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📅 UK Specialty Training Recruitment Timeline 2025–2026 (CT1/ST1 & ST3/ST4) : All Key Dates Explained

Updated: 8 hours ago

For aspiring doctors aiming to join UK specialty training, it's essential to stay updated with the national recruitment timeline. This blog breaks down all the key application rounds for CT1/ST1 and ST3/ST4 levels, along with important dates, so you can plan ahead and apply confidently.

⚠️ Key Changes to Medical Specialty Training Recruitment for 2026

Before diving into the timelines, please note several important updates announced for 2026 recruitment:

  • 📈 Rising Competition:Applications to medical specialty training increased by 60% in Round 1 (2025), leading to unprecedented competition for training posts.

  • 🧾 New GMC Registration Requirement:From Round 1 (2026) (applications opening Thursday 23 October 2025), all applicants must already hold full registration with the GMC at the point of application.

    • This includes those applying for Academic Clinical Fellowships (ACF), which open Thursday 2 October 2025.

    • The change ensures applicants are fully eligible to commence training, prevents late withdrawals, and protects patient safety.

  • ✋ Application Limit Introduced:Applicants can now submit a maximum of five applications in Round 1 (CT1/ST1 level).

    • This aims to reduce competition ratios, encourage focused applications, and provide a fairer spread of opportunities across specialties.

  • 🤝 Collaborative National Reform:These measures have been introduced jointly across the four UK nations, as part of ongoing efforts to create a fairer and more sustainable recruitment process under the Ten Year Plan for Health.

🕒 All timings mentioned are in UK local time (GMT or BST).📍 Each round indicates the start date of the training post.

🔄 Round 3 (For Posts Starting January–March 2026)

This round is often used to fill remaining vacancies or offer off-cycle training opportunities.

  • Applications Open:🗓 Tuesday, 29 July 2025⏰ 10:00 AM

  • Applications Close:🗓 Thursday, 14 August 2025⏰ 4:00 PM

  • MSRA (Where applicable):🗓

    • Invitation Emails Sent:🗓 Around Late August 2025

    • Exam Window:🗓 4-11 September 2025

  • Interview Window:🗓 Opens: Tuesday, 26 August 2025🗓 Closes: Friday, 17 October 2025

  • Initial Offers Released By:🗓 Tuesday, 21 October 2025⏰ 5:00 PM


🟢 Round 1 (For Posts Starting August–December 2026)

Primarily for CT1/ST1 Entry

This is the main recruitment round for most junior doctor specialty posts in the UK.

  • Applications Open:🗓 Thursday, 23 October 2025⏰ 10:00 AM

  • Applications Close:🗓 Thursday, 20 November 2025⏰ 4:00 PM

  • MSRA (Where applicable):

    • Update (October 2025):Due to the anticipated increase in applications for 2026 recruitment, the MSRA will now be conducted in two sittings to expand capacity.

      • January 2026: Open to all specialties

      • February 2026: Reserved only for applicants applying to Core Psychiatry and/or General Practice

      • This split-window approach allows for greater flexibility and ensures that all eligible applicants can be accommodated.

    • Invitation Emails Sent: 🗓 Around mid December 2025

    • Exam Windows: 🗓 January and February 2026 (two sittings as above)

Important: For Round 1 (August intake) recruitment, it will not be possible to transfer a previous score. You must sit the MSRA in the Round 1 MSRA window.

  • Interview Window:🗓 Opens: Monday, 5 January 2026🗓 Closes: Friday, 20 March 2026

  • Initial Offers Released By:🗓 Tuesday, 24 March 2026⏰ 5:00 PM


🟠 Round 2 (For Posts Starting August–December 2026)

Primarily for ST3/ST4 Entry

This round targets higher-level specialty training positions.

  • Applications Open:🗓 Thursday, 20 November 2025⏰ 10:00 AM

  • Applications Close:🗓 Thursday, 11 December 2025⏰ 4:00 PM

  • MSRA (Where applicable):🗓

    • Invitation Emails Sent:🗓 Mid to late December 2025

    • Exam Window:🗓 Early January 2026 (estimated)

  • Interview Window:🗓 Opens: Monday, 5 January 2026🗓 Closes: Friday, 10 April 2026

  • Initial Offers Released By:🗓 Tuesday, 14 April 2026⏰ 5:00 PM


🔄 Round 3 (For Posts Starting January–March 2027)

This is another off-cycle round used to fill any remaining positions.

  • Applications Open:🗓 Tuesday, 28 July 2026⏰ 10:00 AM

  • Applications Close:🗓 Thursday, 13 August 2026⏰ 4:00 PM

  • MSRA (Where applicable):🗓

    • Invitation Emails Sent:🗓 Around Late August 2026

    • Exam Window:🗓 4-11 September 2026

  • Interview Window:🗓 Opens: Monday, 24 August 2026🗓 Closes: Friday, 16 October 2026

  • Initial Offers Released By:🗓 Tuesday, 20 October 2026⏰ 5:00 PM


✅ Tips to Stay Ahead

  • Set calendar reminders for opening and closing dates.

  • Prepare your application documents (portfolio, CREST, references) well in advance.

  • Stay updated with the official websites like Oriel and HEE Specialty Recruitment pages.

  • Practice mock interviews and keep track of specialty-specific requirements.


✅ Tips for MSRA Preparation

  • Register early for the MSRA once invited. Slots fill up quickly.

  • MSRA includes Professional Dilemmas (50%) and Clinical Problem Solving (50%).

  • Use practice resources like the GMC Good Medical Practice, MSRA question banks, and previous papers.

  • Consider dedicated prep platforms (e.g., TuringMedSchool’s MSRA AI flashcards and Question Bank).


📌 Whether you're aiming for CT1, ST1, or ST3 level posts, preparation and awareness of these timelines can give you a strong head start. Share this blog with your colleagues, and best of luck in your applications!


For more information, please check out this official NHS recruitment webpage:

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