ENT ST3 Interview Bank – £110
ENT ST3 (Otolaryngology) Application & Interview Guide 2026
Applying for ENT ST3 can be demanding — but with clear timelines, a focused portfolio strategy, and targeted interview practice, you can turn effort into offers. This guide blends professional clarity with supportive, practical tips so you can prepare with confidence and precision.
Applications
243
Posts
41
Competition Ratio
5.93
Key Dates — National Selection 2026
| Activity | Date(s) |
|---|---|
| Applications Open | 10am, Thu 20 Nov 2025 |
| Applications Close | 4pm, Thu 11 Dec 2025 |
| Self-Assessment Validation Upload Window | TBC |
| Interviews | Wed 11 – Thu 12 Mar 2026 |
| Initial Offers Released by | 5pm, Tue 14 Apr 2026 |
| Hold Deadline | 1pm, Wed 22 Apr 2026 |
| Upgrade Deadline | 4pm, Thu 23 Apr 2026 |
Always cross-check official recruitment pages for updates before booking leave.
Competition Overview
Latest reported figures indicate a highly competitive round: Applications 243 • Posts 41 • Ratio 5.93. Early preparation and a targeted scoring strategy are essential.
Applications
243
Posts
41
Competition Ratio
5.93
Application Process (Oriel)
- Complete your Oriel application including the self-assessment and evidence uploads.
- After submission, only personal details and referees can be edited.
- Upload only evidence that supports each claim; irrelevant or excessive files may be marked down.
Tip: Name files consistently (e.g., Q03_Publication1_PMIDxxxx.pdf) and ensure signatures/stamps are legible.
Portfolio & Self-Assessment Breakdown (2026)
ENT Experience (max 20)
- 6–24 months post-F2 (60% LTFT: 10–40 months) → 20 pts
- 24–36 months → 15 pts • 36–48 months → 10 pts • >48 months → 0 pts
- Evidence: employment history with specialties, contracts/HR letters showing start/finish dates (incl. locums).
Postgraduate Qualifications (max 5)
- PhD/MD by research (UK MD research definition) → 5 pts
- MSc/MRes/MCh/MPhil (≥8 months FTE or taught Master’s) → 3 pts
- PGDip/PGCert in education/other relevant → 1 pt
- Exclusions: intercalated degrees; basic MD as primary medical degree; taught MSc used here can’t be double-counted elsewhere.
Publications (max 8 across two best)
- First-author original research with PMID & IF ≥2.5 → 4 pts (per paper)
- First-author original research IF 1.0–2.5 → 3 pts • Co-author IF ≥1.0 → 2 pts
- First-author medical book chapter (ISBN, not self-published) → 2 pts
- Editorials/reviews/case reports with PubMed ID → 1 pt
- Provide full ANSI/NISO citation with PMID. Abstracts/letters excluded. “Formally accepted” papers count with acceptance letter.
Collaborative Research (max 2)
- Steering committee in recognised collaborative (e.g., INTEGRATE) → 2 pts
- Site lead/local collaborator/data collection → 1 pt
- Provide PMID/acceptance letters and proof of role level.
Audits & Quality Improvement (max 4 across two best)
- Two-cycle QI with leadership (design, lead delivery, supervise team) → 2 pts each
- Two-cycle full involvement → 1 pt • Partial involvement (multi-cycle single aspect or multiple aspects single cycle) → 1 pt
- Use official, signed/stamped audit form + proof of presentation. Exclude VTE/notes/WHO/teaching-only projects.
Presentations (max 6 across two best)
- Oral (1st/2nd author) at national/international → 3 pts
- Oral regional → 2 pts • Poster nat/intl → 1 pt • Poster regional → 1 pt
- Original work only. Accepted-but-not-delivered and online meetings don’t count. Certificates required.
Surgical Logbook (max 25)
ISCP/e-logbook “Performed” (P, S-TU, S-TS). Max 2 simulations per category.
| Category | 0–4 | 5–9 | 10–14 | ≥15 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ear (grommets/myringotomy/removal) | 0 | 1 | 3 | 5 |
| Nose (polypectomy/septoplasty/FESS/NOF/DSA/Turbs/Adens/EUA nose+cautery GA) | 0 | 1 | 3 | 5 |
| Tonsillectomy | 0 | 1 | 3 | 5 |
| Throat/Neck (DL/DP/PE, tracheostomy, node biopsy, skin lesion excision) | 0 | 1 | 3 | 5 |
| Emergency (FB removals, neck abscess I&D, post-tonsil bleed arrest, pinna procedures) | 0 | 1 | 3 | 5 |
Ear procedures
0–40 pts
5–91 pt
10–143 pts
≥155 pts
Nose procedures
0–40 pts
5–91 pt
10–143 pts
≥155 pts
Tonsillectomy
0–40 pts
5–91 pt
10–143 pts
≥155 pts
Throat / Neck
0–40 pts
5–91 pt
10–143 pts
≥155 pts
Emergency
0–40 pts
5–91 pt
10–143 pts
≥155 pts
Upload validated logbook summary highlighting cases per category.
Evidence & Integrity: Upload only what’s requested for each question. Unverifiable evidence may score 0.
Inaccurate/falsified/confidential patient data may lead to removal from the round and referral.
⭐ Try our Self-Assessment Tool
Estimate your interview likelihood from your portfolio score and spot quick wins to boost points.
Try the ToolInterview Format (Online)
- Three stations × 15 minutes (≈2 min reading, 10 min discussion, 3 min scoring/transition)
- Domains: Clinical Knowledge & Decision-Making • Communication/Ethics/Professionalism • Portfolio & Motivation
- Setup: stable internet, camera/mic, neutral background, good lighting; valid photo ID (passport or UK driving licence)
Prep pattern: practise concise, structured answers (SPIES, ABCDE, SBAR) focused on ENT emergencies, post-op complications, and ethics.
Resources
- ENT ST3 Person Specification (2026)
- Self-Assessment Scoring Guide (2026)
- PrepSurg ENT ST3 Interview Bank (£110)