Self-assessment and application scoring
Your application form will primarily be scored via two sections of the application form:
- Self-assessment - this is where scores are available based on the options you choose regarding your achievements and qualifications. You will be required to select the most appropriate option from a list of statements for each scoring domain of achievements. All achievements should relate to the field of medicine (in its broadest sense – i.e. not just hospital medicine), except where specified otherwise. There are 38 points available across the domains.
- Evidence - this page is where you will explain your selection by detailing the achievement and your contribution; assessors will use this, alongside your evidence documents, when verifying scores. As part of evidence verification, assessors will be judging the organisation of your evidence documents and thoroughness you have shown in compiling the documents and following the instructions detailed in the evidence documents section. There will be a further two marks available for evidence which is organised satisfactorily and if presentation is sufficiently poor, this could lead to an application not being shortlisted, regardless of other scoring. This score cannot be appealed, you can read more about it in the evidence documents section.
The self-assessment options, scores available and supplementary guidance for each area are detailed on a separate tab in this section.
Commitment to specialty
All specialties will assess commitment to specialty as part of their interview process, however, some specialties will also be assessing this at the application stage. The tab for commitment to specialty explains how this will be scored. It will be confirmed for each specialty whether or not they intend to assess commitment to specialty at the shortlisting stage in the 'Planning your application' section of each specialty's page. Whilst this does not usually change between rounds, you can check back at the application opening date to confirm each specialty's status for that round.
Selection of options solely candidates' responsibility
Selection of options must be absolutely at your discretion alone. We have attempted to clarify the wording of options below, but under no circumstances can we advise you on which options to select.
Experiences and achievements will not always fit neatly under one option or another so you will need to employ your professional judgement to ascertain which of the available options is the most appropriate to the best of your knowledge and belief. You will be required to add text for each selection to demonstrate why you chose that option and you must be able to provide evidence for all achievements you cite and justify the option you selected.
Evidence verification
You will be required to electronically supply your evidence to justify your achievements and will be contacted after applications close with details about how to upload your evidence; the anticipated dates for each specialty will be published to the 'Interview dates & posts' section of each specialty's page of the website. There is no need to supply your evidence at the time of application, although you can use this time to prepare them ready for upload. The evidence documents section of the website has guidance on preparing evidence.
Your application score will be reviewed prior to shortlisting based on the evidence that you submit; this could lead to your score being increased or reduced. Assessors will be advised that where evidence of an achievement is unclear or difficult to verify, they should award a score commensurate with what they can be confident in verifying.
Please note that you cannot amend your application after submission should you have made a mistake on your application form, or gained an achievement after the submission of your application.
Please note that if you supply no evidence, or no evidence for three or more of your scored achievements, you will not be shortlisted.
Applications assessed independently
Every application made to higher specialty recruitment is assessed independently with no cross-referencing between specialties by assessors; this includes within the same specialty across different rounds. This can result in applications from the same person receiving different scores for the same achievement and evidence.
The assessment process inevitably includes a degree of subjectivity, therefore variation in assessor judgement can occur. Whilst scores can be appealed on based on the evidence submitted and subsequent assessment, it is not grounds for appeal purely because a different score was awarded for another application.
Over-claiming
Evidence verifiers are aware that, on occasion, it will not always be clear exactly which option to choose and so will not treat most cases of perceived over-claiming as a serious offence. The most likely outcome is that the score will be adjusted accordingly. However, any instances of candidates blatantly or persistently trying to gain an unfair advantage by over-claiming scores for and/or exaggerating their achievements will lead to a probity investigation and applicants in this position should expect to be contacted to review their scoring. This could lead to an application being deemed not appointable, or, in very serious cases, could be reported as a probity matter to the GMC; however, this is a very rare outcome and only in cases of overt cheating.
In the event that you realise after submitting your form that you have overclaimed on your form, you must send details to the Physician Specialty Recruitment Office as soon as possible.
Completed achievements only
When you come to submit your application, all information within it must be accurate at the time of submission - any qualifications not yet gained, courses not yet taken, presentations not yet given, etc. should not be included at this point. An achievement gained even on the day after the closing date for applications cannot be counted.
