Applying for an STP direct entry post

Our recruitment process

Recruitment takes place each year and applications generally open during January for trainees to start in September the same year. Once confirmed recruitment timelines and deadline dates are published on the website. These can be subject to change and must be checked on a regular basis. Once confirmed, post details are advertised on Oriel and the school website.

The process of allocating individual applicants to prospective employers is managed nationally and is informed by the location choices applicants express as part of their application. Once final allocation of successful applicants is confirmed, trainee details are passed to the employers so they can complete their employment processes and issue the trainee(s) with a contract of employment. Contact details for successful applicants are also passed to the relevant university who contact them regarding registration for the MSc.

Special circumstances policy

We implement a special circumstances policy to ensure that STP applicants with special circumstances and a requirement to train in a particular location are treated in a fair and consistent manner. Full details are available in our Disability Confidence Policy.

Feedback on the recruitment process

You may be invited to participate in a national feedback survey. Feedback from previous surveys has resulted in process improvements and we ask that you continue to help us by completing the survey.

Different stages of recruitment

This graphic shows the different 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.

How to apply to the STP

An application consists of:

• an online application form in which applicants must provide information on how they meet the person specification, details of their qualifications, experience and motivation
• an online situational judgement test (SJT) which evaluates core attributes needed for the programme

Applicants must score above the required threshold on the SJT at the longlisting stage for their application to be put forward for shortlisting. Once this stage has been processed their application status on Oriel will change to ‘longlisted’ or ‘longlist fail’.

Successful longlist applications are reviewed by shortlisters against the requirements of the person specification. The shortlist scores are used to allocate applicants to interview and the interview reserves list. We manage the interview process by working with employing organisations and by notifying applicants of the interview outcome.

Support for applicants is provided by emailing england.hcsapplicants@nhs.net

Registering 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.

• 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 2026 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. Once applications open make sure you check your Oriel account on a regular basis to stay informed.

Minimum browser requirements for Oriel

Searching for a vacancy

When STP opens for applications and you have registered on Oriel, log into your account. To search for a vacancy click the vacancies tab on the homepage and 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 find 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. You will need to check the website on a regular basis throughout the application process for the most recent updates as things are subject to change.

The Situational Judgment Test has 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.