Internal Medicine Training CT3 — 2026 Application Guide
Complete guide to applying for Internal Medicine Training CT3 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: Internal Medicine Training CT3 · Route family: specialty-training
Interview preparation guide for Internal Medicine Training CT3 →Medically reviewed by MedNext Clinical Team. Last reviewed 27 April 2026. See our editorial policy and correction policy.
About Internal Medicine Training CT3
Internal Medicine Training CT3 is a specialty training programme entering at training at CT3 level. Selection uses limited or no recruitment in the current cycle. The full training pathway typically takes 7-8 years total.
Entry Level
CT3
Training Duration
7-8 years total (2yr foundation + 3yr core/IMT + 2-3yr higher specialty)
Selection Method
Not Recruiting
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: Recruitment source
View original documentKey Dates & Deadlines
Important dates for the Internal Medicine Training CT3 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 Internal Medicine Training CT3. 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 Internal Medicine Training CT3.
Entry Criteria — Person Specification
The following entry criteria are extracted from the official 2026 person specification for Internal Medicine Training CT3. You must meet all essential criteria at the point specified. Failure to meet any essential criterion will result in your application being rejected.
Qualifications
1 Application form Interview/selection centre 2 , pre-employment check- Applicants must have:
- MBBS or equivalent medical qualification
- Either of the following:
- MRCP(UK) Part 1 at time of application and MRCP(UK) full diploma by offer date i
- Eligibility for the specialist register in general internal medicine by time of application ii
- Completion of Irish Basic Specialty Training in medicine and the MRCPI full diploma by offer date
Eligibility
Application form, interview/selection centre, pre-employment check- 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.
- Not be employed on a UK training programme in Internal Medicine Stage 1 Training or ACCS (Internal Medicine)
- Have evidence of achievement of core medical capabilities, for the round of application, via one of the following methods:
- Successful completion of one of the following, evidenced by ARCP 3 I; it is a requirement that the geriatric medicine and critical care curricular requirements of the curriculum were either completed as part of your core programme, or can be confirmed via alternative experience; the recruitment website details how this will be demonstrated: https://www.imtrecruitment.org.uk/imy3/overview Year 2 of UK Internal Medicine Stage 1 Training Year 3 of UK ACCS (Internal Medicine) Year 2 of JRCPTB internationally level 3 accredited equivalent Internal Medicine Stage 1 Training programme 4
- - Year 2 of UK Internal Medicine Stage 1 Training
- - Year 3 of UK ACCS (Internal Medicine)
- - Year 2 of JRCPTB internationally level 3 accredited equivalent Internal Medicine Stage 1 Training programme 4
- 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 2 Higher Physician Specialty Training 5 It is a requirement that the geriatric medicine and critical care curricular requirements of the curriculum were completed as part of your experience.
- - It is a requirement that the geriatric medicine and critical care curricular requirements of the curriculum were completed as part of your experience.
- Be eligible to work in the UK
Fitness to practise
Application form, references- Is up to date and fit to practise safely
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 6
Health
Application form, pre-employment health screening- Applicants must meet professional health requirements (in line with GMC standards / Good Medical Practice)
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.
General
- Qualifications
General
Application form, interview/selection centreEssential
- As above
Desirable
- Full MRCP (UK) at the time of application
- Higher degrees including MSc, PhD or MD not including intercalated BSc or ‘Honorary’ MA)
General
- Career Progression
General
Interview/selection centre- Evidence that present achievement and performance is commensurate with totality of training
General
- Clinical Experience
General
Application form Interview/selection centre ReferencesEssential
- Evidence of experience in a range of acute medical specialties, with experience of managing patients on unselected medical take during core training or equivalent
Desirable
- Experience at core-level of managing patients with severe acute medical disease by the time of commencement of CT3 training.
Clinical skills – clinical knowledge & expertise
Application form Interview/selection centre ReferencesEssential
- Demonstrates awareness of the basics of managing acute medical conditions, including emergencies, inpatients and outpatients
- Appropriate knowledge base, and ability to apply sound clinical judgement to problems.
- Able to work without direct supervision where appropriate.
- Able to prioritise clinical need.
- Able to maximise safety and minimise risk
Desirable
- Evidence of skills in the management of acute medical emergencies
- Evidence of skills in the management of patients not requiring hospital admission
- Evidence of CT3 level procedural skills relevant to medical patients
Academic skills
Application form Interview/selection centre ReferencesEssential
- Research, Audit and Quality Improvement:
- Teaching:
- Demonstrates understanding of research, including awareness of ethical issues.
- Demonstrates understanding of the basic principles of clinical risk management, evidence-based practice, patient safety and clinical quality improvement initiatives.
- Demonstrates knowledge of evidence informed practice
- Demonstrates an understanding of clinical governance.
- 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 a quality improvement project, formal research project or other activity which:
- 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 quality improvement projects, including completed ‘Plan Do Study Act’ cycles 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
- Evidence of participation in a teaching course
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.
- Ability to show leadership, make decisions, organise and motivate other team members, for the benefit of patients through, for example, 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- Essential Criteria Demonstrates probity (as outlined by the GMC)
Commitment to specialty – learning and personal development
Application form Interview/selection centre ReferencesEssential
- Shows initiative/drive/enthusiasm (self-starter, motivated, shows curiosity, initiative)
- Demonstrable interest in, and understanding of, internal medicine.
- Commitment to personal and professional development
- Evidence of self-reflective practice
Desirable
- Extracurricular activities / achievements relevant to internal medicine
Self-Assessment & Scoring
Internal Medicine Training CT3 is assessed via not recruiting. Review the official guidance documents below for the exact scoring breakdown.
Required Forms & Certificates
The following forms or certificates may be required as part of your Internal Medicine Training CT3 application. Download and complete these well in advance of the submission deadline. Missing forms can result in application rejection.
Required or Recommended Courses
Certain courses may be required or strongly recommended for Internal Medicine Training CT3 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
none
Each scored no export pack requires its own file
File Size Limit
MB per file
Compress images and merge PDFs to stay under the limit
Title Page
Not required
Index Page
Not required
Ordering guidance: This route is not recruiting in the current cycle.
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.
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 Internal Medicine Training CT3 application.
- Keep uploads mapped to the route targets shown on this dashboard rather than storing undifferentiated files.
- No specialty-specific or shared-family guidance mapped yet.
- IMY3 recruitment pilot concluded; no 2026 cycle intake. Slug retained — dashboard shows "Not recruiting this cycle" status plus person spec for future cycles
Frequently Asked Questions
What qualifications do I need for Internal Medicine Training CT3?
How competitive is Internal Medicine Training CT3?
What is the training pathway for Internal Medicine Training CT3?
When does Internal Medicine Training CT3 2026 recruitment open?
Related Specialties
Compare adjacent specialties that share a recruitment family, training pathway, or portfolio structure.
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