Are You Cut Out For It? Surgical Skills Competition
Demonstrate your surgical skills and level up your CV by entering a fun and technical competition.
You’ll have the opportunity to win a cash prize and make your ST3 application stand out through our National Surgical Skills Competition for Core Trainees (CT2).
To be eligible, you must be a CT2 and a member or affiliate member of RCS England.
If you would like to compete but aren’t already a member, join now.
The competition
The competition consists of two stages, and participants must compete in person and in teams of two in both stages.
Stage one: Regional heats
Regional heats take place locally between October and February each year. These heats are held in an informal, supportive environment, where teams compete against both each other and the clock. Each heat includes a combination of skin-based tasks and laparoscopic tasks, designed to assess a range of practical surgical skills.
Local organisers are responsible for securing the venue, equipment, and judges, and will invite CT2 trainees within their region to take part. Coordinating judges assess competitors on their technical ability and applied knowledge. All CT2 trainees compete in pairs and complete all practical tasks during the face-to-face event.
After taking part, please ensure you complete the feedback form to receive a participation certificate for your portfolio.
Stage two: National final
The winning pair from each regional heat will advance to the national final, held at RCS England in London, where they will compete for the prestigious Louis Solomon Knights Award for Surgical Skills, along with a cash prize.
The national final usually takes place in May. Details about the final tasks, exact date, and time will be shared with regional heat winners via email.
How to enter the regional heats
Local organisers are responsible for securing the venue, equipment, and judges, and will invite CT2 trainees within their region to take part.
You will be invited to sign up for the competition by your regional organiser, usually via email or WhatsApp. Your local organisers will share details about the regional heat in your area and how to sign-up.
You must compete in pairs. We recommend registering as a pair; however, if you choose to apply individually, you will be matched with another participant on the day, provided there are enough single applicants available.
If you haven’t yet heard any information about your regional heat, please contact us, and we’ll be happy to put you in touch with the appropriate regional organiser.
Getting involved
While CT1 trainees are not eligible to compete, you can still play an active role in the competition by leading the organisation of your regional heat. This is a valuable opportunity to gain experience, develop your leadership skills, and strengthen your portfolio.
We provide support to everyone who volunteers to host a regional heat, including:
- a guide on how to run a regional heat
- template documents, such as competitor guidance, a proposed event format, mark schemes, and thank you letters
- a link to a feedback form for competitors to complete following the event
- some modest funding to contribute to catering costs
- if available, we may be able to provide some suture pads, sutures, and suturing equipment
All organisers will receive a formal certificate recognising their contribution, which can be included in your portfolio.
If you’re interested in helping to organise your regional heat, please get in touch with us at OutreachSouth@rcseng.ac.uk.
2025-26 national final winners
Congratulations to our 2025-26 national final winners: Calvin Chan and Runzhi Chen.
"The surgical skills competition was a great day to consolidation my surgical knowledge and practical skills. I thoroughly enjoyed the collaborative teamwork and also being able to chat to other finalists and consultants throughout the day. It was very well organised and thoroughly enjoyable."
— Runzhi Chen
Generously supported by
Ready to take the next step?
Step up your surgical responsibility: clinical skills and confident decision-making
This course supports CT2, ST3 and specialty and associate specialist equivalent surgeons as you prepare for greater clinical responsibility. You will develop your skills through simulation-based training, emergency decision-making and focused communication practice.
The course is structured across four modules, covering emergency general surgery, laparoscopic surgery, clinical decision-making, and communication and teamwork in robotic surgery, helping you build the confidence and judgement needed for more senior roles.
