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College of Psychiatrists of Ireland
HST Forensic Psychiatry
Forensic psychiatry in Ireland is a subspecialty pathway within the CPsychI Adult Psychiatry & Related Disciplines HST scheme: trainees complete the CSCST in Psychiatry (General Adult) together with three years of higher training in Forensic Psychiatry placements, as no standalone forensic CSCST exists.
How the length works
No standalone CSCST: the three-year General Adult CSCST plus three years of forensic placements.
Duration: No standalone CSCST exists in Forensic Psychiatry in Ireland. The pathway is the three-year CSCST in Psychiatry (General Adult) with, in addition, three years of higher training in Forensic Psychiatry placements: 'A Forensic Psychiatrist, in addition to meeting the criteria for CSCST in Psychiatry (General Adult), should have three years higher training in Forensic Psychiatry placements.' College recognition of Forensic Psychiatry requires a minimum of 36 months in Forensic Psychiatry placements and attainment of all Forensic Psychiatry learning outcomes. (CPsychI Regulations, Revision 13, July 2025)
Annual intake: Not published separately for Forensic Psychiatry. The Adult Psychiatry & Related Disciplines grouping had 46 Year 1 HST trainees in 2024 (HSE NDTP Medical Workforce Analysis Report 2024-2025).
Applications: July 2027 intake (Adult Psychiatry & Related Disciplines scheme): applications open Friday 20 November 2026, close Friday 8 January 2027; in-person interviews Thursday 11 February 2027 in Dublin; results Friday 26 February 2027. (CPsychI HST Recruitment page, accessed July 2026)
Entry: As for the Adult Psychiatry & Related Disciplines HST scheme: completion of Basic Specialist Training in psychiatry plus the College's examination requirements (CPsychI BST Clinical Examination for streamlined candidates, with MRCPsych written papers completed during BST; MRCPsych UK or equivalent for non-streamlined candidates), followed by competitive interview. Forensic Psychiatry is entered as a subspecialty pathway within that scheme, not as a separate competition. (CPsychI Regulations, Revision 13, July 2025)
Exams: No further membership examination during HST; progression is assessed by Annual Review of Progress (ARP) panels, with forensic subspecialty learning outcomes recorded formally in the ARP Panel Report. (CPsychI Regulations, Revision 13, July 2025)
There is no standalone CSCST in Forensic Psychiatry in Ireland; the College of Psychiatrists of Ireland awards CSCSTs in four specialties only (Psychiatry (General Adult), Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychiatry of Learning Disability and Psychiatry of Old Age). Forensic Psychiatry is a recognised subspecialty of adult psychiatry. The College's regulations state that a Forensic Psychiatrist should meet the criteria for the CSCST in Psychiatry (General Adult) and, in addition, have three years of higher training in Forensic Psychiatry placements; College recognition requires a minimum of 36 months in forensic placements and attainment of all Forensic Psychiatry learning outcomes, recorded in the Annual Review of Progress Panel Report.
Entry is through the annual competitive interview for the national Adult Psychiatry & Related Disciplines HST scheme after completion of BST and the College's examination requirements. There is no separate forensic recruitment competition or published forensic-specific marking scheme.
How selection is scored
Shortlisting - Category B non-streamlining applicants (updated November 2023)max 50
Clinical experience in psychiatry20
Clinical experience in physical health10
Scheme-level scoring for the Adult Psychiatry & Related Disciplines competition; there is no separate forensic scoring scheme.
Interview - clinical (non-lecturer) HST posts, July 2024 intakemax 100
General training & experience30
Qualifications / further education10
Research & publications15
Management / leadership / team working15
Communication skills / motivation / career planning20
References carry no score. Lecturer-post interviews are marked out of 135.
Where you train
Forensic Psychiatry placements within the national HST scheme; a named list of forensic training sites is not published in the Regulations. (CPsychI Regulations, Revision 13, July 2025)
Where this leads
CSCST in Psychiatry (General Adult) with College recognition of Forensic Psychiatry subspecialty training (minimum 36 months in forensic placements plus all forensic learning outcomes), which the College recommends for practice as a Forensic Psychiatrist. (CPsychI Regulations, Revision 13, July 2025)
Facts last verified 2026-07-27. Scheme details change year to year; always confirm against College of Psychiatrists of Ireland's current documentation.