Last updated 12 January 2022

The NHS Scientist Training Programme 2022 (STP) opens for applications from 18 January until 4pm on Tuesday, 1 February. Thousands of scientists and engineers of all disciplines work for the NHS, and the STP is how they recruit most of their Clinical Science trainees each year.

This blog post will help you navigate the process and we will update it when there is new information to share with you.

N.B. Some of the resources mentioned in this blog may only be accessible to University of Manchester students. If you are not a Manchester student, contact your own Careers Service about the support available to you.

Tips for applying

There are changes to the process this year and we strongly advise that you read all info on the National School of Healthcare Science's STP website thoroughly.

For now, here's a quick summary of what we know:

  • You will only be able to choose ONE speciality.
  • The Situational Judgement Test that was abandoned last year is back. This time you complete it AFTER you have submitted your application between the 8 -11 February.
  • The SJT will be used for 'longlisting' of applicants. Shortlisting will be done by clinical scientists' review of applications.
  • Interviews will be held online by two scientists from the employing department.
  • As last year, if you are offered an interview with an employer this will be your ONLY interview for the STP programme. If you decline this offer of an interview, you will leave the selection process for 2022.

How to make a strong application

The Careers Service is running an online workshop on Applying for the STP on Wednesday, 19 January from 2-3pm. Sign up on CareerConnect (it will be recorded if you are unable to attend and the link added here).

GET UP-TO-DATE: Invest some time reviewing the information for applicants on the National School of Healthcare Science website – and use it in your application. Read the job description and person spec to get an overview of the role, then thoroughly research the specialism you plan to apply for e.g. check out the relevant professional body for each specialism. The STP curriculum library is also useful to gain insight into the rotation and specialist modules for each speciality. NB. you need to be prepared to travel during training as a rotation might take you to a partner hospital.

GET THE INSIDE TRACK: Try to attend an 'open day' event. If you cannot attend, some may put the talks on their website after the event. The Manchester Academy for Healthcare Science Education (MAHSE) will be providing online talks - details to follow. Alternatively, see if you can speak to someone on the programme – use LinkedIn's alumni search tool to find Manchester graduates on the STP.

GET READY FOR THE SJT: Spend some time getting familiar with Situational Judgement Tests. SJTs can be tricky and – contrary to popular belief – you need to do some preparation if you want to do well at them.

SJTs assess how you would respond to a hypothetical situation. Advice from the STP webinar in 2021 was to "reflect on your own values and behaviours… and consider what is important to patients".

Read the NHS Constitution, reflect on what you have learnt about the role of healthcare scientists in the NHS. Digest the STP job description and person specification thoroughly.

We have some great SJT resources on our website including some FREE practice tests on the Graduates First site (which also explain the "right" answers) and an online talk from our psychometric test experts at the Careers Service.

Scotland and Wales

Scotland and Wales recruit separately to England.

For Scotland, you apply for an individual trainee position. Some Medical Physics have already been published (deadline 4 February), with 'further specialities to follow'. The guidance for applicants is less comprehensive than for England so use the NSHCS resources above to help you!

In the past, Wales have advertised their STP vacancies later than the UK. You might want to bookmark the NHS jobs website…

We'll update this blog as new information becomes available. In the meantime, good luck!