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College of Psychiatrists of Ireland
HST Psychiatry of Learning Disability
A three-year national Senior Registrar programme within the CPsychI Adult Psychiatry & Related Disciplines scheme leading to a CSCST in Psychiatry of Learning Disability, with two years in learning disability attachments and one mandatory General Adult year.
Duration: 3 years (HST Years 1-3, Senior Registrar grade): two years in Psychiatry of Learning Disability clinical attachments and a third year that must be in a General Adult Psychiatry placement. Dual CSCST in Psychiatry (General Adult) and Psychiatry of Learning Disability takes four years (one year in each specialty plus two years of clinical experience common to both); one year of the dual programme may be spent in research. (CPsychI Regulations, Revision 13, July 2025)
Annual intake: Not published separately for Psychiatry of Learning Disability. The Adult Psychiatry & Related Disciplines grouping had 46 Year 1 HST trainees in 2024 (HSE NDTP Medical Workforce Analysis Report 2024-2025).
Applications: July 2027 intake: applications open Friday 20 November 2026, close Friday 8 January 2027; in-person interviews Thursday 11 February 2027 in Dublin; results Friday 26 February 2027. (CPsychI HST Recruitment page, accessed July 2026)
Entry: Completion of Basic Specialist Training in psychiatry plus the College's examination requirements (CPsychI BST Clinical Examination for streamlined candidates, with MRCPsych written papers completed during BST; MRCPsych UK or equivalent for non-streamlined candidates). Entry is by the competitive interview for the Adult Psychiatry & Related Disciplines scheme. (CPsychI Regulations, Revision 13, July 2025)
Exams: No further membership examination during HST; progression is assessed by Annual Review of Progress (ARP) panels, workplace-based assessments and the portfolio. All Psychiatry of Learning Disability trainees must also attain the Psychiatry (General Adult) learning outcomes. (CPsychI Regulations, Revision 13, July 2025)
Psychiatry of Learning Disability is one of the four psychiatry specialties in which the College of Psychiatrists of Ireland awards a CSCST. Higher training lasts three years at Senior Registrar grade: two years in Psychiatry of Learning Disability clinical attachments and a third year in a General Adult Psychiatry placement. All trainees must attain the General Adult learning outcomes so that they can manage clinical situations when a General Adult psychiatrist is not available. A four-year dual CSCST combining Psychiatry (General Adult) and Psychiatry of Learning Disability is available.
Entry is through the annual competitive interview for the national Adult Psychiatry & Related Disciplines scheme after completion of BST. CPsychI BST graduates who pass the College's BST Clinical Examination hold streamlining status; other applicants require equivalent BST and MRCPsych UK or equivalent and are shortlisted on a published 50-point system before interview.
How selection is scored
Shortlisting - Category B non-streamlining applicants (updated November 2023)max 50
Clinical experience in psychiatry20
Clinical experience in physical health10
Applies to non-streamlining (Category B) applicants only.
Interview - clinical (non-lecturer) HST posts, July 2024 intakemax 100
General training & experience30
Qualifications / further education10
Research & publications15
Management / leadership / team working15
Communication skills / motivation / career planning20
References carry no score. Lecturer-post interviews are marked out of 135.
Where you train
The HST programmes are national; Senior Registrar posts in Psychiatry of Learning Disability and General Adult Psychiatry are College-approved posts across Ireland. A named site list is not published in the Regulations. (CPsychI Regulations, Revision 13, July 2025)
Where this leads
Award of CSCST in Psychiatry of Learning Disability, conferring eligibility for the Specialist Division of the Medical Council register and consultant posts. A four-year dual CSCST with Psychiatry (General Adult) is available; dual CSCSTs with Psychiatry of Old Age or Child & Adolescent Psychiatry are not currently available. (CPsychI Regulations, Revision 13, July 2025)
Facts last verified 2026-07-27. Scheme details change year to year; always confirm against College of Psychiatrists of Ireland's current documentation.