Average Competition Ratios
Each deanery has a slightly different competition ratio with the more popular deaneries usually oversubscribed. The below table shows the number of jobs available per year and the average national competition ratios.
ST3 Trauma and Orthopaedic Specialty Training Application 2025 OverviewApplying To ST3 Orthopaedics?
Applications for ST3 Orthopaedics 2025 go live in November.
Applications open on 14th November and close 5th December. Applications are processed through the Oriel online application system and you can register with Oriel before the applications open.
For 2025 interviews interviews will be held 1st-4th April 2025 and will consist of a 60-minute interview split into multiple sections or stations.
The application focuses on the essential criteria for Orthopaedic ST3 as outlined in the Person Specification.
It is important to be aware of the specific wording of the eligibility requirements and make sure you have attained the required examinations and courses by the set deadlines.
ST3 Orthopaedics Application Timeline
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Application 14th Nov - 5th Dec
Application Window
Applications open at 10am on the 14th November and the closing date is 4pm on the 5th December. Applicants submit one application electronically for all vacancies via the Oriel recruitment portal.
The application focuses on the essential criteria for ST3 Trauma and Orthopaedic Surgery as outlined in the ST3 Trauma and Orthopaedic Person Specification.
The online application is a combination of bullet form and prose text answers. The self-assessment is the most important section, further information can be found here. -
Interviews 1st-4th April
The Interviews
All interviews will be held Online 1st-4th April. Each applicant will have a maximum of one interview held online via Qpercom.
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Offers 15th April
Offers Made
Offers will be made from completion of interviews up to 5pm 18th April. Applicants will have 48 hours from when the offer was made, including weekends and bank holidays, to respond. After the 48 hour period expires, any declined and expired offers will be released to the next eligible applicants. Offers may be accepted, rejected or held. Offers can be held till the 23rd April and applicants with accepted or held offers are eligible for upgrade until the 24th April.
Oriel Application System
All applications for speciality training in Trauma and Orthopaedic Surgery must be submitted through the online application forms via the ORIEL recruitment website. Forms will not be accepted by post, e-mail or any other medium. This was designed for candidates to manage their application through a single portal and incorporates the following:
• An initial registration process, meaning applicants only need one log in for the entire recruitment year.
• After registering, each applicant will have their own profile, it is through this that an applicant will complete the trauma and orthopaedic application form and be informed if they are invited to interview or offered a training post.
• Booking interviews and assessment centres are managed through the portal.
• All available vacancies for speciality training are listed on the website
Eligibility Requirements
Career Progression
Applicants must hold a primary medical degree.
Applicants must have completed Core Training, at least 24-months of surgery including 10-months of T&O surgery by time of appointment
MRCS
Applicants must have successfully completed MRCS by the time of interview.
If you have not successfully completed MRCS at the time of application, but are expecting results of a recent examination by the interview date you are eligible to apply.
If you are sitting the MRCS Part B prior to ST3 orthopaedic interviewers we recommend using MRCS Part B Questions to practise cadaveric anatomy and MRCS Part B OSCE questions to maximise your chances of passing.
Courses
Applicants must have satisfactorily completed the following courses by the time of interview:
- Essential: ATLS or equivalent
- Desirable: CRiSP or equivalent
- Desirable: A Basic Surgical Skills Course
- Desirable: Fracture Fixation Course
Deaneries and Competition Ratios
Jobs Available
Each year there are around 100 available jobs know as national training numbers (NTN). In 2014 -15 there was an increase in the number of jobs available from 100 to 190 due to a perceived increase in demand for orthopaedic surgeons led by the Department of Health. In 2016 there were no jobs offered in London.