An exception is publications which have been completely accepted and are 'in press'.
However, whilst you cannot select a point-scoring option on the basis of incomplete achievements, you are welcome to mention it in the text box for that section so that interviewers can be aware of your activities.
Multiple achievements in a single domain
If you have more than one achievement in an area which only allows you to choose an option for one, you should select the option corresponding to your highest scoring achievement. Whilst the supporting text should focus on the achievement claimed, you are welcome to use the space to mention your other achievements in the area.
Achievements in multiple domains
If you have an achievement which could potentially fit under more than one domain, for example a presentation based on a publication, it is acceptable to claim under both options.
Text to justify option chosen
There will be one or more text boxes for each domain where you will be required to add text to demonstrate why you chose that option. Each section will have a maximum word count, however, we advise that you keep your explanations as short as possible to justify the selection.
Assessors have limited time to review application forms and the more succinct you can be about your achievement, the more straightforward it will be for them to review your application.
Evidence of achievements
It is not always possible to be prescriptive about what evidence will be acceptable to justify your selection. Requirements of your evidence, and examples of what could be supplied, have been given in each domain. A key consideration is that the evidence you supply should be sufficient for the reviewer to be confident that you have claimed correctly.
Evidence needs to be in a format that reviewers can understand and quickly verify the achievement. Supplying too much documentation is discouraged, acknowledging it needs to be sufficient. Further guidance is available in the evidence documents section.
A certified, authenticated translation should be provided for any documentation which is not written in English.
Time limit
There is no set number of years within which you need to have completed the achievements listed, however any achievements claimed must have been gained after commencing your medical (or first undergraduate) degree, i.e. achievements from school or before university cannot be claimed.
Help & FAQs
We have attempted to record the most commonly-received queries on the application FAQs page of this website, therefore please review this area first to see if this is of assistance.
If after reading the guidance you are still unsure you can contact us but please be aware (in most cases) we cannot tell you what option to choose.
Postgraduate degrees and qualifications
In this section it is permissible to select some of the options for non-medical related qualifications, eg a PhD in psychology; it will be specified against each option where this is the case.
Degree classifications
Where you have gained a degree/qualification which does not appear to fit exactly within one of the options available here, please select the option here which you deem equivalent based upon your knowledge of the level of the qualifications within the UK and the country where you gained your qualification.
You will be required to justify your selected option on the application form as to why you deemed this the equivalent option; interviewers may ask you about this further at interview.
Intercalated degrees
Intercalated degrees cannot be scored in any section of self-assessment. There are usually awarded at bachelors’ level but are sometimes given at masters level. Regardless of which level your degree was awarded at, you cannot claim for intercalated degrees in this, or any other section.
Teaching postgraduate qualifications not to be included
Please note that any postgraduate qualifications related to teaching that you may have gained (e.g. PG Cert, PG Dip etc.) should not be scored for in this section and should instead be included in the Training in Teaching section. However, qualifications relating to the field of education more broadly can be claimed in this section, if they meet the criteria for that scoring option.
MRCP(UK) not included
Please do not include details of MRCP(UK) (or other postgraduate examinations required for entry to higher specialty training) within this section.
Examples of evidence
Where possible you should be able to show your qualification certificate. Where you do not have access to it, a letter from the awarding body confirming the qualification will suffice.
Additional guidance
The 'Overview' tab has some general guidance on scoring, so please review this if you are unclear, however please be aware we cannot give guidance on which specific option to choose.
