Ophthalmology ST1 2026 Portfolio: Evidence Folder Updates and Practical Guidance

Maryam Jafari

Ophthalmology ST1 recruitment remains highly competitive, with the competition ratio rising from 14.41 in 2024 to 21.54 in 2025 (1). For the 2026 intake, the Severn Deanery has updated its Evidence Folder guidance (2), refining scoring criteria, clarifying evidence requirements, and introducing a candidate self-assessment component.

This article provides a detailed overview of these updates, highlights domain-specific scoring changes, and offers practical guidance for applicants.

Application Overview
For the 2026 intake, candidates are required to self-score their achievements across eight domains, with a maximum possible score of 47 points.

Submissions must include a standard proforma in which candidates record the scores they have awarded themselves and provide a brief description of the evidence supporting each score. This completed proforma should be uploaded as the first document within the Evidence Folder (3).

Key Changes in the 2026 Scoring Criteria

1. Qualifications (Max 5 points)

Qualifications with certificates or letter of proofCUMULATIVE SCORING (Maximum 5 points) Please note that a cross-specialty requirement that intercalated one-year degrees taken during a primary medical degree are not scored has been imposed. Please state explicitly if any additional degrees to your primary degree are intercalated or not intercalated. Any degree designations not mentioned below must have supporting evidence signed by a senior administrator or supervisor stating that degree’s equivalence to one of the categories below. 1 point – per qualification taken as a course separate from the primary degree for at least 8 months full-time or equivalent- MSc, BSc, PG Cert (including Optometry degrees but NOT intercalated degrees). 3 points- for an MD or MPhil degree taken as a separate course before or after the primary degree. If you gained your medical qualification in a country where all students are automatically awarded an MD without additional study you cannot claim points for that MD. You may only claim points for an MD/ MPhil where you have undertaken a period of at least 2 years’ full time additional study and research to your primary medical degree and you must present a supervisor’s letter confirming this.   4 points – for a completed PhD or DPhil. You must have undertaken full-time research involving original work, usually of at least three years’ duration. You must present a supervisor’s letter confirming this.   MRCP and MRCS are not scored.
  • Changes: No notable changes for 2026.

2. Prizes/Awards (Max 5 points)

Prizes/Awards with proof  CUMULATIVE SCORING (Maximum 5 points) 3 points – for Crombie Medal (1st place in FRCOphth part 1 exam) 2 points each – 1st in any year (not module or other part of a year) of an undergraduate degree or equivalent e.g. Honours or Distinction where < 15% of the students in that year achieve this. Evidence explicitly demonstrating this must be presented. Degrees other than a primary medical degree (but not intercalated degrees) can be scored on this basis where evidence explicitly demonstrates < 15% of the year achieve this. National Undergraduate prize through competitive examination (in any specialty, e.g. The Duke-Elder prize):  3 points for coming first, 2 points for coming in top 10% of entrants, 1 point for being in the top 20% of entrants. For any other prize please demonstrate that the examination is national, the number of entrants (must be over 400) and your position. 1 point each- for each successful research grant application where the candidate was lead author and the application led to substantial peer-reviewed published research. Travel and other bursaries will not be scored unless there are exceptional circumstances/ achievement demonstrated. 1 point each- for Best presentation or poster at a national or international meeting where you are first author (may also be used in evidence for Presentations section or QI/ Audit section) (Maximum 2 points this section). Being highly commended or any other designation will not be scored. 
  • Changes:

The maximum points available remain unchanged at 5, but the 2026 criteria differ from 2025 in several ways. Undergraduate prizes now score for being first in any year of the degree, not just the final year. For national prizes such as the Duke-Elder, coming first now attracts 3 points, whereas previously this was not specified, and there is no longer any scoring for being in the top 60%. In addition, the section awarding points for prizes/distinctions/merits in the medical or Foundation Program has been removed.

