In this section you can find the overall timetable for round 1 of the 2026 recruitment year (below). You can find the overall timetable for Round 2 by clicking on the "2026 Round 2" tab on the grey menu above.

Interview dates for each specialty will be published in the 'Interview dates and posts' section of each specialty's page of the website.

Dates subject to change

Please note that this timeline is provisional at this stage. Whilst we are not expecting the timeline published here to change, please be aware that this can never be guaranteed. As such, we would advise you to check this page relatively regularly.

Changes to any of the stages of the timeline will be reflected immediately on this page, as well as noted in a news item where considered necessary.

2026 R1 timeline

Timeline for 2026 HST recruitment (round 1)
Specialty advertisements published By 5pm  Wednesday 19 November 2025
Applications

Open at 10am Thursday 20 November 2025

Close at 4pm Thursday 11 December 2025

Long/shortlisting Long and short-listing for each specialty will be completed no later than seven days prior to the first interview date for that specialty
Interviews held  Monday 5 January - Friday 10 April 2026
It is advised that you check the specific interview date for your preferred specialty prior to applying. Individual interview dates will be published before applications open.
First offers deadline By 5pm Tuesday 14 April 2026
Offer holding deadline At 1pm on Wednesday 22 April 2026
Offer upgrade deadline At 4pm on Thursday 23 April 2026
Interview feedback release date By 5pm on Thursday 24 April 2026
Advertised post start date Wednesday 5 August 2026

In this section you can find the overall timetable for round 2 of the 2025 recruitment year (below). You can find the overall timetable for Round 1 by clicking on the "2025 Round 1" tab on the grey menu above.

Interview dates for each specialty will be published in the 'Interview dates and posts' section of each specialty's page of the website.

Dates subject to change

Please note that this timeline is provisional at this stage. Whilst we are not expecting the timeline published here to change, please be aware that this can never be guaranteed. As such, we would advise you to check this page relatively regularly.

Changes to any of the stages of the timeline will be reflected immediately on this page, as well as noted in a news item where considered necessary.

2026 Round 2 timeline

Timeline for 2026 HST recruitment (round 2)
Specialty advertisements published By 5pm   Monday 27 July 2026
Applications

Open at 10am  Tuesday 28 July 2026

Close at  4pm  Thursday 13 August 2026

Long/shortlisting Long and short-listing for each specialty will be completed no later than seven days prior to the first interview date for that specialty
Interviews held  Monday 24 August - Friday 16 October 2026
It is advised that you check the specific interview date for your preferred specialty prior to applying. Individual interview dates will be published before applications open.
First offers deadline By 5pm  Tuesday 20 October 2026
Offer holding deadline At 1pm on Tuesday 27 October 2026
Offer upgrade deadline At 4pm on Thursday 29 October 2026
Interview feedback release date By 5pm on Friday 30 October 2026
Advertised post start date Wednesday 3 February 2027