Clinical Radiology ST1 Interview Guide 2027

The Radiology ST1 interview represents a critical juncture in the career path of aspiring radiologists. This article aims to navigate prospective Radiology ST1 candidates through the nuances of the interview process.

From understanding the competitiveness of the field to dissecting the interview format, this guide is an all-encompassing resource. It is specifically designed to equip you with the knowledge and confidence needed to excel in your Radiology ST1 interview!

We'll walk you through:

The Recruitment Timeline
Competition Ratios
The Interview Format
Typical Questions
Interview Scoring

Key Documents

Oriel User Guide
ST1 Clinical Radiology Person Specification 2027
NHS England - Clinical Radiology ST1 selection process 2027
Clinical Radiology ST1 Portfolio Review Guidance 2027

Radiology Recruitment Timeline 2027

Check out changes to crucial dates during the selection process on the recruitment timetable.

Radiology ST1 Interview Process

The process begins with an application through the Oriel system, and in 2027 the MSRA acts as a gate: you must score above the minimum cut-off of 201 on each of its two components, and if eligible applicants exceed interview capacity, applications are shortlisted on MSRA score. Once you receive your invitation via Oriel, book your slot promptly.

This interview is conducted entirely online using the Qpercom Recruit system, a browser-based platform designed for online interviews. Familiarising yourself with this system beforehand is highly recommended to avoid any technical hiccups on the day of the interview.

When preparing for the interview, it's important to note that the process is standardised across England, Wales, and Scotland, offering a uniform experience for all candidates within these regions. However, in Northern Ireland the application and interview process differs slightly, necessitating tailored preparation strategies.

During the interview, you’ll be required to verify your identity, typically with a passport or UK photo driving license. Additionally, you’ll be asked to showcase your interview environment via your camera to ensure privacy and fairness in the assessment.

For 2027 the interview includes two stations of up to 15 minutes each. Station A opens with two questions about the portfolio evidence you uploaded (one panellist reviews it for up to 10 minutes before you enter), followed by two further scored sections on the person specification; Station B has three sections of questions on areas of the 2027 ST1 person specification. These stations are designed to evaluate your commitment to the speciality and your communication skills. It's an opportunity for you to demonstrate not only your intellectual grasp of radiology but also your ability to effectively convey your thoughts and interact within a professional setting.

To conclude the interview, candidates are expected to disconnect from the call, signifying the end of the process. Should you have any technical problems or concerns on the day, contact the PGDME support portal.

Tips For a Smooth Experience

Familiarise yourself with Qpercom Recruit before the interview to avoid technical hiccups on the day.
Ensure you have a stable internet connection and a good webcam.
Check your interview setting for noise and light levels (and embarrassing details off camera - which they will be checking!).
Have your identity documents ready on the day

How Competitive is the Radiology Interview?

The Radiology ST1 interview process stands as one of the most competitive in the field of medical specialisations, with a competition ratio of 11.27 in 2025 (4,011 applications for 356 posts; 2026 figures not yet published).

If you're through to the interview stage, there's historically a ~50% chance of succeeding in getting a post, however, getting to this stage is becoming more and more competitive.

The demand for positions within this speciality has escalated significantly in recent years, following a global trend in increasing radiology applications, as well as being impacted by the inclusion of IMGs in round 1 applications since 2020.

Statistical data from recent recruitment cycles reveals a striking insight into this competitive landscape.

For instance, in the 2025 recruitment year the number of applications received for Radiology ST1 positions significantly outweighed the available training posts (more than 11 applicants per available post). This imbalance underscores the fierce competition for these roles.

Recently, more people are applying for Radiology ST1. However, the number of interviews and available positions hasn't increased.

Of the 3068 applicants for the 2023 start date:

2773 met the person specification, and so were invited to take the MSRA (90.4%)
688 of those who took the MSRA were invited to interview (24.8%)
350 of those interviewed gained a post in clinical radiology (50.8%)

This shows you that the major bottleneck is the MSRA exam, with 75% of those who took it not doing well enough to be shortlisted. For 2027 the MSRA no longer counts towards your final rank - it is a cut-off (201 on each paper) and a shortlisting tool only.

However, once you get to interview, the 50/50 chance of getting a post doesn't mean it's an easy ride. You'll be competing against the top 20-30% of all applicants, so getting into the top half will still be challenging.

Interview Format

The Clinical Radiology ST1 interview has embraced the digital era by transitioning to an online format. This significant shift from the traditional in-person interview necessitates candidates being adept not just with their clinical knowledge but also with the technicalities of virtual communication.

