Included on this page are data on the numbers of posts, numbers of applications made, and rates of competition in 2011 for each of the 16 specialties which will be involved in RCP-SRO ST3 recruitment in 2012.
While there are a number of caveats to the information here (see below), we have added these details to this page to allow candidates to consider the likely rates of competition they may expect to face in different specialties and different deaneries/UoAs.
However, please note - this is just included here for guidance, there can be no guarantee of how similar or otherwise rates of competition will be in 2012.
General advice regarding use of application data from previous years
Competition ratios vary from year to year and should be viewed as guidance only, and not be the sole basis of your decision making.
We cannot offer individual advice; in general, you should decide whether you are committed to a single specialty - in which case, make an objective assessment of your application competitiveness by calculating your probable application score, and pick deaneries/UoAs accordingly; or whether you are committed to an area, in which case consider a back-up specialty unless you are a particularly strong candidate.
Never apply for a specialty in which you do not wish to train, or an area to which you would not consider moving - this just wastes yours and the recruiters' time, and perhaps denies the offer of a post to a colleague.
It is worth noting that most doctors do end up with an ST3 post; the overall ratio of ST3 posts to CMT output is favourable. But it is a question of specialty and deanery: if you choose only a popular specialty in a popular deanery, you have a lower chance of getting a post than if you broaden your choice.
For each specialty we have rated the chances of getting an offer between low and high. This is based on competition ratios and how easily a specialty tends to fill. A specialty may have a high application/competition rate but is sometimes used as a back up option and this may not be reflected in the ultimate competition ratios.
Please note:
In some of the ST3 specialties, there are instances where some deaneries joined together for recruitment purposes (saving on interview resource requirements, etc.) and so in these cases, data from individual deaneries cannot be given.
For example, in most specialties, London and KSS worked together as a single UoA, so the only info we have is for 'London/KSS' as a whole, rather than info for each of them. In GUM, all deaneries combined together to make just two UoAs, and in CPT there was only one single UoA at the application stage.
The 'posts available' column here combines both NTN and LAT posts.
When viewing the numbers below, please note that the competition ratios given are for applications divided by available posts in each case, not applicants, as each candidate could submit up to two applications per specialty, and up to 10 applications in total.
Under 'applications', all application forms which were submitted in R1 are included - regardless of whether they were then rejected, progressed to interview, post offers, etc. Applications which were started, but not then submitted, are not included.
Lastly, please note that the rates of competition below only reflect 2011 round 1 data; 2011 round 2 is not taken into account.
‹ Competition rate by specialty ›
| 2011 national specialty competition ratios |
| Specialty |
Posts available |
Applications submitted |
Competition ratios (apps/posts) |
| Acute internal medicine |
109 |
351 |
3.22 |
| Cardiology (now cardiovascular medicine) |
94 |
607 |
6.46 |
| CPT |
15 |
21 |
1.40 |
| Dermatology* |
34 |
92 |
2.71 |
| Endocrinology & diabetes |
85 |
265 |
3.12 |
| Gastroenterology |
94 |
441 |
4.69 |
| Geriatric medicine |
115 |
307 |
2.67 |
| GUM |
42 |
74 |
1.76 |
| Haematology |
79 |
249 |
3.15 |
| Infectious diseases* † |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
| Neurology |
43 |
161 |
3.74 |
| Palliative medicine |
39 |
124 |
3.18 |
| Rehabilitation medicine* |
23 |
37 |
1.61 |
| Renal medicine |
55 |
157 |
2.85 |
| Respiratory medicine |
120 |
408 |
3.40 |
| Rheumatology* |
40 |
129 |
3.23 |
*Not coordinated by RCP-SRO in 2011
†In 2011, due to the manner in which recruitment to infectious diseases posts was organised, it is not possible to give competition ratios for this specialty.
