Ireland · RCPI HST Neonatology · 2027 intake criteria

RCPI HST Neonatology: points estimator and scoring guide

RCPI 2027 intake shortlisting and interview criteria Last checked

Rate yourself on each of the five rows RCPI scores to estimate your score out of 20, and see what you can still add before the next window.

Next applications expected October 2027

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RCPI Neonatology HST points estimator

Answer one question for each scored domain. We add up your points with the published rules shown on each step, then show what you could still add before the deadline, with dates. It takes about two minutes.

We'll show your result and email you a copy.

Which are you applying for?
When are you applying?

We use this to date your plan. Applying this round, it works back from the deadline. Applying next year, you get the long-run version instead.

Shortlisting (2027 intake). Your score is the total of the domain scores, out of a maximum of 20.

Maximum 5 pointsProfessional Qualifications/Education

Professional Qualifications/Education | Undergraduate performance, teaching awards, higher degrees

Scores the single best option you can evidence, up to 5 points. Pick the highest option you can evidence.

Undergraduate performance, teaching awards and higher degrees.

Watch out. A teaching award is listed here, not under Teaching Experience, so put it in this row.

Caps. RCPI publishes only the row maximum (5). The panel decides the mark; no bands or examples of scores are published.

Maximum 5 pointsPublication & Audit Experience

Publication & Audit Experience | Publications, specialty publications, presentations, posters, audit – proof of same will be required

Scores the single best option you can evidence, up to 5 points. Pick the highest option you can evidence.

Publications, specialty publications, presentations, posters and audit, each with proof.

Watch out. Items without proof don't count: "proof of same will be required".

Caps. RCPI publishes only the row maximum (5). The panel decides the mark; no bands or examples of scores are published.

Maximum 6 pointsProgression in Clinical Practice and Suitability

Progression in Clinical Practice and Suitability | Candidate shows evidence that present achievement and performance is commensurate with the totality of the period of training, e.g. experience in specialty, attendance at specialty clinics etc. Candidates must show their suitability for a career in Neonatology and their career trajectory.

Scores the single best option you can evidence, up to 6 points. Pick the highest option you can evidence.

Experience in the specialty, attendance at specialty clinics, and evidence that your progress matches your time in training and that Neonatology suits you.

Watch out. This is the biggest row (6 of 20) and it is judged against "the totality of the period of training", so more years are expected to show more.

Caps. RCPI publishes only the row maximum (6). The panel decides the mark; no bands or examples of scores are published.

Maximum 2 pointsLeadership & Management Experience

Leadership & Management Experience | Candidate demonstrates experience in leadership or management role e.g. Rostering duties, hospital committee membership etc.

Scores the single best option you can evidence, up to 2 points. Pick the highest option you can evidence.

A leadership or management role, for example rostering duties or hospital committee membership.

Watch out. The examples are formal roles (rostering, committees); helping out informally is harder to evidence.

Caps. RCPI publishes only the row maximum (2). The panel decides the mark; no bands or examples of scores are published.

Maximum 2 pointsTeaching Experience

Teaching Experience | Candidate demonstrates experience with teaching, outside of day-to-day teaching of medical students or higher qualification in teaching

Scores the single best option you can evidence, up to 2 points. Pick the highest option you can evidence.

Teaching outside routine teaching of medical students, or a higher qualification in teaching.

Watch out. Routine bedside teaching of medical students is excluded by the wording, so list teaching beyond it: nurses, juniors, simulation, organised programmes.

Caps. RCPI publishes only the row maximum (2). The panel decides the mark; no bands or examples of scores are published.

Interview (2027 intake). Your score is the total of the domain scores, out of a maximum of 100.

Maximum 20 pointsCV – career to date

CV – career to date | 20

Scores the single best option you can evidence, up to 20 points. Pick the highest option you can evidence.

Your career so far as the panel reads it from your application and your answers.

Watch out. The structured application form is the panel's starting point, so anything left off it is hard to bring in on the day.

Caps. Interview domain worth 20. RCPI publishes the category and its marks only; the interview panel scores it.

Maximum 20 pointsResearch/Audit/Teaching

Research/Audit/Teaching | 20

Scores the single best option you can evidence, up to 20 points. Pick the highest option you can evidence.

Your research, audit and teaching, discussed with the panel.

Watch out. Teaching is scored here alongside research and audit, so have one teaching example ready with what you did, for whom and what changed.

Caps. Interview domain worth 20. RCPI publishes the category and its marks only; the interview panel scores it.

Maximum 20 pointsClinical Question 1

Clinical Question 1 | 20

Scores the single best option you can evidence, up to 20 points. Pick the highest option you can evidence.

A clinical question set by the panel.

Watch out. Clinical reasoning is two fifths of the interview, so prepare cases as much as your CV.

