Paediatric Cardiology HST in Ireland

A five-year paediatric cardiology HST programme after paediatric BST.

How the length works

Five-year HST directly after eligible paediatric BST. The first year includes six months each of General Paediatrics and Neonatology; two prior General Paediatrics HST years are not required by the current curriculum.

Duration: Five years of HST after paediatric BST. Year 1: six months General Paediatrics and six months Neonatology; then two core and two subspecialty Cardiology years.

Annual intake: Not established in the current published recruitment guidance.

Applications: July 2027: applications opened 1 October 2026 at noon and close 29 October 2026 at 5pm Irish time. In-person interview: 5 February 2027.

Entry: After recognised BST in Paediatrics; the current recruitment page explicitly accepts completed BST in Ireland or the UK, with equivalence assessed against training requirements. Applicants must meet the Faculty’s postgraduate qualification requirements, Medical Council registration eligibility, HSE English-language competence and permission-to-work requirements.

Exams: Relevant postgraduate paediatric membership qualification required. Current entry page gives training-equivalence scope but does not explicitly name MRCPCH as an accepted exam alternative; obtain Faculty confirmation rather than infer.

Exam guides

MRCPI Paeds

Accepted alternative. The Irish paediatric BST route uses MRCPI Paediatrics. Accepted UK training does not by itself confirm every examination equivalence; check the Faculty's qualification requirements.

Paediatric cardiologists diagnose and manage congenital and acquired heart disease, rhythm disorders and circulatory problems from fetal life through childhood and into adult congenital services. Work combines acute assessment, imaging and intervention with long-term care and close discussion with families.

Route

The current five-year curriculum begins with six months each of general paediatrics and neonatology, followed by four cardiology years. The final two years support development of a subspecialty interest. The first three years must be in clinical training before any approved out-of-programme experience.

Selection

The current shortlist is out of 20 and interview out of 100. The programme accepts completed paediatric BST from Ireland or the UK, assessed against training requirements.

Applicants must provide Medical Council registration eligibility, HSE English-language evidence and permission to work in Ireland with the application. RCPI’s general pages disagree on the MRCPI Clinical Examination deadline: the Entry Guidance says before interview, while its FAQ says 31 December. Seek written clarification if awaiting results.

How selection is scored

Shortlisting – July 2027max 20

Qualifications and education5

Publications and audit5

Clinical progression and suitability6

Leadership and management2

Teaching2

Published Paediatric Cardiology table; appraisal review forms part of shortlisting.

Interview – July 2027max 100

CV and career to date20

Research, audit and teaching20

Clinical question 120

Clinical question 220

Suitability, professionalism and interview performance20

Published Paediatric Cardiology interview table.

Entry and selection guidance checked 26 October 2026.

Facts last verified 2026-10-26.