Paediatric sub-specialty training - application guidance

In the UK paediatric training programme, it is possible to sub-specialise during specialty level training (ST5-ST7). Applications are made through a competitive recruitment process.

Those who complete an approved programme of sub-specialty training are eligible to enter the GMC (General Medical Council) specialist register as a paediatrician with a sub-specialty. This page guides trainees through the recruitment process.

The guidance for the 2024-25 application round is available to view below, including the full applicant guide and the updated shortlisting scoring guidance. Applications are now closed.
Last modified
26 November 2024

Updates - please read first

13 October 2024 - A new date has been added for nephrology interviews, so nephrology will now be interviewing over 2 days. Please see the interview dates table below.

12 October 2024 - If you are applying in the 2024/25 round for paediatric emergency medicine or paediatric neurodisability, please read the following statement from Wales on their programme submissions:

"It is with great regret that we are having to withdraw two programmes from national subspecialty recruitment. These are one of the two PEM posts and both neurodisability posts. This is due to a number of unexpected work force factors that mean our programme cannot accommodate additional trainees. The full implication of this has only become apparent after we submitted our posts. We are sorry for any inconvenience this causes applicants at this late stage." 

Please be reassured that this is a very unique situation and every effort has been made to keep these programmes available. Unfortunately this final decision is beyond the control of both the HEIW office and the RCPCH.

30 October 2024 - An updated version of the "Guidance on filling out your Oriel application" document is available in the downloads section below.

18 October 2024 - An updated version of the "Scoring for Sub-specialty Shortlisting 2024-25" document is available in the downloads section below. The wording of the QI/audit section has been updated to clarify the scoring and the drop-down options for the Education section have also been updated, following feedback. Just to reiterate the overall information required for these sections has not changed. 

9 October 2024 -  The programme summaries and individual job descriptions for the 2024-25 round are available to view on SharePoint. To access the SharePoint site please go to the following section below to click on the link: What sub-specialty posts can I apply for?

12 August 2024 - The Confirmation of eligibility form is available now to complete on ePortfolio or from the Downloads box below for trainees applying from the Republic of Ireland or other allied medical specialties.

The new Evidencing relevant experience for sub-specialty training form will not be available on ePortfolio for the 2024-25 round. Applicants that this applies, need to email the appropriate CSAC Chair for approval (previous process unchanged).

Changes to the 2024-25 round

As noted in our recent online careers event (recording in Events section below), the College team has been working on some further development of the sub-specialty recruitment process. Here is an outline of the updates that will be introduced this year.

Eligibility

  • Trainees will need to provide examples of having explored their chosen sub-specialty on the Confirmation of Eligibility form.
  • These examples should be discussed with Educational Supervisors who will need to sign these off before forms are submitted to Heads of School.

Shortlisting

  • White-space questions will be removed from the application form. The format of the entry will be simpler and clearer, using examples instead of lengthy free-text.
  • The ‘Statement to Support’ has been removed entirely.
  • The shortlisting will be scored on the following sections:
    • Exploration of sub-specialty – this replaces ‘Clinical Experience’, with applicants asked to list three examples, with a demonstration of relevant skills/attributes that have prepared the applicant for the sub-specialty
    • Leadership – section now focussed on non-clinical roles
    • Quality Improvement/Audit
    • Involvement in teaching
    • Research achievements
    • Publications/Presentations/Posters

Interviews

The interviews will continue to take place online, with the duration being extended to 30 minutes per candidate. It will still consist of four questions across the following assessment areas:

  1. ‘Motivation’ question will focus on preparation for and understanding of the sub-specialty
  2. 'Clinical' question will assess clinical ability and reasoning 
  3. ‘Academic’ question will become a portfolio-style question, which will explore an applicant's academic experience, including research, publications and teaching
  4. ‘Team working’ question will be replaced by a second clinical scenario, focussing on clinical leadership

The new Applicant Guide and updated Shortlisting Guidance are all now available in the Downloads box below.

Timeline

These are the key applicant dates for the 2024-25 sub-specialty recruitment round.

