Competition Information 2012

When considering which posts and specialties to apply for, we urge all applicants to consider carefully the likely levels of competition involved and to be prepared to be flexible about choices.

You should also think about the way that healthcare is developing in the future, as well as the competition involved in your chosen specialty and/or the deanery to which you are applying. For example, changes in demography (for example, an increasingly elderly population) and patient expectations are creating a rapid trend towards more healthcare being delivered in the community and primary care settings in the next five years. Around half of the training posts in the next few years will be in General Practice, whereas the number of posts in surgical specialties is decreasing.

High levels of competition for ST3 posts in 2012

Trainees in run-through programmes will proceed to the next level of training in 2012, provided they pass the appropriate assessments.

In uncoupled training programmes, there a high levels of competition for higher specialty training posts particularly in surgical specialties. In addition to those who are currently in their final year of core training there will be applicants in non-training posts who will also be applying for higher specialty training.

Colleges and deaneries start recruitment to uncoupled ST3 (ST4) posts from 3 February 2012. Any CT2 posts not previously advertised in Round 1 will be advertised from 3rd February 2012 onwards eg Anaesthesia.

You are advised to plan your applications carefully and to prepare to be flexible in the event that you may be unsuccessful in getting a place with your first choice specialty and/or deanery.

Notes

Trainees who were recruited to run-through training programmes will proceed to the next level of training in 2012, providing they pass the appropriate assessments.
Competition ratios vary by specialty and location, with some being much more competitive than others.
Doctors who are unsuccessful in securing a training post will have many opportunities to move into a service post. The NHS will need more, not fewer doctors in 2012.

Considering your options in the light of the competition

Given the level of competition, you should think very carefully about the specialties and locations to which you apply. Competition information from recruitment in 2011 is provided below. You can also look at information about competition ratios from recruitment in previous years, if you wish. This information is provided in the Vacancies and Competition section.

These figures do not claim to show what will happen in 2012, but offer a broad indication of which were the most and least subscribed specialties and areas in previous recruitment years.

There is an important point to note for those considering applying for FTSTA1 posts in those specialties that offer run-through training. If you are successful in obtaining an FTSTA1 in those specialties, your chances of obtaining a run-through post at ST2 in 2012 will be relatively low, as there will be very few available.

Competition information from 2011

For National Co-ordinated Recruitment - Core and Run through specialities

Core Medical Training

Core Psychiatry Training

Core Surgical Training

General Practice

Histopathology