Ophthalmology ST1 2027: Application Guide

How does Ophthalmology ST1 2027 selection work?

Ophthalmology ST1 is recruited nationally, with NHS England South West coordinating the national selection process. Applications are submitted through Oriel and are longlisted against the national Ophthalmology ST1 person specification.

Official guidance: NHS England Ophthalmology ST1 selection process

The Ophthalmology ST1 2027 selection pathway can broadly be divided into three components: the MSRA, evidence-folder verification and the virtual interview.

Ophthalmology ST1 2027 application dates and recruitment timeline

The Ophthalmology ST1 2027 recruitment round is for posts commencing in August 2027. The currently published NHS England timetable is summarised below.

Check the live timetable: official NHS England Ophthalmology ST1 recruitment timeline

Stage 1: MSRA for Ophthalmology ST1 2027

All Ophthalmology ST1 applicants are invited to undertake the Multi-Specialty Recruitment Assessment (MSRA). Attendance is mandatory. Candidates who do not attend are withdrawn from the Ophthalmology ST1 selection process.

Previous MSRA scores cannot be carried forward from another recruitment year or round. Candidates applying to multiple specialties that use the MSRA generally only need to sit the assessment once within the relevant recruitment round.

The assessment is delivered through Pearson VUE. NHS England advises applicants to book promptly because availability at individual centres may be limited and spaces are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.

Read: official NHS England Ophthalmology ST1 MSRA guidance

What does the MSRA contain?

NHS England publishes results for two components of the assessment:

The major MSRA change for 2027

Candidates who meet the self-assessment minimum requirement are ranked according to their MSRA score. The highest-ranked 350 candidates progress to evidence-folder verification.

This makes the MSRA particularly important for reaching the portfolio-verification stage. However, shortlisting and final ranking are different: the MSRA is not included in the final total score used to rank appointable candidates for offers.

Ophthalmology ST1 2027 self-assessment and evidence folder

Applicants must complete a self-assessment of their achievements and provide supporting evidence. NHS England states that there are 8 scored domains, with a maximum self-assessment score of 47 points.

Check the source: NHS England Ophthalmology ST1 self-assessment guidance

The initial self-assessment threshold

Candidates must initially self-score at least 19 points. NHS England states that applicants self-scoring below 19 will not progress, irrespective of their MSRA score.

Submitting your self-assessment

NHS England states that candidates will submit their score in two ways. First, a standard proforma containing the scores and a brief description of the supporting evidence should be uploaded as the first document in the evidence folder. Candidates must also submit their scores through a separate online form.

Both components are required. Failure to submit both means that the candidate will not progress through the selection process.

Evidence verification

After MSRA ranking, the evidence folders of the highest-ranked 350 candidates are reviewed. The self-assessment is checked against the submitted documentation and a new ranking is produced based on the verified score.

The highest-ranked 260 candidates following evidence verification are invited to the interview stage. NHS England also states that a verified self-assessment score below 20 points will not progress.

Evidence rules worth knowing

Supporting evidence must be uploaded through the designated evidence portal during the published upload period. Evidence submitted through other routes is not accepted.

If evidence for a claimed domain is missing, the verification panel can award zero for that domain. Scores can also be reduced where the submitted evidence does not justify the number of points claimed.

Evidence should not contain patient-identifiable information. NHS England also emphasises accurate self-scoring and warns that deliberate or persistent over-claiming can lead to a probity investigation.

Appealing a verified score

Self-assessment feedback is scheduled for 25 February 2027. Where a candidate believes that submitted evidence has been overlooked or misinterpreted, NHS England states that an appeal can be submitted according to the instructions provided with the feedback.

The appeal window is 48 hours. New evidence cannot be added at this stage. The appeal can only consider evidence submitted originally. The appeals panel's decision is final and the resulting score may be increased, remain unchanged or be reduced.

Ophthalmology ST1 2027 interview format

The Ophthalmology ST1 2027 assessment is scheduled for 22 and 23 March 2027 and will be conducted virtually.

Candidates book their interview slot through Oriel, with slots allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.

What does the Ophthalmology ST1 interview involve?

The assessment consists of two separate interviews or role plays. Each can last up to 10 minutes.

Before each interview, candidates receive 5 minutes of reading and preparation time. The scenario is provided during this period. Candidates may make notes and take those notes into the interview room.

