MSRA 2027 dates and timeline
On the official GP recruitment timeline for posts that start from August 2027, applications open on 22 October 2026, 10am and close on 19 November 2026, 4pm. The MSRA is delivered in two windows: 5 to 20 January 2027 and 10 to 18 February 2027. Results are expected from 17 March 2027. Check the timeline for each specialty you apply to.
Which round this is
These are the dates for Round 1, the round for posts that start from August 2027. They are taken from the official GP specialty training recruitment timeline, which is the page that lists both MSRA windows. Other specialties publish their own timelines and the official guidance says those may vary, so check the timeline for each specialty you apply to.
| What happens | Date |
|---|---|
| Advert appears on Oriel | 21 October 2026 |
| Applications open | 22 October 2026, 10am |
| Applications close | 19 November 2026, 4pm |
| Invitations to the MSRA, first sitting | Expected by 14 December 2026 |
| Invitations to the MSRA, second sitting | Expected by 21 December 2026 |
| MSRA window, first sitting | 5 to 20 January 2027 |
| MSRA window, second sitting | 10 to 18 February 2027 |
| MSRA results expected | From 17 March 2027 |
| First offers | By no later than 6 April 2027, 5pm |
| Hold deadline | 9 April 2027, 9am |
| Upgrade deadline | 14 April 2027, 4pm |
The official timeline says a specific time cannot be given for invitations and asks applicants not to contact the recruitment office to request one.
Who sits in which window
The official MSRA overview explains why there are two windows: a rise in applications is anticipated, so the assessment is split across January and February.
- January 2027 is open to applicants for all specialties.
- February 2027 is reserved for applicants who apply to Core Psychiatry and/or General Practice only.
- If more people apply to Core Psychiatry and/or General Practice than the February sitting can hold, some of them will be required to sit in January.
- Allocated sittings are confirmed as soon as possible after the application closing deadline.
- An allocated testing window cannot be changed, even if you withdraw applications to try to become eligible for the later window.
So the window is allocated to you. What you do choose is the day inside it: when you are invited, you book a centre, date and time of your choosing through your Pearson account, subject to availability. Centre capacity is finite, and the official booking page warns that you may need to travel to the nearest centre with space.
There is more on this in January or February: which MSRA sitting will you get?
After the assessment
Results are published in your Oriel account against your application. The official outcomes page says applicants are notified a short time after the testing window ends, and that the date by which to expect results is given in the recruitment timeline for the round. The outcome is final: there is no appeals process.
One more rule for 2027
The official specialty recruitment timelines page states that in 2027 applicants will be able to submit a maximum of five applications per recruitment round.
Dates and rules can change, and this page is not legal or careers advice. Confirm them on the official page before you rely on them: GP specialty training recruitment timeline (NHS England).