Application and scoring
How does Core Surgical Training selection work?
The 2027 process combines MSRA shortlisting, portfolio evidence and two interview stations. Apply by 4pm on 19 November 2026, upload evidence during 19–24 February and attend interview during 1–10 March. Follow your Oriel and Pearson booking instructions for your MSRA appointment. First offers are due by 5pm on 6 April, with hold and upgrade deadlines on 9 and 14 April. All times are UK local time.
Check 2027 entry criteria, including GMC registration, foundation competence and the 18-month surgical-experience cap.
Apply on Oriel during 22 October–19 November 2026 Round 1; the national limit is five applications per round. Check the displayed priority status and request review by its deadline if wrong.
Sit the MSRA for shortlisting to approximately 1,200 interview places; priority status is also considered.
If shortlisted, upload the index sheet and one best supported evidence claim per domain through the portal by its deadline.
Attend the management/clinical and portfolio interviews; confirmed 2027 final selection weights MSRA 10% and each station 45%.
Preference posts you would actually accept and monitor Oriel offers and deadlines; national 2027 prioritisation applies to interview and offer stages but not performance rank.
MSRA
The 2027 overview gives approximately 1,200 interview places and the applying page confirms 10% final weighting. Priority status also affects shortlisting.
Management and clinical station
Contains one management scenario and two clinical scenarios, with five minutes available for each question in the confirmed 2027 format.
Portfolio station
Includes a short prepared presentation, presentation questions and two questions based on portfolio domains.
Portfolio and evidence
How should you build a CST portfolio?
The current guide groups evidence into three domains. Choose your strongest eligible work, document your own contribution and explain its effect. Use the official indicators and evidence rules, then rehearse discussing the communication and safety domains.
Knowledge, Skills and Development
Operative involvement and surgical experience require verified records that match the current evidence criteria.
What to do: Check your eLogbook consolidation and factual taster or elective confirmation with the relevant supervisor.
Patients, Partnership and Communication
Teaching, presentations, publications and qualifying communication projects share this domain. Compare your completed examples against the current indicators.
What to do: Choose the strongest qualifying example and prepare its required evidence, your personal role and the benefit demonstrated.
Colleagues, Culture and Safety
QI and audit evidence should make your role, the intervention and its effect clear. Eligible presentation evidence is considered within the same domain.
What to do: Keep the signed role confirmation, actual results and slides or meeting evidence; describe unfinished work honestly.
Interview process
What happens in the CST interview?
The confirmed 2027 interview has two 15-minute online stations. Management and clinical: one management and two clinical prompts, five minutes each. Portfolio: a prepared three-minute presentation, two minutes of follow-up, then two five-minute domain questions chosen by assessors.
- 2027 Management & Clinical
- 15 min · 1 management + 2 clinical scenarios
- 2027 Portfolio
- 15 min · 3-minute presentation + 2-minute follow-up + 2 domain questions
- 2027 delivery
- Online via Qpercom · 1–10 March
What is assessed?
- Clinical knowledge and safe decision-making
- Judgement under pressure and prioritisation
- Communication
- Probity, professionalism and awareness of safety
- Portfolio ownership and reflection
- Presentation content and delivery
CST guide library
Go deeper without losing the overview
The main hub keeps the application and interview picture together. These dedicated guides hold the longer career, portfolio and training material so you can jump straight to the question you are trying to answer.
Application roadmap
Work backwards from the 2027 eligibility rules, then separate long projects from final-week documentation and interview practice.
Portfolio builder
Choose and verify evidence for the current CST portfolio domains, then prepare to explain your contribution and impact.
Evidence pack
Draft accurate sign-off letters for real completed work and check the evidence before uploading.
Surgical taster
A five-day plan to understand referral, theatre and postoperative care and obtain truthful completion evidence.
Working life
Follow the real patient pathway and understand where a surgical trainee spends time outside theatre.
On-call
A concrete view of surgical on-call work, safe escalation and the handover that follows.
Training and MRCS
See how capability grows across clinic, ward, take, operating list and MDT, with MRCS in context.
Surgical specialties
Understand the patients, procedures and emergency work across branches before choosing a theme.
Training programmes
Prefer posts on actual training and life factors rather than a general reputation or city label.
Societies and networks
Use networks for advice, mentorship, teaching and projects without collecting passive memberships.
Career fit
Test common assumptions against real clinical work and the RCS workforce evidence.
2027 Round 1 · checked 30 October 2026
Before you submit: deadline, competence and priority status
Complete these national checks alongside the specialty's eligibility, evidence and selection requirements.
Application deadline and limit
Round 1 applications close at 4pm UK time on 19 November 2026. The national limit is five applications per recruitment round. Some specialties also require you to choose a single regional vacancy, so check the application route before submitting.