| Postgraduate degrees and qualifications | ||
|---|---|---|
| Option | Score available | Notes |
| PhD or MD by research (can include non-medical related qualifications) | 4 |
You undertook research involving original work, usually of at least two to three years' duration, and ideally resulting in one or more peer-reviewed publication. A majority of the time during the period should have been dedicated to research rather than clinical training. To score yourself for an MD it should meet the UK definition of an MD: A supervised research degree for students already registered with the General Medical Council, is studied full time over 2 years or 4 years part time awarded a doctorate if your thesis is judged to represent an original contribution to knowledge in your chosen area. |
| Masters level degree eg MSc, MA, MRes, etc. (can include non-medical qualifications). Typically lasts 8 months or longer, full-time equivalent | 3 |
This must be a specific course that usually lasts for three university terms (or equivalent) and is eight months' or more duration (full time equivalent); it must not be claimed for upgrading a bachelor’s degree without further study as is offered in some universities. You cannot claim this option for qualifications which are gained as part of a programme where a substantial amount of time was spent in clinical training, with significant overlap in capability attainment with Internal Medicine Stage 1. |
|
Other relevant postgraduate diploma or postgraduate certificate typically lasting between one and ten months (whole-time equivalent). You cannot claim for the MRCP(UK), or parts thereof, in this section, or an alternative membership examination which is required for entry to the specialty (eg MRCPCH, MRCPI) to which you are applying. Qualifications unrelated to medicine cannot be claimed for in this option. |
1 |
This option is for relevant postgraduate courses / modules - eg diploma of tropical medicine and hygiene etc. If you have completed an additional specialty membership examination to the one required for entry to the specialty (normally MRCP(UK)), this can be claimed for in this section; for example, you have the MRCGP in addition to the MRCP(UK). You can claim this option for an MD or masters degree (by teaching, usually including a dissertation), where a substantial amount of time was spent in clinical training and being taught; the dissertation is a smaller part of the programme, not usually involving new research. It is not permissible to claim points for partially completed qualifications - eg 1 year of a three-year degree. For a qualification to count, the eligibility criteria must specify that only graduate entrants can apply. |
| None/other: please specify | 0 |
This space is for you to mention anything which you think is of relevance, but which cannot be categorised above
|
Additional achievements
Please note that where a stated percentage is given you must be able to demonstrate this to claim that option. If your medical school do not specify this you will need to contact them to ask whether they can supply something in writing to verify that your performance met the specified criteria.
National prizes
For the purposes of scoring in this section, the home UK nations will be treated as separate nations. For example, a prize open to all medical postgraduates in Wales, will be considered as a national prize.
Examples of evidence
This would normally be a letter or certificate from the medical school or organiser which confirms the award.
Additional guidance
The 'Overview' tab has some general guidance on scoring, so please review this if you are unclear, however please be aware we cannot give guidance on which specific option to choose.
| Additional achievements | ||
|---|---|---|
| Option | Score available | Notes |
| High-achievement award for primary medical qualification (eg honours or distinction) awarded to no more than the top 18% | 3 | If more than 18% of the year receive honours/distinction etc., then it no longer marks you out as exceptional in this category. |
| Awarded international/ national prize related to medicine | 2 | This means that the prize is open to medical undergraduates and / or postgraduates in the country of training. |
| One or more prizes / distinctions / merits related to parts of the medical course awarded to no more than the top 20% | 1 | You may only claim this if you were in the top 20% of marks for part of the course on at least one occasion. |
| None/other: please specify | 0 |
This space is for you to mention anything you think is of relevance which cannot be categorised above.
|
Presentations / posters
Typically, you will be invited or selected to give a presentation or show your poster. In situations where you are solely presenting or showing your poster because you have paid a fee you may only select the “none/other” option.
What can be claimed in this section?
Whether it is a presentation or a poster, your achievement should include delivery of novel data; e.g. research, a complex clinical case or a quality improvement project. This section should not include presentations primarily aimed at teaching.
What is a medical meeting?
Typically, this will be an audience of doctors and/or healthcare professionals attending away from their normal place of work for which attendees will be undertaking continuing professional development. The exception to this is the option for a local meeting where the audience is predominantly internal to that workplace.
What is a presentation?
'Presentations' referred to here are oral presentations, with or without slides, attended synchronously by an audience of healthcare professionals.
These can be of anything related to medicine, typically a case or case series, research or other topic. It would normally be expected to include a question and answer session. This does not include oral poster presentations, which are scored under separate options.
Posters
To claim for a poster, you should have had significant involvement in the underlying research and compilation of the poster (first or second author). You need not have personally presented the poster; however, there must have been a defined opportunity for discussion during the conference/meeting at which it is displayed.