‹ Acute internal medicine ›
| acute internal medicine competiton ratios 2011 |
| Deanery/UoA |
Available posts |
Applications received |
Apps/posts |
| East Mids (N) |
3 |
6 |
2.00 |
| East Mids (S) |
5 |
16 |
3.20 |
| East of England |
13 |
50 |
3.85 |
| KSS |
7 |
28 |
4.00 |
| London/KSS |
11 |
57 |
5.18 |
| Mersey |
6 |
15 |
2.50 |
| North Western |
7 |
34 |
4.86 |
| Northern |
7 |
8 |
1.14 |
| Oxford |
7 |
16 |
2.29 |
| Severn |
7 |
25 |
3.57 |
| SW Peninsula |
1 |
4 |
4.00 |
| Wales |
1 |
4 |
4.00 |
| Wessex |
8 |
17 |
2.13 |
| West Midlands |
10 |
27 |
2.70 |
| Yorkshire |
16 |
44 |
2.75 |
In 2011 candidates could make up to two applications to acute internal medicine (AIM). Unfortunately, the multi-application phenomenon resulted in a small proportion getting two interviews and a larger proportion not getting any interview.
Therefore, in 2012 we have reviewed the process and in AIM have changed from a two-application process to a 'single cascadable application' (as is done for CMT); this means that more candidates will be offered an interview.
However, even though more candidates will be interviewed this year, this does not mean that the chances of getting a post improve necessarily; but at least in 2012, getting an interview is more likely, and thus in many cases, an offer of a post is possible.
The overall chance of getting an offer is medium to high. It is worth noting that some deaneries are a lot more popular than others.
‹ Cardiovascular medicine ('cardiology' in 2011) ›
| cardiovascular medicine competition ratios 2011 |
| Deanery/UoA |
Available posts |
Applications received |
Apps/posts |
| East Mids (N) |
1 |
11 |
11.00 |
| East Mids (S) |
4 |
36 |
9.00 |
| East of England |
10 |
91 |
9.10 |
| London/KSS |
26 |
139 |
5.35 |
| Mersey |
3 |
2 |
0.67 |
| North Western |
7 |
59 |
8.43 |
| Northern |
7 |
32 |
4.57 |
| Severn |
3 |
15 |
5.00 |
| SW Peninsula |
3 |
16 |
5.33 |
| Wales |
5 |
14 |
2.80 |
| Wessex |
11 |
63 |
5.73 |
| West Midlands |
9 |
43 |
4.78 |
| Yorkshire |
5 |
86 |
17.20 |
Cardiology/cardiovascular medicine continues to be the most popular speciality by far.
In 2011 candidates could make up to two applications in cardiology. Unfortunately, the multi-application phenomenon resulted in a small proportion getting two interviews and a larger proportion not getting any interview.
Therefore, in 2012 we have reviewed the process and in cardiovascular medicine have changed from a two-application process to a 'single cascadable application' (as is done for CMT); this means that more candidates will be offered an interview.
However, even though more candidates will be interviewed this year, this does not mean that the chances of getting a post improve necessarily; but at least in 2012, getting an interview is more likely, and thus in many cases, an offer of a post is possible.
The overall chance of getting an offer is low. It is worth noting that some deaneries are a lot more popular than others.
‹ Clinical pharmacology & therapeutics ›
In 2011 CPT was managed centrally, and therefore candidates could only make one application. As a result, we cannot give data on competition rates for individual deaneries.
Overall, 21 applications were submitted for 15 posts, giving a national competition ratio of 1.40 apps per post.
Providing you meet eligibility criteria, the chances of getting an interview to CPT is very high. If you get an appointable score the chances of getting an offer is very high.
‹ Dermatology ›
In 2011 (R1), recruitment to ST3 posts in dermatology was organised nationally, with all candidates applying via the North Western Deanery and then preferencing posts at interview; as such, only a competition rate is available.
92applications were submitted for 34posts in 2011, ie 2.71 applications per post.
The changes of getting a dermatology post are low to medium as they tend to fill posts very easily, and have a healthy reserve list of suitable candidates.
‹ Endocrinology & diabetes ›
| endocrinology & diabetes mellitus competition ratios 2011 |
| Deanery/UoA |
Available posts |
Applications received |
Apps/posts |
| East Mids (N) |
2 |
7 |
3.50 |
| East Mids (S) |
1 |
2 |
2.00 |
| East of England |
6 |
13 |
2.17 |
| London/KSS |
29 |
83 |
2.86 |
| Mersey |
3 |
3 |
1.00 |
| North Western |
10 |
35 |
3.50 |
| Northern |
3 |
12 |
4.00 |
| Oxford |
4 |
12 |
3.00 |
| Severn |
5 |
9 |
1.80 |
| SW Peninsula |
3 |
1 |
0.33 |
| Wales |
6 |
16 |
2.67 |
| Wessex |
4 |
11 |
2.75 |
| West Midlands |
5 |
34 |
6.80 |
| Yorkshire |
4 |
27 |
6.75 |
In 2011 candidates could make up to two applications in endocrinology & diabetes mellitus. Unfortunately, the multi-application phenomenon resulted in a small proportion getting two interviews and a larger proportion not getting any interview.
