What is the intercollegiate MRCS examination?

The award of the Diploma of Membership of the Royal College of Surgeons is an internationally recognised qualification that entitles you to become a Member of a UK Royal College. Award of the Diploma is a pre-requisite for progression to UK specialty training. The exam is in two parts.

Our MRCS Part B OSCE Revision Savings incorporates free Affiliate Membership, a preparation course with sample questions, mock exams and no Membership fees to pay for 12 months upon successful completion of the MRCS.

You can apply by clicking on the buttons below.

MRCS Part A

MRCS Part B OSCE

FAQs and enquiries

Who offers the MRCS?

Candidates can sit any part of the exam through any of the four Royal Colleges: Glasgow, Edinburgh, England, Ireland. Read the full list of regulations here.

What is the format of the examination?

MRCS Part A consists of a five-hour multiple choice question exam in two parts: Applied Basic Science and Principles of Surgery in General.
MRCS Part B is an Objective Structured Clinical Examination. This consists of 18 examined stations of nine minutes’ duration, examining Applied Knowledge and Applied Skills.

Is the examination held overseas as well as in the UK?

Yes. The Part A exam is held in Abu Dhabi, Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Cairo, Chandigarh, Chennai, Dhaka, Dubai, Islamabad, Jeddah, Karachi, Khartoum, Kolkata, Kuala Lumpur, New Delhi, Pune and Tripoli. The Part B exam is held in Kuala Lumpur, New Delhi, Sharjah and Cairo.

What are the eligibility requirements for the exam?

To enter, a candidate must possess a primary medical qualification that is acceptable to:

• the UK General Medical Council for full or provisional registration, or
• the Medical Council in Ireland for full or temporary registration.

Overseas candidates must hold a primary medical qualification acceptable to the Councils of the Colleges. Candidates who wish to check the acceptability of their medical degree should check the World Directory of Medical Schools.
For further details on the MRCS exam, including sample questions, recommended textbooks and background, please refer to the Candidate Guide issued by the Intercollegiate Committee for Basic Surgical Examinations. This is a living document that is frequently updated.

What is FRCS Ophthalmology?

Award of the Fellowship of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow demonstrates an individual’s knowledge of the scientific basis of ophthalmology, with the experience and competence to apply that knowledge to patients.

Candidates achieving this standard are judged to have the requisite skills of a general ophthalmologist and are able to manage their patients in a safe and professional manner.

You can apply by clicking on the buttons below.

FRCS Part 1

FRCS Part 2

FRCS Part 3

FAQs and enquiries

What is the format of the examination?

There are three parts to the FRCS examination – Parts 1, 2 and 3. Part 1 and Part 2 are written examinations and Part 3 consists of structured oral and clinical examinations. Please refer to the examination Regulations document on our website for full details.

How often will the examinations take place?

The Part 1 and Part 2 examinations are normally held twice each year and the Part 3 examination is normally held five times each year. As future dates and centres are confirmed they will appear on our website.

Where will the examinations be held?

The examinations are held in the UK and at a number of international centres. You will find a full list of locations in our website.

What are the eligibility requirements for the examination?

The education and training requirements for entry are detailed in the eligibility section of the Regulations document.

Can I apply to sit Part 1 and Part 2 at the same time?

What is MRCS (ENT)?

The MRCS (ENT) OSCE is an intercollegiate examination run jointly with other Royal Colleges of Surgeons in Great Britain and Ireland.

It is intended for doctors wishing to join an otolaryngology department in a trainee position or for GPs who wish to offer minor ENT surgery. It is also intended for doctors who wish to practice within another specialty which interacts with otolaryngology. The exam is in two parts.

You can apply by clicking on the buttons below.

MRCS A

MRCS (ENT) OSCE

If you have passed Part A of the Intercollegiate MRCS exam and MRCS (ENT) OSCE, you may apply to join our College as a Member. Benefits include discounts on education and courses, networking opportunities and awards and scholarships.

FAQs and Enquiries

What is the format of the exam?

The examination is in two parts. MRCS Part A is a four hour MCQ examination consisting of two papers, each of two hours’ duration, taken on the same day. MRCS (ENT) OSCE comprises up to 28 active bays, including clinical bays where candidates will examine actors. Each OSCE bay is of seven minutes’ duration.

Can I sit MRCS Part A and MRCS (ENT) OSCE in any order?

Candidates must pass MRCS Part A before applying for the Intercollegiate MRCS (ENT) OSCE examination

Where are the exams held?

The MRCS Part A is held up to three times a year. These exams are identical and are held simultaneously at all centres. The MRCS (ENT) OSCE is held at one host centre, up to three times a year. The host centre will rotate between the four UK Royal Colleges.

What are the eligibility requirements for the exam?

We strongly advise that candidates should seek advice of their Assigned Educational Supervisor, Programme Director or equivalent before deciding to sit the exam.
To enter, a candidate must possess a primary medical qualification that is acceptable to:

• the UK General Medical Council for full or provisional registration, or
• the Medical Council in Ireland for full or temporary registration.

Overseas candidates must hold a primary medical qualification acceptable to the Councils of the Colleges. Candidates who wish to check the acceptability of their medical degree should check the World Directory of Medical Schools.

What are the Intercollegiate specialty examinations?

Intercollegiate Specialty Fellowship Examinations are developed and conducted in the UK and Ireland by the Intercollegiate Boards of the Royal Colleges of Surgeons in the UK and in Ireland. The Joint Committee on Intercollegiate Examinations (JCIE) organises and administers these examinations.

On passing the ISFE, you can apply to join the College as a Fellow.

International Intercollegiate Specialty Fellowship Examinations are organised by the Joint Surgical Colleges Fellowship Examination (JSCFE).

Full information on all exams, including application documentation and exam locations, can be found on these websites:

• Joint Committee on Intercollegiate Examinations (JCIE) - UK and Ireland specialty examinations
• Joint Surgical Colleges Fellowship Examination (JSCFE) International specialty examinations