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RCSI/RCPI (IAEM programme)
Emergency Medicine Training
Seven-year emergency medicine training, with core and advanced phases leading to CSCST.
How the length works
Three years core (CSTEM) then four advanced (ASTEM), in one scheme.
Duration: 7 years: 3 years Core Specialist Training (CSTEM, ST1 to ST3) + 4 years Advanced (ASTEM), to CSCST
Annual intake: 30 CSTEM places (2026 intake); 26 to 30 appointed annually 2018 to 2024
Competition: Oversubscribed every year (official wording); applicant counts not published
Applications: 2027 CSTEM intake: applications open Friday 2 October 2026 at noon and close Thursday 29 October 2026 at noon, Irish time (RCSI announcement, August 2026); interviews February; starts second Monday of July
Entry: After intern year
Exams: MRCEM during CSTEM, FRCEM during ASTEM; life-support courses (ACLS/ATLS/APLS) score at shortlisting
Emergency medicine training comprises three core years, which must be completed in full, followed by four advanced years leading to CSCST and eligibility for specialist registration.
Selection
Shortlisting considers career stage, centile, emergency medicine experience and exams. The shortlist score determines who receives an interview and is not carried into the final interview score. The interview has 90 marks: 30 each for clinical scenarios, emergency medicine knowledge and dedication, and personal suitability.
Clinical work
Emergency medicine includes shift work throughout training. Advanced training offers experience in areas including paediatric emergency medicine, pre-hospital care and sports medicine.
How selection is scored
Shortlisting (interview access only)max 73
Postgraduate career stage25
Undergraduate record and centile15
Interview (determines appointment)max 90
Approach to clinical problems30
Knowledge of and dedication to EM30
Suitability for an EM career30
The shortlist score is discarded once interviews begin; the 90 interview marks alone determine appointment. References are reviewed but unscored.
Where you train
NCHD posts in training hospitals nationally, employed by the HSE through your allocated hospital. Allocation is an electronic match: round-one offer holders rank the full list of rotation sets and are matched in interview-score order. Irish/EU/UK/Stamp-4 candidates are allocated first.
Where this leads
Consultant in emergency medicine; paediatric EM, pre-hospital care and sports medicine develop within the advanced years.
Facts last verified 2026-07-13. Scheme details change year to year; always confirm against RCSI/RCPI (IAEM programme)'s current documentation.