Examples of evidence
Evidence should cover two areas:
- Confirmation that your presentation/poster was accepted and included at a meeting. This should be in the form of a confirmatory letter or certificate from the meeting organiser or evidence of inclusion in the abstracts book for the meeting. Claims for international/national meetings that are not accompanied by a document listing the abstracts of the presentations and posters included at that meeting, may be downgraded during the evidence verification process.
- The content of the presentation/poster. This would include the abstract (where applicable) submitted to the organiser and a copy of the presentation slides or poster.
Additional guidance
The 'Overview' tab has some general guidance on scoring, so please review this if you are unclear, however please be aware we cannot give guidance on which specific option to choose.
| Presentations | ||
|---|---|---|
| Option | Score available | Notes |
| An oral presentation in which I was a first or second author was given at a national or international medical meeting | 6 | International/national meetings should involve a document listing the abstracts of the presentations and posters included at that meeting. National meetings must be open to anyone in the country and international meetings must be open to anyone from a range of countries. For the purposes of scoring in this section, the home UK nations will be treated as separate nations. For example, a presentation at a Scotland-wide medical meeting will be considered as a national presentation. |
| A poster in which I was a first or second author was shown at a national or international medical meeting | 4 | As above |
| An oral presentation in which I was a first or second author was given at a regional medical meeting | 3 | Regional means that participation is confined to, for example, a county, medical training region, health authority, or beyond a recognised cluster of hospitals; for example, in the UK a multi-site trust or health board would count as local rather than regional. |
| An oral presentation in which I was a first or second author was given at a local medical meeting | 2 | Local usually means participation is confined to a single local hospital, trust, health board or university. |
| A poster in which I was a first or second author was shown at a regional or local medical meeting | 2 | See the options above for notes about what regional/local entails. |
| None/other: please specify | 0 | This option can be used for anything else you think is relevant that cannot be categorised above, including presentations not yet delivered. Please note that entries under this option do not gain marks at the application stage, but may be one of the factors taken into account by interviewers when deciding upon their interview scoring. |
Publications
PubMed citations
Any item included under an option stating 'PubMed-cited' must be cited in PubMed, so as to demonstrate that it is both peer-reviewed and relevant to medicine.
Where possible, you should include the PubMed reference when giving details of publications and the application form will require you to leave the web link for your article; Cochrane reviews can be regarded as equivalent.
The only exception to this is in the case of published medical books, which do not require PubMed citation.
Authorship
Any stated authorship must be recognised by PubMed within the author section of the citation system.
In press
Whilst achievements not yet gained cannot usually be claimed, an exception to this are any articles/publications which have been completely accepted, but are just waiting to be published - i.e. 'in press'.
Examples of evidence
- PubMed-cited articles - these must have a screenshot of the PubMed citation uploaded and the PubMed hyperlink should be included on the application form where it is available. If your article is 'in press' you will need to provide confirmation from the publisher that it has been accepted.
- Non-PubMed cited articles - a photocopy of the article/webpage where the article is found.
- Books related to medicine - evidence would normally include a copy of the book cover page, contents' page, list of contributing authors and evidence of the content; it is not expected that whole books are supplied but it needs to be sufficient to allow confirmation of your contribution. It is expected that books will be accompanied by an ISBN and evidence would include this number; claims without an ISBN may see the score downgraded.
Additional guidance
The 'Overview' tab has some general guidance on scoring, so please review this if you are unclear, however please be aware we cannot give guidance on which specific option to choose.
Below the table is a short glossary of terms used in the options.
