Understand the application, evidence, interview and career before you apply

The 2027–28 applicant guide and shortlisting rubric are published. They confirm the application scoring and two online interview stations. Invitations and the declaration are sent on 20 January, booking and declaration are due by 4pm UK time on 22 January, and interviews run 2 February–25 March 2027.

No. The 2027 person specification states there is no minimum Paediatrics experience for ST1 entry. You still need informed specialty understanding and evidence of transferable capabilities.

No more than 24 months whole-time-equivalent in Paediatrics at application, excluding Foundation modules. All non-Foundation paediatric posts count, including work outside the UK.

Two assessors each score the written form out of 30: clinical capabilities 8, achievements and reflection 8, QI or audit 5, academic work 3 plus 1 for a listed research qualification, and teaching 5.

No supporting files are uploaded for the shortlisting answers: assessors score the written descriptions. Keep accurate records. Documents for eligibility and reasonable adjustments may still be required separately.

The 2027–28 rubric uses 50-word text boxes and some dropdowns. Each box has its own limit: make your action, relevance and reflection explicit rather than treating 50 words as one allowance for an entire domain.

The current descriptor focuses on planning or coordination, presentation and results or recommendations. Multiple cycles are a dropdown description but not the only route to a credible example. Represent the project stage accurately.

The 2027–28 guidance focuses on relevance to application level and experience rather than requiring every project to be paediatric. Explain the transferable learning honestly and check the exact current descriptor.

MRCPCH is essential during training but is not required for ST1 entry. The current rubric has no MRCPCH points category, so an early exam does not itself create shortlisting points.

No such course appears as an ST1 eligibility requirement in the 2027 person specification. Attend when it supports your role or learning, not because a commercial provider implies it is mandatory for application.

Ask the Foundation team, paediatric clinical tutor or department with specific objectives across acute assessment, ward work, clinic, neonatology or community care. Record what you learned, not only attendance.

Two online 20-minute multi-scenario stations cover four domains of up to ten minutes each: Communication, Career Motivation, Reflective Practice and Paediatric Clinical Reasoning.

The 2027–28 guide allocates 40 marks to each of four domains, totalling 160 from two independent assessors in each station.

It is 88/160, equivalent to 55%. This does not guarantee an offer: rank, preferences and prioritisation still apply, and serious concerns can make an applicant unappointable.

No. Assessors do not have the application form during interview. Prepare selected experiences for the Career Motivation discussion; you are not required to display a portfolio.

The 2027–28 guide permits applicant-prepared paper notes. Electronic notes and books are not allowed. Use brief cues and respond to the actual question; reading a prepared speech can disrupt interaction.

The 2027–28 guide sets it at UK F2-equivalent level; applicants without a paediatric post should not be disadvantaged. Show method, safe management, limits, reassessment and escalation.

Use a significant event you can discuss without breaching confidentiality, spend little time on the story and show analysis, learning, change in practice and appropriate sharing of learning.

Practise explaining a condition, intervention or transfer to a child, young person or carer. Acknowledge emotion, adapt to development, chunk information, check understanding and make safety-netting clear.

It is the RCPCH curriculum with 11 domains and two training levels: Core across ST1–ST4 and Specialty across ST5–ST7. Progression is capability based rather than a rigid national rotation sequence.

The usual indicative pathway is seven years from ST1 to ST7, with Core then Specialty level. Calendar length can vary through capability progression, LTFT, leave or approved out-of-programme activity.

Foundation of Practice, Theory and Science, Applied Knowledge in Practice and MRCPCH Clinical. The three theory exams must be passed before the clinical examination.

Subspecialty training leads to a CCT in one of the approved paediatric subspecialty programmes. A SPIN adds focused expertise to General Paediatrics and is not itself a GMC-recognised subspecialty CCT.

Neonatal capability is part of Core training, but the amount, unit level and out-of-hours responsibility vary by programme. Ask where neonatal placements occur and what early trainees do at deliveries and on call.

Usually supervised assessment and initial management of acute referrals and ward patients, with neonatal duties varying locally. The registrar and consultant should be used early for deterioration, uncertainty, safeguarding or workload beyond safe capacity.

No. Paediatricians communicate directly with children and young people according to age and development while working with parents or carers. Autonomy, confidentiality, assent, capacity and safeguarding all matter.

Yes. LTFT changes the schedule, while the same curriculum capabilities remain. Check the programme's current application process, rotation design and on-call arrangements.

Compare geography, DGH and tertiary balance, acute, neonatal and community exposure, step-up support, teaching, MRCPCH help, LTFT, research, rota design and commute. Do not use unsupported league tables.

Start with State of Child Health 2026, vaccination and prevention, inequalities, mental-health and neurodevelopmental demand, workforce gaps, transition and safety learning. Connect each issue to a clinical consequence and realistic action.

No. Public reports may omit prioritisation, ties, capacity and later changes. Use the official cycle documents and Oriel feedback; treat online cutoff discussion only as unverified context.

Start from the four focused guides linked from this hub, use their original questions and rehearse aloud. The Paediatrics product page explains the current availability of Example Bank, Coach and Interview practice.