Two assessors observe each interaction and score candidates against predetermined criteria. The assessors are not seen or heard by the candidate during the interaction. There may also be a quality-assurance assessor or lay representative observing.

Although the assessments are labelled Interview 1 and Interview 2, candidates may encounter them in either order. NHS England estimates that the complete process, including identity checks, assessment and debrief, takes approximately 45 minutes.

Ophthalmology ST1 2027 scoring and final ranking

One of the most important features of the 2027 system is that the MSRA is used for initial shortlisting but does not contribute to the final total score.

See: official NHS England scoring, ranking and offers guidance

Candidates who achieve the required interview threshold are ranked using their combined evidence-folder and online-assessment scores. Posts are then allocated in rank order according to candidates' submitted preferences.

The Ophthalmology ST1 2027 selection funnel

Ophthalmology ST1 preferences and offers

Candidates reaching the offer stage rank the available training locations through Oriel. NHS England currently plans to open preferences on 18 March 2027.

During the offers process, candidates are matched in rank order to their highest available preference. If all of a candidate's ranked preferences have already been exhausted by the time their rank is reached, they will not receive an offer at that point.

Initial offers are scheduled for 6 April 2027 by 5pm, followed by the hold deadline on 9 April at 1pm and the upgrade deadline on 14 April at 4pm.

All offers are issued through Oriel. NHS England also notes that additional posts can potentially be added during the recruitment cycle.

Multi-source feedback (MSF)

Multi-source feedback forms part of the self-assessment evidence. Candidates should check that their MSF satisfies the published requirements rather than assuming that any workplace feedback form will automatically be accepted.

Read: official NHS England Ophthalmology ST1 MSF guidance

Under the currently displayed NHS England self-assessment guidance, an MSF should have taken place within 18 months of the interview date for candidates who have been working in clinical posts during that period.

The current published guidance describes minimum respondent numbers and an appropriate mix of colleagues. Candidates should check the final 2027 requirements before arranging or submitting their MSF.

How to prepare for Ophthalmology ST1 2027

Preparing early for Ophthalmology ST1 2027 is particularly important because candidates now need to navigate two distinct ranking stages before interview. A sensible approach is to treat the MSRA, portfolio and interview as separate parts of the same recruitment pathway.

1. Check your eligibility first

Review the current national Ophthalmology ST1 person specification and make sure you can demonstrate every essential eligibility criterion. Being invited to later stages does not itself constitute confirmation of eligibility.

2. Take the MSRA seriously

The 2027 change means that MSRA performance determines your position in the initial ranking. Only the highest-ranked 350 candidates progress to evidence verification.

3. Calculate your likely portfolio score

Review your achievements against the published framework and identify the evidence you can use to support each claim. You can use the PrepSurg Ophthalmology ST1 Evidence Folder Self-Assessment Tool to work through the current scoring framework.

4. Build an evidence folder that is easy to verify

The aim is not simply to upload a large volume of documents. Each claim should be supported clearly by evidence that allows an assessor to identify what you achieved and why it meets the relevant criterion.

5. Recheck the final 2027 portfolio criteria

The detailed self-assessment criteria displayed by NHS England at the time this article was checked are still labelled as 2026 criteria. NHS England states that the 2027 information will be published by 30 September 2026. Check the updated framework before deciding what you can claim.

6. Prepare for consultations, not just interview questions

The virtual assessment is structured around interactions with an actor playing a patient or carer. Preparation should therefore include practising structured clinical consultations, explaining decisions clearly, handling concerns and managing difficult communication and ethical scenarios under time pressure.

7. Practise the five-minute preparation period

You will have five minutes to read each scenario and organise your approach. Practising this exact format can help you develop a repeatable method for identifying the key clinical, communication and ethical issues before entering the station.

Ophthalmology ST1 2027: key numbers at a glance

The Ophthalmology ST1 2027 selection process can seem complicated at first. The main published thresholds and scores are summarised below.

Putting your Ophthalmology ST1 2027 application together

For Ophthalmology ST1 2027, preparation involves three distinct priorities: performing strongly in the MSRA, submitting an accurately scored and well-organised evidence folder, and preparing effectively for the virtual interview.

The change to MSRA-only initial shortlisting makes the first stage particularly important, while the portfolio and interview remain central to the later ranking process. Candidates should therefore avoid concentrating on one component at the expense of the others.

Recruitment information can change during the application cycle, so use this guide alongside the latest NHS England recruitment pages and information communicated through Oriel.