Intensive Care Medicine ST3 — 2026 Application Guide
Complete guide to applying for Intensive Care Medicine ST3 in the 2026 recruitment cycle. This page covers eligibility requirements, self-assessment scoring criteria, portfolio sections, key dates, required forms, and evidence guidance — building on Specialty Training.
Oriel route name: Intensive Care Medicine ST3 · Route family: specialty-training
Interview preparation guide for Intensive Care Medicine ST3 →Medically reviewed by MedNext Clinical Team. Last reviewed 27 April 2026. See our editorial policy and correction policy.
About Intensive Care Medicine ST3
Intensive Care Medicine ST3 is a specialty training programme entering at higher specialty training at ST3 level, following core training. Selection uses portfolio-scored selection. The full training pathway typically takes 8-10 years total.
Entry Level
ST3
Training Duration
8-10 years total (2yr foundation + 2-3yr core + 4-5yr higher specialty)
Selection Method
Portfolio Scored
Training Pathway
Official Source Documents
The scoring criteria, eligibility requirements, and self-assessment guidance on this page are derived from the following official documents. Always refer to the latest published version before your application.
Published by: NHS England Medical Hub
View original documentPublished by: ICMNRO
View original documentPublished by: ICMNRO
View original documentKey Dates & Deadlines
Important dates for the Intensive Care Medicine ST3 2026 recruitment cycle. Check the official recruitment timeline for the most up-to-date information, as dates may change.
Eligibility Requirements
You must meet all essential eligibility criteria to be considered for Intensive Care Medicine ST3. These are assessed at the application stage. Failure to meet any essential requirement will result in your application being rejected.
Track the core published eligibility requirements for Intensive Care Medicine ST3.
Entry Criteria — Person Specification
The following entry criteria are extracted from the official 2026 person specification for Intensive Care Medicine ST3. You must meet all essential criteria at the point specified. Failure to meet any essential criterion will result in your application being rejected.
Qualifications
2 Application form Interview/selection centre 3 /pre-employment check- Applicants must have:
- Applicants from an Anaesthetics training background, via Core Anaesthetics or ACCS Anaesthetics or equivalent:
- Applicants from a medicine training background, via Internal Medicine Training or ACCS Internal Medicine or equivalent:
- Either of the following:
- Applicants from an Emergency Medicine training background, via ACCS Emergency Medicine, Direct Route of Entry – Emergency Medicine or equivalent:
- MBBS or equivalent medical qualification
- Primary FRCA (all components) by time of offer 1
- MRCP(UK) Part 1 at time of application and MRCP(UK) full diploma by offer date.
- Completion of Irish Basic Specialty Training in medicine and the MRCPI full diploma by offer date.
- MRCEM or FRCEM Intermediate by offer date
Eligibility
Application form, interview/selection centre- Applicants can enter ICM higher specialist training via 3 different core level specialty training routes: Anaesthesia, Emergency Medicine, or Internal Medicine. It is also possible to enter at two different points if following Anaesthesia or Medicine routes depending on whether the candidate wishes to pursue single ICM CCT training or dual/triple CCT training with anaesthesia, respiratory/renal/acute (all with general internal) medicine.
- Applicants from an Anaesthetics training background, via Core Anaesthetics or ACCS Anaesthetics or equivalent:
- • Stage 1 Certificate / Stage 1 Equivalence Certificate (2021 RCoA curriculum). To be used if you have completed a UK Anaesthetics/ ACCS Anaesthetics Core Training Programme; or
- • Current employment in a UK Core Anaesthetics / ACCS Anaesthetics Training Programme and have completion of a stage 1 certificate (2021 curriculum) by the advertised post start date for the vacancy or current employment in a UK Anaesthetic Higher Specialty training programme (2021 curriculum) at ST3, ST4 or ST5 level; or
- • Equivalence Certificate for Stage 1 (2021 RCoA curriculum) is to be used if you have not completed a UK core training programme but have all the required competencies by time of offer.
