Young surgeon in RCSI Surgical Bootcamp)

Core Surgical Training (CST)


How to apply

Applications for CST 2026 will open on Tuesday, 14 October Noon (Irish Time) and will close on Tuesday, 11 November Noon (Irish Time).

Interviews for CST 2026 will take place in person in RCSI in spring 2026. Surgical Aptitude testing will take place in person in RCSI running concurrently with the application process through October and November.

A CST intake webinar will be held on Thursday 2nd October 2025 at 6pm (Irish time)  Please use this link to join.

All applicants for the CST programme at RCSI must:

  • Submit evidence of eligibility for registration on the Irish Medical Council at time of submission of programme application. Please note that this means explicit confirmation that you are eligible to pay your annual fee and register not that you are eligible to apply for registration.
  • Be able to communicate clearly with patients and colleagues (details of which are outlined in the HSE's English language requirements document below).

Eligibility for IMC Registration Guidance PDF | 283.2 KB HSE English language requirements PDF | 506.3 KB

Further information

For further information on CST, contact us at coreST@rcsi.ie.

Please note

  • There is no limit to the number of times you can apply to the programme.
  • You are expected to be truthful and honest in your application. The submission of false or misleading information will be regarded as a form of professional misconduct – this will lead to permanent disqualification and you may be reported to the Irish Medical Council.

Guidance documents

Below you will find important information/documentation regarding the 2026 intake process.

National Surgical Training Programme – Application checklist PDF | 383.3 KB CST Intake Guide (including FAQs) 2026 PDF | 1973.7 KB Guidance on allocation of training places PDF | 794.3 KB