3. Ophthalmology Specialty Links and Career Commitment (Max 13 points)

Ophthalmology specialty links and commitment to date as a careerCUMULATIVE SCORING (Maximum 13 points) Refraction Certificate (or exemption as fully-qualified post-registration optometrist):   1 point   FRCOphth part 1:  3 points for a pass, or 1 point for attempting the part 1 FRCOphth on at least one occasion. Non-peer reviewed publications & case reports or ‘letters to the journal’ in ophthalmology (0.5 points each) or other peer-reviewed (Pubmed-cited) research publications in ophthalmology not included in other sections (1 point each if peer-reviewed): 2 points max. within this section (points only awarded if candidate is first author). Please indicate clearly impact of non-peer-reviewed publications. Ophthalmic elective and/or separate undergraduate project:  2 points max., 1 point per achievement. Please provide evidence of reflection on achievements. If electives were cancelled due to COVID and evidence is provided that an elective was planned then this can be scored. Undergraduate projects must have supervisor support explicitly stating the project was equivalent to 2 weeks’ full-time work. Taster week: 1 point max. (or evidence presented of a Foundation year attachment in Ophthalmology). Attending ophthalmology clinics and theatre sessions outside of a formal taster week or Foundation/ tenured post and spaced out over more than 3 months (minimum 10 sessions with dates & supervisor-signed evidence): 1 point max. Evidence of ophthalmology simulation training (including EyeSi experience): 1 point for each activity of at least 4 hours or whole-day course, max. 2 points Meetings attended: 3 points maximum, from which 3 points max. for National / International Ophthalmology educational meetings attended (1 point per meeting) and 1 point max. for Regional Ophthalmology meetings (including Royal Society of Medicine Ophthalmology Section) attended (0.5 points per meeting). Meetings included in this section must not be included in the Presentations section. Online meetings attended may not score depending on the details supporting presented, including scope of meeting and reflections on learning. Evidence not included above- discretionary: 1 point per piece of evidence- 2 points max. (not including taking Duke-Elder, logbook of surgical cases or WBAs).
  • Changes: The maximum score for Ophthalmology Specialty Links and commitment has increased from 12 to 13 points in 2026. The scoring for the Refraction Certificate has decreased from 2 points to 1 point. Most notably, “Online meetings attended may not score depending on the details supporting presented, including scope of meeting and reflections on learning.” Other components, including publications, electives, clinical sessions, and discretionary evidence, remain broadly similar.

4. Multi-Source Feedback (Max 2 points)

Multi-Source Feedback (MSF)(Maximum 2 points) The MSF must have been taken place within 18 months of the interview date if the candidate has been in clinical posts for this period. Candidates not currently within a clinical post who do not have an MSF within the timeframe (e.g. undertaking a longer period of research or an extended period of leave) should include the MSF from their most recent clinical post. The MSF should include feedback from a minimum of 5 respondents if in a general practice post or 7 respondents if in a hospital post. Your documents should include the period the MSF covered.   The report must be signed by the educational supervisor or department lead and stamped with a departmental stamp unless including a standard Team Assessment Behaviour Form (TAB) printed from E-portfolio which does not require a signature or departmental stamp. For candidates without access to an on-line portfolio or unfamiliar with the MSF process information can be accessed from the link below. Click for:  Multi Source Feedback Guidance Points will be awarded as follows: 0 points – for no information presented, negative comments or non-satisfactory scores 2 points – satisfactory scores with appropriate good comments
  • Changes: MSF scoring has reduced from 3 points in 2025 to 2 points in 2026. The minimum number of respondents remains unchanged (5 for GP, 7 for hospital posts), Scoring however has become much more simplified and clear.

