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RCSI
HST Paediatric Surgery
Six-year RCSI higher specialty training programme (ST3-ST8) in paediatric surgery covering neonatal surgery, general surgery of childhood, hepatobiliary, oncology and urology, with no ST3 intake in 2026.
Duration: 6 years (ST3-ST8), with general paediatric surgery emphasised in the first four to five years and sub-specialisation in the final year
Annual intake: No ST3 intake for 2026 (rcsi.com paediatric surgery apply page). 2025 ST3 appointments: 1 (CST; Specialty Progression Metrics 2017-2025). Intake has been 0-1 per year since 2019.
Competition: 2025 ST3 cycle (Specialty Progression Metrics 2017-2025, AD8706): 1 CST applicant tracked; 1 appointed. Annual appointments 2019-2025 ranged from 0 (2022, no intake) to 2 (2023). CST applicant counts are drawn from the corresponding CST intake cohort.
Applications: There is no intake for Paediatric Surgery for 2026 (rcsi.com apply page; start date listed as TBC). In intake years the standard cycle applies: applications open October-November and close in November; academic paperwork deadline January; OSCEs and academic scoring February; interviews March; July start.
Entry: After Core Surgical Training (ST1-ST2) + MRCS, via direct Pathway progression from CST2 or the Equivalent Standards Route (ESR) for candidates with CST-equivalent training completed in Ireland or abroad.
Exams: MRCS required for ST3 eligibility (completed during CST). Fellowship (FRCS) exit exam of RCSI required to achieve CCST; RCSI does not name a specialty-specific FRCS variant on its paediatric surgery pages.
Higher specialty training in paediatric surgery in Ireland is a six-year RCSI programme (ST3-ST8) covering surgery in children from birth to 16 years across neonatal surgery, general surgery of childhood, hepatobiliary surgery, oncology and urology. The early years emphasise general paediatric surgery, with sub-specialisation in the final year. Training is delivered in Dublin's children's hospitals, and the RCSI Fellowship (FRCS) exam is required for the Certificate of Completion of Surgical Training.
Entry is at ST3 after Core Surgical Training (ST1-ST2) and the MRCS, by direct progression or through the Equivalent Standards Route, using the ISPTC 1,000-mark progression score (CST record 600, academic 40, interview 360). Intake is the smallest of the Irish surgical specialties, at zero to two posts per cycle since 2019, and RCSI has confirmed there is no paediatric surgery intake for 2026.
How selection is scored
Pre-interview shortlisting - CST scoresmax 600
Cumulative CAPA 1, 2, 3 scores (Trainer Assessment Reports + RCSI eLogbook) plus Operative Surgical Skills and Human Factors in Patient Safety OSCEs500
MRCS Part B score is added under a published weighting formula ((% above the 60% cut-off) x 4; weighting varies by exam sitting) to give the 600-mark CST total. Shortlisting score (CST 600 + academic 40) carries a 60% minimum.
Academic scoringmax 40
Higher degree by thesis (PhD 30, MD 26, MCh 20, submitted with verification 16)30
Other higher degrees/awards (taught modular MCh or relevant Masters 20, Higher Diploma 14, Diploma 10, Certificate 6)20
Publications (peer-reviewed papers 6-20; invited review up to 8; book chapters 4 each max 8; case reports 2 each max 4)30
Presentations at scientific meetings (international/national, 2 each)10
Prizes for research (international 10, national 6)10
Other approved education programmes/courses (5 each)10
Section maxima sum above 40; the academic component is capped at 40 marks (ISPTC Pathway scoring matrix, Specialty Training Intake Guide 2026).
Specialty interviewmax 360
Station 1 - Quality and safety in surgical healthcare80
Station 2 - Commitment to academic advancement and lifelong learning40
Station 3 - Knowledge of current issues relevant to surgical practice80
Station 4 - Decision making in surgery80
Station 5 - Professionalism and probity in surgical practice80
Each station is scored out of 100 by 2-3 panel members and pro-rated; a minimum of 60% of the interview total is required for appointment. Final progression score is out of 1000.
Equivalent Standards Route (ESR) variantmax 1000
CST or recognised equivalent record (logbook, MRCS, TARs, OSCEs)500
Out-of-programme experience (eLogbook 30 + Trainer Assessment Reports 35)65
Academic performance (thesis max 55; publications max 55; presentations 18; prizes 18; courses 10 - capped at 75)75
Interview (same five stations)360
Applies to ESR candidates instead of the Pathway split. The intake guide states the ESR academic matrix applies to Paediatric Surgery.
Where you train
RCSI states paediatric surgery is performed across three children's hospitals in Dublin (page predates full consolidation into the new children's hospital; individual sites are not named on the training page).
Where this leads
CCST confers eligibility for registration with the Irish Medical Council. RCSI notes one-year specialist fellowships are available in the UK in paediatric urology and hepatobiliary surgery.
Facts last verified 2026-07-27. Scheme details change year to year; always confirm against RCSI's current documentation.