| Publications | ||
|---|---|---|
| Option | Score available | Notes |
| I am first author, joint-first author or corresponding author, of one or more PubMed-cited original research publication (or in press) | 8 | |
| I am co-author of one or more PubMed-cited original research publication (or in press) | 6 | |
| I am first author, joint-first author, corresponding author or co-author of more than one PubMed-cited other publications (or in press) such as editorials, reviews, case reports, letters, etc | 5 | |
| I have written one or more chapters of a book related to medicine in its broadest sense (this does not include self-published books) | 5 | This refers to medicine in its broadest sense and not just hospital medicine. Books must be published by an independent publishing house, i.e. not self-published |
| I am first author, joint-first author, corresponding author or co-author of one PubMed-cited other publication (or in press) such as editorials, reviews, case reports, letters, etc | 3 | |
|
I have published one or more abstracts, non peer-reviewed articles or published articles that are not PubMed-cited |
1 | |
| None/other: please specify | 0 | This option can be used for anything else you think is relevant that cannot be categorised above, including things not yet accepted for publication. Please note that entries under this option do not gain marks at the application stage, but may be one of the factors taken into account by interviewers when deciding upon their interview scoring. |
Glossary of publications section terms
In press - this means that your piece has been fully accepted for publication; no further alterations are required; and it is just waiting to be published.
PubMed - virtually all published articles relevant to medicine will have a unique PubMed ID number (PMID) assigned to it. If a published article does not have a PMID, it is unlikely to be relevant here.
Peer-reviewed - this means that your piece has been sent to one or more independent reviewers prior to acceptance for publication.
Submitted article - this cannot gain any marks at the short-listing stage, because it is not known if it will be published. However, you may wish to mention it to support your application, and you may wish to discuss this at interview.
First author - this means first on the list of authors.
Joint-first author - this is a specific definition and will be specified in the publication.
Collaborating author - being a collaborative author does not score any points unless you are specifically named as a main author, co-author or corresponding author.
Corresponding author – this is a specific definition and will be specified in the publication.
Co-author - this means that you are on the list of authors as recognised within the PubMed citation system, but are not first or joint-first author. Contributors recognised within the manuscript but not specified as an author within the PubMed citation system, cannot claim for this publication.
'Other' publication - anything that is not an original research article (or book/chapter) - e.g. editorials, reviews, abstracts, case reports, letters, etc. Online discussion forums or posted articles do not count.
Original research - this covers basic scientific research as well as systematic reviews/meta-analyses.
Teaching experience
Timescale of programmes
It is difficult to be prescriptive about timescales as it will depend on the regularity and length of sessions. What is important is that a lasting commitment to a meaningful teaching programme can be demonstrated. Therefore, you will need to use your professional judgement if your programme was less than three months on whether you can reasonably select this option and provide evidence accordingly.
Feedback
This means you have either evidence of senior observation and feedback (e.g. Developing the Clinical Teacher or Teaching Observation form) or that there has been collection and analysis of participants' feedback forms with a summary of the feedback. If your teaching experience does not have evidence of feedback, you will only be able to choose the 'none/other' option; although you will be able to describe your experience on your application form.
Examples of evidence
- Formal feedback - evidence of formal feedback collected is required for all scoring options. 'Feedback' section above details what is required from evidence.
To score the two highest scoring options you will additionally need to provide:
- Role in organisation and delivery - a letter from your local tutor/organisation confirming your contribution to the course and your specific role in the organisation and delivery of the programme
- Evidence of programme - evidence of the timetable, outline of the programme/content
Letters from a tutor/organisation responsible for your programme must be on a headed document from the organisation.
Additional information
The 'Overview' tab has some general guidance on scoring, so please review this if you are unclear, however please be aware we cannot give guidance on which specific option to choose.
|
Teaching experience |
||
|
Option |
Score available |
Notes |
|
I have worked with local tutors to organise a teaching programme (a series of sessions) for healthcare professionals or medical students on which I regularly taught over a period of approximately three months or longer. I have evidence of formal feedback. |
5 |
You have worked with local tutors to organise a teaching programme and arrange teachers; it is not necessary for you to have personally designed the teaching programme. You have a certificate or letter of recognition of your contribution. You have evidence of formal feedback from these sessions, or a ‘Developing the Clinical Teacher’/’Teaching Observation’ form. |
|
I have provided regular teaching for healthcare professionals or medical students, as part of a defined programme/course, over a period of approximately three months or longer. I have evidence of formal feedback. |
3 |
For example, regular bedside or classroom teaching, acting as a mentor to a student or acting as a tutor in a virtual learning environment. You have a certificate or letter of recognition of your contribution. You have evidence of formal feedback from these sessions, or a ‘Developing the Clinical Teacher’/’Teaching Observation’ form. |
|
I have taught medical students or other healthcare professionals occasionally. I have evidence of formal feedback. |
1 |
Occasionally means less than the approximate three months for higher scoring options but should be at least three sessions. You have evidence of formal feedback from these sessions, or a ‘Developing the Clinical Teacher’ form. |
|
none/other: please specify |
0 |
This option can be used for anything else you think is relevant that cannot be categorised above. |
Quality improvement
The QI project (QIP) may be a new project or might involve the further development and sustainability of an existing change project. Clinical audits can be a type of QI project, if they use QI methodology. Your project must demonstrate use of recognised QI methodology, e.g. Plan Do Study Act (PDSA) cycles or equivalent.
Please note:
- If you have been involved in a long-running multi-cycle project, you can only claim points based on the cycles in which you were directly involved.
- If your project has not yet completed a single cycle, you can only select the 'none/other' option.
Examples of evidence
The preference is a QIPAT form. If this is not available, a headed document from your supervisor/organisation confirming similar information, which must as a minimum cover:
- QIP topic (The reason for the choice of QIP is clear, aims of the QIP are stated, SMART and trainee led)
- QI measures identified (Process, outcome and balancing measures identified)
- Demonstration of use of QIP methodology
- Change implementation (Documentation of progress, problems and unexpected observations. Run chart of results)
- Evaluation of change (Complete analysis of data. Data compared to predictions. Clear identification of what was learnt)
- Future application of the QIP considered
A fully completed QIPAT form or equivalent document will mean no additional evidence is required. If you feel you need to attach additional information to demonstrate your project, this could include: project outline/plan, the project presentation/poster; all evidence should describe your direct involvement.
Additional guidance
The 'Overview' tab has some general guidance on scoring, so please review this if you are unclear, however please be aware we cannot give guidance on which specific option to choose.
| Quality improvement | ||
|---|---|---|
| Option | Score available | Notes |
|
Involvement in all aspects of two cycles of an original QI project where you can demonstrate a leadership capacity by supervising other members of the team |
4 |
In addition to the requirements for the option immediately below, you should be able to demonstrate that you undertook a significant leadership role within the project. This should include designing the project, playing a leading role in the project delivery and supervision of other members of the team. |
|
Involvement in all aspects of two cycles of a QI project |
3 |
For example, you participated in all stages of a PDSA cycle (or similar) or were involved in planning, data collection, data analysis and change, as well as a further cycle. Presentation of a project is not essential as not all QI work requires presentation. It is likely that this involved working as part of a team but you must evidence your own role within the QI activity for all stages |
| Participating in QI activity - this requires involvement in one aspect of a completed, multi-cycle QI project OR involvement in two or more aspects of a single cycle QI project | 1 |
For example, you were only involved in data collection in a multi-cycle project OR you were involved in data collection and analysis in a single cycle project. You cannot choose this option if you were only involved in a single aspect of a single cycle project; for example you only collected data in a single cycle of a project. |
| none/other: please specify | 0 |
This option can be used for anything else you think is relevant that cannot be categorised above.
|
Leadership and management
Roles related to the provision of healthcare or a non-medical voluntary capacity can both be included in this section.
Examples of roles in healthcare include: BMA national executive, trainee representative of a specialist society or college or a nationally held leadership and management fellowship.
Examples of roles in a non-medical voluntary capacity include: charity, scouting/guides, sports, creative arts, police/military.
Demonstrable impact
To score points in this role you must be able to indicate how you have made a difference in your leadership/management role; you will be given the opportunity to describe this on your application form.
Timing/duration of role
The point scoring options can only be used for roles which you have held since starting your first undergraduate degree (either your primary medical degree or a prior degree) and for a minimum of six months. The six months is of the application closing date and no leeway is allowed to ensure consistency for all applicants.
Examples of evidence
Examples could include: minutes from meetings a headed document, from the organisation in which the role was based, which confirms: your appointment to the role; the requirements of the role; your contribution and how you made an impact, a paper/report you have produced, formal feedback from colleagues.
