Clinical radiology is a very rewarding career but getting a training post is competitive
Key statistics from 2021 ST1 recruitment:
- 1677 applications
- 353 ST1 training posts in England, Scotland & Wales
- TBC took the SRA
- 491 candidates were interviewed
- Applicants : Posts = 4.75:1
- Interviews : Posts = 1.65:1
Graph showing the number of radiology applications, SRA examinations, interviews and posts filled for each year (2012-2020)
The competition ratio refers to the number of applications per post. This means that in 2021 there were roughly 4.75 applications for every ST1 clinical radiology training post. This places clinical radiology with other competitive specialties such as neurosurgery, microbiology and ophthalmology which all had relatively high competition ratios.
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 2021 was almost certainly lower than 4.75:1. It is useful to bear this in mind and try not to let competition ratios influence your choice of specialty when applying.
Between 2016-2020 the number of interview slots was set at 600. These are offered out to the highest ranking candidates based on their MSRA score. The final number interviewed is lower than 600 due to applicants dropping out or not attending on the day.
The 2021 recruitment round was different to previous years in that the top 55 applicants as ranked by their MSRA scores were automatically offered a training place without the need for interview. This lowered the number of applicants subsequently invited to interview in 2021.
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
(England, Scotland and Wales)
Below are tables of the ST1 clinical radiology application numbers from previous years:
| Posts available | 353 |
| Applications | 1677 |
| Took SRA | TBC |
| Interviewed | 491 |
| Posts filled | 352 |
| Fill rate | 99% |
| Posts available | 311 |
| Applications | 1128 |
| Took SRA | 977 |
| Interviewed | 572 |
| Posts filled | 309 |
| Fill rate | 99% |
| Posts available | 278 |
| Applications | 967 |
| Took SRA | 769 |
| Interviewed | 555 |
| Posts filled | 278 |
| Fill rate | 100% |
| Posts available | 282 |
| Applications | 970 |
| Took SRA | 760 |
| Interviewed | 543 |
| Posts filled | 282 |
| Fill rate | 100% |
| Posts available | 267 |
| Applications | 937 |
| Took SRA | 771 |
| Interviewed | 554 |
| Posts filled | 267 |
| Fill rate | 100% |
| Posts available | 249 |
| Applications | 963 |
| Took SRA | 823 |
| Interviewed | 537 |
| Posts filled | 249 |
| Fill rate | 100% |
| Posts available | 244 |
| Applications | 917 |
| Interviewed | 734 |
| Posts filled | 244 |
| Fill rate | 100% |
| Posts available | 229 |
| Applications | 794 |
| Interviewed | 635 |
| Posts filled | 229 |
| Fill rate | 100% |
| Posts available | 210 |
| Applications | 754 |
| Interviewed | 604 |
| Posts filled | 210 |
| Fill rate | 100% |
| Posts available | 167 |
| Applications | 693 |
| Interviewed | 544 |
| Posts filled | 167 |
| Fill rate | 100% |
(Source: The Royal College of Radiologists Statistical summary of previous rounds webpage)
Previous years
(Northern Ireland)
Below are tables of the ST1 clinical radiology application numbers from previous years:
| Posts available | 7 |
| Applications | 180 |
| Number interviewed | 37 |
| Number appointable | 17 |
| Posts filled | 7 |
| Fill rate | 100% |
| Posts available | 13 |
| Applications | 128 |
| Number interviewed | 40 |
| Number appointable | 21 |
| Posts filled | 13 |
| Fill rate | 100% |
| Posts available | 4 |
| Applications | 120 |
| Number interviewed | 38 |
| Number appointable | 5 |
| Posts filled | 4 |
| Fill rate | 100% |
| Posts available | 9 |
| Applications | 84 |
| Shortlisted and invited for interview | 45 |
| Attended interview | 34 |
| Posts filled | 9 |
| Fill rate | 100% |
| Posts available | 9 |
| Applications | 91 |
| Shortlisted and invited for interview | 43 |
| Attended interview | 38 |
| Posts filled | 9 |
| Fill rate | 100% |
| Posts available | 8 |
| Applications | 94 |
| Shortlisted and invited for interview | 40 |
| Attended interview | 30 |
| Posts filled | 8 |
| Fill rate | 100% |
| Posts available | 9 |
| Applications | 58 |
| Shortlisted and invited for interview | 32 |
| Attended interview | 29 |
| Posts filled | 9 |
| Fill rate | 100% |
(Data summarised from NIMDTA – October 2020)