Stage of process Date
Webinar on applying to sub-specialty training 15:30 - 16:30 Thursday 26 September 2024
Programmes advertised on RCPCH website with links to job descriptions on SharePoint Wednesday 9 October 2024
Applications open on Oriel 12 noon Wednesday 23 October 2024
Confirmation of eligibility forms to deanery via ePortfolio by Wednesday 6 November 2024*
Applications close 12 noon Wednesday 13 November 2024
Longlisting and Shortlisting process Wednesday 13 November - Friday 13 December 2024
Shortlisting outcomes and invitations to interview sent via Oriel From Wednesday 18 December 2024 (not before 16:00)
Shortlisting feedback emailed out Friday 20 December 2024 (not before 16:00)
Shortlisting appeals deadline 10:00 Thursday 2 January 2025
Shortlisting appeals outcomes Wednesday 8 January 2025 (not before 16:00)
Webinar on the interview process (invite only) TBC 2025
Virtual sub-specialty interview period From Thursday 23 January - Friday 7 February 2025
Deadline for confirmation of preference choices 9:00 Monday 10 February 2025
Matching process From Monday 10 February 2025
Offers will be made on Oriel From Tuesday 18 February 2025
Hold deadline Tuesday 25 February 2025
Upgrade deadline Tuesday 27 February 2025
Clearing round From Friday 28 February 2025
Interview feedback sent out Thursday 13 March 2025

Interview dates

Sub-specialty 2025 Interview date(s)
Community Child Health Wednesday 29 / Thursday 30 / Friday 31 January
Neonatal Medicine Monday 3 / Tuesday 4 / Wednesday 5 February
Paediatric Allergy (PAIID) Thursday 23 January
Paediatric Clinical Pharmacology Wednesday 29 January
Paediatric Diabetes & Endocrinology Thursday 30 January
Paediatric Emergency Medicine Thursday 23 / Friday 24 January
Paediatric Gastroenterology (PGHAN) Monday 27 January
Paediatric Hepatology (PGHAN) Tuesday 28 January
Paediatric Immunology & Infectious Disease (PAIID) Friday 24 January
Paediatric Inherited Metabolic Medicine Wednesday 29 January
Paediatric Intensive Care Medicine Thursday 6 / Friday 7 February
Paediatric Nephrology Thursday 6 / Friday 7 February
Paediatric Neurodisability Monday 27 and Tuesday 28 January
Paediatric Neurology Thursday 30 / Friday 31 January
Paediatric Oncology Friday 31 January
Paediatric Palliative Medicine Tuesday 4 February
Paediatric Respiratory Medicine Thursday 23 / Friday 24 January
Paediatric Rheumatology Thursday 6 February 

What sub-specialty posts can I apply for?

The programme summaries and individual job descriptions for the 2024-25 round are available to view via this SharePoint link. On this site there are separate folders for each sub-specialty and within them are folders for each region where the individual job descriptions can be viewed.

Who can apply for sub-specialty training?

All applicants should ensure that they meet the criteria listed below in order for their application to be considered. Paediatric sub-specialty training is available for all trainees in the UK Paediatric Training pathway, along with some specific exceptions for trainees from related specialties, as detailed below.

There are no personal specifications for individual sub-specialties.

Applications that do not meet these criteria will be longlisted out of the process

Eligibility criteria: RCPCH trainees, RCPCH academic trainees, ROI paediatric trainees

RCPCH trainees
  • Completion of MRCPCH examinations (must have passed by the point of interview)
  • Completion or expected completion of core paediatric training by the time of entry to the sub-specialty training programme
  • Annual Review of Competency Progression (ARCP) must be an outcome 1 or expected to be an outcome 1 by entry into sub-specialty training
  • Must have enough time to complete sub-specialty training before CCT date (demonstrated on the Confirmation of Eligibility form on ePortfolio)

RCPCH academic trainees
  • As above (for RCPCH trainees)
  • Should have an Academic Clinical Lectureship (ACL) post already lined up**

Republic of Ireland (ROI) paediatric trainees

Must demonstrate the following by submitting a completed Certificate of Core Training Capabilities for ROI Trainees (available in the download below):

  • Currently in the ROI paediatric training programme
  • Completion of MRCPI in Paediatrics and all BST General Paediatrics Mandatory Courses
  • Demonstration of completion or expected completion of core training capabilities by the time of entry to the sub-specialty programme as outlined in RCPCH Progress+ curriculum

Eligibility criteria: Other allied medical specialties

There is no requirement for trainees in other allied medical specialties to have MRCPCH examinations or the paediatric capabilities listed in the RCPCH trainee eligibility criteria, but they should be aware of their own essential requirements.

