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ST1 Clinical Radiology

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ST1 Clinical Radiology · 2027 Recruitment

ST1 Radiology
Odds Estimator

Enter your MSRA and portfolio scores to find out what interview mark you'd need to be competitive. Powered by real recruitment data from 2019–2025.

competition radiation warning
⌂
Overview
1
MSRA Score
2
Portfolio Score
3
Your Result
⇄
Year Comparison

How does ST1 Radiology recruitment work?

Getting into clinical radiology is a multi-stage, nationally ranked process. Competition has intensified dramatically — over 4,000 applicants competed for around 350 posts in 2025. This tool helps you understand where you stand.

competition radiation warning
The recruitment pipeline
1
chest
Apply via Oriel
Submit your application through the NHS Oriel platform. Must hold a primary medical degree and be eligible to work in the UK.
~4,000 applicants
2
skull
Sit the MSRA
4-hour computer-based exam. Two papers: Clinical Problem Solving and Professional Dilemmas. Top scorers (~850) are shortlisted.
Cutoff: ~551 (2026)
3
hand
Portfolio Review
Shortlisted candidates submit evidence across 5 domains — commitment to specialty, leadership, teaching, audit, and academic achievements.
Max 24 points
4
arm
Interview
2 × 15-minute structured stations, scored out of 100. Worth 70% of your final rank score. The biggest lever you can pull.
70% of final rank
5
knee
National Ranking
All candidates ranked nationally by combined score (Interview 70% + Portfolio 30%). You then choose deaneries in rank order.
~350 posts
6
chest
Accept Post
Offers made through Oriel. Accept your preferred deanery and begin ST1 radiology training in August.
Start August
~3,150 not shortlisted
~450 not offered
Typical recruitment timeline
Oct – Nov
Applications open
Oriel portal opens. Complete eligibility checks.
Jan – Feb
MSRA sits
Sit at a Pearson VUE test centre. Results within weeks.
Feb – Mar
Portfolio upload
Shortlisted candidates submit evidence via Oriel.
Apr – May
Interviews
Structured interviews, typically in London.
Jun – Jul
Offers & accept
Rank list released. Accept post via Oriel.
August
ST1 starts
Begin radiology training at your deanery.
Eligibility at a glance
✓ You must have
  • A primary medical qualification (UK or recognised overseas)
  • Full GMC registration with a licence to practise
  • At least 2 years of postgraduate medical experience by the start date
  • Evidence of achievement of Foundation competencies
  • Right to work in the UK
★ What makes you competitive
  • MSRA score well above the shortlisting cutoff (~551 in 2026)
  • Strong portfolio across all 5 domains, especially Domain 1 (commitment to specialty)
  • Radiology-specific experience: taster weeks, audits, publications
  • Excellent interview performance — worth 70% of final rank
What's your MSRA score?

Enter your actual or predicted MSRA total. The top ~850 candidates by MSRA score are invited to upload portfolio evidence. Minimum 201 required in each of the two MSRA domains.

MSRA Total Score
/ 600

Historical MSRA shortlisting thresholds (estimated)
MSRA shortlisting cutoffs · 2025: 549 confirmed (Mind The Bleep) · 2026: ~551 inferred (lowest confirmed score in community spreadsheet, rank 198) · earlier years not publicly disclosed
Earlier years
Recent years
Your score
Calculate your portfolio score

From 2025, the portfolio is marked out of 24 across 5 domains (Domain 1 is double-weighted, worth up to 8 pts; domains 2–5 worth 4 pts each). Expand each section and score yourself against the 2026 HEE criteria.

Portfolio Total
0 / 24
Select your achievements below
ℹ Scoring uses the 2026 HEE Clinical Radiology ST1 Portfolio Review Guidance. Category A=4pts, B=3, C=2, D=1, E=0. Domain 1 is double-weighted (max 8 pts); domains 2–5 max 4 pts each. Total maximum = 24 pts. You should only claim fully completed achievements.
Your estimate

Select the year you want to compare against. Results adjust based on that year's scoring formula, competition, and offer thresholds.

Less competitive
Moderate
Highly competitive
Important. This is an estimate based on publicly available historical data (Radiology Cafe, RadCast, community spreadsheets, NHS recruitment figures). Scoring weightings changed in 2024 (MSRA no longer contributes to final rank). Thresholds vary by deanery and year. This tool is not affiliated with NHS England, HEE, or the RCR. Always check official guidance at medical.hee.nhs.uk.
How competitive has it been?

Real recruitment data from 2019–2025. Compare application volumes, competition ratios, posts, and interview numbers across every year.

Applications vs posts by year
England, Scotland & Wales · Source: Radiology Cafe / RCR
Historical data
Projected 2027
Year Competition Applications Posts Interviewed Ratio Ranking formula
Data sources. Application statistics from Radiology Cafe (radiologycafe.com/interview-application/competition-ratios), sourced from Oriel and the RCR Statistical Summary of Previous Rounds. Scoring formula changes sourced from RadCast and NHS England recruitment guidance. 2027 figures are projections only.