Your evidence should be able to demonstrate that you held/have held the role for the six-month minimum.
Additional guidance
The 'Overview' tab has some general guidance on scoring, so please review this if you are unclear, however please be aware we cannot give guidance on which specific option to choose.
You can also refer to the Faculty of Medical Leadership and Management’s standards for medical professionals and the GMC’s generic professional capabilities for further information.
| Leadership and Management | ||
| Option | Score available | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| I hold/have held a national/regional leadership or managerial role for 6 or more months and can demonstrate making an impact | 4 | Examples include: BMA national executive, trainee representative of a specialist society or college or a nationally held leadership and management fellowship. Charity, scouting/guides, sports, creative arts at a national or regional level. |
| I hold/have held a local leadership or managerial role for 6 or more months and can demonstrate making an impact | 2 | Examples include a role within one hospital or medical school such as junior doctors’ mess president or trainee representative on a hospital committee. Charity, scouting/guides, sports, creative arts at a local level |
| None/other: please specify | 0 |
You can use the space to mention anything which you think is of relevance that cannot be categorised above. This includes leadership/management roles not meeting the minimum time duration. Please note that entries under this option do not gain marks at the application stage, but may be one of the factors taken into account by interviewers when deciding upon their interview scoring. |
Commitment to specialty
Optional for specialties to use
It will be confirmed for each specialty whether or not they intend to assess commitment to specialty at the shortlisting stage in the 'Planning your application' section of each specialty's page. Whilst this does not usually change between rounds, you can check back at the application opening date to confirm each specialty's status for that round.
How this will be assessed
You will be scored by two independent assessors, who will take into account your stage of training and career history; candidates with more experience in a specialty would be expected to demonstrate more examples of evidence of commitment. It is recognised that some candidates may not have had the opportunity to work in their chosen specialty.
Marking will be on the basis of reviewing the application form and assessing your commitment via a combination of your achievements and activities and the answers to the commitment to specialty questions in the application form. There is no requirement to upload any documents specifically to demonstrate commitment to specialty, and you should not upload any documents other than those required by the evidence verification process.
Particular consideration and credit will be given to achievements/activities which do not require a financial outlay or do not arise as part of posts/placements undertaken; e.g. applicants who have sought exposure to the specialty via taster sessions or similar.
Scoring matrix
The table below shows the matrix that will be used by assessors. It will not be possible to appeal commitment to specialty scores just because you disagree with them.
Applicants assessed as ‘not appointable’ by either of the two assessors will not be shortlisted, regardless of their verified self-assessment score. Any candidate marked as not appointable will be reviewed by the clinical lead to check the decision.
The objective of this commitment to specialty assessment is to:
- Identify those trainees who have shown a clear commitment to the specialty of application, regardless of whether they have been able to undertake specific placements in the specialty.
- Improve the chances of those with lower evidence scores but good commitment of being shortlisted.
- Identify those who show no real basis for making their application.
The main purpose of the assessment at the shortlisting stage is to ensure as many suitable candidates for each specialty as possible can be shortlisted. The score does not carry over into the overall assessment score used to determine offers, and the interview will be used to assess commitment to specialty in greater detail and help differentiate between candidates as part of the overall assessment score.
| Commitment to speciality | ||
| Score | Level | Anchor statement |
|---|---|---|
| 10 | Good | Demonstrates a good level of commitment to the specialty, undertaking a range of activities or experiences commensurate with the doctor’s stage of training/experience, and a good understanding of the skills and attributes required. |
| 2 | Satisfactory | Some demonstration of commitment to the specialty. A candidate may have demonstrated one or two activities to demonstrate commitment or are able to demonstrate a satisfactory understanding of the specialty and able to link their skills/attributes/experiences to this. |
| 0 | Not appointable | No, or very little, demonstration of commitment to the specialty. The candidate is unable to express meaningful commitment to specialty. Any references to commitment or interest are subjective, with no or minimal supporting examples. |
How the score will be used
There will be 20 marks available from the combined scores of the two assessors and so it will make up 20/60 (33%) of the marks available at the shortlisting stage for the specialties that use it.