All Anaesthetic, Intensive care medicine (ICM) and Emergency medicine (EM) trainees need to demonstrate the following by submitting a completed Confirmation of eligibility form for Anaesthetic, ICM & EM trainees (available in the Downloads box below)

Anaesthetic trainees
  • Currently in UK Anaesthetics training pathway
  • Ensure that 24 months WTE OOP is approved for PICM training
  • Have FRCA
  • Have completed ST5 by the time of entry into PICM training

Contact for more information: PICM ISAC


Intensive care medicine (ICM) trainees
  • Currently in the UK ICM training pathway
  • Have Primary FRCA, MRCEM/intermediate FRCEM, MRCP (UK) or equivalent
  • Have completed Stage 1 of the ICM Training Programme (ST4) by the time of entry into PICM training
  • Dual CCT ICM trainees (with either Acute Internal Medicine (AIM) or EM or Anaesthesia) will need to gain approval to extend their training to complete PICM training. Single ICM CCT trainees will have no extension to training.

Sub-specialty recognition: ICM trainees are eligible for sub-specialty recognition of PICM in their CCT. It is preferable that applications to PICM are made by the end of Stage 1 of the ICM Training Programme, to give the best chance of integrating it into their training.

Contact for more information: PICM ISAC


Emergency medicine (EM) trainees
  • Currently in the UK EM Training pathway
  • Have MRCEM/Intermediate FRCEM
  • Have completed EM ST4 by the time of entry into PEM or PICM training

Contact for more information: PEM ISAC for more information on entry into PEM training / PICM ISAC for more information on entry into PICM training


Trainees outside of a UK/ROI training programme

Applications from those outside of a UK/Republic of Ireland training programme are not eligible to apply. Please look at available options on our page for international doctors looking for opportunities in the UK.

If someone has training, qualifications and experience in paediatrics but has gained these partly or completely outside of an approved CCT training programme (for example, they have trained outside the UK or Republic of Ireland, moved abroad or taken a career break) and they are looking to join the GMC Specialist Register, they may be eligible to apply for the Portfolio Pathway.

Trainees from outside of a UK/Republic of Ireland training programme may be eligible to apply to core paediatric training and then apply to sub-specialty training once in the UK training programme.

Indicative training time

Sub-specialty training is capability-based and programmes are typically two to three years indicatively. Applicants must ensure they have enough time to complete the required capabilities before their agreed CCT date, as it cannot be changed to accommodate sub-specialty training.

A maximum of one year WTE (whole time equivalent) specialty level training UK experience or equivalent (Out of Programme Pause or OOP Training) can be counted towards sub-specialty training, as long as it has been approved by the relevant CSAC Chair prior to the application process.

Applicants are required to email the relevant CSAC Chair for approval and upload the approval email as evidence to their Confirmation of Eligibility form on ePortfolio. Please see the Evidencing prior experience for sub-specialty training document in the Downloads box below for the type of relevant experience that is accepted. 

How many times can I apply to do sub-specialty training?

Trainees are not limited in the number of attempts that they can apply to sub-specialty training, subject to having enough time left before their CCT date and can count up to one year WTE towards training.

How many sub-specialties can I apply for?

Applicants can apply for a maximum of two sub-specialties in each round. Separate application forms must be submitted for each sub-specialty.

Can I defer my place?

A deferral request will be accepted for statutory reasons only (for example, parental leave or ill health). Applicants applying for deferred entry must put their intention to defer and their intended start date (if known) on their application form. We are no longer accepting deferral requests for any other reasons. This does not affect trainees applying while they are out of programme (OOP) if they meet the eligibility criteria, but trainees will no longer be able to defer for studying for a higher education qualification.

How do I apply?

Applications are made via the Oriel recruitment system.

