Competition ratios for Clinical Radiology ST1

Clinical radiology is a very rewarding career but getting a training post is competitive

Key statistics from 2016 ST1 recruitment:

• 963 applications
• 249 ST1 training posts in England, Scotland & Wales
• 823 took the SRA
• 537 candidates were interviewed
  
  
• Applicants : Posts = 3.87 : 1
• Interviews : Posts = 2.16 : 1

Graph showing the number of radiology applications, interviews and posts filled for each year (2012-2016)

The competition ratio refers to the number of applications per post.  This means that in 2016 there were roughly four applications for every ST1 clinical radiology training post.  This places clinical radiology with other specialties such as neurosurgery, microbiology and ophthalmology which all had higher competition ratios than other specialties recruiting for CT1 or ST1 (such as paediatrics, obstetrics and gynaecology, surgery and anaesthetics).

In 2013 Scotland joined the process.  This led to an increase in overall posts and applications.

It is important however to understand these ratios in the context of applicants making multiple applications to different specialties.  For example one applicant may apply for both clinical radiology and paediatrics, however they will only accept one of the two posts.  Approximately 1/4 to 1/3 of applicants make two or more applications.  This has the effect of artificially increasing the competition ratio for specialties they applied to, but did not accept.  Therefore the 'true' competition ratio for clinical radiology in 2016 was almost certainly lower than 3.87:1.  It is useful to bear this in mind and try not to let competition ratios influence your choice of specialty when applying.

Another thing to bear in mind is that there will usually be more posts available than the number stated on Oriel.  If you managed to reach a minimum score at interview but did not score enough to get an offer, you will be entered into clearing for any rejected offers.

Previous years

Below are tables of the ST1 clinical radiology application numbers from the previous 5 years: