Applying to the STP

Stages of the STP recruitment process

The above graphic shows the various stages of the Scientist Training Programme recruitment process. It details what occurs at each stage of the process and the corresponding ‘status’ that will be displayed in Oriel.

Register on Oriel, the online application portal

You can register on Oriel as early as you wish but you will not be able to apply until the application window for vacancies opens. Click this link to view the key deadline dates for applications to the STP.

• Visit the Oriel website at https://www.oriel.nhs.uk/Web/Home
• Click on ‘Register’ to create a user account.
• Use an email address that we can contact you on up until the programme start date, rather than a work or university email address.
• Select the option ‘Register to apply to scientist training programmes’ and continue.
• Complete the details to create your user account. Do not have Oriel open in more than one tab within a single browser, as this will cause accidental data changes to be made when a save occurs in one of these tabs.

The information you provide will be used to auto populate some parts in the application. In the employment history section Oriel requires you to enter an end date for your current employment. If you are currently employed and will need to leave your job to join the programme, enter the 31 August 2025 as your end date.

We use direct messaging in Oriel to contact you about applications in progress. We may also use the email address supplied to us via Oriel, but your main source of information throughout will be Oriel. Make sure you check your Oriel account on a regular basis to stay informed.

Minimum browser requirements for Oriel

Search for a vacancy

Once registered and logged into your Oriel account, click the vacancies tab on the homepage. Under the training programme option select ‘Scientist Training Programme’ and under post type select ‘Healthcare Science – Direct Entry’. Do not select the ‘Healthcare Science – In-service’ option as this is only for current NHS employees who have been nominated by their employer for an approved post. As a direct entry applicant you cannot apply for the in-service vacancies. Once you have found the correct vacancy select ‘Apply’.

Check opening and closing dates

There are multiple opening and closing deadlines that applicants need to be aware of, for different stages of the recruitment process. Click this link to view the key deadline dates for applications to the STP. Please continue to check the website for most recent updates as these may be subject to change throughout the application process.

The Situational Judgment Test will have its own opening and closing dates. If this is the first time you have taken the Situational Judgement Test, you will receive an email with confirmation of your account login details before the test window opens.

If you go on to be shortlisted there will be a window of time when you must choose your sub-preferences (locations/organisations you would like to be considered for). Please be aware of these dates and make sure you choose your sub-preferences by the allotted closing date and time.

The application form

You can save and return to your application form as many times as you like before submitting it.

The application form has initial screening questions, and you must meet the minimum eligibility criteria to be able to proceed with the application. You must provide details on the following:

• personal information
• academic history
• work experience
• general employment history
• equality and diversity data

You may have already provided some of this data when completing the registration process and Oriel will auto-populate your application form.

In the ‘supporting information’ section you will need to provide details of your skills and experience in relation to the STP Job Description and Person Specification. The supporting information section and education section of the application will be viewable by shortlisters.

Choosing your specialty or ‘preference’

When completing the application form you must select 1 specialty in which you would like to train. This is in the ‘Preferences’ section of the application form. To select and save your preference you will use a ‘drag and drop’ motion. You will drag your chosen preference from the ‘not wanted’ column and drop it into the ‘wanted’ column. Further guidance can be found within the Oriel resource bank.

Fitness to practise questions

The fitness to practise questions in the application form cover things such as criminal convictions. If you answer ‘yes’ to any of these questions, you are required to email further information to england.hcsapplicants@nhs.net. We must receive this no later than the closing date of the vacancy. Please mark your email as ‘confidential’. If you are successful at the interviews the information you have provided will be considered by a panel. They will decide whether the information you have provided makes you unsuitable for the programme.

False declarations

Any false declarations will invalidate your application and you will be removed from the recruitment process.