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.
Follow a patient through clinic, theatre and postoperative care so your motivation reflects the whole surgical pathway.
Use RCS QI resources to choose a project with a measurable service or patient-care outcome.
Keep evidence of teaching, simulation, skills development and feedback rather than relying on attendance.
Build examples of teamwork, escalation and responding constructively when plans or outcomes change.
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.
Good Surgical Practice 2025
The 2025 edition aligns with current Good Medical Practice and addresses technology, robotic surgery, sustainability, training, teamwork and workplace culture alongside enduring surgical standards.
Why it matters for a candidate: Use it as a framework for professionalism questions: patient safety, competence, teamwork, respect, learning and responsible adoption of innovation.
Read the primary sourceQuality improvement and using data to change practice
RCS resources emphasise structured QI, clinical audit and using data to support real changes in surgical care.
Why it matters for a candidate: Show why the project mattered and how the data led to a change, not just that you collected data.
Read the primary sourceUseful stuff
Official tools you can actually use
CST 2027 application and career hub
Confirmed 2027 eligibility, selection and interview requirements, working life and links to each focused guide.
Read on The Interview Bank The Interview BankCST evidence builder
Check the latest published indicators against your operative logbook, completed taster, QI, publications and teaching evidence.
Read on The Interview Bank The Interview BankCST clinical station
Prepare an original timed postoperative deterioration scenario, explain initial actions and practise specific escalation.
Read on The Interview Bank RCS EnglandQuality improvement in surgery
Practical guidance, a trainee case study and improvement-science material for surgical QI.
Open resource RCS EnglandGood Practice Guides
Guidance across teamwork, service improvement, data, M&M meetings, innovation, sustainability and other aspects of surgical practice.
Open resourceInterview reflection
Turn exploration into a real “Why Surgery?” answer
What made the responsibilities around surgery appeal to you as well as the technical work itself?
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.