Important Update for 2025 Applicants

Some of the videos on this webpage were recorded for the 2024 application process. The overall structure and process of the interviews remain unchanged for 2025 and we still believe these videos will be helpful, however, please note an important update regarding the assessment of scoring domains:

• Reflective Practice will now be assessed in the Clinical and Situational Judgement section.
• Team Working will now be assessed in the General section.

We recommend keeping this change in mind as you prepare for your interview.

ST4 Self-assessment Webinar November 2024

The RCoA Recruitment Committee hosted a webinar on ST4 self-assessment for those planning to apply for an August 2025 start.

You must refer to the self-assessment criteria, the self assessment guidance and portfolio organisation score guidance on the ANRO website when you upload your evidence.

The Q&A document is available now.

Core and higher specialty training

The Anaesthetics National Recruitment Office (ANRO) oversee recruitment to  core anaesthesia and ACCS anaesthesia (CT1), as well as recruitment to higher anaesthesia training posts (ST4). Information on how to apply, the national recruitment timeline, applicant guidance and person specifications can be found on the ANRO website.

We recommend all potential applicants read the person specifications to assess eligibility and qualifications required and the applicant guidance which sets out the whole process from application to offer. 

For information on the anaesthesia training programme, the stages of training and the requirements for completion, please see our Training Hub.

Information for trainees

• CT1 Interview Format and How to Prepare video

The CT1 Interview Format and How to prepare video is for those intending to apply for August 2024 or February 2025 starts. 

Thank you to our panel for their time, expertise and knowledge in this area.

• Multi-specialty Recruitment Assessment (MSRA) 2022–2023 practice paper

A practice paper with answer key and rationales for the MSRA.

• ST4 portfolio preparation video

The information on ST4 portfolio preparation has been put together by members of the Recruitment Committee. This helpful webinar is for anyone intending to apply for August 2024 or February 2025 starts.

Thank you to our panel for their time, expertise and knowledge in this area.

• ST4 Interview Format and How to Prepare

The ST4 Interview Format and How to prepare video is for those intending to apply for August 2024 or February 2025 starts. The information has been put together by members of the Recruitment Committee and presented by Dr Caroline Evans, Chair of the RCoA Recruitment Committee.

• Qpercom applicant system walkthrough

As seen in the video above, this is an overview of the Qpercom recruitment system for applicants to medical and dental core/specialty training.

The recruitment functions of the College,

NHS England, ANRO and MDRS

The College works closely with external stakeholders who oversee the process of  National Recruitment. The section below outlines the differing  responsibilities of those involved in recruitment.  

The College is the professional body that is responsible for setting standards for anaesthetists and anaesthetists in training in the UK. Recruitment is integral to upholding training standards and making sure the right doctors are selected to the speciality. The College support its own Recruitment Committee who are  a group of experienced anaesthetic consultants, the chair of which represents the College as a stakeholder to NHS England (formerly known as HEE), ANRO and the Medical and Dental Recruitment and Selection (MDRS). The College advises these external stakeholders in providing clinical expert knowledge and input to the recruitment process.  The College does not manage or control the recruitment process or set the number of training places.

ANRO sits within NHS England and is the responsible organisation for overseeing the whole of the national recruitment process for CT1 anaesthesia, ACCS anaesthesia and ST4 anaesthesia. They manage the policy and procedural formalities from job advert to job offer. ANRO liaise with local education offices and recruitment leads to coordinate and deliver recruitment. They feedback to the College's Recruitment Committee on fill rates, appeals, complaints and guide the recruitment process. 

The Medical and Dental Recruitment Selection section of NHSE oversee all of specialty recruitment and represent the four statutory education bodies (four nations). They ensure the standards in delivery of recruitment across all specialties are equitable and fair. They have representation from the BMA junior doctor representatives, the General Medical Council, National Institute for Health Research, Royal College recruitment representatives and Academy of Medical Royal Colleges representatives.

RCoA Recruitment Committee

The purpose of the Recruitment Committee (RC) is to represent the College on all aspects related to Recruitment. The committee discusses and reviews all aspects of the recruitment process set out by MDRS and ANRO and make appropriate recommendations that support doctors who wish to apply for an anaesthetic training post in the UK. 

Recruitment follows the principles set out by MDRS. The role of this committee is to evaluate and implement these changes if deemed appropriate and provide recommendations to MDRS if they are not suitable for recruitment to Anaesthesia.  

The Committee has dedicated consultant members who are passionate about the work they do in recruitment. The Committees wide spectrum of activities include input to the person specifications for CT1 and ST4, developing and improving the ST4 self-assessment and associated guidances and the banks of questions used at CT1 and ST4 interviews. They are also responsible for providing accurate educational material and communication to members and applicants.  

The Committee is made up of members who have a wealth of experience of recruitment including representatives from the  devolved nations, Regional Advisors, quality assurance lead, question bank leads, self- assessment leads, ACCS and FICM representatives and representatives from Anaesthetists in Training network, including members from ANRO and MDRS. They report directly to the Education, Training and Examinations Board and engage on a biannual basis to all of the stakeholders in recruitment to anaesthesia.

Useful links

• National recruitment for intensive care medicine.
• The National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) and Academic Clinical Posts (ACFs).