- Applicants for single ICM CCT after 2 years anaesthesia core level training:
- Applicants from a medicine training background, via Internal Medicine Training or ACCS Internal Medicine or equivalent:
- Applicants from an Emergency Medicine training background, via ACCS Emergency Medicine, DRE-EM or equivalent:
- Emergency medicine Higher specialist training Alternative Certificate. To be used if you have not completed a UK core training programme but have all the required competencies by time of application, Applicants from an Emergency Medicine training background, via DRE-EM:
- Evidence of successful completion of competences at ST/CT3 level demonstrated by achievement of satisfactory progression in the Annual Review of Competency Progression
- All Applicants:
- Hold full registration with the General Medical Council (GMC) at the time of application, and hold a current licence to practise on the date your post commences.
- Have evidence of either:
- Current employment in a UK Core Training Programme; or
- evidence of achievement of core competences from a UK core training programme or equivalent, in line with GMC standards / Good Medical Practice
- Completion of CT1 and CT2 of a UK anaesthetics core training programme PLUS primary FRCA (all components).
- ARCP outcome 1 for CT1, and ES/College Tutor confirmation of being on track to complete CT2 at time of application. Confirmation of an ARCP outcome 1 for CT2 is mandatory before commencement of ICM higher specialist training post.
- Any other applicant from an anaesthesia background should have evidence of the Full Primary FRCA and evidence of stage 1 equivalence at the time of offer if they wish to consider dual training with anaesthetics (or single ICM training). If the applicant has taken time out/worked OOP/fellowships/research, then a Basic Level Training Certificate (BLTC)/ Core Level Training Certificate (CLTC) for anaesthesia on/dated before August 2021 is acceptable for consideration of entry to single ICM CCT.
- Have evidence of achievement of core medical capabilities, for the round of application, via one of the following methods:
- Current employment in a programme which leads to successful completion of year 2 of Internal Medicine Stage 1 Training by the advertised post start date for the vacancy, via one of these approved routes: UK Internal Medicine Stage 1 Training UK ACCS (Internal Medicine) UK Broad Based Training (medicine route) JRCPTB internationally level 3 accredited equivalent Internal Medicine Stage 1 Training programme 4 UK core medical training or ACCS (acute medicine)
- - UK Internal Medicine Stage 1 Training
- - UK ACCS (Internal Medicine)
- - UK Broad Based Training (medicine route)
- - JRCPTB internationally level 3 accredited equivalent Internal Medicine Stage 1 Training programme 4
- - UK core medical training or ACCS (acute medicine)
- Successful completion of one of the programmes listed above, evidenced by ARCP 5
- Evidence of achievement of the capabilities required by completion of year 2 of the Internal Medicine Stage 1 curriculum at time of application. Acceptable evidence is only permitted via the Alternative Certificate to Enter Group 1 Higher Physician Specialty Training or the Alternative Certificate to Enter Group 2 Higher Physician Specialty Training 6
- Evidence of achievement of ACCS CT1, CT2 and CT3 Emergency Medicine [xii] competences at core trainee level by the advertised post start date for the vacancy supported by evidence from ARCP or equivalent, demonstrated by Annual Review of Competency Progression (ARCP) Outcome 6, or successful completion of Core Specialist Training in Emergency Medicine in the Republic of Ireland; or
- Evidence of completion of training at ST1, ST2 and ST3 level of Emergency Medicine Run Through training demonstrated by satisfactory progression in Annual Review of Competency Progression (ARCP).
- Must be eligible to work in the UK.
- Applicants who already possess a National Training Number in one of the agreed partner specialties (Acute Internal Medicine, Anaesthetics, Emergency Medicine, Renal Medicine, and Respiratory Medicine) must not be beyond the end of ST5 in this initial specialty of appointment at the time of interview if they are intending to undertake a Dual CCT Programme.
Fitness to practise
Application form References- Is up to date and fit to practise safely and is aware of own training needs.
Language skills
Application form, interview/selection centre- Applicants must have demonstrable skills in written and spoken English, adequate to enable effective communication about medical topics with patients and colleagues, as assessed by the General Medical Council. 7
Health
Application form, pre-employment health screening- Applicants must meet professional health requirements (in line with GMC standards / Good Medical Practice).
Career progression
Application form Interview/selection centre- Have at least 24 months’ experience 8 in Anaesthetics and/or Intensive Care Medicine (not including Foundation modules) by time of the advertised post start date for the vacancy (of which at least 18 months should be in Anaesthetics).
