RCPI Faculty of Pathology · HST Immunology (Clinical and Laboratory)
Immunology (Clinical and Laboratory) HST in Ireland
Five years combining patient care in immunodeficiency, allergy and autoimmune disease with laboratory immunology and service management.
How the length works
Five-year HST after the two-year GIM BST route; any alternative prior training must be individually approved.
Duration: 5 years of HST after the required basic training.
Applications: July 2027 intake: applications opened 1 October 2026 at noon and close 29 October 2026 at 5pm, Irish time. In-person interview: 17 February 2027.
Entry: BST in General Internal Medicine and MRCPI; alternative training requires RCPI approval under the current equivalence rules. Evidence of Medical Council registration eligibility, English-language competency and permission to work in Ireland is required at application.
Exams: FRCPath Immunology Parts I and II during HST; the 2026/2027 curriculum places Part I in years 2–3 and Part II in years 3–5.
Required pass. Immunology Parts I and II, with any applicable written-project requirements.
Clinical immunologists assess and treat people with immunodeficiency, allergy and complex autoimmune or inflammatory disease. They also interpret immunology tests and oversee laboratory services, bringing patient care and laboratory medicine together.
Entry
RCPI describes the usual route as two years of BST in General Internal Medicine, followed by five years of Immunology HST. MRCPI and the current HST eligibility requirements apply. Doctors using other training or qualifications need RCPI to confirm acceptance and any equivalence documentation; historical acceptance should not be assumed to apply to a new intake.
Training and examinations
The five-year national scheme includes clinics, ward consultations, allergy and infusion-day-ward work, laboratory practice and management. The first two years must be spent in clinical posts in Ireland before research or out-of-programme experience. Allocations follow training needs and may include centres outside Dublin.
FRCPath Immunology Parts I and II must be passed. The 2026/2027 curriculum places Part I in years 2–3 and Part II in years 3–5. Training also includes workplace assessments, an ePortfolio, annual evaluations and mandatory teaching. Satisfactory completion leads to CSCST and eligibility to apply for specialist registration.
Applying
The July 2027 deadline is 5pm on 29 October 2026; the interview date is 17 February 2027. Use the Immunology Structured CV and application portal in RCPI's entry guidance. Review the published criteria and application FAQ before assembling the required evidence.
Qualification deadline for 2027 entry
RCPI’s 2027 application FAQ gives 31 December 2026 for the relevant MRCPI Clinical examination, while its entry guidance says before interview. Confirm the applicable deadline with RCPI for your specialty and entry route.
Clinical work
Immunologists assess immune deficiency, allergy and complex immune-mediated disease while overseeing diagnostic laboratory services. Training spans bedside assessment, test interpretation, laboratory quality and governance; some services also provide transplant immunology.
How selection is scored
Shortlisting – July 2027max 20
Professional qualifications and education5
Publication and audit5
Clinical practice5
Leadership and management2.5
Teaching2.5
Interview – July 2027max 100
CV20
Research and audit20
Clinical20
Personal specifications10
Professionalism10
Interview performance10
Career plans10
Pass requires 50 overall and at least 50% in Career Plans.
The published interview pass mark is 50 overall, including at least half the available Career Plans marks. Shortlisting and interview have separate tables; do not treat their maxima as a published final weighting.
Where you train
National rotations through approved immunology centres; trainees should expect allocations outside Dublin as required.
Where this leads
Satisfactory completion of the programme and its assessments leads to CSCST and eligibility to apply for specialist registration. Registration and appointment to a consultant post are separate processes.
Entry and selection guidance checked 26 October 2026.
Facts last verified 2026-10-25. Content updated 2026-10-26.
Cookie preferences
We use cookies to save your ranking progress and preferences. Strictly necessary cookies keep the tool working. Optional cookies help us understand how the tool is used.