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.
- You must be currently or previously registered on one of the divisions of the Irish Medical Council, or provide proof of eligibility for registration
- You must have proof of competency in the English language in line with HSE specifications (PDF, 506KB).
- You must have demonstrated an aptitude for, and an interest in that specialty.
Places in HST are allocated in the first instance to applicants who, at the time of application, are citizens of Ireland or nationals of another Member State of the European Union, Stamp 4 Visa Holders and UK nationals.
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 Irish Medical Council registration / eligibility for registration
- Proof of English language competency
- Passport identity page
- Stamp 4 Residency Permit (if applicable to you – other types of Residency Permits do not need to be submitted)
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.
There are three ways to confirm your eligibility for Irish Medical Council (IMC) registration:
- Submit your certificate of current or previous registration on one of the divisions of the IMC.
- If you are not currently and have never been registered on one of the divisions of the IMC, you may be considered automatically eligible for registration if you completed your medical degree in one of a list of EU countries. A list of eligible countries is available here.. If your country is listed, your academic transcript which you are required to submit will confirm your medical degree was completed in that country.
- If you do not fall into either category 1 or 2 above, please contact the IMC and ask them to provide a letter confirming your eligibility for registration and submit this with your application.