Foundation competence and CREST
If CREST is required, national guidance accepts valid 2024 or 2027 forms for 2027 recruitment. Required competence evidence must accompany the application; there is no later upload opportunity. Check validity against the specialty person specification and resolve any conflicting specialty instructions before relying on an older form.
Check your priority status in Oriel
For standard 2027 specialty recruitment, prioritisation applies to interview invitations and training offers. Check the status displayed in Oriel after applications close. Round 1 requests to review an incorrect status are due by 5pm UK time on 24 November 2026. Priority status does not replace eligibility or appointability requirements.
Recruitment · verified 30 October 2026
What is confirmed for CST 2027?
The 2027 selection process, two-station interview and revised portfolio guidance are published for England, Scotland and Wales. Northern Ireland has separate recruitment guidance. Use the current three-domain evidence guide when choosing achievements and documents.
Confirmed: entry eligibility
The 2027 specification requires a medical degree, full GMC registration at application, a licence by start date, foundation competence within the stated window and no more than 18 months whole-time-equivalent surgical experience excluding Foundation placements at post start. Review exceptions and required supporting forms in the specification itself.
Confirmed: 2027 Round 1 dates
Applications open at 10am on 22 October and close at 4pm on 19 November 2026. Evidence upload is 19–24 February 2027 and interviews are 1–10 March. Initial offers are due by 5pm on 6 April, hold until 9am on 9 April and upgrades until 4pm on 14 April. Follow your Oriel and Pearson instructions for your MSRA appointment. All times are UK local time.
Keep the application and evidence deadlines separate
Submit Oriel by 19 November 2026. The portfolio guidance sets 19 February 2027 as the deadline for completed achievements, followed by the 19–24 February upload window. Check each evidence category's conditions before relying on a planned activity.
Confirmed: 2027 prioritisation
The national rules apply prioritisation to interview offers and training offers in CST. A CT1 applicant may qualify through the specified primary medical qualification, immigration status or UK Foundation Programme route. Prioritisation does not change performance rank; applicants should check the status displayed in Oriel and request review by the published deadline if it is wrong.
Confirmed: 2027 selection
MSRA is required for 2027 and supports shortlisting to approximately 1,200 interview places, with priority status considered. Final selection weights MSRA 10%, the portfolio station 45% and management/clinical station 45%. Missing the required portfolio upload can cancel an interview slot.
Confirmed: three portfolio domains for 2027
Evidence is grouped into Knowledge, Skills and Development; Patients, Partnership and Communication; and Colleagues, Culture and Safety. Select work that demonstrates your contribution and impact, then match it to the current indicators.
Important distinction: February 2027 posts
NHS England announced additional February 2027 core surgery posts through the previous round's reserve list. This is separate from the usual August 2027 CT1 application route; a new applicant should follow the current round's Oriel advert.
Dated clinical context · September 2026
Three conversations worth understanding
Discuss the clinical trade-off and what you would do locally. Avoid presenting a national headline as the cause of every patient's delay.
Training versus throughput
RCS UK Surgical Workforce Census 2025
RCS England reports limited access to elective lists among 68% of core surgical trainee respondents and concerns about attrition. Candidate angle: ask how supervised operating is planned during high-volume recovery, and how to record missed opportunities constructively.
Elective recovery and hubs
NHS England elective reform plan, January 2025
Dedicated surgical hubs seek fewer cancellations and shorter waits. Candidate angle: think through patient selection, perioperative optimisation, emergency capacity and whether trainees get meaningful theatre exposure in the model.
Speaking up and escalation
GMC national training survey, July 2025
The GMC reported that 21% of trainees had hesitated to escalate a patient concern at least once, higher in several acute specialties including surgery. Candidate angle: make the response to a deteriorating patient specific, with named senior support and a clear handover.
Additional training posts
NHS England, August 2026
Core surgery was among specialties offered additional February 2027 posts via a previous-cycle reserve list. Candidate angle: distinguish welcome capacity from whether a new rotation has supervision, clinic and theatre time.
Candidate-reported · not official guidance
Use recent experiences for rehearsal, never for rules
Public 2025–26 discussions describe uncertainty over the new portfolio process, technical interview logistics, index sheet and scores. These are anecdotes, not a reliable source of station scripts, cutoffs or 2027 policy.
Portfolio scrutiny can feel different
2026 applicants discussed unexpected portfolio feedback and the value of orderly evidence. Rehearse explaining the strongest item in every domain, including a missing or low-scoring domain. Official upload instructions and scores take precedence over forum interpretations.
Online pacing creates friction
2025 accounts mention the virtual interface and time pressure. Run a timed 3-minute presentation and five-minute follow-ups, test your device and use the official platform instructions; do not memorise recalled questions.
