Urology ST3 · Latest published criteria
Urology ST3 self-assessment 2027: points calculator and scoring guide
Pick the option that fits your evidence at each step to see your score out of 78, and what you can still add before the deadline.
Applications expected to close 4pm, Thu 10 Dec 2026
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Urology ST3 points calculator
Urology ST3 applicants answer 24 multiple-choice questions on the Oriel form and then back every answer with uploaded evidence. The guidance prints no total, but the question maxima add up to 78, and it doesn’t say how the self-assessment is weighted against the interview, only that “The presentation and quality of your evidence will be assessed and scored as part of the application process.” What follows is the 2026 guidance, read from an archived copy, because no 2027 version has been seen yet. NHS England Yorkshire runs a single national round, and in 2026 Urology kept to the national Round 2 dates. If it does again, applications open at 10am on Thursday 19 November and close at 4pm on Thursday 10 December 2026, everything you claim must be “completed and awarded by the closing date”, and candidates then get a 7-day window to upload their evidence.
Urology ST3 self-assessment (scored on the Oriel application form, then validated against uploaded evidence) points at a glance
Your score is the total of the domain scores, out of a maximum of 78.
The guidance doesn't state a maximum or how the self-assessment is weighted in the final score; 78 is the sum of the 24 question maxima. 'The presentation and quality of your evidence will be assessed and scored as part of the application process.' The 2026 Applicant Handbook, which may give the weighting, wasn't archived and the live site can't be read from here.
| Domain | What scores (official wording) | Max |
|---|---|---|
| Q1 Higher degree by thesis (awarded) |
Scores the single best option you can evidence, up to 6 points. 0 or 6. 'Only one bullet point/response for each question can contribute to the score.' | 6 |
| Q2 Higher degree thesis submitted, not yet awarded |
Scores the single best option you can evidence, up to 2 points. 0 or 2. | 2 |
| Q3 MSc or equivalent without an orally examined thesis |
Scores the single best option you can evidence, up to 3 points. 0 or 3. An MSc in clinical education can score here or in Q16, not both (Q16: 'If not already included in question 3'). | 3 |
| Q4 First-author peer-reviewed papers or book chapters |
Each item you can evidence adds its points, up to 6 points for the domain. 2 per paper, capped at 6 (three or more). 'Where max points achieved in this category additional papers may be counted as Non-first author peer reviewed in Question 5'. 'No publications may count in more than one category'. | 6 |
| Q5 Non-first-author papers or first-author case reports |
Each item you can evidence adds its points, up to 2 points for the domain. 1 each, capped at 2. Extra papers can drop to Q6. | 2 |
| Q6 Co-author case reports or non-peer-reviewed urology publications |
Scores the single best option you can evidence, up to 1 point. 0 or 1. | 1 |
| Q7 Closed-loop audits or QIPs (primary auditor) |
Each item you can evidence adds its points, up to 4 points for the domain. 2 each, capped at 4. 'Where max points achieved in this category additional audits/QIPs may be counted as single cycles of audit in Question 9'. | 4 |
| Q8 Of those, urology-based closed loops |
Each item you can evidence adds its points, up to 2 points for the domain. 1 each, capped at 2. Only audits already scored in Q7. | 2 |
| Q9 Single-cycle audits (primary auditor) |
Each item you can evidence adds its points, up to 2 points for the domain. 1 each, capped at 2. | 2 |
| Q10 Of those, urology-based single cycles |
Each item you can evidence adds its points, up to 2 points for the domain. 1 each, capped at 2. | 2 |
| Q11 First-author unmoderated poster, national or international |
Scores the single best option you can evidence, up to 2 points. 0 or 2. 'Where max points have been achieved in this category, additional poster presentations may be considered as regional and as such can be used in Question 12'. | 2 |
| Q12 First-author unmoderated poster, regional |
Scores the single best option you can evidence, up to 1 point. 0 or 1. | 1 |
| Q13 First-author podium or moderated poster, national or international |
Each item you can evidence adds its points, up to 5 points for the domain. Once 3, twice or more 5 (modelled as 3 each, capped at 5). 'Where max points achieved in this category additional presentations may be counted as regional in Question 14'. | 5 |
| Q14 First-author podium or moderated poster, regional |
Each item you can evidence adds its points, up to 2 points for the domain. 1 each, capped at 2. In-house hospital meetings are excluded. | 2 |
| Q15 Medical teaching / training delivery |