- If applying from a medicine training background via Internal Medicine Training or ACCS Internal Medicine, or equivalent:
- If applying from an Emergency Medicine training background via ACCS Emergency Medicine or equivalent:
- All applicants:
- Be able to provide complete details of their employment history.
- Have evidence that their career progression is consistent with their personal circumstances.
- Have evidence that their present level of achievement and performance is commensurate with the totality of their period of training.
- Have sufficient experience xvi working in medical specialties (not including foundation level experience) by the advertised post start date for the vacancy. This can be via either: Training completed in: UK Core Medical Training or UK ACCS (Acute Medicine) The first two years of UK Internal Medicine Stage 1 Training The first three years of UK ACCS (Internal Medicine) The first three years of UK Broad Based Training (medicine route) A JRCPTB internationally level 3 accredited equivalent CMT programme or the first two years of an Internal Medicine Stage 1 Training programme or Have at least 24 months’ experience in medical specialties (of which at least 12 months must include the care of acute medical in-patients). Experience in certain acute care common stem specialties can be counted towards the 24 months in some circumstances.xiii
- - Training completed in: UK Core Medical Training or UK ACCS (Acute Medicine) The first two years of UK Internal Medicine Stage 1 Training The first three years of UK ACCS (Internal Medicine) The first three years of UK Broad Based Training (medicine route) A JRCPTB internationally level 3 accredited equivalent CMT programme or the first two years of an Internal Medicine Stage 1 Training programme or
- - Have at least 24 months’ experience in medical specialties (of which at least 12 months must include the care of acute medical in-patients). Experience in certain acute care common stem specialties can be counted towards the 24 months in some circumstances.xiii
- Have at least 36 months’ experience in ACCS and CT3 specialties 9 (not including Foundation modules) or equivalent by time of appointment.
- If you have previously resigned, or been removed from, a training programme in any specialty, you must obtain a Support for Reapplication to Specialty Training form signed by the Training Programme Director/Head of School and Postgraduate Dean from the region you previously undertook training in. This must be submitted with your application.. 10
- Must not already hold, nor be eligible to hold, a CCT/CESR in the specialty they are applying for and/or must not currently be eligible for the specialist register for the specialty to which they are applying.
- Must have notified the Training Programme Director of the specialty training programme they are currently training in if applying to continue training in the same specialty in another region. 11
- Must not already hold or be eligible to hold a CCT in Intensive Care Medicine and is not currently on the Specialist Register, or equivalent, in any other EU member state.
- For those wishing to be considered for Locum Appointment for Training posts (where available): no more than 24 months experience in LAT posts in the specialty by the advertised post start date for the vacancy.
Application completion
Application form- ALL sections of application form completed FULLY according to written guidelines.
Selection Criteria — Person Specification
Shortlisted candidates are assessed against these selection criteria. Essential criteria are requirements; desirable criteria can strengthen your application. Understanding both columns helps you target your evidence and interview preparation.
Qualifications
Application form, interview/selection centre ReferencesEssential
- As Above
Desirable
- For physician entrants, MRCP (UK) at the time of application
- Higher degrees including MSc, PhD, or MD (not including intercalated BSc or ‘Honorary’ MA)
- Postgraduate qualifications achieved in other specialties.
Career Progression
Application form, interview/selection centre ReferencesEssential
- As Above
Desirable
- Up to 2 years’ additional training/experience in related specialties at CT1/CT2 level
Language Skills
Interview- Demonstrates adequate written and oral communication skills to manage the full range of patient interactions.
Clinical Skills
Application form, interview/selection centre, References- Experience managing patients with severe acute medical disease by the time of commencement of ST3 training.
- Evidence of experience in a range of acute medical specialties, with experience of managing patients on unselected medical take during core medical training or equivalent
Clinical Skills – Clinical Experience & Knowledge
Application form Interview/selection centreEssential
- Demonstrates awareness of the basics of managing acute medical conditions, including emergencies such as GI bleeding, severe asthma, heart failure etc.
- Appropriate knowledge base and ability to apply sound clinical judgement to problems.
