Career hub → Intern Year → Core Surgical Training
RCSI
Core Surgical Training
Two years of surgical SHO rotations and the MRCS, followed by competitive entry to higher surgical training.
Duration: 2 years (ST1 to ST2), starting the second Monday of July; ST3 specialty entry is a separate competitive application
Annual intake: 100 places per year (64 in 2022, 80 in 2023, 100 from 2024)
Competition: ~500 applicants for 100 places (~5 per place), ~200 shortlisted for interview; annual cut-score 74.7 to 76.9 (2021 to 2025)
Applications: July 2027 intake: applications open Thursday 1 October 2026 at 12 noon and close Wednesday 28 October 2026 at 12 noon, Irish time (RCSI announcement, August 2026); aptitude testing Oct to Nov, interviews at RCSI late February; EUR 100 fee
Entry: After intern year
Exams: MRCS during CST (both parts required for ST3); surgical aptitude test at selection
Core Surgical Training combines two years of surgical SHO rotations with MRCS examinations and a clinical logbook. Entry to ST3 specialty training is a separate competition.
Selection marks
The interview accounts for 85 of 100 marks, the aptitude test for 10 and degree centile for 5. The aptitude test assesses psychomotor and visuospatial skills and must be taken before the relevant application deadline.
Intake and ST3 preparation
Places increased from 64 in 2022 to 80 in 2023 and 100 from 2024. A larger CST intake does not guarantee a place in your preferred ST3 specialty. Review the courses, audit, research and logbook requirements early in CST.
How selection is scored
Scored at applicationmax 15
Surgical aptitude tests (in person)10
Undergraduate academic record (centile)5
Interviewmax 85
Suitability for specialty training30
Professional development20
Clinical judgement (structured scenarios)10
Offers require meeting the annual "desirable standard" cut-score: 74.7 to 76.9 over 2021 to 2025. Portfolio items feed the professional-development domain rather than scoring separately.
Where you train
HSE hospitals nationwide; you are employed by your allocated hospital. Year 1 posts are allocated by electronic match; candidates are ranked by overall intake score and rank their preferences across the full list of rotation sets. Year 2 rotations are allocated separately and fluctuate with expected ST3 numbers. EU/Irish/Stamp-4 candidates are allocated before non-EU applicants.
Facts last verified 2026-07-13. Scheme details change year to year; always confirm against RCSI's current documentation.