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RCSI
HST Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery
Six-year RCSI higher specialty training programme (ST3-ST8) in plastic, reconstructive and aesthetic surgery, entered after Core Surgical Training and the MRCS.
6 years (ST3-ST8)
Duration
Competition: 2025 ST3 cycle (Specialty Progression Metrics 2017-2025, AD8706): 9 CST + 7 ESR applicants tracked; 4 CST + 1 ESR appointed - 5 appointments from 16 tracked applicants, the most oversubscribed surgical specialty that year. 2024 cycle: 9 CST + 4 ESR applied; 8 CST + 0 ESR appointed. CST applicant counts are drawn from the corresponding CST intake cohort.
Applications: Annual cycle per RCSI Specialty Training Intake Guide 2026: applications open October-November and close in November; academic paperwork deadline January; OSCE completion and academic scoring February; interviews March (2026 intake: week commencing 13 March 2026); posts allocated March-April for a July start. Applications for the July 2026 intake are closed.
Entry: After Core Surgical Training (ST1-ST2) + MRCS and a specialty interview, 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's plastic surgery pages do not name the FRCS (Plast) variant explicitly.
Higher specialty training in plastic, reconstructive and aesthetic surgery in Ireland is a six-year RCSI programme (ST3-ST8). The specialty operates a Plastic Surgery National Teaching Programme delivering the Intercollegiate Surgical Curriculum Programme content, and the RCSI Fellowship (FRCS) exam is required for the Certificate of Completion of Surgical Training. RCSI records that Irish trainees frequently complete international fellowships after training.
Entry is at ST3 after Core Surgical Training (ST1-ST2) and the MRCS, by direct progression from CST2 or through the Equivalent Standards Route. Selection uses the ISPTC 1,000-mark progression score (CST record 600, academic 40, interview 360), and the specialty awards additional academic marks for publication in a plastics journal. It attracts the largest ESR applicant pool of the surgical specialties; in the 2025 cycle five of sixteen tracked applicants were appointed.
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. The intake guide notes Plastic Surgery awards additional marks for publication in a plastics journal.
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 Plastic Reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgery.
Where this leads
CCST confers eligibility for registration with the Irish Medical Council. RCSI notes trainees often complete post-training fellowships in centres including Toronto, Miami, Adelaide, Sydney, Melbourne and Taiwan, and lists specialisation areas including hand surgery, breast reconstruction, post-bariatric reconstruction, burns, cleft lip/palate and paediatric ear reconstruction.
Facts last verified 2026-07-27. Scheme details change year to year; always confirm against RCSI's current documentation.