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RCPI (Institute of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists)
HST Obstetrics & Gynaecology
A five-year Specialist Registrar programme run by the RCPI Institute of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, entered after BST in obstetrics and gynaecology with MRCPI (O&G) or MRCOG, and leading to a CSCST and eligibility for consultant posts.
Duration: 5 years (SpR Years 1-5). Years 1-3 are full-time clinical SpR posts in regional hospital hubs allocated at interview; for Years 4-5 trainees rank preferred hospital sites, with allocations determined by the National Specialty Directors. Up to 12 months of out-of-programme credit for research or clinical posts is available after completion of Year 3. The final six months must be completed in a full-time clinical post in Ireland. (RCPI HST Obstetrics and Gynaecology Overview, accessed July 2026)
Annual intake: 16 Year 1 HST trainees in Obstetrics and Gynaecology in 2024; 95 O&G HST trainees in total across all years in 2024/2025 (HSE NDTP Medical Workforce Analysis Report 2024-2025).
Applications: 2025 cycle: HST applications opened 1 October 2025 and closed 29 October 2025 (for July 2026 intake); Obstetrics and Gynaecology in-person interviews 23 February 2026. The next application cycle opens in October 2026. (RCPI HST Entry Guidance and Advice, accessed July 2026)
Entry: Certificate of completion of Basic Specialist Training (BST) in Obstetrics and Gynaecology; MRCPI in Obstetrics and Gynaecology or MRCOG or evidence of an equivalent qualification; and at least 36 months' experience in obstetrics and gynaecology. Shortlisted candidates are interviewed; interview is also subject to a satisfactory Year 3 (BST) Assessment. (RCPI HST Obstetrics and Gynaecology Overview and Entry Guidance, accessed July 2026)
Exams: No further membership examination is specified during HST; the MRCPI in Obstetrics and Gynaecology or MRCOG is required at entry. In-programme assessment comprises quarterly and end-of-post evaluations, ePortfolio, Case Based Discussions (4 per year), Mini-CEX (4 per year), OSATS each training year, and an end-of-year assessment with the National Specialty Directors. (RCPI HST Obstetrics & Gynaecology OBE Curriculum 2026)
Higher Specialist Training in Obstetrics and Gynaecology is a five-year Specialist Registrar programme overseen by the RCPI Institute of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists. Years 1-3 are spent in regional hospital hubs allocated at interview; for Years 4-5 trainees rank preferred sites and may take a special interest module in gynaecology, maternal medicine, urogynaecology/urodynamics or labour ward. Up to 12 months of out-of-programme research or clinical credit is permitted after Year 3, and the final six months must be a full-time clinical post in Ireland.
Entry requires a certificate of completion of BST in Obstetrics and Gynaecology, the MRCPI in Obstetrics and Gynaecology or MRCOG (or equivalent), and at least 36 months' experience in the specialty. Applications are made in an annual October cycle; candidates are shortlisted against a published 20-point system and interviewed against a 100-point scheme. Completion leads to a CSCST and eligibility for the Specialist Division of the Medical Council register.
How selection is scored
Shortlisting (2025 application cycle)max 20
Progression in Clinical Practice and Suitability6
Professional Qualifications/Education5
Peer Reviewed Publications3
Leadership & Management Experience2
Interview is also subject to a satisfactory Year 3 Assessment.
Interview (2025 application cycle)max 100
Research/Audit/Teaching20
Management and Strategy20
Personal Specification/Professionalism/Interview Performance20
Where you train
Years 1-3 in hospital hubs in Ireland, which are largely regional based and randomly allocated at interview; Years 4-5 in ranked clinical hospital sites. A named list of hub hospitals is not published on the programme page. (RCPI HST Obstetrics and Gynaecology Overview, accessed July 2026)
Where this leads
Certificate of Satisfactory Completion of Specialist Training (CSCST), allowing entry to the Specialist Division of the Medical Council Register and application for consultant posts. Special interest modules in Year 4 or 5 are available in gynaecology, maternal medicine, urogynaecology/urodynamics, or labour ward. (RCPI HST Obstetrics and Gynaecology Overview, accessed July 2026)
Facts last verified 2026-07-27. Scheme details change year to year; always confirm against RCPI (Institute of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists)'s current documentation.