The 2027 interviews take place between Thursday 11th and Wednesday 17th March 2027 (not including weekends) and are made up of two stations of up to 15 minutes each:

Station A - two questions on your uploaded portfolio evidence, then two further scored sections on the person specification
Station B - three sections of questions on areas of the 2027 ST1 person specification

NHS England: "In 2027 there will be 2 interview stations of up to 15 minutes each." The older stations (Commitment to Radiology, Personal Skills) are kept further down for background only.

You'll first deal with an administrator for the initial checks, after which you will have an interview panel usually made up of two assessors.

Expect the whole interview to take at least 30 minutes, including identify confirmation and setup. You're allowed to take notes, but these must be destroyed ^(gasp) afterwards.

How the 2027 Stations Work

NHS England's 2027 interview page sets out the structure. In Station A, "The first 2 questions will be about their portfolio" - one panellist reviews your uploaded evidence for up to 10 minutes before you enter, and assessors "have 2 questions at interview they will use to get you to clarify your choices" - followed by two further scored sections on the person specification. Station B has "3 sections where questions will be asked on areas of the 2027 ST1 Person specification". Candidates not invited to interview on their MSRA score may still be called for clinical benchmarking where an academic or military post requires it.

Your portfolio has 5 domains scoring up to 28: Commitment to Specialty 8 ("double weighted"), Leadership & Management 4, Teaching & Training 4, Audit & QI 8, Academic 4. "Only 1 piece of evidence is allowed per domain", "Your portfolio evidence categories cannot be changed once your application has been submitted", and "Failure to submit all evidence by the stated deadline will result in your application form being withdrawn".

In March 2024 the stations were changed at a week's notice to the two below; that format has since evolved into the 2027 structure above.

The two new stations are:

A - Prioritisation of Clinical Situations
2 ^{(yeah, 2, you read that right)} - Speciality Skills

For background on those 2024 stations:

RadCast has very helpfully written a blog on these two stations to help us understand a bit more about what they might mean. Thankfully, the new(est) format has some similarities with the 2015 format, which is covered here in the BMJ.

We won't do it better than RadCast, so you better watch this video here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SIPkjzTwFpw

Commitment to Radiology Station (No Longer Used)

Update March 2024: The commitment to radiology station is no longer being used - we will keep this here for future reference in case this changes.

At the 'Commitment to Radiology' station, candidates are probed on their dedication and enthusiasm for the field. This involves questions that not only assess academic prowess but also your passion for radiology, your understanding of its impact in healthcare, and long-term career aspirations.

Take a look at the person specification for clues on what might be asked.

Expect queries like:

Why have you chosen radiology as your speciality?
How do you see your career evolving within radiology?
What areas of radiology are you most interested in, and why?

The objective here is to articulate a comprehensive perspective that reflects both your intellectual curiosity and practical insights into what a career in radiology involves.

Within this, you can demonstrate your commitment by presenting your experiences thus far including:

Taster weeks
Radiology electives
Research in radiology
Radiology-related audits/QIPs
FRCR Exam status
Courses and conferences

Your knowledge and understanding of radiology might also be tested, including what you know about:

Personal Skills Station (No Longer Used)

Update March 2024: The personal skills station is no longer being used - we will keep this here for future reference in case this changes.

The 'Personal Skills' station shifts the focus to interpersonal competencies, crucial for success in a collaborative and multidisciplinary field like radiology. This part of the interview assesses:

Your ability to communicate effectively, both in speaking and listening.
How you approach problem-solving and decision-making, especially in complex clinical scenarios.
Your capacity to work harmoniously within a team, highlighting experiences of teamwork and leadership.

Questions in this station might include:

Describe a time when you had to make a difficult decision in a clinical setting.
How would you handle a disagreement with a colleague over a patient’s treatment plan?
Can you provide an example of how you have contributed to a team effort?

This station is pivotal in determining your ability to integrate into the radiology department, where collaboration with other healthcare professionals is routine.

You'll need to keep on top of various topics that might be explored here including:

Interview Scoring

For 2027 NHS England has published both the appointability rules and the weighting. To be appointable you need "a minimum score of 48 overall (out of 80), with at least a score of 22 on both stations"; the clinical questions need a combined unweighted 6 out of 10 and all other questions 4 out of 10, and your portfolio score is not part of appointability.

To be offered an NTN in clinical radiology, you will then be ranked alongside other appointable applicants. "The overall score used for ranking and offers has changed for 2027" - the MSRA no longer counts towards the final rank (it is the cut-off and shortlisting tool), and the weighting is:

30% Portfolio
70% Interview

Offers will be made based on your ranking and the number of available posts. Following that, if any of those who have been offered a post decline, the next person in their rankings will be offered a job.