Applying to Radiology

Learn more about the application process for entering ST1 radiology training in 2025.

Application overview

Entry into interventional radiology occurs at an ST4 level.

Trainees must first obtain a Clinical Radiology position at ST1, and once core radiology training has been completed, apply locally for ST4-ST6 training in IR. Each deanery has their own local application process for IR selection, although London training schemes are conducted via a pan-London application scheme.

Recently direct IR themed run-through Radiology posts have opened up across the country in places like Nottingham, Wessex, London, Birmingham etc.

Applications for ST1 Clinical Radiology training are becoming more and more competitive each year (11:1 ratio in 2024). Here, we have written a guide on the application process and each of the components within it to help you through the process.

Click the buttons below to learn more about the application process for ST1 Clinical Radiology.

Make sure to check out our Applications Series webinars!

Application Process

Selection to Clinical Radiology ST1 is conducted on a national basis. The London Deanery (LaKSS) co-ordinates all applications in the country.

The recruitment cycle begins in October-November each year, where applicants must register for an Oriel account and submit their applications on the online portal. Uploading of portfolio evidence is later in the year, usually February.

Although the number of radiology posts has steadily increased, so has the competition. In 2023 there were 3068 applicants for 350 posts, with a competition ratio of 8.77:1. In 2024, this has risen to 11:1.

Candidates will then be invited to sit the MSRA in January. This year, approximately the top 850 scoring candidates will be invited to upload their portfolio in February and be interviewed in March.

Interview:

2 x 10 min stations. Split into:

Prioritisation of Clinical Situations (10 minutes)
Speciality Skills (10 minutes)

Your final score consists of your interview score (60% weighting) and portfolio score (40%). The highest scoring candidate will get their top preference training scheme, followed by the next highest applicant, and so on until all spots have been filled.

Exact dates can be found on the NHS WTE website.

Multi-Specialty Recruitment Assessment

After applying in October/November, the next step will be preparing for and undertaking the Multiple Specialty Recruitment Assessment (MSRA) in January/February. For detailed information on the exam click here.

The MSRA is an examination that the Royal College of Radiologists and many other specialties use to determine who receives an interview. It is therefore essential to spend time preparing for this. It has been around for a number of years, and there are many resources and books which can guide you on how to prepare. This is a computer-based exam offered through the Pearson Vue testing centres. When slots are released, try to book early so you do not have to travel!

Cut off for interview 2024

555 and above - secured interview
548 - 554 reserve list

This year, the MSRA will not form part of your final score, but it is still essential to score well as this is the only way of progressing to interview!

Structure of the MSRA

Section 1 – Situational Judgement Test/Professional Dilemmas – 58 questions in 110 minutes

This includes questions similar to the SJT done at the end of medical school, where you are given a clinical scenario and asked what you would do in particular situations
Of the 58 questions, only 50 are scored and the other 8 are for piloting purposes
There are two types of questions:
1. Ranking questions – rank 5 different options in order of appropriateness
2. Multiple best answer questions – choose the most appropriate 3 responses

Section 2 – Clinical Problem Solving – 97 questions in 75 minutes

These are more like the typical clinical questions you would have done as part of medical school finals. As the examination was founded by the Royal College of General Practitioners, the style of question is focused on GP consultations/presentations
Of the 97 questions, 86 are scored and 11 are again used for piloting
There are two types of questions:
1. Single best answer questions (SBAs)
2. Extended matching questions (EMQs)

How do I prepare?

The best resources to prepare for the MSRA are online question banks. There are many options available, including Passmedicine, Pastest and MCQ Bank. For the SJT, it is important to familiarise yourself with GMC's good medical practice, as these are the key principles that form the basis of the SJT component of the exam.

As part of our Radiology Applications series, IR Juniors runs an MSRA preparation webinar, which provides applicants with top tips for the exam. Previous years' talks can be viewed on our YouTube channel. Keep an eye out on our social media for details on future MSRA events.

Portfolio

After completing the MSRA, if your score is high enough to secure an interview, you will be invited to upload your portfolio. The portfolio is essentially an extended CV that showcases your achievements to date. This process is also referred to as self-assessment and verification. You can find out more detail on the NHS WTE website. Remember, the portfolio accounts for 40% of your final score, so it is a very important part of your application! You will need to start preparing early, ideally a year or more in advance.