Scores the single best option you can evidence, up to 4 points. Highest statement only (0-4). This question is about teaching you deliver; a teaching qualification scores separately in Q16. | 4 |
| Q16 Qualification in medical education |
Scores the single best option you can evidence, up to 3 points. Highest statement only (0-3). | 3 |
| Q17 Postgraduate first prizes (not presentation prizes) |
Each item you can evidence adds its points, up to 2 points for the domain. 1 each, capped at 2. Best presentation prizes go in Q18 instead. | 2 |
| Q18 First-place best presentation prize |
Scores the single best option you can evidence, up to 3 points. Highest statement only (0, 1 or 3). First place only. | 3 |
| Q19 Highest-level scrotal procedure |
Scores the single best option you can evidence, up to 5 points. Highest level only (0-5). Q19 is one of four procedure questions (Q19-Q22), 5 each, 20 in all: the biggest block of points on the form. | 5 |
| Q20 Highest-level cystoscopy |
Scores the single best option you can evidence, up to 5 points. Highest level only (0-5). Q20 is one of four procedure questions (Q19-Q22), 5 each, 20 in all: the biggest block of points on the form. | 5 |
| Q21 Highest-level circumcision |
Scores the single best option you can evidence, up to 5 points. Highest level only (0-5). Q21 is one of four procedure questions (Q19-Q22), 5 each, 20 in all: the biggest block of points on the form. | 5 |
| Q22 Highest-level stent insertion |
Scores the single best option you can evidence, up to 5 points. Highest level only (0-5). Q22 is one of four procedure questions (Q19-Q22), 5 each, 20 in all: the biggest block of points on the form. | 5 |
| Q23 Formal management or leadership roles |
Each item you can evidence adds its points, up to 4 points for the domain. 2 per role, capped at 4. | 4 |
| Q24 Evidence presented as instructed |
Scores the single best option you can evidence, up to 2 points. 0 or 2. 'Marks will be deducted for incorrectly or poorly presented evidence.' | 2 |
| Total | Not published as a single figure: this is the sum of the domain maxima. | 78 |
Dates for this round
- Applications open (expected; 2027 Urology dates not yet seen) expected source
- Applications close: everything claimed must be completed and awarded by then (expected) expected source 1 source 2
- Date not published yet Evidence upload (7-day window, after close; 2027 dates not published) expected source
- Date not published yet Interviews (2027 dates not published; 2026 were 19-20 March) expected source
- Initial offers released by expected source
What you can still add before 10 December 2026
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.
- Q11 First-author unmoderated poster, national or international. Present a first-author poster at a national or international meeting, in person or virtual, before you submit; NMERC 2026 (online, Sat 14 Nov 2026; submit at nmerc.org/submit) is one option. Use work you are not claiming in the audit questions. Whether NMERC counts as a national meeting is for the validation panel to decide. Gets you to: Once or more. The NMERC poster (Sat 14 Nov 2026) comes before the expected 4pm 10 Dec 2026 close, and only elements 'completed and awarded by the closing date' count.
- Q13 First-author podium or moderated poster, national or international. Submit an abstract (free) to NMERC 2026 at nmerc.org/submit and present it online on Sat 14 Nov 2026 as first author. Use work you are not claiming in the audit questions. Keep the programme that names you, the abstract book and the evidence letter (issued by 16:00 on 16 Nov), and check the letter describes the session as an oral (podium) presentation or a poster session where you had to be present throughout. Whether NMERC counts as a national meeting is for the validation panel to decide. Gets you to: Each first-author podium talk or moderated poster, national (once 3, twice or more 5). The NMERC talk (Sat 14 Nov 2026) and the letter (16 Nov) both come before the expected 4pm 10 Dec 2026 close, and only elements 'completed and awarded by the closing date' count.
- Q15 Medical teaching / training delivery. Teach regularly and keep a dated log with feedback; at least monthly sessions reach 2 points. Faculty or organiser points need a relevant course of at least 4 hours that has run by the closing date. Only teaching completed by the closing date (expected 4pm, 10 Dec 2026) counts.
- Q16 Qualification in medical education. Do the Erudical Teach the Teacher course before the closing date: a live online day (09:00-17:00, '6 hours of live teaching with an expert') plus a self-paced course ('Over 12 hours of content included', 20 modules), each with its own certificate. The live day alone is well over the 2-hour minimum. Gets you to: Training the trainers' certificate or certificate in education. The certificate must be 'completed and awarded by the closing date' (expected 4pm 10 Dec 2026), and certificates are emailed after the course has run, so leave time for yours to arrive before you submit.
