Core Surgical Training Interview and Application Guide 2027

Written by the Surgical Steps faculty · Last updated 27 October 2026

This guide explains how Core Surgical Training (CST) recruitment works for the 2027 round: the dates, who is eligible, how the MSRA and the portfolio feed into your score, what happens at each interview station, and how offers are made. The biggest change candidates need to understand is that the portfolio is no longer self-scored — it is marked live at an interview station.

Download this guide as a PDF (14 pages)

1. Key dates for the 2027 round

Note how tight the middle of this timeline is. Interview invitations land on 16 February, the portfolio achievement cut-off is 19 February, and the evidence portal closes on 24 February. In practice that means your portfolio evidence must be assembled before you know whether you have been invited — not after.

2. How you are scored

The MSRA does two jobs. It is the shortlisting score — roughly the top 1,200 candidates are invited to interview — but it then contributes only 10% of the final mark. A strong MSRA gets you into the room; it does not carry you through it. Ninety per cent of your final score is decided on interview day.

3. Eligibility and forms

• A primary medical qualification and the right to work in the UK.
• Full GMC registration at the point of application, and a licence to practise by the post start date.
• Foundation competences, evidenced by one of four accepted routes — for example current UKFPO foundation employment, a Foundation Programme Certificate of Completion, or 12 months' experience supported by a CREST form.
• Limits on prior surgical experience: no more than 18 months, or no more than 12 months if you were not enrolled with UKFPO.
• You must not hold, or be eligible for, a CCT in this specialty.

Forms that catch people out

• A CREST form must be submitted with the application where required. For the 2027 round only the 2024 and 2027 versions are accepted — an older form will not do.
• Support forms may be needed for inter-deanery transfers, reapplications, or where a Dean's Supporting Declaration is required.
• Five applications per recruitment round. If you are dual-qualified, you may apply to only one of the two CST vacancies.

4. The MSRA

The MSRA is a computer-based, scenario-based test taken at Pearson VUE test centres, delivered with Work Psychology Group. For CST it is used to shortlist and then contributes 10% of the final score. Book your slot as early as the window allows: centres fill, and a late sitting leaves no room if anything goes wrong on the day.

5. The portfolio: index page and evidence

This is the part that has changed most. You no longer score your own portfolio. You complete an index page using the official Word template, and assessors mark it live at the portfolio station.

On the index page you record, for each of three domains, an indicator letter from A to E and the evidence category you are claiming:

1. Knowledge, Skills and Development — operative experience from the eLogbook, and surgical experience.
2. Patients, Partnership and Communication — presentations, publications, teaching, podcasts.
3. Colleagues, Culture and Safety — quality improvement or audit, and presenting that work.

Each domain takes one achievement, completed by the 19 February 2027 cut-off. Choose the achievement with the highest indicator you can honestly evidence.

How to assemble the evidence

• One single combined PDF per domain, uploaded in the stated order.
• Assessors have roughly 10 to 15 minutes per portfolio and review the first items they see. Lead with the evidence that proves the claim.
• Mandatory elements include your supervisors' GMC numbers, signed eLogbook consolidation reports, and PubMed or Web of Science references for publications.
• Redact all patient-identifiable data before uploading.

6. The two interview stations

Interviews are held online through Qpercom. Every item is scored from 0 to 6.

Management and Clinical station

One management scenario and two clinical scenarios, five minutes each. The clinical scenarios test safe, systematic assessment of acute surgical presentations. The management scenario tests prioritisation, escalation and handling conflict — identify the clinical and organisational issues separately, say what must happen first, and name who else needs to be involved.

Portfolio station

A three-minute presentation, two minutes of questions on it, then two five-minute domain questions. Note carefully: the domain questions cover Domains 2 and 3 even if you uploaded no evidence for them. Candidates who prepare only around what they submitted get caught here every year.

Technical requirements

• Complete the diagnostic test beforehand — do not leave it to the morning of the interview.
• Photo ID is required.
• Camera and microphone stay on throughout. Recording the interview is prohibited.

7. Priority status

Under the Medical Training (Prioritisation) Act 2026, priority status applies at the interview offer stage and the training offer stage. Applicants qualify only if all three criteria are met: country of primary medical qualification, immigration status, and a qualifying UK programme.

Priority applicants are invited to interview first and considered first for offers, ordered by rank within that group. Priority does not change your rank or your score. Your status appears on Oriel on 20 November 2026 and the review deadline is 5pm on 24 November 2026 — miss it and a late form cannot be considered.

8. Offers, holds and upgrades

Initial offers are released by 5pm on 6 April 2027. You then have 48 hours, excluding weekends, to accept, reject or hold. The hold deadline is 9am on 9 April 2027, and the upgrade deadline is 4pm on 14 April 2027. Set your preference order carefully during the preferencing window rather than trying to think it through inside a 48-hour clock.

9. What happened to IST in 2027

In England, Improving Surgical Training recruitment is paused for 2027, and two-year CST posts can be preferenced instead. Wales and Scotland continue to run run-through IST. Northern Ireland recruits separately through NIMDTA. If you were planning your application around an IST post in England, this changes your preference strategy.

10. How to prepare

• Now: get the CREST form and any support forms moving. These depend on other people's diaries, not yours.
• Before the MSRA window: treat the MSRA as a shortlisting hurdle and book early.
• December to February: build the portfolio evidence and the index page. It must be ready before invitations are issued.
• Four to six weeks before interviews: drill clinical and management scenarios aloud, and rehearse the three-minute portfolio presentation until it fits the time without rushing.
• Two to four weeks before: a full mock under exam conditions, scored against the national criteria, with written feedback.

11. Common questions

Is the CST portfolio still self-scored?

No. You complete an index page with an indicator and evidence category for each domain, and assessors score it live at the portfolio station.

How much does the MSRA count for CST?

It is the shortlisting score, and it contributes 10% of your final mark. The two interview stations carry 45% each.

How many candidates are invited to interview?

Approximately the top 1,200 by MSRA score.

Which CREST form version is accepted for 2027?

Only the 2024 and 2027 versions. Earlier versions are not accepted.

Will I be asked about domains I did not submit evidence for?

Yes. The portfolio station includes questions on Domains 2 and 3 regardless of what you uploaded.

Applying for higher surgical training as well? Read our General Surgery ST3 interview and application guide for 2027.