CIRSE
European Curriculum and Syllabus for IR (3rd edition) (opens in a new tab)
The reference European IR curriculum, and the basis of the EBIR examination — a comprehensive map of the knowledge and skills a training IR practitioner works towards.
Pillar 01
IR foundations
A shared baseline in the language, tools and logic of IR — scope of the specialty, imaging in procedural planning, access and device concepts, radiation safety, consent and communication.
Orientation
Where to start — the shared baseline for students, interns and junior MOs.
Scope of the specialty
What interventional radiology is
An orientation to IR as a clinical, image-guided specialty — its scope, its place alongside diagnostic radiology, and the breadth of problems it addresses.
Scope of the specialty
What interventional radiology is
Why it matters. Registrars and students often meet IR as a set of procedures rather than a specialty. A clear mental model of scope makes every later topic easier to place.
Learning objectives
- Describe interventional radiology as an image-guided clinical specialty.
- Outline the main service areas of IR at a non-procedural level.
- Explain how IR relates to diagnostic radiology and to referring teams.
Imaging in planning
Principles of image guidance
How ultrasound, fluoroscopy and CT are used to plan and guide interventions — what each modality shows, and how they are chosen and combined at a conceptual level.
Imaging in planning
Principles of image guidance
Why it matters. Image guidance is the defining feature of IR. Understanding what each modality offers underpins procedural planning and safe practice.
Learning objectives
- Compare ultrasound, fluoroscopy and CT as guidance modalities at a conceptual level.
- Explain how imaging informs the choice and planning of an intervention.
- Recognise the role of cone-beam CT within an angiography suite.
Access & devices
Access and device concepts
The vocabulary of IR equipment — needles, wires, catheters, sheaths, guide and microcatheters, and contrast — as categories and their purpose, without procedural technique.
Access & devices
Access and device concepts
Why it matters. A shared device vocabulary lets registrars follow discussions, cases and reading. This is knowledge of categories and purpose, not a how-to.
Learning objectives
- Name the main categories of IR access equipment and their broad purpose.
- Describe why different catheters, wires and sheaths exist at a conceptual level.
- Use IR device terminology accurately in case discussion.
Core registrar
Working knowledge expected across the FC Rad Diag(SA) registrar years.
Radiation safety
Radiation safety, sterility and consent
The principles that keep patients and staff safe — radiation protection, sterile technique and infection prevention, and the foundations of informed consent and communication.
Radiation safety
Radiation safety, sterility and consent
Why it matters. These principles apply to every case regardless of subspecialty and are frequently examined and audited.
Learning objectives
- State the principles of radiation protection for patients and staff.
- Describe sterile and infection-prevention principles relevant to IR.
- Outline the foundations of informed consent and clear communication.
Where this leads.
Every pillar connects to the training and career pathways that follow registrar learning — from supervised exposure to certification and beyond.