CST 2027 applications: eligibility, stages and dates

Check eligibility before submitting

Use the 2027 CST CT1 person specification to check qualifications, GMC registration, foundation capabilities and experience limits. Read the national applicant guide alongside the specialty guidance. Prioritisation rules also apply to 2027 recruitment; use the official guidance to check the evidence relevant to your circumstances.

Understand the sequence

The published process includes an Oriel application, MSRA, shortlisting, portfolio evidence and interview. Treat each as a separate deadline. Receiving an assessment invitation does not mean every eligibility check has been completed. Keep Oriel contact details current and check messages regularly.

Put the published dates in your calendar

The CST timetable lists applications from 10:00 on 22 October 2026 to 16:00 on 19 November 2026. The published MSRA window is 5–18 January 2027, portfolio upload is 19–24 February and interviews are 1–10 March. These are UK times and dates may change: the linked timetable and your Oriel messages take precedence.

• Set reminders before the closing time, not just on the closing date.
• Check uploaded documents are readable and complete.
• Save submission confirmations and the guidance version used.

Build one recruitment calendar

Use the official recruitment timeline as your calendar, then add the actions you need to complete before each deadline. The dates below were checked on 27 October 2026 and may change. Application times are those published by the recruitment team; confirm the time zone shown in Oriel and do not leave submission to the final minutes.

Booking an assessment, uploading evidence and submitting an application are separate actions. A completed application does not mean that later invitations can be ignored. Monitor the email address used for Oriel and keep copies of submission confirmations.

Separate eligibility from selection evidence

Start by checking the person specification line by line. Create a simple list of each eligibility requirement, the document that supports it and the date by which it must be met. Resolve uncertainty through the official recruitment contact rather than assuming that a course certificate or a previous successful application will be sufficient.

Then use the current portfolio guidance to organise selection evidence. Keep each claim linked to a clear document, and distinguish an activity you planned from one you completed. Do not claim a score from memory: use the rules for the current recruitment year and retain the evidence needed to support your declaration.

Use a final application check

Before submitting, compare dates, employment history and evidence descriptions across your documents. Check that uploaded files open correctly, are legible and relate to the claim being made. Review any required declarations carefully. A colleague can help identify omissions, but responsibility for the accuracy of the application remains yours.

After submission, keep preparing for the Multi-Specialty Recruitment Assessment (MSRA), evidence verification and interview. The 2027 interview guidance uses revised domains, so an older preparation course or station list should not be your only reference. Use the current official interview page to check the platform, identity checks and assessment arrangements.