Your route to the Specialist Register,
guided by those who've walked it.
CESR Coach is a group of experienced NHS consultants ready to share their expertise with any doctor seeking entry to the specialist register through the CESR (Portfolio Pathway) route — from first questions to final submission.
1-to-1
portfolio clinics with a consultant reviewer
3 formats
clinics, group workshops & pathway events
24/7
member library of videos & documents
Three ways we coach you
Book whichever fits where you are on the pathway — all delivered by consultants with real CESR experience.
Portfolio Clinic
One-to-one deep dive into your portfolio
A focused 30-minute one-to-one session with a consultant reviewer. You must upload or provide access to your portfolio at least 3 weeks before the session so your reviewer can assess it in depth and give you targeted, actionable feedback.
Portfolio Preparation Session
Small-group workshops to build your evidence
Interactive group sessions (minimum 5 participants) covering how to structure your portfolio, map evidence to the curriculum, and avoid the most common pitfalls that lead to unsuccessful applications.
Guidance to the Portfolio Pathway
Your 4-hour launchpad into the CESR route
A comprehensive 4-hour event for doctors who want to start the Portfolio Pathway (CESR) route. We walk you through eligibility, GMC requirements, timelines, evidence domains and build your personal roadmap to the Specialist Register.
⚠️ Portfolio Clinic bookings require you to upload or share access to your portfolio at least 3 weeks before your session, so your reviewer can assess it properly.
The pathway, step by step
The Portfolio Pathway is a marathon with paperwork. We break it into a route you can actually run.
- 1
Understand the route
Learn what the Portfolio Pathway (formerly CESR) involves: eligibility, curriculum mapping and what the GMC evaluators actually look for.
- 2
Plan your evidence
Build a personal roadmap across every domain of the curriculum — logbooks, audits, teaching, leadership, reflections and more.
- 3
Build your portfolio
Compile, anonymise and structure your evidence so it tells a clear, verifiable story of equivalence to CCT-level training.
- 4
Review & refine
Have a consultant who has been there scrutinise your portfolio one-to-one and close the gaps before the GMC does.
- 5
Submit with confidence
Approach your application knowing your evidence has been stress-tested by specialists who know the standard.
Meet your consultants
Practising NHS consultants across specialties — many of whom earned their own specialist registration through this route.
Dr. Rashid Abuelhassan
Consultant in Emergency Medicine
Dr. Second Consultant
Consultant Physician
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Dr. Third Consultant
Consultant Surgeon
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Questions, answered
What is the CESR / Portfolio Pathway route?＋
It's the GMC route to the Specialist Register for doctors who haven't completed a UK-approved training programme. You demonstrate that your skills, knowledge and experience are equivalent to CCT-level training by submitting a structured portfolio of evidence.
Who are your coaches?＋
We are a group of practising NHS consultants across multiple specialties, many of whom obtained specialist registration through this very route and have reviewed dozens of successful portfolios.
Why must I share my portfolio 3 weeks before a Portfolio Clinic?＋
Thirty minutes goes fast. Your reviewer studies your portfolio in depth beforehand so the session is spent on targeted feedback and an action plan — not on reading your documents.
How do I book a session?＋
Create a free account, head to the member area and pick a date for the session type you need. Portfolio Clinics are one-to-one; preparation sessions and pathway events run as groups.
Can I access resources between sessions?＋
Yes — members get access to our library of pre-recorded video presentations and downloadable templates, checklists and guides, available any time.
Ready to reach the Specialist Register?
Join CESR Coach today — free to register. Book your first session, watch the video library and download the templates that successful candidates use.