational requirements of both full-time and flexible trainees and the service needs.  

Principles of Flexible Training

1. All trainees can apply for flexible training and all applications will be treated positively and equally.
2. No existing trainee will be disadvantaged by the application for flexible training options.
3. All accredited posts are deemed suitable for flexible training must be appropriate for the trainee’s training requirements at the time.
4. There will be a transparent, independent and fair process in place for trainees who choose to train flexibly.

Flexible Training examples

1.    4-day week.
2.    Reduction in working week to between 0.6 and 0.8.
3.    Job sharing where two trainees agree to share a post at a 0.6 each.
4.    Week on week off.

Flexible Training considerations - Trainees

Trainees should consider the following prior to applying for Flexible training:

• Salary implications and the duration of training before undertaking this route of training.
• Duration of training will lengthen and CSCST date will be extended.

Applications for the training year commencing in July 2025 close on 31 October at 5pm.

Please click here to access the application form.

Less Than Full Time Training Policy 2526

Less Than Full Time Training FAQs

Please find documents below regarding the Dr Richard Steevens Scholarships for 2022/2023. Applications for trainees will open on 1 October 2021 and will close on 2 November 2021. Further information can be found on the HSE website.

• DRS 2022 Applicants Coversheet (Word, 47KB)
  
  
• DRS 2022 Applicants Guide (PDF, 330KB)

HST Applications Cycle Opens 1st October 2025 and Closes 29th October 2025

Application and Relevant Scoring Criteria will be available shortly

Entry requirements for Higher Specialist Training are programme-specific. To see the entry requirements for your preferred programme, please check the relevant HST curriculum.

General entry requirements for HST:

• You must have completed Basic Specialist Training in the relevant specialty (or an equivalent programme) by the start date for HST. Please note that not all BST programmes offer consideration of equivalence. Download guidelines on BST programme equivalence (PDF, 133KB)
• You must have achieved a relevant postgraduate qualification such as MRCPI in General Medicine, General Paediatrics or Obstetrics and Gynaecology. Please note: All HST candidates must have successfully passed their MRCPI Clinical Examination relevant to their speciality before their HST interview date.  There are no exceptions to this requirement.
• Proof of current and active registration with the Irish Medical Council is required. Outdated or expired documentation will not be accepted.
• 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.
• You must have demonstrated an aptitude for, and an interest in that specialty.

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).
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.

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)

Basic Specialist Training Course Equivalence (PDF, 133KB)

To submit an application, it is required to complete an online form through our official channels. Documents can be attached to the form; it is mandatory to attach those that demonstrate meeting the minimum admission requirements. Applications can be saved as drafts and completed at a later time. Draft applications left incomplete by the deadline will not be considered.

The online application form will ask you for the following information:

• employment and training history
• clinical practice - experience to date
• academic achievements
• teaching experience
• audit experience
• research experience
• presentations to date
• publications to date
• management and leadership experience
• career objectives
• contact details of two references, one of whom must be your most recent supervising consultant

Please note you are not required to submit additional documents related to the above. Please be brief in describing only relevant experience under each of the headings on the application form.

Please note that formatting (paragraphs, special characters, bullet points, spacing etc.) will not copy over to your final application. All free text boxes are limited to 500 characters (letters/spaces etc).

Zoom drop-in sessions will be available close to the application period. These sessions will provide an opportunity for applicants to ask questions and receive assistance with their applications

***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***

• Certificate of completion of Basic Specialist Training (BST)*
• Evidence of postgraduate qualification such as MRCPI
• Proof of current and active registration with the Irish Medical Council is required. Outdated or expired documentation will not be accepted.
• Proof of English language competency
• Passport identity page
• 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.

Applicants are not able to supply their BST Certificate at the time of application due to outstanding Programme Requirements (MRCPI results, ePortfolio incomplete, pending mandatory courses etc.) must to do so without delay and before the final deadline. No exceptions can be made. 

Applicants must hold current and active registration with the Irish Medical Council (IMC) at the time of application.

Please note that the College 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

Please note - these criteria relate to the recruitment cycle for the July 2025 intake

Shortlisting and entry criteria are under review for the July 2026 intake - please check back shortly

• Cardiology (PDF, 122KB)
• Chemical Pathology (PDF, 124KB)
• Clinical Genetics (PDF, 117KB)
• Clinical Microbiology (PDF, 128KB)
• Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics (PDF, 113KB)
• Clinical Neurophysiology (PDF ,108KB)
• Dermatology (PDF, 120KB)
• Endocrinology and Diabetes Mellitus (PDF, 123KB)
• Gastroenterology (PDF, 121KB)
• General Paediatrics (PDF, 194KB)
• Genitourinary Medicine (PDF, 118KB)
• Geriatric Medicine (PDF, 151KB)
• Haematology (PDF, 117KB)
• Histopathology (PDF, 118KB)
• Immunology (PDF, 124KB)
• Infectious Diseases (PDF, 137KB)
• Medical Oncology (PDF, 114KB)
• Neonatology (PDF, 314KB)
• Neurology (PDF, 127KB)
• Nephrology (PDF, 128KB)
• Obstetrics and Gynaecology (PDF, 123KB)
• Occupational Medicine (PDF, 117KB)
• Paediatric Cardiology (PDF, 316KB)
• Palliative Medicine (PDF, 121KB)
• Pharmaceutical Medicine (PDF, 127KB)
• Public Health Medicine (PDF, 126KB)
• Rehabilitation Medicine (PDF, 124KB)
• Respiratory Medicine (PDF, 157KB)
• Rheumatology (PDF, 128KB)