Faculty of Radiologists and Radiation Oncologists, RCSI · Radiation Oncology Training
Radiation Oncology Training in Ireland: Entry & FFR
A five-year national SpR programme in radiotherapy and multidisciplinary cancer care, entered after internship and at least two SHO years.
How the length works
Two SHO years are the minimum pre-entry experience after internship, not a compulsory BST award. Five specialist years follow; internship is excluded from the seven-year timeline.
Duration: 5 years full-time equivalent as a Specialist Registrar, after internship and at least 2 SHO years.
Annual intake: Typically 3–5 annually according to current Faculty guidance; the 2027 number is not fixed in the material checked.
Applications: July 2027 intake: applications are open and close at 5pm on 30 October 2026.
Entry: At least 3 years of clinical experience: 1 intern year and 2 SHO years. Completed BST and MRCPI are not mandatory entry requirements. Medical Council and English-language eligibility requirements also apply.
Exams: FRCR Part 1 in Clinical Oncology, followed by Final FFR RCSI Radiation Oncology Parts 2A and 2B; fellowship and all training requirements are needed for CSCST.
Required pass. First FRCR is recognised as the Primary examination. Final FFR is required before progression to the final training year.
Radiation oncologists use radiotherapy to treat cancer and selected other conditions. Their work includes assessing patients, choosing and planning treatment, managing treatment effects and supporting patients through follow-up within the cancer multidisciplinary team.
Entry
You need at least three years of clinical experience: one intern year and two SHO years. A completed medical BST programme or MRCPI can strengthen an application, but neither is mandatory for eligibility. This is a separate training route from diagnostic radiology.
Training and examinations
The programme lasts five years full-time equivalent, rotating through Cork University Hospital, Galway University Hospital and St Luke's Radiation Oncology Network in Dublin. Training combines clinical cancer care, radiotherapy planning, underpinning science, mandatory modules and progression assessments.
Applications close at 5 pm on 30 October 2026. Complete the online form, self-scoring form and supporting documents, and arrange the three structured references specified in the current recruitment notice. Check its registration, English-language and trainee-registration guidance before applying. The programme page links the curriculum and progression documents.
Selection for July 2027
The current linked shortlisting scorecard is out of 40: education and academic achievements 24, research and audit 16. A minimum 20/40 is mandatory for shortlisting. Membership components score up to 6, relevant clinical experience up to 4 and recognised BST completion up to 3; these are scored achievements, not universal entry requirements. The scorecard permits specified prospective clinical/BST credit to the programme start.
Only the two highest research items count within the 12-mark publication/presentation cap. Audit contributes up to 4. Provide the required evidence, including for accepted future publications/meetings where permitted.
The interview contributes 60: experience and suitability 40, career trajectory 10 and general/behaviours 10. The final score combines shortlisting 40 and interview 60. Current guidance describes an in-person interview at the end of November; confirm the invitation details. The Faculty describes a typical intake of 3–5, with annual numbers variable.
How selection is scored
2027 shortlisting: education and academic achievementsmax 24
Medical-degree centile5
MRCS/MRCP examination components completed by application close6
Radiation-oncology clinical experience4
Two recognised BST years completed by scheme start3
Awards, medals, prizes or investigator grants3
Other examinations/qualifications (including relevant degree bonus)3
BST and membership add points but are not mandatory entry qualifications. Prospective credit is permitted for qualifying clinical rotations/BST completed by July 2027, as specified in the scorecard.
2027 shortlisting: research and auditmax 16
Two best publications/presentations/posters, including relevant work bonuses12
Audits with presentation/publication evidence and relevant work bonuses4
Shortlisting total 40; minimum 20/40 mandatory. Accepted future publications/meetings can score with evidence. Duplicate presentation/poster of one project is not credited; a presentation followed by publication may score as permitted by this scorecard.
2027 interviewmax 60
Experience and suitability for radiation oncology40
Career trajectory10
General/behaviours10
Final total 100: shortlisting 40 + interview 60. Current guidance describes in-person interviews at the end of November; individual scheduling should be confirmed.
2027 linked scorecard: shortlist 40 (education/academic 24 + research/audit 16), with minimum 20/40. Interview 60 (experience/suitability 40; career trajectory 10; general/behaviours 10). Final total 100. Completed BST/MRCPI are not mandatory entry requirements.
Where you train
Cork University Hospital; Galway University Hospital; St Luke's Radiation Oncology Network, Dublin.
Where this leads
Satisfactory completion of the programme and its assessments leads to CSCST and eligibility to apply for specialist registration. Registration and appointment to a consultant post are separate processes.
Entry and selection guidance checked 26 October 2026.
Facts last verified 2026-10-25. Content updated 2026-10-26.
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