Scientist Training Programme (STP) Applications

Original post by lyone ibrahim

Hi, so I’m planning on applying for STP in 2023 to do Andrology and Embryology. I’m about to go into my last year of Biomecial Science at Strathclyde University and I was wondering if anyone had any tips for applying.
I was also wondering if I would need to wait till I get my marks back to apply for 2024 or if I can just apply straight in 2023?

So I applied last year. There are 2 questions to answer alongside the completion of the situational judgemnet.

Questions
Write a reflective piece on how you meet the Scientific Skills elements of the person specification. You do not have to cover every element of the person specification but should select those which, in your view, best reflect your strengths. Please ensure you make your application specific to the scientific speciality you are applying for.

Write a reflective piece on how you meet the Transferable skills and Physical requirements elements of the person specification. You do not have to cover every element of the person specification but should select those which, in your view, best reflect your strengths.

Reply 5

lyone ibrahim

OP

4

Original post by 6085

So I applied last year. There are 2 questions to answer alongside the completion of the situational judgemnet.

Questions
Write a reflective piece on how you meet the Scientific Skills elements of the person specification. You do not have to cover every element of the person specification but should select those which, in your view, best reflect your strengths. Please ensure you make your application specific to the scientific speciality you are applying for.

Write a reflective piece on how you meet the Transferable skills and Physical requirements elements of the person specification. You do not have to cover every element of the person specification but should select those which, in your view, best reflect your strengths.

SO when you first apply is there no "personal statement" type of thing that you do first? thank you

Reply 6

Original post by lyone ibrahim

SO when you first apply is there no "personal statement" type of thing that you do first? thank you

You are correct! There is no personal statement type answer. It might have been a couple of years ago but last year those were the only 2 questions. The emphasis is primarily on the situational judgement exam.

They release a practice situational judgement exam of about 15 questions and they explain why answers are right/wrong. However, if you can get your hands on any other questions definitely practice those.

The STP is really competitive even though in theory you only need an undergrad degree lots of students with masters or PhDs apply so they will have more experience. The general advice I found is that it helps if you have A role in the NHS. ANY role in the NHS. Ideally relevant to the field you are entering but if not just experience of the NHS generally boosts applications.

Reply 7

lyone ibrahim

OP

4

Original post by 6085

You are correct! There is no personal statement type answer. It might have been a couple of years ago but last year those were the only 2 questions. The emphasis is primarily on the situational judgement exam.

They release a practice situational judgement exam of about 15 questions and they explain why answers are right/wrong. However, if you can get your hands on any other questions definitely practice those.

The STP is really competitive even though in theory you only need an undergrad degree lots of students with masters or PhDs apply so they will have more experience. The general advice I found is that it helps if you have A role in the NHS. ANY role in the NHS. Ideally relevant to the field you are entering but if not just experience of the NHS generally boosts applications.

This was amazing thank you so much

Reply 8

I'd recommend speaking to an andrologist/embryologist in the NHS too. They will know the current role and how the career in that specialism looks. Plus it will let you know if it's what you want to do longterm (e.g. after you have finished the STP).

Read the person specification in detail and make sure you match your application to it. Remember to make it specific to your specialism and how you will benefit patients.

Reply 9

Bioinformatician

Hi all,

I am a 3-year trainee in Bioinformatics. There is an online Open Day organised by Southampton NHS Foundation Trust. This is the form in case someone would like to attend.

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/12_T45PMT9HNfqmUUKto6z6uQUnZe-wzw?usp=share_link

Reply 10

NighyinNeuro

2

Original post by lyone ibrahim

SO when you first apply is there no "personal statement" type of thing that you do first? thank you

This year there was a requirement for a personal statement in the initial application

Reply 11

username4765442

14

Hi,

Does anyone know what the STP application consists of? And how long does it takes to complete? Also do they prioritise your application if you send it in early? Thanks!! :smile:

Reply 12

Original post by knight999

Hi,

Does anyone know what the STP application consists of? And how long does it takes to complete? Also do they prioritise your application if you send it in early? Thanks!! :smile:

For the last couple of years the STP application has been reflective statements based on the STP core person specification. But there is no guarantee it will be the same this year.

The length of time will be different for everyone, so it's hard to tell.

Considering the situational judgement tests don't open until after the closing date for applications I don't think it will matter when you apply. (As long as it's before the deadline)

Reply 13

username4765442

14

Original post by HealthcareSci

For the last couple of years the STP application has been reflective statements based on the STP core person specification. But there is no guarantee it will be the same this year.

The length of time will be different for everyone, so it's hard to tell.

Considering the situational judgement tests don't open until after the closing date for applications I don't think it will matter when you apply. (As long as it's before the deadline)

This is really helpful thank you! So am I right in assuming at this point we don't have to have a specific area we are interested in? Because how can we tell which vacancies a specific location will be holding this year? Or have I got this all wrong haha? These are all questions I would have asked in the seminar but all the places had been booked sadly!

(edited 1 year ago)

Reply 14

Original post by knight999

This is really helpful thank you! So am I right in assuming at this point we don't have to have a specific area we are interested in? Because how can we tell which vacancies a specific location will be holding this year? Or have I got this all wrong haha?

In previous years (I don't know about this year) you applied for the programme and if you made the shortlist (after the situational judgement tests) you were asked which locations you wanted to be considered for. And you could select as many as you wanted / were able to.

Either way - unless you have very specific requirements about location then focus on the application first. :smile:

Reply 15

username4765442

14

Original post by HealthcareSci

In previous years (I don't know about this year) you applied for the programme and if you made the shortlist (after the situational judgement tests) you were asked which locations you wanted to be considered for. And you could select as many as you wanted / were able to.

Either way - unless you have very specific requirements about location then focus on the application first. :smile:

Thank you-I appreciate your help a lot! :smile:

Reply 16

Original post by knight999

Thank you-I appreciate your help a lot! :smile:

No problem! I would recommend following the NCHCS on Twitter as they share a lot of information that way (including open days / webinars etc) and speaking to experienced scientists in the area you're aiming to apply for. (Also be aware that in some specialisms clinical scientist registration is fairly new so you might find very experienced scientists who are not clinical scientists.)

Reply 17

Original post by Bioinformatician

Hi all,

I am a 3-year trainee in Bioinformatics. There is an online Open Day organised by Southampton NHS Foundation Trust. This is the form in case someone would like to attend.

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/12_T45PMT9HNfqmUUKto6z6uQUnZe-wzw?usp=share_link

Thank you very much!

@Bioinformatician do you have any tips for the application stage?

(edited 1 year ago)

Reply 18

username4422192

5

@Bioinformatician could you share more about your experience prior to applying for the STP?

I already have a bachelor in Software Technologies and Design and now completing another undergrad in Biomedical Science, been working as a web developer for the past 3 years - was wondering if that will be enough as I don't have any NHS related experience. Spent my teens helping my father in his dental practice but don't think that will count as formal experience.

Also, how do you find your experience with the STP. I wish they had more information regarding what is happening once you manage to get in - do you start work straight away and if yes what do you do when you haven't received training?

Cheers :smile:

Reply 19