Introduction to UK surgical training

Should You Pursue Core Surgical Training? Key Considerations and Alternatives

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What is Core Surgical Training? Core Surgical Training (CST) is a two-year programme designed to provide early-stage doctors with essential surgical skills and knowledge. It serves as the initial step into surgical specialty training in the UK. Overseen by the Royal Colleges of Surgery, CST involves a competitive national recruitment process managed by Health Education […]

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Rising Competition in UK Surgical Specialties and How to Maximise Your Chances

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Entering specialty training in the UK has become more challenging over the years, as seen in the annually published competition ratios by Health Education England (HEE). For instance, applications for GP training rose from 5,166 in 2019 (with a competition ratio of 1.34:1) to 15,036 in 2024 (3.67:1). But what do these numbers signify, and

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Did I Really Fail My First ARCP? Understanding UK Annual Training Performance Review

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I had my first ARCP (Annual Review of Competency Progression) for my ST3 vascular training post in June 2024. This review came 10 months into my training and two months before my next placement. Naturally, I was anxious and eager to receive an outcome 1, which signifies satisfactory progress. Unfortunately, I wasn’t so lucky; instead,

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Roadmap to CCT: How-To Guide for IMGs to Secure a UK Surgical ST3 NTN

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The journey towards achieving a Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT) in surgery requires a systematic approach. The first step is to qualify for entry into UK specialty training. This is done through the process of national post-graduate medical or specialty recruitment, a once-a-year event that awards successful applicants with a National Training Number (NTN).

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CESR vs CCT: Alternative Surgical Training pathways

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“Sometimes you cannot see the forest for the trees.” There are two routes to becoming a consultant specialist in the UK. The first involves undergoing the UK-specific specialty training programme, culminating in the attainment of a Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT). Alternatively, the second less conventional pathway involves securing a Certificate of Eligibility for

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