Therefore, in 2012 we have reviewed the process and in endocrinology & diabetes mellitus have changed from a two-application process to a 'single cascadable application' (as is done for CMT); this means that more candidates will be offered an interview.
However, even though more candidates will be interviewed this year, this does not mean that the chances of getting a post improve necessarily; but at least in 2012, getting an interview is more likely, and thus in many cases, an offer of a post is possible.
The overall chance of getting an offer is medium to high. It is worth noting that some deaneries are a lot more popular than others.
‹ Gastroenterology ›
| gastroenterology competition ratios 2011 |
| Deanery/UoA |
Available posts |
Applications received |
Apps/posts |
| East Mids (S) |
2 |
3 |
1.50 |
| East of England |
6 |
24 |
4.00 |
| London/KSS |
22 |
109 |
4.95 |
| Mersey |
7 |
17 |
2.43 |
| North Western |
14 |
97 |
6.93 |
| Northern |
8 |
13 |
1.63 |
| Oxford |
6 |
18 |
3.00 |
| Severn |
6 |
19 |
3.17 |
| SW Peninsula |
1 |
4 |
4.00 |
| Wales |
7 |
28 |
4.00 |
| Wessex |
5 |
27 |
5.40 |
| West Midlands |
4 |
29 |
7.25 |
| Yorkshire |
6 |
53 |
8.83 |
In 2011 candidates could make up to two applications in gastroenterology. Unfortunately, the multi-application phenomenon resulted in a small proportion getting two interviews and a larger proportion not getting any interview.
Therefore, in 2012 we have reviewed the process and in gastroenterology have changed from a two-application process to a 'single cascadable application' (as is done for CMT); this means that more candidates will be offered an interview.
However, even though more candidates will be interviewed this year, this does not mean that the chances of getting a post improve necessarily; but at least in 2012, getting an interview is more likely, and thus in many cases, an offer of a post is possible.
The overall chance of getting an offer is low to medium. It is worth noting that some deaneries are a lot more popular than others.
‹ Genitourinary medicine (GUM) ›
In 2011, candidates could make up to two applications to either a North or South region (for 2012 candidates only have to make one application to all available posts in England and Wales).
Overall, 74 applications were submitted for 46 posts, giving a national competition ratio of 1.76 apps per post.
Providing you meet eligibility criteria, the chances of getting an interview to GUM is high. If you get an appointable score the chance of an offer is high.
‹ Geriatric medicine ›
| geriatric medicine competition ratios 2011 |
| Deanery/UoA |
Available posts |
Applications received |
Apps/posts |
| East Mids (N) |
3 |
10 |
3.33 |
| East Mids (S) |
6 |
12 |
2.00 |
| East of England |
5 |
6 |
1.20 |
| KSS |
3 |
11 |
3.67 |
| London/KSS |
23 |
61 |
2.65 |
| Mersey |
5 |
18 |
3.60 |
| North Western |
14 |
51 |
3.64 |
| Northern |
8 |
14 |
1.75 |
| Oxford |
5 |
14 |
2.80 |
| Severn |
6 |
13 |
2.17 |
| SW Peninsula |
2 |
5 |
2.50 |
| Wales |
5 |
8 |
1.60 |
| Wessex |
8 |
15 |
1.88 |
| West Midlands |
10 |
25 |
2.50 |
| Yorkshire |
12 |
44 |
3.67 |
In 2011 candidates could make up to two applications in geriatric medicine. Unfortunately, the multi-application phenomenon resulted in a small proportion getting two interviews and a larger proportion not getting any interview.
Therefore, in 2012 we have reviewed the process and in geriatric medicine have changed from a two-application process to a 'single cascadable application' (as is done for CMT); this means that more candidates will be offered an interview.
However, even though more candidates will be interviewed this year, this does not mean that the chances of getting a post improve necessarily; but at least in 2012, getting an interview is more likely, and thus in many cases, an offer of a post is possible.
The overall chance of getting an offer is medium to high. It is worth noting that some deaneries are a lot more popular than others.