The index sheet is a formal rule
A candidate post recounted missing the index page. The current NHS England guide independently confirms that missing the index sheet means zero for portfolio evidence. Use the official template and check it before upload.
Where next
Use the right resource for your current stage
Start with national rules, then practise the actual task. The related Interview Bank pages are tools for rehearsal, not recruitment authorities.
Explore the job
JCST and ISCP explain the route; shadow clinic, theatre and emergency take before deciding.
Build and verify evidence
The NHS England portfolio guide defines eligibility and accepted documents. Use our builder for gap analysis and a factual supervisor draft.
Prepare for entry assessment
Use official MSRA guidance and sample questions; the MSRA hub explains each paper and links to relevant sources. Use the confirmed 2027 MSRA shortlisting rules and follow Oriel updates.
Practise the stations
Take a management dilemma, an unstable postoperative case and one verifiable achievement through aloud timed answers, then rehearse the complete CST interview.
Start core training
Use ISCP curriculum and eLogbook for learning goals and supervised evidence; use official MRCS candidate guidance before booking examinations.
Focused preparation
Go deeper on the interview tasks that need practice
These focused guides break the broader interview into specific question types, decision structures and original practice scenarios.
CST interview questions
A practical bank of original prompts for the current CST interview domains, organised around the evidence, judgement and spoken structure candidates need to demonstrate.
CST management station
A management-station answer should show safe judgement under pressure, not a memorised acronym. The strongest responses identify risk, act proportionately and make escalation specific.
Clinical station
In the confirmed 2027 format each five-minute clinical answer is assessed for clinical knowledge, judgement under pressure and communication. Start with physiology and the immediate threat, then explain your decisions.
Portfolio station
For 2027, assessors review uploaded evidence and ask five-minute questions on the communication and safety domains. Prepare to explain your contribution, impact and what your documents demonstrate.
Three-minute presentation
The 2027 portfolio station reserves three minutes for a prepared presentation and two for questioning. Follow the task in your invitation. The mock achievement-based prompts below help you practise timing, evidence ownership and follow-up.
Free practice questions
Example CST interview questions
These original prompts are written to the level and domains of the published CST format. They are not official or recalled questions.
Clinical and management
- You are the surgical FY2 asked to review a postoperative patient who is becoming tachycardic and hypotensive. How would you approach the situation?
- Two unwell surgical patients need review at the same time. How would you prioritise and organise help?
- A colleague repeatedly arrives late for handover and important information is being missed. How would you manage the issue?
Portfolio and presentation
- Which portfolio achievement best demonstrates your readiness for Core Surgical Training?
- Tell us about a quality-improvement project where your own contribution changed the outcome.
- Describe a teaching activity you developed and how you knew it was useful.
Preparation plan
How to prepare for the CST interview
- Know the evidence behind every portfolio domain you intend to claim.
- Practise clinical scenarios at Foundation-level expectations with explicit escalation and prioritisation.
- Prepare management examples that show professionalism rather than reciting policy.
- Rehearse the presentation to time and practise responding to interruption and follow-up.
- Check the 2027 national guidance before finalising your preparation plan.
Common questions
CST recruitment FAQs
Is the CST 2027 person specification published?
Yes. The 2027 person specification, selection weights, two-station interview and revised three-domain portfolio guidance are published. Use the current NHS England pages and Oriel updates.
When do CST 2027 applications open and close?
National CT1/ST1 Round 1 opens at 10am on 22 October 2026 and closes at 4pm on 19 November 2026 (UK time). Check the CST advert and Oriel for any specialty-specific updates.
Does prioritisation affect CST 2027 applications?
Yes. National 2027 rules prioritise eligible applicants for interview invitations and offers. They do not alter interview performance rank. Check your Oriel category and the official review deadline if it appears wrong.
How much surgical experience is allowed before CT1?
The 2027 person specification sets a maximum of 18 months whole-time-equivalent surgical specialty experience by post start, excluding Foundation placements. Check its precise exceptions and declaration rules.
Can I apply using CREST?
The 2027 specification permits the designated certificate route for applicants with the required post-registration experience; check the exact foundation-competence window and the current CREST form.
Is the MSRA only a shortlist test?
No. The 2027 process uses MSRA for shortlisting to approximately 1,200 interview places and also weights it at 10% of final selection. Priority status is considered at shortlisting.
What is the CST 2027 interview weighting?
Confirmed for 2027: portfolio station 45%, management/clinical station 45%, MSRA 10%. Scores are scaled to an overall selection score out of 100.
Is there a portfolio self-assessment on Oriel?
The applying page says you upload an index sheet with letter indicators and evidence instead of completing Oriel self-scoring. The upload window is 19–24 February 2027. Use the current portfolio guide and the instructions supplied with your invitation.
What are the CST 2027 portfolio domains?