Caps. Interview domain worth 20. RCPI publishes the category and its marks only; the interview panel scores it.

Maximum 20 pointsClinical Question 2

Clinical Question 2 | 20

Scores the single best option you can evidence, up to 20 points. Pick the highest option you can evidence.

A second clinical question.

Watch out. Worth as much as your whole CV domain.

Caps. Interview domain worth 20. RCPI publishes the category and its marks only; the interview panel scores it.

Maximum 20 pointsSuitability/Professionalism/Interview Performance

Suitability/Professionalism/Interview Performance | 20

Scores the single best option you can evidence, up to 20 points. Pick the highest option you can evidence.

Suitability for Neonatology, professionalism and how you perform at interview.

Watch out. This is scored on the day, not from paperwork.

Caps. Interview domain worth 20. RCPI publishes the category and its marks only; the interview panel scores it.

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Where these numbers come from

  • 10 domains, worded as in the official guide
  • 2 official sources, each dated
Method and sources

Your score adds up the option you pick in each domain, using the published rules shown on each step. "Could still add" uses only steps the guide allows before the deadline. No competition figures are shown for Irish HST. Last checked 30 October 2026.

  1. RCPI Entry Guidance and Advice: HST Shortlisting and Interview Criteria & Specialty Entry Requirements. 2027 intake. The page says "Applications for our 2027 Higher Specialist Training (HST) programmes are now closed." Criteria are published as tables on the page, not as PDFs.
  2. RCPI HST Application Guidance and Frequently Asked Questions. 2027 intake ("Applications for our Higher Specialist Training (HST) programme will open 01 October 2026.")

HST Neonatology is a sub-specialty you enter from General Paediatrics. RCPI says eligibility “includes Basic Specialist Training (BST) in Paediatrics (2 years minimum) and successful completion of year 1 and 2 of the Higher Specialist Training Programme in General Paediatrics.” If the Faculty of Paediatrics shortlists, it uses five rows with a published total of 20: Professional Qualifications/Education 5, Publication & Audit Experience 5, Progression in Clinical Practice and Suitability 6, Leadership & Management Experience 2 and Teaching Experience 2. RCPI publishes only the maximum for each row, so the panel decides each mark. The calculator at the top of this page is a self-estimate: you rate yourself against each row and it adds up your own estimate, not RCPI’s score. The interview is out of 100, in person, on 2 February 2027. The 2027 window closed at 5pm on 29 October 2026.

Where Teach the Teacher counts for Neonatology

We claim the course on the Teaching Experience row (2 of 20), and the panel decides. The wording is “Candidate demonstrates experience with teaching, outside of day-to-day teaching of medical students or higher qualification in teaching”. The Erudical course, a live online day with “6 hours of live teaching with an expert” and a self-paced course of over 12 hours in 20 modules, is training in teaching rather than a qualification or teaching delivered, so pair it with the teaching that neonatal units run outside student teaching: resuscitation and stabilisation teaching for nurses and midwives, simulation, or a teaching programme for SHOs. The 2027 window has closed, so the certificate counts from the next one. At interview, teaching is part of Research/Audit/Teaching (20 of 100); we claim the course there as formal training in teaching; it carries no fixed marks, and the panel decides what it adds.

Rules in the Neonatology criteria that change a score

RCPI accepts no documents or updates after the close: “No, the Admissions Team is not in a position to accept any documents or updates to applications following the close of applications.” Publications, presentations, posters and audit need “proof of same”. The clinical row asks you to show “suitability for a career in Neonatology and their career trajectory”, judged against “the totality of the period of training”, so a General Paediatrics trainee in year 2 is measured against two years of HST, not BST. Teaching awards are scored under Professional Qualifications/Education. Places follow interview rank: “Posts are allocated by the NSD(s) taking into account rank at interview and available places.” The interview has five domains of 20: CV – career to date, Research/Audit/Teaching, two clinical questions, and Suitability/Professionalism/Interview Performance.

Worked example: a General Paediatrics HST trainee in year 2

Picture a year 2 General Paediatrics trainee with an MSc in child health, a first-author paper and an international poster on neonatal hypoglycaemia, an audit of cord-gas sampling, a seat on the hospital drugs committee and a resuscitation teaching programme for nurses and midwives. The MSc counts under Professional Qualifications/Education, the committee matches the leadership row’s example, and the resuscitation programme is outside day-to-day teaching of medical students. RCPI gives no marks within rows, so there’s no total to quote. A Teach the Teacher certificate adds a course to an already strong teaching row (2 at most); the panel decides whether it adds anything, from the next window.

RCPI Neonatology HST shortlisting points at a glance

RCPI 2027 intake shortlisting and interview criteria Last checked

Shortlisting (2027 intake)

Your score is the total of the domain scores, out of a maximum of 20.

