Training
Where each training pathway leads, what it takes to get on it, and the exams along the way.
How long each specialty takes
Every route after intern year, one dash per training year: dark for basic or core training, light for higher specialist training up to CSCST. 45 routes in all, the shortest 4 years. Research time, less-than-full-time training and a year abroad sit on top of these figures.
GP
Four-year general practice training, with hospital rotations followed by supervised GP practice.
General Internal Medicine
Medical SHO training and MRCPI examinations, followed by applications to the medical HST specialties.
Surgical
Two years of surgical SHO rotations and the MRCS, followed by competitive entry to higher surgical training.
Paediatrics
Basic Specialist Training in paediatrics, entered separately from adult medical training.
Obstetrics & Gynaecology
Three-year BST in obstetrics and gynaecology, followed by competitive entry to HST through RCPI.
Psychiatry
Four-year psychiatry BST through the College of Psychiatrists of Ireland, followed by higher training.
Anaesthesiology
Six-year Specialist Anaesthesiology Training, combining basic and higher training in one programme.
Emergency Medicine
Seven-year emergency medicine training, with core and advanced phases leading to CSCST.
Radiology
Five-year specialist radiology training, with entry possible directly after internship or after further clinical training.
Histopathology
Two years of histopathology BST followed by higher training and the FRCPath examinations.
Ophthalmology
Ophthalmology training through the ICO, with surgical and medical pathways.
Cross-specialty
Routes you can enter from more than one base specialty.
Pathways
Every route branches from the intern year. Tap a programme to see where it leads; open the full guide for scoring criteria, timelines and numbers.
The first year of postgraduate training in Ireland, leading to the Certificate of Experience on successful completion.
Four-year general practice training, with hospital rotations followed by supervised GP practice.
Where it leads
Medical SHO training and MRCPI examinations, followed by applications to the medical HST specialties.
Where it leads
Two years of surgical SHO rotations and the MRCS, followed by competitive entry to higher surgical training.
Where it leads
Basic Specialist Training in paediatrics, entered separately from adult medical training.
Where it leads
Three-year BST in obstetrics and gynaecology, followed by competitive entry to HST through RCPI.
Where it leads
Four-year psychiatry BST through the College of Psychiatrists of Ireland, followed by higher training.
Where it leads
Six-year Specialist Anaesthesiology Training, combining basic and higher training in one programme.
Where it leads
Seven-year emergency medicine training, with core and advanced phases leading to CSCST.
Where it leads
Five-year specialist radiology training, with entry possible directly after internship or after further clinical training.
Two years of histopathology BST followed by higher training and the FRCPath examinations.
Ophthalmology training through the ICO, with surgical and medical pathways.
Entered later, from within training
Specialist training in epidemiology, health protection and public health policy through RCPI.
A funded PhD integrated with higher specialist training for doctors pursuing clinical research.
Postgraduate exams
13 membership and fellowship exams: what each part involves, what it costs, when to sit it, and ranked resources for each.
Coming up
- 30 Sept 2026SittingFRCPathHaematology Part 2 (30 September to 2 October) (Haematology Part 2)
- 1 Oct 2026SittingMCAI / FCAIFCAI Written (online) (FCAI Written)
- 7 Oct 2026Apply bySJT & CPSTApplication A closes (2027 intake)
- 7 Oct 2026SittingMRCEM / FRCEMFRCEM SBA (test centres worldwide) (FRCEM SBA)
Higher specialist training
36 programmes, grouped by the basic training they follow. Each page has entry requirements, published scoring, intake numbers and exams.