- Q19 Highest-level scrotal procedure. Ask a consultant supervisor to observe and validate a WBA for this procedure before the closing date (expected 4pm, 10 Dec 2026). A second validated WBA at Level 3 or 4 adds a point. Elements must be 'completed and awarded by the closing date'. Timing depends on your rota and theatre lists.
- Q20 Highest-level cystoscopy. Ask a consultant supervisor to observe and validate a WBA for this procedure before the closing date (expected 4pm, 10 Dec 2026). A second validated WBA at Level 3 or 4 adds a point. Elements must be 'completed and awarded by the closing date'. Timing depends on your rota and theatre lists.
- Q21 Highest-level circumcision. Ask a consultant supervisor to observe and validate a WBA for this procedure before the closing date (expected 4pm, 10 Dec 2026). A second validated WBA at Level 3 or 4 adds a point. Elements must be 'completed and awarded by the closing date'. Timing depends on your rota and theatre lists.
- Q22 Highest-level stent insertion. Ask a consultant supervisor to observe and validate a WBA for this procedure before the closing date (expected 4pm, 10 Dec 2026). A second validated WBA at Level 3 or 4 adds a point. Elements must be 'completed and awarded by the closing date'. Timing depends on your rota and theatre lists.
- Q24 Evidence presented as instructed. Upload your evidence as one PDF per question, each with a numbered title page, in the specified format. 'If a candidate's self-assessment evidence is not provided in the specified format a score of zero will be awarded for that element of the portfolio.'
Evidence traps
- Presentation and layout of evidence are scored. Each question needs one PDF with a numbered title page, and evidence in the wrong format scores zero for that question.
If a candidate's self-assessment evidence is not provided in the specified format a score of zero will be awarded for that element of the portfolio.
source - A podium talk or moderated poster only scores in Q13/Q14 if the evidence uses the word 'Podium', 'Moderated poster' or an equivalent.
(evidence provided must contain wording stating "Podium", "Moderated poster" or "Equivalent" to attract points)
source - An audit you claim in Q7-Q10 can't also be claimed as a presentation. Present different work if you want both.
(Projects submitted as evidence in the Audits section, cannot be counted here as well.)
source - The logbook questions (20 points) need a separate consultant-validated WBA for each procedure. Logbook printouts and WBA summaries are no longer accepted.
The evidence for this must be uploaded in WBA format, with a separate individual validated WBA for each procedure. . Logbook entries and WBA summary sheets ARE NO LONGER ACCEPTABLE
source - Everything must be finished and awarded by the closing date. Something completed between the close and the interview won't be accepted.
All scores must only be based upon elements that have been completed and awarded by the closing date of applications on the 11th December 2025. Elements completed between the application closing date and the interview will not be accepted during self-assessment validation.
source
Sources
- National Urology Recruitment 2026: Self-Assessment Guidance 2026 (NHS England, archived copy), urology_st3_self-assessment_guidance_2026_final.pdf, 8 pages. Wayback capture of 12 Dec 2025. Read from the local copy of this capture saved on 10 Oct 2026; its SHA-1 (STTWXUX7UOLTN4L5DKHVUN2B7YSNS6QJ) matches the Wayback index, checked 12 Oct 2026. The live Y&H site redirected to a bot challenge (/challenge) on 12 Oct 2026 and Wayback refused fresh downloads that day.
- National Urology ST3 Recruitment (NHS England Yorkshire and Humber, archived copy), Wayback capture of 13 Jan 2026 (2026 round). Read from the local copy saved on 10 Oct 2026. No later capture exists (Wayback CDX checked 12 Oct 2026).
- National Urology ST3 Recruitment (live page, NHS England Yorkshire and Humber), Not readable on 12 Oct 2026: one request returned HTTP 302 to /challenge (bot detection). Whether 2027 guidance is posted here is unknown.
