The idea of being a doctor focused on helping other people in their difficult circumstances, and enabling people to lead healthier and happier lives – I can’t imagine a more fulfilling job.
MD Ashraful Islam
Examinations and assessments
The College supports surgeons throughout each career stage with education, exams, awards and scholarships. In taking our exams you will join our community of inspiring healthcare professionals working towards excellence in patient care through Continuing Professional Development.
We conduct exams in Glasgow, other parts of the UK and internationally. Please check each examination for location details.
Click below for details of all our exams.
Intercollegiate MRCS
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.
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?
Part A consists of a five-hour multiple choice question exam in two parts: Applied Basic Science and Principles of Surgery in General.
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.
FRCS Ophthalmology
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.
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 and Candidate Guidance documents 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?
No, you must pass Part 1 before applying for Part 2.DO-HNS
What is DO-HNS?
The Diploma in Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery (DO-HNS) 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.
If you have passed Part 2 of the DO-HNS exam and Part A of the Intercollegiate MRCS exam, 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. Part 1 is a multiple-choice question (MCQ) written exam to be completed within two hours. Part 2 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 Part 1 and Part 2 of the exams in any order?
Yes. However, candidates cannot apply for both parts simultaneously or apply for an exam without being informed of the result of their previous attempt.
Where are the exams held?
The MCQ paper (Part 1) is held up to three times a year. These exams are identical and are held simultaneously at all centres. Outside of the UK, Part 1 is held in Dubai, Amman and Muscat.
Part 2 of the exam 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.
Intercollegiate speciality examinations
What are the Intercollegiate speciality 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:
Become an Examiner
Our network of examiners are involved in writing question banks, exam scenarios, examining and assessment. Vacancies on our panels are advertised throughout the year on the website.
If you require further assistance, please contact us by clicking the button below.