The Complete Guide To Vascular Surgery ST3 Applications

Below you will find the full application journey, the scoring rules for self-assessment, what happens at the interview, and the kind of evidence that convinces assessors. Along the way, we will show you how to prep smartly with Medset’s Vascular Surgery ST3 Interview Course so you arrive calm, organised and ready.

Why Vascular Surgery?

Vascular surgery sits at the intersection of acute rescue, chronic disease management and long-term prevention. You look after patients with conditions that are common, high-risk and often life-changing: carotid disease, aortic aneurysms, chronic limb-threatening ischaemia, diabetic foot problems, venous disease and complex access issues.

What makes the specialty distinctive is the mix of work:

• Emergency and elective practice. In one week you might manage a ruptured AAA, an acutely ischaemic limb and a failing bypass, alongside planned carotid endarterectomies, infra-inguinal bypasses and venous interventions.
• Open and endovascular skills. You learn classic open exposures and graft work, but also wire skills, stent graft deployment and hybrid procedures. The technical learning curve never really stops.
• Longitudinal care. Many patients stay under follow-up for years. You see the impact of your decisions on limb salvage, stroke prevention and quality of life.

Modern vascular surgery is also highly team-based. You work closely with interventional radiology, diabetes and podiatry teams, stroke physicians, renal services, anaesthetics and intensive care. Good outcomes depend as much on communication, coordination and service design as on the operation itself.

There is a strong culture of audit, outcomes and innovation. Vascular surgeons are used to working with national registries, benchmarking data and guideline-driven practice. That naturally leads into research, quality improvement, health economics and – increasingly – digital tools and AI to support decision-making and pathway design.

If you are someone who enjoys:

• Thinking through complex risk–benefit decisions under pressure
• Mastering detailed anatomy and technical skills over many years
• Working within multidisciplinary teams to improve systems, not just individual cases
• Seeing clear, measurable impact on strokes prevented, limbs saved and lives extended

Then vascular surgery offers a career with depth, variety and real scope to shape the future of how we care for an ageing, comorbid population.

Training Pathway And Who This Guide Is For

You normally enter Vascular Surgery at ST3 after:

• UK Core Surgical Training (CST) – with satisfactory ARCPs demonstrating core competences, or
• Equivalent experience via CREHST/Alternative Certificate, signed off by appropriate consultants

This guide is for:

• Core surgical trainees (CST1–2) targeting Vascular ST3
• Non-training doctors (e.g. trust grade, IMGs) pursuing entry via CREHST
• Anyone wanting a clear view of what the 2026 self-assessment and interview actually expect.

Eligibility checklist

Before you open Oriel, you need to meet the 2026 Vascular ST3 person specification.

Core eligibility

You must:

• Hold an MBBS / MBChB (or equivalent)
• Hold full GMC registration with licence to practise by the time the post starts
• Be eligible to work in the UK
• Not already hold, or be eligible to hold, a CCT/CESR in Vascular Surgery

Core surgical competences

You must evidence core surgical competence via one of:

• Current UK CST post completing by the advertised start date (with satisfactory ARCP), or
• Completed UK CST with documented satisfactory ARCP outcome(s), or
• Alternative Certificate of Eligibility to Enter Higher Surgical Training (CREHST) fully completed and signed.

MRCS requirement

You must have passed MRCS by examination by the “initial offers released by” date for the round – for 2026, that is 14 April 2026.

You can apply before you have the result, but you must have passed by that date, or you cannot take up a post.

Experience limits

• For LAT posts: ≤24 months LAT experience in Vascular by the post start date (where LAT posts exist).

Big-picture: how Vascular ST3 recruitment works (2026)

The process is national:

1. Oriel application – including personal details, full employment history, core competence route and self-assessment responses.
2. Self-assessment score – you answer 9 domains and assign yourself a score for each. Scores are final once the form is submitted.
3. Evidence upload to Qpercom – shortlisted candidates upload evidence for every claim in a defined window (for 2026, currently 12–19 December 2025, subject to change).
4. Verification – consultant panel checks your evidence and may adjust scores up or down; this produces your verified score.
5. Interview (online) – a 50-minute two-station interview on Qpercom, covering clinical, communication, management and virtual operative skills.
6. Ranking – your total rank is based on verified portfolio score + interview score.
7. Preferencing – you rank programmes during the preferencing window (2 March–6 April 2026, subject to change).
8. Offers – initial offers released via Oriel by Tuesday 14 April 2026, 4pm.