Total 20 as published. Shortlisting is used only if needed: "There may be requirement to shortlist applicants as outlined below:". Entry is from General Paediatrics HST: "Eligibility criteria for Neonatal Sub-specialist Training includes Basic Specialist Training (BST) in Paediatrics (2 years minimum) and successful completion of year 1 and 2 of the Higher Specialist Training Programme in General Paediatrics." Ranking: "Posts are allocated by the NSD(s) taking into account rank at interview and available places." Self-estimate (owner ruling 30 Oct 2026): RCPI publishes only the maximum for each row, so the calculator asks you to rate yourself on each row (none, some, good, strong) and adds up your own estimate. These steps are ours, not RCPI's; the panel scores the real marks.

RCPI Neonatology HST Shortlisting (2027 intake): every domain, what scores and the maximum
DomainWhat scores (official wording)Max
Professional Qualifications/Education
  • 0 points None yet
  • 1.5 points Some (about a third of the marks)
  • 3.5 points Good (about two thirds)
  • 5 points Strong (full marks for this row)

Scores the single best option you can evidence, up to 5 points.

RCPI publishes only the row maximum (5). The panel decides the mark; no bands or examples of scores are published.

5
Publication & Audit Experience
  • 0 points None yet
  • 1.5 points Some (about a third of the marks)
  • 3.5 points Good (about two thirds)
  • 5 points Strong (full marks for this row)

Scores the single best option you can evidence, up to 5 points.

RCPI publishes only the row maximum (5). The panel decides the mark; no bands or examples of scores are published.

5
Progression in Clinical Practice and Suitability
  • 0 points None yet
  • 2 points Some (about a third of the marks)
  • 4 points Good (about two thirds)
  • 6 points Strong (full marks for this row)

Scores the single best option you can evidence, up to 6 points.

RCPI publishes only the row maximum (6). The panel decides the mark; no bands or examples of scores are published.

6
Leadership & Management Experience
  • 0 points None yet
  • 0.5 points Some (about a third of the marks)
  • 1.5 points Good (about two thirds)
  • 2 points Strong (full marks for this row)

Scores the single best option you can evidence, up to 2 points.

RCPI publishes only the row maximum (2). The panel decides the mark; no bands or examples of scores are published.

2
Teaching Experience
  • 0 points None yet
  • 0.5 points Some (about a third of the marks)
  • 1.5 points Good (about two thirds)
  • 2 points Strong (full marks for this row)

Scores the single best option you can evidence, up to 2 points.

RCPI publishes only the row maximum (2). The panel decides the mark; no bands or examples of scores are published.

2
Total20

Shortlisting (2027 intake): Dates for this round

  • Applications opened (2027 intake) source
  • This round closed 29 Oct 2026 (2027 intake); nothing can be added to those applications source
  • Next applications open (2028 intake), expected early October 2027 expected source
  • Next applications close (2028 intake), expected late October 2027: what you claim must be done by then expected source

Shortlisting (2027 intake): What you can still add before 29 October 2027

What each of these adds is the difference between the option you would reach and the one you already hold, so it can be nothing if you hold that option already. The calculator works out the gain from your own answers.

  • Publication & Audit Experience. For the next intake: finish an audit cycle or QI project and present it, and submit papers early enough to be published or accepted before the window opens. Keep verifiable proof of each one.
  • Leadership & Management Experience. For the next intake: take on a formal role (rota, committee, QI or teaching lead) and get a dated letter confirming it.
  • Teaching Experience. For the next intake (window expected October 2027): complete the Erudical Teach the Teacher course (live day plus self-paced) and keep both certificates, and keep a dated log of teaching you deliver, with feedback where you can get it. Gets you to: Some (about a third of the marks).

Interview (2027 intake)

Your score is the total of the domain scores, out of a maximum of 100.

Five domains of 20, total 100 as published. Self-estimate (owner ruling 30 Oct 2026): RCPI publishes only the maximum for each row, so the calculator asks you to rate yourself on each row (none, some, good, strong) and adds up your own estimate. These steps are ours, not RCPI's; the panel scores the real marks.

RCPI Neonatology HST Interview (2027 intake): every domain, what scores and the maximum
DomainWhat scores (official wording)Max
CV – career to date
  • 0 points None yet
  • 6.5 points Some (about a third of the marks)
  • 13.5 points Good (about two thirds)
  • 20 points Strong (full marks for this row)

Scores the single best option you can evidence, up to 20 points.

Interview domain worth 20. RCPI publishes the category and its marks only; the interview panel scores it.

20
Research/Audit/Teaching
  • 0 points None yet
  • 6.5 points Some (about a third of the marks)
  • 13.5 points Good (about two thirds)
  • 20 points Strong (full marks for this row)

Scores the single best option you can evidence, up to 20 points.