- Awareness of the basics of managing acute medical disease
- Able to demonstrate proficiency in a range of medical procedures as an indication of manual dexterity and hand-eye coordination.
- Evidence of competence in management of medical emergencies and in-patients through continuous work-based assessments, portfolio evidence, including logbook documentation, if applicable
- Evidence of competence to work without direct supervision where appropriate.
Desirable
- Evidence of some more advanced skills in acute medicine as defined within the Acute Internal Medicine or General Internal Medicine curricula.
- Evidence of some competences in the specialty as defined by the relevant curricula.
- Applicants must have up to date and demonstrable advanced life support skills at time of application
- Instructor status or nominated as instructor potential in above courses as appropriate or equivalent.
- Clinical experience in Intensive Care Medicine
Clinical Governance
Application form Interview/selection centreEssential
- Is able to demonstrate an understanding of clinical governance and risk management.
- Understands the importance of audit and QIP (Quality Improvement Projects) to the practice of Intensive Care Medicine
Desirable
- Evidence of clinical governance activity e.g., presentation at a clinical governance meeting, involvement with incident reporting, dealing with complaints
- Evidence of active participation in an audit project, a quality improvement project, formal research project at CT/ST1 and CT/ST2 or equivalent
- Completion of audit cycle
- Presentation of completed audit project.
Academic Skills
Application form Interview/selection centreEssential
- Research, Audit and Quality Improvement:
- Teaching
- Demonstrates understanding of research, including awareness of ethical issues.
- Demonstrates understanding of the basic principles of audit, clinical risk management, evidence-based practice, patient safety, and clinical quality improvement initiatives.
- Demonstrates knowledge of evidence-informed practice
- Evidence of teaching experience and/or training in teaching
Desirable
- Research, Audit and Quality Improvement:
- Teaching:
- Demonstrates an understanding of research methodology.
- Evidence of relevant academic and research achievements and involvement in a formal research project
- Evidence of relevant academic publications
- Evidence of involvement in an audit project, a quality improvement project, formal research project or other activity which:
- Uses recognised QI methodology.
- Focuses on patient safety and clinical improvement.
- Demonstrates an interest in and commitment to the specialty beyond the mandatory curriculum.
- Evidence of a portfolio of audit projects including where the audit loop has been closed and there is evidence of learning of the principles of change management.
- Evidence of exceptional achievement in medicine
- Evidence of involvement in teaching students, postgraduates, and other professionals, with feedback
Personal Skills
Application form Interview/selection centre ReferencesEssential
- Communication skills:
- Problem solving and decision making:
- Empathy and sensitivity:
- Managing others and team involvement:
- Organisation and planning:
- Vigilance and situational awareness:
- Coping with pressure and managing uncertainty:
- Values:
- Demonstrates clarity in written/spoken communication, and capacity to adapt language to the situation, as appropriate.
- Able to build rapport, listen, persuade, and negotiate.
- Capacity to use logical/lateral thinking to solve problems/make decisions, indicating an analytical/scientific approach.
- Capacity to take in others’ perspectives and treat others with understanding; sees patients as people.
- Demonstrates respect for all.
- Able to work in multi-professional teams and supervise junior medical staff or other staff members as part of the MDT.
- Ability to show leadership, make decisions, organise, and motivate other team members, for the benefit of patients through, for example, audit and quality improvement projects.
- Capacity to work effectively with others.
- Capacity to manage/prioritise time and information effectively.
- Capacity to prioritise own workload and organise ward rounds.
- Evidence of thoroughness (is well-prepared, shows self-discipline/commitment, is punctual and meets deadlines.)
- Capacity to monitor developing situations and anticipate issues.
- Capacity to operate under pressure.
- Demonstrates initiative and resilience to cope with changing circumstances.
- Is able to deliver good clinical care in the face of uncertainty.
- Understands, respects, and demonstrates the values of the NHS (e.g., everyone counts; improving lives; commitment to quality of care; respect and dignity; working together for patients; compassion)
Desirable
- Management and leadership skills:
- IT skills:
- Other:
- Evidence of involvement in management commensurate with experience
- Demonstrates an understanding of NHS management and resources.