‹ Haematology ›
| haematology competition ratios 2011 |
| Deanery/UoA |
Available posts |
Applications received |
Apps/posts |
| East Mids (N) |
2 |
2 |
1.00 |
| East of England |
5 |
11 |
2.20 |
| London/KSS |
25 |
82 |
3.28 |
| Mersey |
2 |
11 |
5.50 |
| North Western |
10 |
44 |
4.40 |
| Northern |
3 |
6 |
2.00 |
| Oxford |
3 |
19 |
6.33 |
| Severn |
2 |
14 |
7.00 |
| SW Peninsula |
3 |
3 |
1.00 |
| Wales |
6 |
7 |
1.17 |
| Wessex |
1 |
3 |
3.00 |
| West Midlands |
10 |
27 |
2.70 |
| Yorkshire |
7 |
20 |
2.86 |
Please be aware when reading these ratios that candidates can make up to two applications, so these results reflect applications rather than unique candidates.
The chances of getting an haematology post are medium.
‹ Infectious diseases ›
It is not possible to give information on competition ratios for recruitment to ST3 posts in infectious diseases (ID) in 2011. Before now, recruitment to ID has been organised on a local, deanery-by-deanery basis, and hence appropriate data is not available.
The changes of getting an offer in ID are low to medium.
‹ Neurology ›
| neurology competition ratios 2011 |
| Deanery/UoA |
Available posts |
Applications received |
Apps/posts |
| East Mids (North & South) |
8 |
39 |
4.88 |
| East of England |
5 |
29 |
5.80 |
| Mersey |
2 |
14 |
7.00 |
| North Western |
6 |
25 |
4.17 |
| Oxford/Wessex |
4 |
9 |
2.25 |
| Severn |
2 |
7 |
3.50 |
| SW Peninsula |
3 |
1 |
0.33 |
| Wales |
4 |
2 |
0.50 |
| West Midlands |
6 |
26 |
4.33 |
| Yorkshire |
3 |
9 |
3.00 |
In 2011 candidates could make up to two applications in neurology. Unfortunately, the multi-application phenomenon resulted in a small proportion getting two interviews and a larger proportion not getting any interview.
Therefore, in 2012 we have reviewed the process and in neurology have changed from a two-application process to a 'single cascadable application' (as is done for CMT); this means that more candidates will be offered an interview.
However, even though more candidates will be interviewed this year, this does not mean that the chances of getting a post improve necessarily; but at least in 2012, getting an interview is more likely, and thus in many cases, an offer of a post is possible.
The overall chance of getting an offer is low to medium. It is worth noting that some deaneries are a lot more popular than others.
‹ Palliative medicine ›
| palliative medicine competition ratios |
| Deanery/UoA |
Available posts |
Applications received |
Apps/posts |
| East Mids (N) |
1 |
1 |
1.00 |
| East of England |
4 |
10 |
2.50 |
| London/KSS |
9 |
37 |
4.11 |
| Mersey |
5 |
13 |
2.60 |
| North Western |
4 |
13 |
3.25 |
| Northern |
1 |
5 |
5.00 |
| Oxford |
2 |
11 |
5.50 |
| Severn |
4 |
9 |
2.25 |
| Wales |
2 |
6 |
3.00 |
| Wessex |
1 |
4 |
4.00 |
| West Midlands |
4 |
7 |
1.75 |
| Yorkshire |
2 |
8 |
4.00 |
Please be aware when reading these ratios that candidates can make up to two applications, so these results reflect applications rather than unique candidates.
NB - we have no data for Northern Ireland as they were not part of the RCP national recruitment process last year.
The chances of getting a palliative medicine post are medium.
‹ Rehabilitation medicine ›
In 2011, recruitment to ST3 posts in rehabilitation medicine was organised nationally, with all candidates applying via the Severn Deanery and then preferencing posts at interview; as such, only a competition rate is available.
37 applications were submitted for 23 posts in 2011, ie 1.61 applications per post.
The chances of getting a rehabilitation medicine post are medium to high.