Interview domain worth 20. RCPI publishes the category and its marks only; the interview panel scores it.

20
Clinical Question 1
  • 0 points None yet
  • 6.5 points Some (about a third of the marks)
  • 13.5 points Good (about two thirds)
  • 20 points Strong (full marks for this row)

Scores the single best option you can evidence, up to 20 points.

Interview domain worth 20. RCPI publishes the category and its marks only; the interview panel scores it.

20
Clinical Question 2
  • 0 points None yet
  • 6.5 points Some (about a third of the marks)
  • 13.5 points Good (about two thirds)
  • 20 points Strong (full marks for this row)

Scores the single best option you can evidence, up to 20 points.

Interview domain worth 20. RCPI publishes the category and its marks only; the interview panel scores it.

20
Suitability/Professionalism/Interview Performance
  • 0 points None yet
  • 6.5 points Some (about a third of the marks)
  • 13.5 points Good (about two thirds)
  • 20 points Strong (full marks for this row)

Scores the single best option you can evidence, up to 20 points.

Interview domain worth 20. RCPI publishes the category and its marks only; the interview panel scores it.

20
Total100

Interview (2027 intake): Dates for this round

  • This round closed 29 Oct 2026 (2027 intake); nothing can be added to those applications source
  • HST Neonatology interviews (in person) source
  • Next applications open (2028 intake), expected early October 2027 expected source
  • Next applications close (2028 intake), expected late October 2027: what you claim must be done by then expected source

Interview (2027 intake): What you can still add before 29 October 2027

What each of these adds is the difference between the option you would reach and the one you already hold, so it can be nothing if you hold that option already. The calculator works out the gain from your own answers.

  • Research/Audit/Teaching. For the next intake (window expected October 2027): complete the Erudical Teach the Teacher course (live day plus self-paced) and keep both certificates, and keep a dated log of teaching you deliver, with feedback where you can get it. Gets you to: Some (about a third of the marks).

Evidence traps

  • Nothing can be added after the close. A paper accepted or a talk given after 5pm on 29 October 2026 waits for the next window. No, the Admissions Team is not in a position to accept any documents or updates to applications following the close of applications. source
  • Neonatology is a sub-specialty entered from General Paediatrics HST, so you need years 1 and 2 of that programme done, not just BST. Eligibility criteria for Neonatal Sub-specialist Training includes Basic Specialist Training (BST) in Paediatrics (2 years minimum) and successful completion of year 1 and 2 of the Higher Specialist Training Programme in General Paediatrics. source
  • Teaching medical students on the unit is the day-to-day teaching the row leaves out; neonatal simulation, nurse teaching or a formal programme fits better. Candidate demonstrates experience with teaching, outside of day-to-day teaching of medical students or higher qualification in teaching source
  • Every publication, presentation and research item needs proof uploaded with the application, and RCPI reviews only the documents it asks for. Verifiable proof will be required. Please follow the instructions on the application form. ... Please only upload the requested documents. Additional documents will not be reviewed. source
  • The shortlisting marks only get you to interview. Places follow your interview rank, so the interview is where the ranking is decided. Posts are allocated by the NSD(s) taking into account rank at interview and available places. source

Sources

For every row, the interview marks and the official dates on one printable page, add your email and we’ll send you the PDF.

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Neonatology HST questions, answered

How many points is teaching worth for RCPI HST Neonatology?

2 of the 20 shortlisting marks, for “Candidate demonstrates experience with teaching, outside of day-to-day teaching of medical students or higher qualification in teaching”. At interview, teaching sits inside Research/Audit/Teaching, worth 20 of 100.

How is HST Neonatology shortlisting scored in Ireland?

Five rows totalling 20: Professional Qualifications/Education 5, Publication & Audit Experience 5, Progression in Clinical Practice and Suitability 6, Leadership & Management Experience 2, Teaching Experience 2. Only the maxima are published; the panel scores within each row.

Who can apply for HST Neonatology?

RCPI says “Eligibility criteria for Neonatal Sub-specialist Training includes Basic Specialist Training (BST) in Paediatrics (2 years minimum) and successful completion of year 1 and 2 of the Higher Specialist Training Programme in General Paediatrics.”

When is the RCPI HST Neonatology interview for 2027?

In person on 2 February 2027. Applications closed at 5pm on 29 October 2026, and RCPI accepts no updates after the close.

Does a teach the teacher course count for HST Neonatology?

We claim it on the Teaching Experience row, and the panel decides. The row wants teaching beyond routine medical student teaching or a higher qualification in teaching, so the course works best beside teaching you organise, such as neonatal simulation. It counts from the next window.

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