Always check the official pages for any date changes; the HEE/Medical Hub page is the source of truth.

The 2026 self-assessment: 9 domains

For 2026 there are 9 self-assessment questions. These must be answered honestly, using only completed achievements by the time of application.

Key general rules:

• You select one descriptor per domain – the one that best (and most honestly) fits you.
• Scores are final at submission – admin cannot edit them.
• Over-claiming and misrepresentation can trigger probity concerns and even fitness-to-practise referral.

Below is a concise summary of each domain and what high-scoring evidence looks like.

Domain 1 – Vascular Surgery experience

Question: By the end of September 2026, how many months (whole-time equivalent) have you spent in Vascular Surgery after medical school (any country), excluding other posts?

Scoring bands (WTE):

• <2 months – 0
• 2–<4 months – 4
• 4–<12 months – 8
• 12–16 months – 8
• >16–24 months – 4
• >24 months – 0

So the peak scoring window is 4–16 months of vascular at CT/ST level. Prolonged non-training vascular posts beyond 2 years no longer score, reflecting concerns about prolonged time at that level.

Evidence: rotation letters, ARCPs, contracts showing dates and specialty.

Domain 2 – Operative logbook (appendicectomy / femoral artery dissections)

Question: At application, how many appendicectomies or femoral artery dissections have you completed (STS/STU/P/T), recorded in a validated logbook? The higher of the two scores counts.

Approximate scoring bands:

• 0 – score 0
• 1–5 femoral or 1–9 appendicectomies – score 1
• 6–9 femoral or 10–29 appendicectomies – score 2
• 10–15 femoral or 30–49 appendicectomies – score 3
• 16–20 femoral or 50–99 appendicectomies – score 4
• ≥21 femoral or ≥100 appendicectomies – score drops back to 1

So again, there is a sweet spot: you are rewarded for meaningful operative exposure, but extremely high numbers at this stage don’t give extra advantage.

Evidence:

• Validated logbook consolidation sheets
• Ensure consultant signatures and GMC numbers are legible.

Domain 3 – First-author PubMed-indexed publications

Question: At application, how many first-author publications in PubMed-indexed journals (not abstracts, case reports, letters or technical tips)?

Scoring:

• 4 or more – 4 points
• 3 – 3
• 2 – 2
• 1 – 1
• 0 – 0

Evidence: PMIDs for each paper. Items counted here cannot also be counted in Domain 4.

Domain 4 – Other PubMed-indexed publications

Question: At application, how many other-author publications in PubMed-indexed journals (not abstracts, case reports, letters or technical tips)?

Scoring:

• 5 or more – 5 points
• 4 – 4
• 3 – 3
• 2 – 2
• 1 – 1
• 0 – 0

Collaborative papers can be included here, but are capped at one paper/point per collaborative project.

Evidence: PMIDs for each paper. Publications here must not also be claimed as first-author in Domain 3.

Important: There is no N-factor adjustment or 10-domain structure in 2026 – the 9 domains above are the full academic scoring framework.

Domain 5 – National/International oral presentations (last 2 years WTE)

Question: In the last 2 years whole-time equivalent (WTE) of clinical practice, how many national or international oral presentations have you given (where you are a listed author)? Posters do not count here.

Scoring:

• 6 or more – 6 points
• 5 – 5
• 4 – 4
• 3 – 3
• 2 – 2
• 1 – 1
• 0 – 0

Evidence: relevant page(s) from meeting programmes with your name clearly visible.

Domain 6 – Closed-loop audits and QI projects

Question: Submit your 2 best closed-loop audits and 1 additional audit or QIP that have resulted in departmental presentation of results.

Requirements:

• Audits must be at least full loop (baseline audit → intervention → re-audit vs published standard).
• You need clear evidence of your involvement in design, execution and presentation of each loop and project.
• Non-presented audits/QIPs do not count.

