This year Recruitment to ACCS Emergency Medicine in 2025-2026 will only be offered as run-through at (ST1). The option to elect to accept a core training post has been removed.

As in previous years, entry into Emergency Medicine training will continue via two national routes:

• Acute Care Common Stem Emergency Medicine recruitment — for applicants entering at ST1 level, via this vacancy
• Emergency Medicine Direct Route of Entry, and ST3 & ST4 Emergency Medicine recruitment — for those who already meet the required competencies for entry at those levels. More information found here. (https://medical.hee.nhs.uk/medical-training-recruitment/medical-specialty-training/emergency-medicine)

With run-through training (ST1), progression is uninterrupted; applicants start in specialty training year 1 (ST1), and progress through ST2, ST3, ST4, ST5 and ST6 automatically, provided the necessary curriculum requirements are fully satisfied. These requirements include satisfactory ARCP outcomes and exam progression.  Although run-through training is uninterrupted there are still plenty of opportunities on a run-through training programme to take time out to fulfil your broader interests. OOPs (out of training programme opportunities) are widely supported in all EM training programmes.

Although there is no longer a separate “core training” option as in previous years, the flexibility for Resident Doctors to change their training region after completing ACCS EM remains unchanged. Resident Doctors who complete ACCS EM in one region may apply to Higher Emergency Medicine Training in another region through national recruitment. This process is competitive and open, just as it has been in previous years. Resident doctors who wish to remain in their region will run through into higher training with no requirement to apply again for higher specialty training in Emergency Medicine.

We encourage applicants to consider this when planning their training journey. The ACCS EM programme remains the recognised entry point into Emergency Medicine at ST1 level.

There are national changes to the recruitment process in relation to GMC eligibility and maximum application limits and the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) interviews

Please note that there is a strict application policy that applications cannot be accepted after the deadline. 

If you need to upload FPCC with your application please ensure it is uploaded before you submit, if you do not, then you will not be offered an opportunity to upload it and your application will not proceed to the next stage.

If you are required to submit a Certificate of Readiness to Enter Specialty Training 2024 (CREST) form with your application and do not do so then you will not be offered another opportunity to upload it and your application will not proceed to the next stage of the process. You can find it here.

Self-assessments/Evidence portfolio uploads - the system used to do this is Qpercom (the same system to interview) and detailed information will be provided at the point of invitation

Guidance is available via the Medical Specialty Recruitment Applicant guidance for 2025 which includes guidance generic across specialties. In addition to this, supplementary guidance which is specific to ACCS Emergency Medicine, is available on the Medical Training Recruitment website. 

The supplementary guidance contains detailed information about how to complete your application form, the shortlisting process, interview process and preferences. All applicants must read this thoroughly before starting to complete an application form.

Links to both resources are available in the hyperlinks section.

As part of the selection process for 2025/2026 recruitment all longlisted applicants will be required to take a Multi-Specialty Recruitment Assessment (MSRA). This will form the basis of your shortlisting score. Further information on the shortlisting stages and the MSRA can be found in the Applicant Supplementary Handbook and MSRA Guidance Document.

For information regarding reasonable adjustments and Disability Confident Scheme please refer to  the Medical Specialty Recruitment website

Please review the person specification, available on the hyperlinks tab, for the full eligibility criteria for this specialty.

All medical practitioners are on the shortage occupation list, so all specialty recruitment applicants will be exempt from the resident labour market test.

The Medical Specialty Recruitment website has guidance for applicants requiring a visa. 

If you have made a positive declaration in the FTP section, you must follow this up by completing our form on the support portal, you must contact London recruitment office via support portal by the close of the application window. Failure to provide the outlined information by the close of application may result in your application being withdrawn.

Please follow the links below for information about salary scales in the four UK nations.

England: https://www.nhsemployers.org/articles/pay-and-conditions-circulars-medical-and-dental-staff

Scotland: http://www.msg.scot.nhs.uk/pay/medical/junior-doctors

Wales: http://www.wales.nhs.uk/nhswalesaboutus/workingfornhswales/payconditions/payandconditionsresources

A full timeline can be found in the Supplementary Applicant guidance:              

MSRA Window: 6th January – 19th January 2026

Interview Dates:  12th March – 18th March 2026

Interview venue:  Remote Interviews  via Qpercom Recruit

All interviews will be held remotely via Qpercom Recruit. For more information please refer to the supplementary applicant guidance.

You will not be asked to give preferences of specific programmes at the application stage. These will be given at a later stage via Oriel in 2025; more information will follow at a later stage for those still in competition at that time.

Please visit the PGMDE Support Portal, where you will find a series of FAQs, and you will be able to submit an enquiry to the London Recruitment Team.

Please click this link https://medical.hee.nhs.uk/medical-training-recruitment/medical-specialty-training/emergency-medicine/core-emergency-medicine/overview-of-core-training/posts for updated post information

Please note that post numbers and post information are subject to change.