How competitive are U.K. training posts?
U.K. training posts usually start at the CT1 level. A few posts can also begin as ST1 if they are run-through posts ( GP training, Radiology, Neurosurgery, etc.)
A way to find out how competitive a specialty is is to look at the competition ratio for the same.
How is the Competition Ratio calculated?
The competition ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of posts available for a specialty by the total number of applications applying for it that year.
What are the competition ratios for various specialties?
What influences the ratios?
Ratios can fluctuate from year to year. This depends on how many people are applying for a post in that year and how many posts are advertised that year.
Local Competition
The ratios also do not reflect local competition. As more and more people want to live in big cities and people living in big cities don’t want to leave them ( for personal reasons), the ratio increases here due to more competition for the limited number of posts. The same training posts may be quite less competitive in a smaller city. And hence, the ratio will be lesser in those areas. As the national ratio is averaged, these are not proper indicators of the overall competitiveness.
Multiple Applications
Many candidates apply for more than a post but never go for interviews/ never take up those posts if they get them. This negatively influences competition ratios.
E.g. Candidates applying for Radiology might also apply for GP training, Neurosurgery, Ophthalmology as they have a common entrance exam MSRA. This will affect the ratios for all these specialties.
Different rounds of application
Ratios differ in different rounds of applications ( Round 1 and Round 2 ). Round 2 applications might appear more competitive due to the less number of seats left after round 1. Please note that not all specialties have round 2 applications.
Different post levels for application
Some specialties open at ST1 and ST3 or later ( like Neurosurgery, Trauma & Orthopedics, General Surgery, etc). The competition ratios are very different for these. They might appear very competitive due to this fact. E.g.Competition ratio for Trauma & Orthopedics is 24.56 at ST1 level while it is 5.72 for ST3 level.
Should I apply for a training post with a high competition ratio or not?
You should always apply for the post you want to pursue rather than looking at the ratios. If you have a good portfolio and are committed to that specialty, you are most likely to get into it.
What if I get a training post in a smaller hospital?
U.K. training programs are structured and uniform across all training regions in England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. They have a common curriculum, exit exam, and set of standards which you need to achieve, irrespective of where you train from.
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