Scoring (total marks):

• 2 closed-loop audits + 1 QIP – 5 points
• 2 closed-loop audits – 4 points
• 1 closed-loop audit + 1 QIP – 3 points
• 1 closed-loop audit only – 2 points
• QIP only – 1 point
• Insufficient evidence – 0 points

Evidence pack should show:

• Title, dates and setting
• Your explicit role (design, data collection, intervention, re-audit, presentation)
• Results and what changed in practice (with numbers)
• Slides or certificates showing departmental presentation

Domain 7 – Higher degrees and teaching qualifications

Question: Have you completed and been awarded a stand-alone higher degree or equivalent examined by thesis/dissertation (not intercalated or primary medical degrees)?

Scoring:

• PhD / MD – 3
• Masters (MSc, MMedEd, MS, ChM, etc.) – 2
• Postgraduate Certificate or Postgraduate Diploma – 1
• No higher degree – 0

Important changes for 2026:

• PGCert / PGDip in education now scores here (Domain 7) – not in the teaching domain.
• FHEA alone is not classified as a formal qualification for points.

Evidence: degree certificates; for non-UK awards, a letter confirming thesis-based assessment and examination.

Domain 8 – Leadership and management (last 2 years WTE)

Question: In the last 2 years WTE of clinical practice, what formal leadership/management roles have you held within or outside medicine?

Scoring:

• Formal leadership/management role at national or regional level – 2 points
• Formal leadership/management role at local or Trust level – 1 point
• No significant leadership/management – 0

Roles might include trainee rep, rota coordinator, committee roles, national society officer, charity trustee, etc.

Evidence: appointment letters, role descriptions, dates.

Domain 9 – Teaching and medical education (last 2 years WTE)

Question: In the last 2 years WTE of clinical practice, what is your involvement in medical education/teaching?

Scoring:

• Evidence of a formal teaching role at national/regional level – 2 points
• Evidence of a formal teaching role at local/Trust level, or a substantial interactive and practical teaching qualification (not a full degree) – 1 point
• No significant involvement in teaching – 0

Evidence should include:

• Clear description of learning outcomes, programme content and teaching methods
• Mapping to RCSEng learning outcomes for surgical education; the specific named course isn’t mandated, but the mapping is.
• FHEA does not count as a formal qualification for this domain; PGCert/PGDip in education is scored under Domain 7.

Competition ratios

Vascular surgery remains competitive. The competition ratio for Vascular Surgery ST3 in 2025 was 6.43:1, with 225 applications for 35 posts. This is an increase from the 2024 ratio of 5.09:1 (173 applications for 34 posts).

Evidence upload and verification

Shortlisted applicants are invited to upload evidence to Qpercom between Friday 12 December and Friday 19 December 2025 (dates may be adjusted; always check the current page).

Key rules from the 2026 guidance:

• Scoring and uploading evidence are mandatory – if you don’t self-score or don’t upload, your application is withdrawn.
• You must click “finish and submit” in Qpercom – if you don’t, the panel cannot see your evidence.
• Admin cannot upload or change evidence for you, and cannot change scores at any stage.
• If evidence doesn’t match your claim, the score will be adjusted down.

Once verification is complete you’ll receive:

• Your verified scoresheet with domain-by-domain feedback via Qpercom (check junk/spam). If nothing arrives by 09:00 on 15 January 2026, you’re advised to contact recruitment.

Appeals

If you disagree with the verified score (not the original self-score), you have 72 hours from receipt to submit an appeal:

• You cannot upload new evidence.
• You can only select the domain(s) to be reviewed and explain why your existing evidence merits a higher score.
• The appeal outcome is final and outside the MDRS complaints process.

Interview format (2026) – what actually happens

Interviews are held online via Qpercom Recruit with live invigilation using a second device (smartphone/tablet) for room and identity checks.

Booking and logistics

• You’ll be invited to book a slot via Oriel – first come, first served within capacity.
• Interviews are scheduled for Monday 9 February 2026 (subject to change)
• You must log in 10 minutes early, complete connectivity diagnostics, and have photo ID ready.
• The panel must be able to see you on camera; if not, the interview can be terminated.

Structure (total ~50 minutes)

Each station is run by two consultant interviewers (sometimes plus an observer/lay rep):

Station 1

1. Clinical scenario – reading time (5 minutes)
2. Clinical scenario – questions (10 minutes)
3. Communication scenario – questions (10 minutes)

Station 2

1. Management scenario – reading time (5 minutes)
2. Management scenario – questions (10 minutes)
3. Virtual skills scenario – questions (10 minutes)

The interview maps back to the person specification: clinical judgement, communication, leadership, situational management and procedural understanding.

