Scientist Training Programme (STP) Applicants 2025

I'm wondering given the long shortlist reserve list if they're planning to invite 3 candidates per post for interviews this year like it was years ago. Last year they invited 2 but they didn't say how many this year. They just said it'll be competitive and they also said in the open days that they want to go back to the old way of doing things (interviewing 3 per post at big interview halls face-to-face) but they didn't know when. We know it'll be over Teams but my speculation is could it be that they're inviting 3 this year?? Having a long short-list reserve allows for any drop out and give more people an opportunity to interview. I guess it's good and probably fairer in a way but it also means that many of those who ranked high initially wouldn't get anything. So for example if the 3 highest ranked candidates all ranked the same location as their number 1, they all get interviewed for that one post and only one of them gets it. The other two are out of the process and get offered nothing. If that one person then withdraws, they take another 3 candidates from the shortlist reserve. That's just my speculation and it's concerning to me if this is the case because that makes it more competitive and less likely to get in but that's how interviews are normally done anyway.

I’m ranked 88 for cardiac science and am a reserve so don’t think it can be 3 per post, I’m also wondering how likely it is that I’ll get an interview.

This isn't how it works. They interview as many numbers of people as they want, rerank them and THEN assign people their first available location choice moving down the ranks

I'm not one for forums but I'm a current clinical scientist and help lead the department so if you have any questions/concerns please feel free to private message and I'll do my best to reply either about the STP process or specifically for Cardiology/Respiratory specialities.

Ah that's interesting! For 39 posts isn't it? I guess that means it's still 2 per post.
Given how many roles there are for CS, you have a higher chance than other specialties with much lower number of posts. Good luck!

I am so nervous. I am ranked 54 for cardiac science and I am scheduled for interview

Anyone else here shortlisted for Genomics?!

Hi everyone, if anyone has been ranked for interviews for vascular science let me know and we can set up a group to go over some practice questions 🙂

Yes.. This is my 4th time applying. Congrats for making it this far. I know not ideal but it's still very good.

What locations have you chose?

Congratulations! Research the STP role of your speciality, NHS values and just be yourself. Good luck! 🙂

Anyone else here shortlisted for Genomics?!

Yes, where did you choose for preferences? I am hoping for Manchester personally.

Hi everyone, if anyone has been ranked for interviews for vascular science let me know and we can set up a group to go over some practice questions 🙂