5. Publications (Max 6 points)

Publications(Maximum score 6 points) Candidates cannot place the same work in presentations, QI/Audit and/or publications domains. Please choose which domain to include the work in. Duplicate work in different publications will not be scored. List peer-reviewed original research publications or high-quality systematic review articles (not letters to a journal or case reports, this evidence can be included in “Ophthalmology specialty links and commitment to date as a career” if the work is in Ophthalmology). Please provide the pro forma information detailed below and then after each pro forma information in turn, upload a photocopy of the first page of each paper. No marks will be given without a copy of the first page of either a published or “in press” paper and in the latter case evidence of final acceptance for publication must be presented. On the pro forma accessed here list each piece of evidence including the citation of the journal (author’s name(s), article title, journal name/title, volume of journal, issue number of journal, page or range of pages, year of publication and DOI or URL) and indicate whether you were 1st, 2nd, 3rd or 4th author. 3 points for each publication where you are 1st author or joint first author and 1 point for any other publications up to 4th author (unless > 8 authors in total for article when 1st author only counted). If you are one of three or more joint first authors then you will be scored as a second author. If there are more than 6 joint first authors then no score will be given. No points will be awarded in this section if you are 5th author or lower in the citation. Quality of the work presented and impact of the journal may be considered when scoring.
  • Changes: No notable changes noted for 2026.

6. Quality Improvement/Audit Projects (Max 5 points)

Quality improvement / Audit projects(Maximum 5 points) A copy of your best QI project or audit, performed within the last 3 years of the interview date, must be uploaded with either presentation slides or a text document showing standards, methods, outcomes and recommendations.  An additional covering letter signed by the supervising consultant explicitly confirming your specific role in the project / audit must be uploaded. This is especially important to confirm the points to be awarded as below. Points will be awarded as follows: 0 points – if no evidence of QI / audit work in portfolio.                               1 point – for participation but no specific roles documented or specific format followed.
2 points – for initiation and design of the QIP / audit and some evidence of specific format. 3 points – for initiation, design and writing up the QIP / audit and specific format followed. 4 points – as above and was personally involved in implementing the QI strategy / completing the audit loop and implementing change
5 points – for published audit (not to be added to Publications or Presentations sections) or QI guidelines implemented supra-regionally. Note: Some modification of these marks may be made dependent on quality of project and impact of the work. If you are not clearly lead on the project then the maximum score is 1 point (as stated by the supervisor, being first listed in authors on documents is not proof of being lead on a project).  
  • Changes: No notable changes noted for 2026.

7. Presentations (Max 6 points)

PresentationsCUMULATIVE SCORING (Maximum score 6 Points) List of presentations and copies of abstracts or posters, stating whether it is a poster presentation or oral presentation.  Proof must be uploaded through an abstract book or signed letter from a supervisor. Presentations must be of original work and not didactic lectures. Presentations duplicating work will not be scored. Explicit evidence detailing that all the preparatory work was completed for presentations cancelled due to COVID will be accepted. 1 Point each- Regional presentations (For example regional ophthalmology society meetings or other specialty equivalents in the UK or regional ophthalmology meetings of other countries or equivalent non-ophthalmology meetings. Regional designation includes specifically English, Scottish, Welsh meetings). Local hospital or university-specific meetings are not scored. 2 Points each – National presentations (For example, RCOphth Congress, British Oculoplastic Surgery Society, or other specialty equivalents in the UK or national ophthalmology meetings of other countries or equivalent non-ophthalmology meetings)  3 Points each – International meetings – (For example, Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology, American Academy of Ophthalmology, etc. or equivalent international non-ophthalmology meetings.) Meetings in non-UK countries where explicit evidence is not presented as to the international nature of the meeting are scored as national or regional meetings. NB: The same paper presented at different meetings will only be counted once. Also: Accepted presentations, but not yet presented, will be awarded points.Oral presentations score points as shown above, e.g. 2 points at a national meeting.Poster or video presentations score half points shown above, e.g. 1 point at a national meeting.Second author or lower scores a half of the oral presentation. Points will only be given if the candidate presents evidence they gave the presentation in lieu of the first author. Second author or lower does not score for posters. Candidates cannot place the same work in the presentations, QI/ Audit and/or publications domains. Meetings included in this section must not be included in Ophthalmology Specialty Links section. Please choose which domain to include the work in.
  • Changes:

The maximum score for presentations remains 6 points, but the 2026 criteria introduce several changes compared to 2025. Rules on duplication are stricter, with work no longer permitted across presentations, QI/Audit, publications, or Ophthalmology Specialty Links. Most notably, poster scoring has been tightened — in 2025, second authors could still gain half points, whereas in 2026 second authors only score for oral presentations (and only if they can prove they delivered it), with no points awarded for posters.

