Run Through Training

The best years of your life

"My ST1 year in Neurosurgery has been about getting to know the unit, as well as becoming familiar with the bread and butter of neurosurgical practise. The trainees are very tight knit and have been incredibly supportive in helping me get up to speed. The firm structure and strong trainee body provide a sense of comradeship and mutual support which is incredibly unusual in the modern NHS, and which really makes you invest in the development of your unit. I've had lots of opportunities to develop my practical skills and feel ready for the next stage of training. Overall, I feel very lucky to have eight years in such an approachable, supportive unit".

Dom, Neurosurgery trainee

Oxford Neurosurgical Training

Our department typically takes one or two national training numbers per year at ST1. The Oxford training scheme offers run-through training at the Department of Neurosurgery entirely at the John Radcliffe (including attachments to neurology, neuro-intensive care, and allied-specialties). Applications are made centrally via the Neurosurgery National Selection process.

Oxford Neurosurgery trainees are part of HETV.

Being in one place for all your training has huge advantages, as you get to know your hospital well. Our trainees can focus on learning the art and science of neurosurgery, without the frustration of having to rotate to a new hospital and learn new systems every year.

Typically early years training consists of ST1 spent entirely in neurosurgery including paediatric neurosurgery. This gives you an opportunity to get to know your department. ST2s then go off the SHO rota and spend the year with allied specialities and shadow the on-call registrar, with the aim of going on the registrar rota from ST3.

Academic Training

Our department offers the full spectrum of academic training posts:

  • Academic Foundation Programme (AFP).

  • Academic Clinical Fellowship (ACF).

  • Academic Clinical Lectureship (ACL).

  • Doctor of Philosophy (DPhil).

For more information about the Oxford AFP please refer to the OUCAGS website.

The ACF and ACL are attached to national neurosurgical training numbers and offer protected research time alongside clinical neurosurgical training.

Applications for the Oxford academic posts are offered via OUCAGS.