The portfolio consists of a total of seven different domains, with a total of 45 points available. Historically there were fewer categories, however in 2022 the portfolio scoring system underwent a major change with more degrees of separation within each category. The following categories are scored:

Commitment to specialty
Leadership and management
Teaching and training
Formal Teaching Qualifications
Audit and Quality Improvement
Academic achievements
Prizes and Awards

There are multiple ways to score points in each section. Specific scoring criteria can be seen in the infographic to the right, but please check on the the latest official information as the exact criteria can be changed!

Applicant advice

General advice for applicants

Join the IR Juniors committee or another national body to demonstrate leadership
Complete original radiology research and publish as a first author
Present your research at a national meeting
Lead a complete, closed-loop audit, and present this, or submit for a prize
Complete a higher research degree
Complete training in teaching methods such as a PG Cert
Organise two distinct taster weeks
Submit a scholarship essay to the BSIR, the prize is a pass to the annual conference

Advice for last minute applicants

If you don't have much time before the application submission, the quickest way to get points are:

Organise a national or regional teaching programme -this does not need to be within radiology, and online platforms will allow you to reach an audience across the country.
Taster weeks - multiple attachments of 3 days each.
Short course in teaching methodology such as Train the Trainers
Close the loop by re-auditing your previous work, and present this locally.
Present a pitch at the RCR IR Research Day

Interviews

Interviews will take place across a one week period this cycle: Monday 10 March - Friday 14 March 2025.

The interview process has changed multiple times in recent years. They now take place using an online system called Qpercom Recruit, which runs in your web browser. In 2024 the interview format changed to two 10 minute stations, with two interviewers in each. Sometimes there is an observer also. The interviewers will score your answer to each question and their combined scores will form your final interview score, which accounts for 60% of your final score.

Station A - Prioritisation of Clinical Situations

In this station you will be presented with a clinical situation and asked to tackle it. Examples have included being provided an imaging report with multiple findings and being asked to prioritise and manage them, and being asked to triage multiple imaging requests.

In 2024, a few additional questions on hot topics in radiology were asked after discussing the clinical scenario.

Station B - Specialty Skills

In this station you will be asked a few questions regarding your personal and professional skills that will make you a good radiologist. Topics covered include:

Communication skills
Empathy and sensitivity
Managing others and team working
Organisation and planning
Coping with stressful situations
Managing uncertainty

How to prepare

Many of the attributes which will be assessed in the interview can be found in the Clinical Radiology ST1 person specification. It is worthwhile to read through this page and think about how you can demonstrate these skills in the interview.

It is important to have a good understanding of the important topics in radiology: trending issues, the structure of the training programme, and exams for example.

Many interview books and courses are also available, see the resources section below.

Training Schemes

Every radiology training scheme is different. Although almost all training schemes will provide you with the core competencies of being a radiologist and have high satisfaction, they differ in their geography, time spent in DGH vs tertiary centres, teaching, oncall commitments and additional opportunities e.g. research. Academies are also a factor to think about - some people prefer this model of training, whereas others do not. Think about which factors are most important to you, and pick a training scheme based on this.

The academy model emphasises didactic learning from classroom lectures, small group teaching, webinars, hands-on workshops and curated case libraries.

Interventional Radiology training (general and neuro) also differs in the different training programs. Although you can apply for other training schemes at ST4 level, generally speaking there is a strong preference for local applicants (many don't allow external applications). Therefore it is highly likely that you will do your interventional radiology training in the same place that you do your main radiology training. Different hospitals vary on the range of procedures they do and quality of hands-on training.

Radiology Learning London: The London radiology trainees have collaborated to create this website for current and prospective radiology trainees with information on each of the London training schemes.

Radiology Cafe: They have a handy guide covering training schemes and how to pick one.

IR Juniors Webinars: we have several webinars with input from trainees across the UK. See the buttons below for links.

2021

2023

Resources

General resources

Radiology Cafe: The most comprehensive resource on the Radiology application & a must read for all applicants.

MSRA question banks

Passmedicine
MCQ Bank
EMedica
Pastest

Interview courses

Hammersmith Radiology ST1 Interview Preparation Courses

RadiologyInterview.com
Radiology Recipes
Radcast
UKRST

Interview books

Radiology Interview: The Definitive Guide With Over 500 Interview Questions For ST Radiology Training Interviews: Volume 4 (CT/ST Medical Interview Guides)
Medical Interviews - A Comprehensive Guide to CT, ST and Registrar Interview Skills (Third Edition) Over 120 Medical Interview Questions, Techniques, and NHS Topics Explained