Psych Star Scheme

This one-year scheme is open to UK medical students with an interest and commitment to psychiatry seeking mentoring and financial support for activities intended to increase awareness and knowledge of Psychiatry.Scheme participants will be supported financially, receive mentoring and in turn will be expected to act as ambassadors for Psychiatry.

Information evening – Wednesday 25 March 2026

The College will be hosting a free information evening for medical students who are interested in applying for the Psych Star Scheme 2026/27 via Zoom.

The event will provide an opportunity to hear from Dr Declan Hyland, Associate Dean for Choose Psychiatry and Lead Clinician for the scheme and also a Psych Star mentor and previous Psych Star who will share their experience of the scheme and  provide tips for applying.

Details of how to apply will be available after the Information Evening.

Eligibility

• Applicants must be registered as a student at a UK Medical School at the start of the scheme – 1 September 2026.
• You must be a current Student Associate of the College and demonstrate an interest in and commitment to Psychiatry.
• Students who are intercalating are eligible to apply.
• Current or past holders of other RCPsych bursaries/ fellowships are not eligible to apply.

Benefits of the scheme

• You'll receive a welcome and induction pack from the College.
• Mentoring – You will be assigned a mentor to give you advice and support, so you can network with other Psych Stars and mentors.
• International Congress – you will be given free registration to attend International Congress of the Royal College of Psychiatrists. A contribution towards accommodation and travel will be given.
• You'll receive a certificate evidencing your time on the scheme.
• CPD and travel fund – This is a £500 fund to be spent on psychiatry-related activities of your choosing, such as conferences, courses and learning materials.
• CPD eLearning – You will be given free access to the Royal College of Psychiatrists' CPD eLearning modules. Over 200 modules and 160 podcasts to keep you up to date with new research and best practice in psychiatry.
• MRCPsych eLearning – MRCPsych eLearning is our online learning resource to support trainee psychiatrists prepare for MRCPsych exams with paper A and B resources and other useful resources.
• Journal Subscriptions – You will be given free print copies of the Royal College of Psychiatrists' journals: BJPsych Bulletin and British Journal of Psychiatry.

Please note:

• You can apply for the College Psych Star and Faculty Specific Psych Star positions.
• You can apply to more than one Faculty Psych Star position.
• You should consider the College's values and behaviours when completing your application.