If you’re applying for Internal Medicine Training (IMT) in the UK, you’ve probably heard that completing a Teach the Teacher course can strengthen your application.
But do you actually need a teaching course for IMT? And how much does it really contribute to your portfolio score?
This guide explains exactly how training in teaching is scored, and whether it’s worth doing.
Short answer:
No — it is not mandatory. But it can give you a valuable additional portfolio point
In competitive IMT / ST1 rounds, even one extra point can make a difference.
According to IMT scoring criteria: You can gain 1 point for formal training in teaching.
| Qualification | Points |
| PGCert / PGDip in Medical Education | 3 |
| Teaching course (e.g. Teach the Teacher) | 1 |
| No teaching training | 0 |
For most applicants, a Teach the Teacher course is the most practical way to secure points in this section..
Not all courses are equal.
To count for IMT:
Your course must include:
Many purely self-paced online courses do NOT meet this requirement
A good teaching course helps you:
More importantly:
It makes your application easier to justify and score during shortlisting.
Key takeaway:
If you want the IMT point, your chosen course must include live teaching time for a minimum of 6 hours!
For most applicants: Yes — absolutely
It’s one of the easiest ways to:
A teaching course gives you 1 point
Teaching experience itself can give you up to a further 5 points
(covered in full here → link to Blog 2)
No, but it significantly improves your application and gives you a portfolio point increasing your chances of securing an IMT1 Interview.
Only if they include live (synchronous) teaching for a minimum of 6 hours. This means they will most likely need live delivery such as via Microsoft Teams or Zoom.
The best teaching course for IMT1 applications is one that is CPD-accredited, includes live (synchronous) teaching, and is designed specifically for doctors preparing for specialty training.
Courses created by practising clinicians tend to be the most relevant, as they are tailored to IMT portfolio scoring and real NHS hospital teaching environments.
You don’t need a teaching course to make an IMT application…
But if you’re serious about:
it’s a smart and strategic investment.
If you’re looking for a CPD-accredited Teach the Teacher course designed specifically for UK doctors, The Clinician’s Campus offers a programme that:
“Genuinely practical and well delivered. It gave me confidence in teaching and was solid evidence for my IMT application.” – Dr. Ronan Fitzgerald (IMT1 successful applicant 2025/26)
“One of the most useful courses I’ve done — not just for points, but for actually improving how I teach on the wards.” – Dr. Daniel Ekwueme (IMT1 successful applicant 2025/26)
Many applicants underestimate how simple it is to gain this point — but when done properly, it can make a meaningful difference to both your position in competitive application cycles and your role as a life long clinical educator.
This article is based on official IMT recruitment guidance: IMT Recruitment – Application Scoring Criteria (2026): https://www.imtrecruitment.org.uk/recruitment-process/applying/application-scoring
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