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. 2020 Jul 28:57:287-290.
doi: 10.1016/j.amsu.2020.07.047. eCollection 2020 Sep.

Neurosurgery specialty training in the UK: What you need to know to be shortlisted for an interview

Giorgos Solomou  1 , Suzanne Murphy  1   2 , Soham Bandyopadhyay  3 , Hugo Layard Horsfall  4 , Midhun Mohan  5 , Aswin Chari  6 , Saurabh Sinha  7 , Nigel Mendoza  8
Affiliations

Neurosurgery specialty training in the UK: What you need to know to be shortlisted for an interview

Giorgos Solomou et al. Ann Med Surg (Lond). .

Abstract

Neurosurgery is one of the most competitive specialties in the UK. In 2019, securing an ST1 post in neurosurgery corresponds to competition ration of 6.54 whereas a CST1 post 2.93. Further, at ST3 level, neurosurgery is the most competitive. In addition, the number of neurosurgical training posts are likely to be reduced in the coming years. A number of very specific shortlisting criteria, aiming to filter and select the best candidates for interview exist. In the context of the high competition ratios and the specific shortlisting criteria, developing an interest in the neurosciences early on will allow individuals more time to meet the necessary standards for neurosurgery. Here, we aim to outline the shortlisting criteria and offer advice on how to achieve maximum scores, increasing the likelihood to be shortlisted for an interview.

Keywords: Neurosurgery; Surgery; Training.

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Conflict of interest statement

Aswin Chari is supported by a Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) Children's Charity Surgeon Scientist Fellowship and the 10.13039/501100000272National Institute for Health Research GOSH Biomedical Research Centre

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Chart showing the specific domains to work on based on the career progression. The list in the middle outlines a numbers of domains that an aspiring neurosurgeon can work on from early undergraduate years to foundation training years.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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