‹ Renal medicine ›
| renal medicine competition ratios 2011 |
| Deanery/UoA |
Available posts |
Applications received |
Apps/posts |
| East Mids (North & South) |
9 |
11 |
1.22 |
| KSS |
3 |
11 |
3.67 |
| London/KSS |
6 |
24 |
4.00 |
| Mersey |
3 |
13 |
4.33 |
| North Western |
8 |
16 |
2.00 |
| Northern |
2 |
7 |
3.50 |
| Oxford |
3 |
13 |
4.33 |
| Severn/SW Peninsula |
5 |
10 |
2.00 |
| Wales |
4 |
7 |
1.75 |
| West Midlands |
6 |
24 |
4.00 |
| Yorkshire |
6 |
21 |
3.50 |
Please be aware when reading these ratios that candidates can make up to two applications, so these results reflect applications rather than unique candidates.
The chances of getting a renal medicine post are medium to high.
‹ Respiratory medicine ›
| respiratory medicine competition ratios 2011 |
| Deanery/UoA |
Available posts |
Applications received |
Apps/posts |
| East Mids (N) |
6 |
3 |
0.50 |
| East Mids (S) |
4 |
7 |
1.75 |
| East of England |
9 |
44 |
4.89 |
| KSS |
3 |
18 |
6.00 |
| London/KSS |
24 |
92 |
3.83 |
| Mersey |
6 |
12 |
2.00 |
| North Western |
13 |
76 |
5.85 |
| Northern |
12 |
21 |
1.75 |
| Oxford |
6 |
9 |
1.50 |
| Severn/SW Peninsula |
10 |
28 |
2.80 |
| Wales |
6 |
15 |
2.50 |
| Wessex |
7 |
19 |
2.71 |
| West Midlands |
10 |
55 |
5.50 |
| Yorkshire |
4 |
9 |
2.25 |
In 2011 candidates could make up to two applications in respiratory medicine. Unfortunately, the multi-application phenomenon resulted in a small proportion getting two interviews and a larger proportion not getting any interview.
Therefore, in 2012 we have reviewed the process and in respiratory medicine have changed from a two-application process to a 'single cascadable application' (as is done for CMT); this means that more candidates will be offered an interview.
However, even though more candidates will be interviewed this year, this does not mean that the chances of getting a post improve necessarily; but at least in 2012, getting an interview is more likely, and thus in many cases, an offer of a post is possible.
The overall chance of getting an offer is low to medium. It is worth noting that some deaneries are a lot more popular than others.
‹ Rheumatology ›
In 2011, recruitment to ST3 posts in rheumatology was organised nationally, with all candidates applying via the Severn Deanery and then preferencing posts at interview; as such, only a competition rate is available.
129 applications were submitted for 40 posts in 2011, ie 3.23 applications per post.
The chances of getting a rheumatology post are medium.
‹ Competition rates by deanery/UoA ›
‹ Only 10 specialties included here ›
Please note - within the '2011 competition rates by deanery/UoA' table below, only 10 of the above specialties are included.
These are: acute internal medicine, cardiovascular medicine, endocrinology & diabetes, gastroenterology, geriatric medicine, haematology, neurology, palliative medicine, renal medicine, and respiratory medicine.
The specialties of CPT and GUM are excluded from this data, as due to their national coordination in 2011, data on competition for different deaneries/UoAs within each specialty is not available.
Dermatology, infectious diseases, rehabilitation medicine and rheumatology are excluded due to their being coordinated outside of the RCP-SRO process in 2011, and thus compatible data is not available for these specialties either.
| 2011 competition rates by deanery/UoA |
| Deanery/UoA |
Available posts |
Applications submitted |
Competition ratio (apps/posts) |
| East Midlands (North) |
19 |
40 |
2.11 |
| East Midlands (South) |
22 |
76 |
3.45 |
| East Midlands (North & South) |
17 |
50 |
2.94 |
| East of England |
63 |
278 |
4.41 |
| KSS |
16 |
68 |
4.25 |
| London/KSS |
175 |
684 |
3.91 |
| Mersey |
42 |
118 |
2.81 |
| North Western |
93 |
450 |
4.83 |
| Northern |
51 |
118 |
2.31 |
| Oxford |
36 |
112 |
3.11 |
| Oxford/Wessex |
4 |
9 |
2.25 |
| Severn |
35 |
111 |
3.17 |
| Severn/SW Peninsula |
15 |
38 |
2.53 |
| SW Peninsula |
16 |
34 |
2.12 |
| Wales |
46 |
107 |
2.33 |
| Wessex |
45 |
159 |
3.53 |
| West Midlands |
74 |
297 |
4.01 |
| Yorkshire & Humber |
65 |
321 |
4.94 |