What the panel is really looking for

• Safe, structured clinical thinking and early escalation
• Clear, calm communication with patients, relatives and colleagues
• Understanding of governance, human factors and teamworking
• Practical operative insight: steps, anatomy, troubleshooting
• Structured frameworks (e.g. ABCDE, IPAD-NA, SBAR, SPIES, stepwise operative descriptions) make it easier for the panel to follow your thinking and score consistently.

Mark-earning habits at interview

Lead with structure.
Take 1–2 seconds, then give a clear, ordered answer rather than diving in mid-thought. A sharp opener plus a simple framework will earn you early marks.

Talk in actions, not theory.
Focus on what you would actually do in the next 10–15 minutes – who you’d see, what you’d check, what you’d start – rather than listing everything that could be considered.

Escalate early and name the person.
When there is risk to life, limb, or service safety, state clearly who you would call (consultant, anaesthetics, critical care, duty manager) and why. That signals safe registrar-level behaviour.

Close the loop every time.
Hand back with clear parameters: who is responsible now, what to monitor, when to call back, and what is documented. Don’t leave patients, relatives, or nursing staff “in mid-air”.

Think out loud, but stay concise.
Let the panel see your reasoning stepwise – identify, prioritise, act, escalate – without drifting or repeating yourself. Short, clean sentences score better than long explanations.

Carry yourself like a day-one registrar.
Calm, polite, and steady under pressure is memorable for the right reasons. Admit uncertainty when needed, but own your plan and your responsibility.

Six-month portfolio plan (practical)

To align with the 2026 domains, a realistic 6-month build-up could look like:

6 months before applications

• Plan and complete at least one vascular/perioperative closed-loop audit that you can present locally.
• Target one national/regional oral presentation (vascular topic if possible).
• Push at least one PubMed-indexed output over the line (short paper, research letter, or collaborative trial).
• Take on a formal leadership role with clear deliverables (rota lead, trainee rep, guideline project).
• If you’re part-way through a Masters/PGCert/PGDip, work to have it awarded before application so it can score in Domain 7.

3 months before

• Consolidate your logbook and index-case sheets; chase signatures.
• Collect contracts/rotation letters covering vascular months and other posts.
• Get written confirmation of leadership and teaching roles with dates and responsibilities.

1 month before

• Build one clean PDF per domain, with: descriptor, brief index, and numbered evidence.
• Do a dry-run of the upload process (locally) so you’re not wrestling with file structure at the last minute.

Medset’s Vascular Surgery ST3 Interview Course

Once your portfolio is in reasonable shape, the main differentiator is the interview score. The course is designed to mirror the national format:

• Station-by-station frameworks for clinical, communication, management and virtual skills
• Realistic scenarios that reflect what UK vascular panels actually ask
• Timed mocks with feedback on structure, escalation and clarity
• Guidance on using the same simple scaffolds under pressure so you sound like a safe day-one registrar, not someone reciting a script

Frequently asked questions

How is the Vascular ST3 application scored?

Your verified self-assessment score is used for shortlisting. Final ranking – and therefore offers – is based on verified portfolio + interview performance.

Do I need MRCS at application?

You do not need MRCS passed at the moment you click “submit”, but you must have passed by the initial offers date for the round (14 April 2026 for 2026 recruitment).

What counts as acceptable publication evidence?

Full PubMed-indexed journal articles with PMIDs. Abstracts, case reports, letters and technical tips are not counted in Domains 3–4.

How do I present closed-loop audits?

State the standard, baseline data, intervention, re-audit results, and the change in practice, with proof of presentation and your role across both loops.

I am an IMG without UK Core Surgical Training. Can I apply?

Yes, through the CREHST route if you can evidence all competences. Start early and have each competence signed clearly.

What happens if I disagree with my verified score?

Yes – you have 72 hours from receipt of the scoresheet to appeal, using only the existing evidence. No new documents can be added

Final thoughts

Vascular Surgery ST3 is competitive, but it is also predictable if you prepare methodically. Score strongly on self-assessment by assembling clear, verifiable evidence that matches the descriptors. Then focus your interview practice on structure, safety and escalation. If you want targeted support that tracks the current format, Medset’s Vascular Surgery ST3 Interview Course gives you the frameworks and practice you need to walk in ready for success.