- Evidence of effective multi-disciplinary team working and leadership, supported by multi-source feedback or other workplace-based assessments.
- Evidence of effective leadership in and outside medicine.
- Demonstrates information technology skills.
- Evidence of achievement outside medicine
- Evidence of altruistic behaviour, e.g., voluntary work
Probity – Professional Integrity
Application form, interview/selection centre References- Demonstrates probity (as outlined by the GMC)
Commitment to Specialty – Learning & Personal Development
Application form Interview/selection centre ReferencesEssential
- Shows initiative/drive/enthusiasm (self-starter, motivated, shows curiosity, initiative)
- Demonstrable interest in, and understanding of, the specialty.
- Commitment to personal and professional development
- Evidence of attendance at organised teaching and training programme(s)
- Evidence of self-reflective practice
Desirable
- Extracurricular activities / achievements relevant to the specialty / ability to demonstrate an effective work-life balance.
- Evidence of participation at meetings and activities relevant to the specialty
- Active involvement with the FICM or equivalent
- Affiliation to professional societies relevant to ICM
Self-Assessment & Scoring
Intensive Care Medicine ST3 uses a portfolio-scored selection process. Applicants complete a self-assessment based on official scoring criteria, then upload supporting evidence. Each question has its own point scale — some worth up to 6 points. Understanding the full marking scheme is essential to maximising your score.
Official scoring document with exact point scales, marking criteria, and evidence requirements for each question.
Scoring Sections
The self-assessment is structured across 3 sections with 9 scored questions. Each question has variable points — refer to the official self-assessment guidance for exact marking tiers.
Domain maxim
6 extracted questions map to this section.
Presentation
2 extracted questions map to this section.
Care ultraso
1 extracted question map to this section.
Self-Assessment Questions
The Intensive Care Medicine ST3 self-assessment consists of 9 scored questions. Each question has its own multi-tier marking scale (e.g., 0/2/4/6 points depending on your level of achievement). You must provide evidence for each question as a single PDF.
Point scales vary by question — see the official self-assessment guidance document above for exact marking tiers and evidence requirements.
DOMAIN_MAXIM
6 questionsPRESENTATION
2 questionsCARE_ULTRASO
1 questionInterview Format
Shortlisted candidates will be invited to interview. Below is the expected interview structure for Intensive Care Medicine ST3. Prepare for each station by reviewing the relevant areas of your portfolio and clinical experience.
Interview
Format: Selection process
Track the route interview flow and supporting evidence.
Required or Recommended Courses
Certain courses may be required or strongly recommended for Intensive Care Medicine ST3 applicants. Check the validity period — expired certificates may not be accepted.
Evidence Packaging & Export
Understanding how to package and present your evidence is just as important as having the evidence itself. Poorly organised submissions can result in lost marks even when the underlying evidence is strong.
Export Mode
question pdf
Each scored question PDF requires its own file
File Size Limit
10 MB per file
Compress images and merge PDFs to stay under the limit
Title Page
Required
Index Page
Not required
Ordering guidance: One PDF per scored question with title page, page index, and evidence in the strongest-first order.
Evidence Validation Checklist
Before submitting your application, check your evidence against these validation rules. Items marked as errors will block your submission; warnings indicate areas that may cost marks.
Map evidence to a route target
Evidence should be assigned to a section or question before export so the pack builder can assemble the right output.
Build one pack per scored question
This route has question-based scoring, so exports should be prepared at question level rather than one generic specialty bundle.
Check route-specific forms
The route requires supporting forms or certificates in addition to the core evidence uploads.
Evidence Guidelines
General guidance for evidence preparation and organisation for your Intensive Care Medicine ST3 application.
- Keep uploads mapped to the route targets shown on this dashboard rather than storing undifferentiated files.
- This route appears to use a 9-question or question-banded evidence model in the captured 2026 guidance.
Frequently Asked Questions
What qualifications do I need for Intensive Care Medicine ST3?
How competitive is Intensive Care Medicine ST3?
What is the training pathway for Intensive Care Medicine ST3?
When does Intensive Care Medicine ST3 2026 recruitment open?
Related Specialties
Compare adjacent specialties that share a recruitment family, training pathway, or portfolio structure.
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