  • Access the Oriel system and register for an account with Oriel using the same email registered on ePortfolio
  • Read the shortlisting scoring criteria thoroughly when completing the application. It contains all the details of the marking scheme and the maximum score for each assessment domain. It also contains the white space questions for each section, so applicants can start planning their answers in advance of the application window.
  • It is recommended that applications be submitted at least 48 hours before the closing date to allow for any technical problems or unforeseen circumstances.
  • Late applications will not be accepted under any circumstances.
  • Reasonable adjustments and special circumstances requests need to be noted on the application and the relevant form (available in the Downloads box below) completed and returned to the sub-specialty team. Please see the applicant guide below for more information.

Shortlisting scores do not contribute to the final score. They will determine if an applicant goes through to the interview stage. Applicants will be appointed based on their interview score and their preferences.

Confirmation of eligibility forms and equivalent

All applicants need to submit a confirmation of eligibility form or equivalent to demonstrate their eligibility to apply to sub-specialty training.

New for 2024-25 all applicants are required to include 3 examples of activities/experience from their career to date, to demonstrate that they have prepared themselves for an application to their chosen sub-specialty. These examples should have been discussed with and signed off by their Educational Supervisor as part of this form. This form will not be viewed by the shortlisters or interviewers and it will not be scored.

The next sections have more information per type of trainee. 

RCPCH trainees

Trainees need to ask their local deanery (see the Downloads box below for the deanery contact list) and their Educational Supervisor to complete the Confirmation of eligibility form on ePortfolio before submitting an application.

To open a form once logged into ePortfolio, click on ‘create’ under ‘create a new event’ and scroll down to ‘uncategorised’ where ‘Confirmation of eligibility form for sub-specialty training’ is listed, click on the link to open a new form. Trainees need to fill out section 1 of the form, and then submit it to their deanery contact.

Forms need to be submitted to the local deanery before the application window closes. Late forms may not be accepted and in this situation will be at the discretion of the deanery. The form asks the deanery contact to confirm that the trainee is eligible to apply to sub-specialty training and that they have no concerns regarding their training progress. One form is needed for each applicant, not for each application, unless sub-specialty training experience is being counted towards different applications. The form does not need to be uploaded to the Oriel application.

Any application submitted without a confirmation of eligibility form on ePortfolio will be longlisted out of the process.

Republic of Ireland (ROI) paediatric trainees

Trainees from ROI will need to complete the Certificate of Core Training Capabilities for ROI Trainees form. It needs to be completed by a consultant who has worked with the trainee for a minimum of three months WTE within 3.5 years prior to August 2025 and their Educational Supervisor or equivalent. The completed form needs to be emailed back to the recruitment team before an application is submitted. The form is available in the Downloads box below.

Anaesthetic, Intensive care medicine and Emergency medicine trainees

Trainees from these specialties need to ask their local deanery and their Educational Supervisor to complete a Confirmation of eligibility for Anaesthetic, ICM, and EM trainees form and email it back to the Medical Recruitment team before an application is submitted. The form is available in the Downloads box below.

Events

On 26 September 2024, the RCPCH Medical Recruitment Team held this webinar to explain the application process and the changes for the 2024/25 round in more detail, followed by a Q&A.

Paediatric sub-specialty careers event

On 24 July 2024, the RCPCH Medical Recruitment Team held this event online across two sessions in the morning and afternoon. In the first hour of each session, the team delivered a presentation on the recruitment process then representatives from each of the sub-specialties gave a one-minute presentation on what it is like to work in their field. Both sessions ended with a Q&A. This recording has been edited to merge both sessions together, so there may be some repetition in the Q&A. Please open on YouTube to view the timestamps.

There will be an invite only webinar on the interview process in January. Check back here for more information on future events.

Contact us

If you have any questions, please contact the RCPCH Sub-specialty Recruitment team:

  • *This deadline is for confirmation of eligibility forms to be sent to the deanery. The deadline for the forms to be submitted to the RCPCH Medical Recruitment team is the same deadline for submitting the Oriel application by.
  • **These academic posts are supernumerary to the clinical posts that we advertise in the recruitment programmes, and they are therefore not included in the preferences and offers process. Trainees that are found appointable following the interview process can take up an academic post up till October of that recruitment year, otherwise they will need to reapply in a future round.