Dean's Quarterly Updates
Our Dean Professor Subodh Dave publishes regular newsletters providing updates on the work of his team of Associate Deans, Advisers and staff.
December 2025 update
Dear member,
Welcome to the last Dean’s Quarterly eNewsletter of 2025.
It’s been an exciting year in terms of developing the College’s offer to our membership around training events and courses and this update contains information about the wide range of opportunities we’re delighted to highlight.
There have been challenges too of course, and it is vital that we’ve been able to arrange for an additional sitting of the CASC in February next year, to accommodate candidates who were unable to get on the January diet. You can read our statement on this below.
Separately, we had already created a task and finish group to look at a) the issue of oversubscription to MRCPsych and b) seeking fresh legal advice on prioritisation of the UK workforce.
We also understand that this year’s unprecedented for Core Psychiatry Training have created uncertainty. In October, I issued a joint statement about the competition ratios for core psychiatry training applications.
We have established a task and finish group to review current recruitment and selection methods for core psychiatry training and to consider alternative recruitment and selection methods and evidence supporting these. We will continue to work with all relevant stakeholders to ensure our advisory role to National Psychiatry Recruitment is well informed and solutions focused.
I know that many of you will have other questions – about wider workforce planning; the bottleneck faced by UK Foundation trainees in particular. Do log into Question Time for answers to this and other related questions. I and my fellow Officers are happy to use that open medium to answer other queries.
Thank you for your support throughout the year.
I wish you a happy and peaceful break however you celebrate it.
With best wishes,
Professor Subodh Dave
Dean, RCPsych
Headlines
Additional CASC exam
The RCPsych has announced an additional sitting of the CASC exam for candidates affected by the unprecedented over-subscription of the January sitting.
Public Mental Health Leadership Certification Course
Launched in 2024, the second year of fully booked cohorts for the Public Mental Health Leadership (PMHL) Certification Course is now drawing to a close – but you can book your place on the 2026 course.
Medical Education Conference – book now
Registration is now open for the 2026 Medical Education Conference, taking place at the College’s London headquarters on 19 February.
National Resident Doctor Conference – save the date
Our 2026 National Resident Doctor Conference will take place in the Crowne Plaza, Newcastle on Thursday 30 April and Friday 1 May.
National Student Psychiatry Conference – book now
The National Student Psychiatry Conference will take place on 24 and 25 January in Canterbury.
New date for transitioning ePortfolio
We are moving the launch of the new RCPsych ePortfolio for training to August 2026.
Dementia Certification Course: register your interest
Register your interest for our upcoming Dementia Certification Course, designed to equip mental health professionals with the latest evidence-based knowledge and practical skills.
New Formative Assessment framework approved
The College has received GMC approval for our new Formative Assessment framework, a big step towards enhancing training and evaluation standards.
Congress 2025 webinar library
Time is running out to buy the library of over 80 Congress 2025 webinars, available on the eLearning Hub.
CPD eLearning update December 2025
Find out about all the new modules and podcasts available on CPD eLearning.
Past Dean's updates
Dean's Grand Rounds
This series of webinars aim to narrow the gap between education and practice.