- Urology ST3 person specification 2027 (Medical Hub), Person specification and entry criteria for Urology ST3 2027 recruitment
- Recruitment timelines (Medical Hub), Page last reviewed 24 February 2026; includes 'Recruitment timelines for 2027', Round 2
What a Urology applicant can still add before 10 December
The four procedure questions hold the most points still in play. Q19 to Q22 (scrotal, cystoscopy, circumcision and stent insertion) are worth 5 each, 20 in all, and each scores the highest level you have performed, backed by a separate consultant-validated WBA from the last 5 years. A second validated WBA at Level 3 takes that question from 2 to 3, and at Level 4 from 4 to 5, so ask a consultant to observe and sign off procedures you already do while you still have lists before the close. Outside theatre, the biggest single step is Q13: a first author podium talk at a national meeting takes it from 0 to 3, and a second one to 5, which a talk at NMERC on 14 November could deliver (see below). A medically focussed training-the-trainers certificate gains 1 in Q16 if you have no teaching qualification yet. Q15 rewards teaching you deliver: regular sessions at least monthly reach 2, while faculty (3) or principal organiser (4) points need a relevant course of at least 4 hours that has already run by the close. Presenting at a conference doesn’t count as teaching there. NMERC and Erudical roles may qualify. See the NMERC and Erudical websites and contact us for details. Degrees, papers and closed-loop audits are realistically settled by now.
How Urology evidence loses points at validation
The validators mark the format as well as the content. Q24 is worth 2 for presenting evidence as instructed, which means a single PDF per question opening with a title page that “should include a numbered list of pages and the relevance of the contents of each page”, and “If a candidate’s self-assessment evidence is not provided in the specified format a score of zero will be awarded for that element of the portfolio.” For the procedure questions, “Logbook entries and WBA summary sheets ARE NO LONGER ACCEPTABLE”, so every procedure needs its own validated WBA. Audit claims are only accepted on the “National_urology_st3_audit_supervisor_form_ V3”, an audit of a generic topic such as DVT prophylaxis or antibiotic prescribing doesn’t become urology-based because it was done on a urology ward, and “Projects submitted as evidence in the Audits section, cannot be counted here as well”, meaning in the presentation questions. Last year’s result is no guide either: “Achievement of a particular score in a previous year does not guarantee that the same score will be achieved in the current year.”
Worked example: a CT2 on 26 of 78
Take a hypothetical CT2 scored on the 2026 guidance. They have one first-author and two co-author papers, a closed-loop audit on a urology topic, two single-cycle audits (one of them urological), a first-author poster at a national meeting, one regional podium talk, occasional informal teaching and a rota-manager role. Their WBAs show Level 3 for a scrotal procedure (one WBA), cystoscopy (two WBAs) and circumcision (one WBA), and Level 2 for stent insertion. They have no higher degree, teaching qualification or prize, and they will organise their evidence as instructed.
- Q4 first-author papers: one, 2.
- Q5 co-author papers: two, 2.
- Q7 closed-loop audits: one, 2.
- Q8 urology closed loops: one, 1.
- Q9 single-cycle audits: two, 2.
- Q10 urology single cycles: one, 1.
- Q11 national unmoderated poster: once, 2.
- Q14 regional podium: once, 1.
- Q15 teaching delivered: irregular informal teaching, 1.
- Q19 scrotal: Level 3 with one WBA, 2.
- Q20 cystoscopy: Level 3 with two WBAs, 3.
- Q21 circumcision: Level 3 with one WBA, 2.
- Q22 stent insertion: Level 2, 1.
- Q23 management: one role, 2.
- Q24 evidence layout: yes, 2.
- Q1 to Q3, Q6, Q12, Q13 and Q16 to Q18: nothing, 0.
That comes to 26. Finishing a Teach the Teacher course before the close takes Q16 from 0 to 1. A first author oral at NMERC on 14 November, on work that isn’t one of their audits, would be their first national podium talk and takes Q13 from 0 to 3, provided the panel accepts NMERC as a national meeting and the evidence carries the podium wording. The total becomes 30, a gain of 4. A second validated WBA for the scrotal procedure or the circumcision would add 1 more for each. If they took a poster to NMERC instead, it would gain 3 only if accepted as a moderated poster; as an unmoderated poster it adds nothing to Q11, which they already max out, although the guidance says extra national posters “may be considered as ‘regional’ and as such can be used in Question 12”, worth 1. No cut-off score is published, so the total doesn’t predict shortlisting.
The calculator takes you through all 24 questions on the 2026 tiers, totals them against the derived 78 and shows what a course, a talk or another WBA would add. We’ll show your result and email you a copy.
Go to the Urology ST3 calculator at the top of this page
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Does a teach the teacher course count for Urology ST3?