The published domains are Knowledge, Skills and Development; Patients, Partnership and Communication; and Colleagues, Culture and Safety. Teaching and publications are no longer separate domains. Check the current indicators when selecting your evidence.
Do Foundation surgical rotations count as the surgical taster?
A routine job rotation is not the stated taster/elective criterion. The current table asks for a completed five-day taster or four-week medical-student surgical elective, with the required evidence. Check the separate warning about tasters booked for 2027 before relying on new dates.
Does observing operations count toward operative involvement?
No. The current eLogbook guidance allows assisted or supervised involvement but excludes simply observed operations and routine Foundation sign-off procedures. Use a verified consolidation report.
Can an audit without a second cycle score?
Yes. The current QI table includes an indicator for involvement in at least one cycle. Higher indicators require demonstrated change and distinguish leading from contributing; choose the description your completed work supports.
Can I use one QI presentation twice?
A specific achievement can support only one domain. The QI domain separately recognises eligible presentation of that same project; follow its rules instead of claiming the achievement again in the communication domain.
Do I need a publication?
No publication is an entry requirement in the 2027 person specification. The communication domain offers several evidence routes, including eligible teaching, presentations and other communication work. Select your strongest qualifying example.
Will a teaching course score like a four-session programme?
No. A teacher-training attendance certificate is not a listed communication achievement. Check the programme, delivery and feedback requirements for the teaching indicator you intend to claim.
How do I get surgical experience without a surgical post?
Arrange a completed surgical taster, ask to join clinic and theatre and seek supervised operative involvement when appropriate. Keep verified evidence of what actually occurred.
How many stations are in the CST 2027 interview?
Confirmed for 2027: two online 15-minute stations. Management/clinical has three five-minute questions. Portfolio has a three-minute presentation, two-minute follow-up and two five-minute domain questions.
What is assessed in a clinical scenario?
The 2027 criteria use a 0–6 scale for clinical knowledge/skills, judgement under pressure and prioritisation, and communication for each clinical question. Explain recognition, initial actions and escalation.
What happens if I cannot upload evidence?
The current portfolio guide says to contact recruitment at least 48 hours before the upload deadline if there are problems. Keep proof of contact and follow the portal instructions; missing the required evidence deadline can end the application.
How long is CST?
JCST describes an indicative 24 months for most CST posts, with a distinct OMFS exception and variation for LTFT or other approved routes.
When do I take MRCS?
MRCS Part A is written and Part B an OSCE. JCST identifies MRCS as a CST exit requirement for entry to ST3; plan sittings with supervisors and check your target specialty's route.
Do core trainees actually operate?
Yes, under appropriate supervision, but time is shared with take, ward and clinic. The RCS 2025 census documented limited elective-list access among core trainee respondents.
What is a surgical on-call like?
Expect referrals, deteriorating postoperative patients and urgent decisions about assessment, resuscitation, theatre and escalation. Case mix and senior cover vary by specialty and hospital.
Is CST only for general surgery?
No. CST can lead to several surgical specialties, but some have separate run-through routes or additional qualification requirements. Check the intended ST3 person specification early.
Are there run-through posts?
Some routes and nations offer them. England has paused IST recruitment for 2027 while Scotland and Wales retain options; verify the current post list before preferencing.
Can I train less than full time?
LTFT arrangements exist through training bodies; discuss eligibility and practical rotations with the current regional team. Progress depends on capabilities and approved training time.
How should I compare regions?
Compare actual hospital footprint, commute, elective and emergency exposure, supervisor capacity, exam teaching, chosen specialty, research and LTFT practicality. Avoid unsupported rankings.
Should I pay for a course or society membership?
Pay for useful learning that addresses a real gap. Check any recruitment claim against the current descriptor before spending money; a certificate alone does not establish an eligible achievement.
What current issue should I discuss at interview?
Choose one grounded issue, such as elective recovery versus protected operative training or speaking up on a deteriorating patient. Cite the RCS workforce census or GMC survey and explain a practical clinical response.
Official sources
Official recruitment sources
- NHS England — CT1 person specification (2027)
- NHS England — national 2027 Round 1 timetable
- NHS England — 2027 prioritisation criteria and review deadline
- NHS England — CST overview and MSRA (2027)
- NHS England — applying, weighting and post pathways (2027)
- NHS England — interview station format and rubric (2027)
- NHS England — current 2026/27 portfolio domains and evidence rules
- NHS England — CST recruitment timeline (2027)
- JCST — core surgical training and MRCS
- ISCP — core surgical training curriculum
- Intercollegiate MRCS — examination overview
- RCS England — 2025 UK surgical workforce census
- NHS England — elective reform plan (2025)
- GMC — national training survey (2025)
- ASiT — trainee research collaboratives
- NHS England — official CST posts