8. Education and Teaching (Max 5 points)

Education and TeachingCUMULATIVE SCORING (Maximum Score 5 Points) 0.5 points each (2 points maximum) – for helping with an educational course (more than one session), for helping with mock OSCEs (more than one session), designing an e-learning tool, writing an e-book, completing a “teaching the teachers” course and/or undertaking a formal role in examining undergraduates. Duplicate experiences will not be scored. 1 points (each and maximum) – for delivering at least three formal teaching sessions (not ward-based or small group) on different subject areas over a period of at least 3 months with formal feedback uploaded. Supervisor support in a letter stating these were formal teaching sessions must be provided. 2 points (each and maximum) – for a Higher teaching qualification e.g. a Diploma, Certificate in Medical education (taken as a course separate from the primary degree, equalling 60 credits or for at least 8 months full-time or equivalent, specific evidence of this must be uploaded). Not to be included in Qualifications section. 2 points (each and maximum)– for writing a chapter in a postgraduate-level academic book (not an e-book or self-published book). Specific evidence of the publisher and impact of the book must be shown. 3 points (each and maximum) – for writing a postgraduate-level academic book (not an e-book or self-published book). Specific evidence of the publisher and impact of the book must be shown. All evidence must come with either details of a chapter index, attendance certificate or a signed letter from a supervisory Consultant/ Educator etc. as supporting evidence. Specific evidence demonstrating impact of e-learning projects or other teaching achievements must be presented. Specific evidence of impact of e-books in numbers downloaded or otherwise accessed must be presented. No points will be awarded solely for being a teaching fellow or anatomy demonstrator. Any educational activities as above undertaken in those roles will be scored.
  • Changes:

The maximum score for Education remains 5, but the 2026 criteria are stricter than in 2025. Helping with mock OSCEs is now included among the 0.5-point activities, with a cap of 2 points and no duplication allowed. The 1-point teaching category has been tightened: it now requires delivering formal, non-ward-based sessions across different subjects, supported by supervisor confirmation, and is explicitly capped at 1 point, so multiple sessions can no longer be scored repeatedly.

9. Overall Quality (Max 3 points)

Overall portfolio layout & quality(Maximum Score 3 Points) How the portfolio is presented in layout and organisation will be assessed.
  • Changes: No notable changes noted for 2026.

Conclusion

The 2026 Ophthalmology ST1 Evidence Folder retains the overall structure of previous years but introduces several important updates, including self-assessment, refined scoring, and stricter evidence requirements. Candidates must ensure their portfolio is accurately scored, well-documented, and clearly presented, with careful attention to high-value domains such as Specialty Links, Prizes/Awards, and Education & Teaching. Awareness of these changes allows applicants to strategically focus on high-impact achievements, maximise their portfolio score, and improve their chances of progression in this competitive recruitment process.

References

  1. Health Education England, 2025. Competition Ratios. Available at: https://medical.hee.nhs.uk/medical-training-recruitment/medical-specialty-training/competition-ratios [Accessed 03 October 2025].
  2. Severn Postgraduate Medical Education, 2026. Evidence Folder. Available at https://www.severndeanery.nhs.uk/recruitment/vacancies/show/oph-st1-26/evidence-folder-lib [Accessed 03 October 2025].
  3. Severn Postgraduate Medical Education, 2026. Applicant guide. Available at https://www.severndeanery.nhs.uk/recruitment/vacancies/show/oph-st1-26/applicant-guide-lib [Accessed 03 October 2025].

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