Specialty training at ST3 - application guidance

National recruitment processes for ST3 entry

Recruitment for paediatrics involves a shortlisting process based on part of the application form, which determines those applicants that are invited to be interviewed. Interviews themselves are subsequently held virtually, if successful at shortlisting.

The format of shortlisting is adapted to include a shorter, more defined entry method for applicants, with no long "white-space" answers. In short this means:

• All "written" answers input into the Oriel application form will be limited to a maximum of 50 words per section
• Some items may be entered via drop-down boxes
• Applicants will be asked to identify the best examples of skills/attributes/experience from their career against the scoring criteria
• There is no 'Supporting statement'
• There is no longer a section for 'Additional qualifications
• Scoring sections will be:
  • Transferable Clinical skills
  • Personal achievements and reflection
  • Quality Improvement Project/Audit
  • Academic achievements
  • Teaching

Recruitment for ST3 paediatrics is composed of two elements:

1. Application form (white-space questions) for shortlisting, to cover: Past achievements, Teaching, Management, Clinical experience
2. 40-minute virtual interview, made up of 2 x 17-minute stations, to cover: Communication, Clinical thinking, Reflective practice and Governance & Leadership

In recent years the number of eligible applicants (after longlisting) has exceeded the interview capacity available across our virtual interview centres by a good number. So application scores are used as a shortlisting tool to determine invites to interview against overall capacity.

Appointability will then be determined using the interview scores, with a final appointability threshold of 55% or more. Full details of stations, scenarios and scoring can be found in the ST3 applicant guide - an updated version for 2026-27 recruitment will be published before applications open in November 2025. For reference the 2025-26 guide is still available - see Downloads box.

Dates for 2026-27 recruitment

Applications for National Round 2 (R2), for applicants looking to join the paediatric training pathway at ST3 in August/September 2026 will open at 10:00, Thursday 20 November 2025. The complete timeline is in the below table.

The recruitment process includes three parts: longlisting; shortlisting (based on the application form); and a virtual interview, for those who are successfully shortlisted. Successful trainees will commence their posts in August/September 2026.

*N.B. These dates denote the National interview window - specific dates for paediatric ST3 interviews will be confirmed in due course.

The NHSE website also provides general information on national recruitment. This will include full national timelines 2026-27 recruitment and specific guidance documents.

There will be no R3 in 2025-26 recruitment, for ST3 posts beginning in February/March 2026.

Involvement in this later round in 2026-27 recruitment, for posts starting in 2027, is not yet planned. Details of whether or not there will be posts to apply for, will be confirmed here, after the close of R2, during May 2026.

Person specifications and application guidance

You will make their application on the Oriel application system.

You need to demonstrate relevant paediatric training equivalency and be registered with a license to practice by the General Medical Council (GMC).

You do not need to upload accompanying evidence, apart from the Certificate of Core Paediatric Training Capabilities form. Only the 2026-27 version of this form (based on the capabilities that form part of the Progress+ curriculum, introduced from August 2023) will be accepted for the 2026-27 recruitment rounds. This form will be available, along with the ST3 paediatric person specification, shortlisting (application) scoring framework and applicant guide, via the Downloads box at the bottom of this page, from late August 2025.

Make sure you have read and understood all the updated guidance documents before making your application. N.B. the 2025-26 versions of these guidance documents are still available for reference but the new documentation will include some updated sections, which you will need to be aware of.

You should refer to the scoring framework to guide your completion of the application form, in particular. All applications will be shortlisted by two clinical assessors (all paediatric consultants and possibly some senior paediatric trainees).

Paediatric specialty training webinar and Q&A - TBC October 2025

The RCPCH Medical Recruitment team will be hosting a webinar and Q&A, for anyone planning to apply to ST1 or ST3, in October 2025. This will be presented by the RCPCH Trainee Representative for Recruitment, the RCPCH Officer for Recruitment and James Clark, RCPCH Head of Medical Recruitment.

The audience will be guided through all parts of the recruitment process and provided with tips on what makes a successful application, including completing the application form and how to start preparing for the interview. 

A recording of the webinar will be shared here, and also on our YouTube channel, for anyone who is unable to attend live. We will confirm the exact date and time here, in due course. 

Post numbers

The table below displays the post numbers for Round 2 (for August/September 2025 start), confirmed as of 9 March 2025.

Post numbers and comparative stats from 2025-26 recruitment will be shared on this website, as soon as they are available for public sharing.

Contact

For any queries about the process, please contact the Paediatric National Recruitment Office here.