Unlike the verified self-assessment score, the commitment to specialty score will not form part of the final score used for ranking and offers, as this area is assessed as part of the interview for all specialties.
MRCP(UK)
No score is given for passing MRCP(UK) Part 1, as this is an essential eligibility requirement at time of application. See the MRCP(UK) page for more information on this.
Alternative specialty examinations
Where you have an alternative UK specialty examination which is specified on the person specification, you can substitute the MRCP(UK) with the corresponding examination for that specialty.
For example, if you are applying to haematology, which accepts the MRCPCH, you can claim the points for completing Part 2 Written if you have completed all of the theory examinations and the points for both Part 2 Written and PACES if you have additionally completed the clinical examination and have the full MRCPCH diploma.
Non-UK alternative training
If you are applying without the MRCP(UK), on the basis of having completed Irish Basic Specialty Training (BST) and the MRCPI, or you are eligible for the GMC specialist register in general internal medicine, you should select the top option if you have fully completed this at time of application. If you cannot demonstrate the full criterion at time of application, you cannot gain any points in this domain and must select the bottom option; this includes completion of the MRCPI without full sign off from Irish BST.
College membership
If you hold membership or fellowship of one of the three UK colleges of physicians (Edinburgh, Glasgow and London), without having completed the MRCP(UK) diploma, this does not qualify for the examination criterion and you are not eligible on this basis or able to score points in this domain.
Examples of evidence
MRCP(UK)/alternative UK college examination - This should ideally be your certificate confirming completion of the full MRCP(UK), or evidence of completing individual components of the examination, such as letter from the relevant college. If you do not have either of these, a screenshot from your My MRCP(UK) account (or alternative specialty if applicable) is acceptable, provided that it clearly shows what you have completed, and your name, so it is clear it is your account.
Eligibility for the specialist register in GIM - You will also need to upload evidence to your application form; this could be via a screenshot of the GMC specialist register or a scan of the letter from the GMC.
Irish Basic Specialty Training in medicine - This will usually be via the certificate awarded by the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland; a certificate demonstrating completion of the MRCPI is insufficient without the certificate confirming completion of BST.
Additional guidance
The 'Overview' tab has some general guidance on scoring, so please review this if you are unclear, however please be aware we cannot give guidance on which specific option to choose.
| MRCP(UK) | |
|---|---|
| Option | Points |
| I have passed both MRCP(UK) Part 2 Written and PACES or a stated alternative on the person specification | 8 |
| I have passed MRCP(UK) PACES but not Part 2 Written or a stated alternative on the person specification | 6 |
| I have passed MRCP(UK) Part 2 Written but not PACES or a stated alternative on the person specification | 2 |
| I have not passed MRCP(UK) Part 2 Written or PACES or a stated alternative on the person specification | 0 |
Training in teaching
Training in teaching
Training can only be included in this section if it was specifically focused on teaching. Qualifications and courses about education more generally can be included in the ‘Postgraduate qualifications’ section, if the course meets the requirements for any of the scoring options.
Examples of evidence
There are two forms of evidence needed:
- Completion of training: Evidence of completion will normally be a certificate from the course provider. Where you do not have access to it, a letter from the organiser confirming attendance on the course or completion of the qualification will suffice.
- Course delivery: You will need to provide a course outline which confirms the duration and how the programme is delivered.
Additional information
The 'Overview' tab has some general guidance on scoring, so please review this if you are unclear, however please be aware we cannot give guidance on which specific option to choose.
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Training in teaching |
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Option |
Score available |
Notes |
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I have a higher qualification in teaching e.g. PG Cert or PG Diploma. |
3 |
For a qualification to count, it must be a university accredited programme, the eligibility criteria must specify that only graduate entrants can apply, and be worth an equivalent of least 60 credit points or equivalent; the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education and the EC European Education Area have guidance about credit points |
|
I have had training in teaching methods which is below the level of a PG Cert or PG Diploma |
1 |
This should be additional to any training received as part of your primary medical qualification. Training should be delivered with a duration of at least six hours (i.e. a one-day course) of synchronous (live) teaching time. |
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I have had no training in teaching methods. |
0 |
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