Yes, for 1 point in Q16, “Do you have a qualification in medical education?”. The tier reads “Training the trainers’ certificate or certificate in education (gained since foundation) -1 point”, and the condition sits just above it: “Training the trainer courses or certificates in education courses must be medically focussed and must contain a minimum of 2 hours of medically focussed training. Examples would include courses provided by the UK medical colleges.” The Erudical Teach the Teacher course is a course for doctors, and its live online day (09:00 to 17:00) alone gives “6 hours of live teaching with an expert”, well above the 2-hour minimum; the self-paced course adds over 12 hours in 20 modules, with its own certificate. Upload the certificate, which has to be gained since foundation and in hand by the closing date. Live days before the close: 24 October, 31 October, 7 November, 15 November, 28 November and 5 December. Q16 scores your highest statement only, so the course adds 0 if you already hold that tier or higher: a modular diploma in education already scores 2, and an MSc or equivalent in clinical education 3 (an MSc you count in Q3 can’t count here as well). From no teaching qualification, the gain is 1. Attending a course scores nothing in Q15, which is only about teaching you deliver. Our teaching points by specialty table shows how the same course is treated elsewhere.
What an NMERC talk or poster could add for Urology
NMERC runs online on Saturday 14 November 2026, almost four weeks before the expected close, so a talk given there is complete and awarded in time. Any doctor or medical student can send an abstract at nmerc.org/submit, and presenting is free. Urology accepts virtual meetings, “(Both in person and virtual presentations will be accepted)”, and a first author oral at a national meeting belongs in Q13, which scores “once – 3 points” and “twice or more – 5 points”. If you have no national podium talk, one NMERC oral therefore gains 3. The guidance doesn’t define a national meeting, and the panel that validates your evidence decides whether NMERC counts as one. Three conditions apply. You must be first author. The work can’t be one of your audit claims. And Q13 evidence “must contain wording stating ‘Podium’, ‘Moderated poster’ or ‘Equivalent’ to attract points”, so check your programme entry or letter carries that wording before you upload it. Posters are where Urology differs from most specialties, because a moderated poster scores at the podium level. The guidance defines it as a session where “the author must be present during the entire session to allow the author to explain and illustrate his/her concepts, techniques or research findings”, and adds that “There usually is a panel of moderators.” NMERC asks poster presenters to be at their board, camera on, for both poster windows. Check what your NMERC evidence says about the poster session before you upload it. If the panel accepts it as a moderated poster it scores in Q13 like an oral; if not, it counts as a first author unmoderated national poster in Q11, “once or more – 2 points”. For evidence, the NMERC programme names every presenting author, the letter and the abstract book list every co-author in author order, and presenters receive a certificate. Presenting your work there doesn’t earn Q15 teaching points. A first-place best presentation prize at NMERC can’t be planned for, but if you won one it would be claimed in Q18 at the national tier, “Yes from a national / international meeting – 3 points”, and the panel decides.
Urology ST3 self-assessment: common questions
How many points is the Urology ST3 self-assessment out of?
The 2026 guidance never prints a total. Its 24 questions have maxima that add up to 78: degrees 11 (Q1 to Q3), publications 9 (Q4 to Q6), audit 10 (Q7 to Q10), presentations 10 (Q11 to Q14), teaching 7 (Q15 and Q16), prizes 5 (Q17 and Q18), procedures 20 (Q19 to Q22), management 4 (Q23) and evidence layout 2 (Q24). “Only one bullet point/response for each question can contribute to the score.” No minimum or cut-off score is published.
What is a national presentation worth for Urology ST3?
A first author podium talk or moderated poster at a national or international meeting scores 3 once and 5 for two or more in Q13, and further ones can be counted as regional in Q14. A first author unmoderated poster at a national meeting scores 2 in Q11. Regional meetings score up to 2 for podium talks (Q14) and 1 for unmoderated posters (Q12), and in-house hospital meetings are excluded. A first-place best presentation prize from a national meeting adds 3 in Q18.
What evidence do the Urology procedure questions need?
Each of Q19 to Q22 asks for the highest level you have performed, from Level 1 (0) up to Level 4 with two WBAs (5), and Level 2 scores 1. “WBAs must be validated by a consultant level or above, supervisor within the last 5 years”, and the evidence “must be uploaded in WBA format, with a separate individual validated WBA for each procedure.” At Levels 3 and 4, two WBAs score one more than one WBA.
When is the Urology ST3 deadline for 2027?
The closing date of applications. Urology’s own 2027 dates haven’t been seen. In 2026 it matched national Round 2 and closed at 4pm on 11 December 2025, and the 2027 Round 2 closes at 4pm on Thursday 10 December 2026. “Elements completed between the application closing date and the interview will not be accepted during self-assessment validation.” In 2026 the interviews were held online on 19 and 20 March.

