Paediatric urology

What is it in children?

Paediatric urology covers the kidneys, ureters, bladder and genitals in infants, children and newborns, and even before birth ^[1]. It's unusual because you can reach it from two directions: as a urologist who specialises in children, or as a paediatric surgeon with an interest in urology ^{[2, 3]}.

Typical conditions and operations

• Undescended testis. Treated with an orchidopexy, usually at about 1 year old ^[4].
• Hypospadias. The urethral opening is not at the tip of the penis. It affects about 3 in 1,000 births, and repair is usually at 12 to 18 months ^[5].
• Pelviureteric junction obstruction. A blockage repaired with a pyeloplasty, to stop the kidney swelling and being damaged ^[6].
• Vesicoureteric reflux. Found in about 1 in 3 children who have a urinary tract infection ^[7].
• Posterior urethral valves. A condition found only in boys, where valves in the urethra block the flow of urine ^[8].

How to get there

Both routes start the same way, with Foundation and core surgical training, then split at ST3. In 2026 both urology and paediatric surgery recruited at ST3 ^{[9, 10]}.

1. 5 to 6 yearsMedical school

   A medical degree. To apply for the Foundation Programme you need to be eligible for provisional registration with the GMC ^[11].

2. 2 yearsFoundation Programme

   The two-year UK Foundation Programme ^[11].

3. CT1 to CT2Core surgical training

   Two years ^[12]. In 2026 England paused its run-through (IST) posts, including urology; Wales and Scotland still recruited to them ^[13]. You need the MRCS by exam to apply for ST3 ^[9].

4. Choose your route at ST3

   Paediatric urologists come from both backgrounds ^[3].

   • ST3 to ST7Urology

     Five years: three in phase 2 and two in phase 3, with the FRCS (Urol) exam after phase 2 ^[12]. Paediatric urology isn't a phase 3 module, but trainees who want it as an interest can be supported to a higher level ^[12].

   • ST3 to ST8Paediatric surgery

     Six years after core training: four years in phase 2, which builds up to the FRCS (Paeds) exam, then two years in phase 3. Urology operations such as hypospadias repair and pyeloplasty are part of the curriculum ^[14].

5. Sub-specialty training in paediatric urology

   There are six national training numbers designated for sub-specialty training in paediatric urology, open to trainees from both urology and paediatric surgery ^[3].

Good to know

• Urology specialty training, counting core training, takes a minimum of seven years after Foundation ^[15]. That's about nine years after medical school, or more if you add sub-specialty training.
• The 2027 person specifications list urology at ST3 only ^[16].

Getting involved as a student

• BAUS student membership costs £20 a year and is open to medical students at UK and Irish medical schools ^[17].
• BAUS Medical Student Competition. In 2026 it was a teaching video of up to five minutes, with £750 for the winner and £500 for the runner-up. Entries closed on 23/02/2026 ^[18].
• BAUS has a medical student representative on its trainees' section, plus an undergraduate syllabus and a student guide to urology ^[19].