How Many Points Will A Train The Trainers Course Score For Speciality Applications?

Written by Francis Ugwu |  Updated September 2025

Attending a Train the Trainer course (also called Teach The Teachers) is not only an excellent opportunity to enhance your teaching skills but can also significantly strengthen your portfolio and career prospects. Teaching qualifications are increasingly recognised across UK medical specialities, and many offer valuable points towards your speciality application. 

Whether you’re applying for Core Surgical Training (CST), Internal Medicine Training (IMT), Radiology, Ophthalmology (OST), Histopathology or any other specialty, earning points from a formal teaching course could be the deciding factor between securing a training post or missing out.

For medical professionals, the ability to teach is seen as a key skill within the NHS. Taking a Train the Trainer course shows that you are dedicated to educating the next generation of healthcare workers and improving your own professional development.

Ensure your Train the Trainer course is externally accredited for quality assurance and CPD points so you don’t risk losing points by attending a non-accredited course.

Specialities That Award Points for Train the Trainer Courses

Several medical specialities recognise formal teaching courses like Train the Trainer, awarding applicants with points that can make a substantial difference in the competitive application process. Below, we outline how various specialities credit these teaching qualifications.

Core Surgical Training (CST) – Grade D

Significant changes have been made to the CST portfolio this year (read our detailed Guide). For applicants to CST, completing a teaching course like Train the Trainer can help you achieve a Grade D in the teaching domain of your application.

The 2025 CST recruitment guidelines state: “This would include any form of educational event focused on learning the skills of teaching, such as a training the trainers course online or otherwise.” Reference

You’ll earn Grade D points for CST with both our:

 

Internal Medicine Training (IMT) / ACCS – 1 Point

If you’re applying for IMT or ACCS, completing a formal teaching course like Train the Trainer can earn you 1 point in the application scoring process.

For the 2025 recruitment cycle, guidelines specify: “I have had training in teaching methods which is below the level of a PG Cert or PG Diploma. This should be additional to any training received as part of your primary medical qualification. Training should be delivered with a duration of at least six hours (i.e., a one-day course) of synchronous (live) teaching time.” Reference

You’ll earn 1 point for IMT with our externally accredited:

Radiology – 2 Points

For Radiology applications, completing a teaching course like Train the Trainer over at least two days can earn you 2 points for “evidence of other training in teaching methods after study of at least 2 days (such as Train the Trainers).” Reference

You’ll earn 2 points for Radiology with both our:

Histopathology – Up to 2 Points

If you’re applying for Histopathology, completing a formal teaching course like Train the Trainer can earn you up to 2 points on your application, depending on the duration of the training.

The scoring is as follows:

  • 1 point for completing teaching courses lasting up to 2 days
  • 2 points for completing teaching courses lasting more than 2 days
    Reference

You’ll earn up to 2 points for Histopathology with our

Ophthalmology – 0.5 Points

In Ophthalmology, formal teaching qualifications like Train the Trainer can earn you 0.5 points in the teaching and training section of your application: “0.5 points each – for helping with an educational course (more than one session), designing an e-learning tool, writing an e-book, completing a “teaching the teachers” course…” Reference

You’ll earn 0.5 points for Ophthalmology with both our:

Evidence of training for Speciality application

For a training programme application, it is essential that you are able to provide two pieces of evidence of training:

Training completion: On completion of a training course, such as Train the Trainers, you will usually be awarded a certificate. If you do not have access to this certificate, a letter from the organiser confirming attendance on the course or completion of the qualification will be sufficient.

Course Outline: You will also need to provide the course framework. This confirms the duration and how the programme was delivered, whether it was live, online, or hybrid.

Why Choose Our Train the Trainer Course?

Our Train the Trainer courses are CPD-accredited, externally validated, and have a structured delivery with students having the option to attend a live virtual classroom session. 

The course offers a comprehensive approach to learning valuable teaching skills that are widely recognised in the NHS, and is structured to meet the specific requirements of speciality applications, CCT and revalidation. Whether you’re looking to gain essential application points or enhance your teaching ability, our course is the perfect fit.

What other course may be relevant alongside the Train the Trainers course?

If you wish to move into an educational position, we also offer complementary courses to the Train the Trainers course, which can help to cement your capabilities.

Medical Leadership and Management course – Our Medical Leadership and Management course is perfect for individuals who want to develop their leadership skills,  gain further confidence in training others, or eventually move into a leadership position. The course is fully accredited, with flexible online access so you can complete it in your own time.

Advanced Communication – Our Advanced Communication course is designed to further improve your skills in talking to colleagues and patients. It will help you to navigate difficult conversations while offering guidance on essential communication skills such as empathy, clarity, and managing conflict. This course is online and can be taken at your own pace.

About The Author

Francis Ugwu

Francis Ugwu is a General Surgical Registrar, Clinical Educator and PhD candidate at the Institute of Global Health Innovation under Lord Professor Darzi. He has a passion for teaching and mentoring, with a specialist interest in the development of innovative training platforms within the NHS, and non-technical skills within medicine and surgery.

Connect with Francis on LinkedIn – Francis Ugwu