Portfolio & evidence
Useful things to do before you apply
These are development ideas, not a claim about points in a particular recruitment cycle. Check the current official person specification and scoring guidance before relying on any activity for an application.
Use a radiology taster to observe reporting, an MDT and patient-facing work rather than collecting attendance alone.
Use RCR AuditLive to choose a Radiology audit/QI problem with a published standard, make an intervention and try to demonstrate changed practice.
Teach anatomy, image interpretation or safe requesting and improve the session using feedback.
Keep a short reflection on how radiology changes diagnosis, prioritisation or management in real cases you have seen.
Royal College / Faculty watchlist
Current topics worth understanding
These are concise summaries of current professional-body material, not predicted interview questions. Use them to understand the specialty and then read the primary source.
QSI 2026: what good imaging services should look like
The RCR and College of Radiographers updated the Quality Standard for Imaging for 2026. It describes safe, effective and patient-centred imaging services and supports continuous improvement.
Why it matters for a candidate: Radiology is a service as well as a diagnostic discipline. Connect quality, patient experience and standards with practical local improvement.
Read the primary sourceAI deployment and governance in clinical radiology
AI is increasingly part of imaging pathways, but deployment needs evidence, governance, monitoring and clear clinical responsibility. The RCR maintains an active set of AI guidance and resources.
Why it matters for a candidate: Avoid the simple 'AI will replace radiologists' answer. Think about validation, bias, workflow integration, safety monitoring and responsibility for patient care.
Read the primary sourceIR(ME)R and other core guidance are being updated
The RCR publication programme lists updated IR(ME)R implications guidance, radiology events and learning standards, and PACS/display guidance among work due in 2026.
Why it matters for a candidate: Check the live source rather than memorising an old summary. Radiation protection, learning from events and safe digital reporting remain core professional themes.
Read the primary sourceUseful stuff
Official tools you can actually use
AuditLive
More than 100 radiology audit templates across reporting, referral, CT, MRI, patient safety, AI, radiation protection and other topics. A strong place to look for a realistic local project.
Open resource RCRiRefer
Evidence-based imaging referral guidance. Useful for understanding appropriateness, justification and the conversation between referrer and radiology.
Open resource RCR / College of RadiographersQuality Standard for Imaging
Use QSI to see how quality, governance, patient experience and continuous improvement are framed at service level.
Open resourceTraining pathway
What exams come after you enter Clinical Radiology training?
These exams are part of the training journey, not the entry interview. Official College guidance is the source of truth for eligibility, format, dates and rules.
First FRCR: Physics and Anatomy
First FRCR comprises separate Physics and Anatomy modules. The RCR describes Physics as the scientific basis of imaging and Anatomy as radiological anatomy; both are intended to be completed during the first year of clinical radiology training.
Official exam informationFinal FRCR Part 2A
Final FRCR Part 2A is the final written examination in general clinical radiology. The current format uses two 120-question single-best-answer papers covering the breadth of the clinical radiology curriculum.
Official exam informationInterview reflection
Turn exploration into a real “Why Clinical Radiology?” answer
Which parts of the radiologist's actual working day appealed to you, and which did you need to understand better?
Start with something you genuinely experienced. Explain what it taught you about the work, what appealed to you, what challenge you noticed and what you did next.