Associate college tutors

Associate college tutors (ACTs) support the educational development and wellbeing of resident doctors within their trust. Working alongside college tutors, they help deliver high‑quality teaching, guidance, and peer support.

The RCP is committed to supporting the ACT community, providing opportunities for professional development, peer connection, and the sharing of best practice.

RCP associate college tutors (ACTs) have an important and key role in supporting their local RCP CT. They do this by:

acting as the link between resident doctors, the CT and RCP
providing peer support to, and arranging regular meetings with, their physician resident doctors
promoting education amongst trainees and supporting professional development and training
maintaining regular contact with regional RCP resident doctor representatives and attending RCP meetings
representing and championing the RCP within their trust.

ACTs are professionally responsible to the RCP and he local education and training board (LETB) but are managerially responsible to their trust.

Many trusts and LETBs also produce an ACT role description. Therefore, the RCP role description should be read in conjunction with local documents.

Once appointed, please make sure you contact your local regional office to notify them of your appointment.

ACT role description

How to apply

If you would like to become a college tutor or an associate college tutor in your hospital, please download the RCP role description and express your interest to your college tutor postgraduate medical education department manager.

to find the college tutor in your hospital please contact your local regional office.

Develop your career and gain CPD points

CPD opportunities will support you with progressing through your training programme and demonstrating evidence in teaching and leadership.

The RCP offers a range of one- and two-day in-person and virtual workshops, online courses, and podcasts, to help you develop in your career, meet the requirements of your curriculum and your personal development aspirations.

Explore our range of courses and workshops

Have you visited RCP Launchpad?

If you're looking for more career support and guidance, why not visit RCP Launchpad?

This online platform hosts a range of unique resources and bite sized videos which aim to support new consultants, early career SAS doctors, and senior resident doctors about to step up.

This resource is a membership benefit for RCP subscribing members and fellows.

RCP Launchpad

ACT conference poster competition winners 2025

Each year, ACTs submit a 250‑word abstract on real-time improvements delivered in post for presentation at the CT and ACT national conference. This year’s theme was ACT success stories:

Read Dr Muha Hassan's blog on outpatient training
Read Dr Hannah Parker and Dr Kieran Hardern's blog on simulation training for IMTs
Read Dr Dominic Mears' blog on acting up as a registrar.