Applying to Radiology

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

Application overview

Entry into interventional radiology occurs via two routes:

Entry at ST4 level after 3 years of diagnostic radiology training (ST1-ST3)
Entry into an IR themed run-through post at ST1.

For entry at ST4 level, each deanery has its own local application process for IR selection.

Applications for ST1 Clinical Radiology training are becoming more and more competitive each year (11:1 ratio in 2025). Here, we have written a guide to the application process and its components to guide you through each stage.

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 2025, this has risen to 11:1.

Candidates will then be invited to sit the MSRA in January. The top scoring candidates will be invited to upload their portfolio in mid-February and be interviewed in late February. Please refer to NHSE's Recruitment Timelines for further information.

Interview: 2 x 15 min stations. Split into:

Station A - Portfolio, Speciality, Skills (further information)

Station B - Clinical, Teamworking (further information)

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.

Multi-Specialty Recruitment Assessment

After applying in 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 run 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 score for interview (2024):

555 and above - Secured interview
548 to 554 - Reserve list

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

Structure of the MSRA

The MRSA is a 170-minute exam, split into two sections:

Section 1 – Professional Dilemmas (PD) – 95 minutes, 50 questions

This includes questions similar to a Situation Judgement Test, where you are given a clinical scenario and asked what you would do in particular situations.
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
Further information about this paper can be found here.

Section 2 – Clinical Problem Solving – 86 questions in 75 minutes

These questions are similar to most medical school finals questions, and are related to Foundation Year 2 clinical practice.
There are two types of questions:
1. Single best answer questions (SBAs)
2. Extended matching questions (EMQs)
Further information about this paper can be found here.

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 Professional Dilemmas, 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. In 2024, the number of domains in the scoring system have been reduced. The following domains are scored:

Commitment to Speciality
Leadership and Management
Teaching and Training
Audit and Quality Improvement
Academic Achievement

There are multiple ways to score points in each section. Please refer to NHSE's guidance for further information.

Applicant advice

General advice for applicants

Organise two distinct taster weeks
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.
Complete a higher research degree
Complete training in teaching methods such as a PGCert

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 5-day period this cycle: Monday 23 February - Friday 27 February 2026.

The interview process has changed multiple times in recent years. They take place using an online system called Qpercom Recruit, which runs in your web browser. The interviewers will score your answer to each question which will form your interview score, which accounts for 60% of your final score.

Please see NHSE's Interview page for examples of questions they may ask, and full details about each station.

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, there is usually a strong preference for local applicants. Therefore, it is highly likely that you will complete your interventional radiology training in the same place that you complete your main radiology training. Different hospitals vary on the range of procedures they do and types 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