The Membership of the Royal College of Surgeons (MRCS) is a postgraduate qualification awarded by the Royal College of Surgeons of England, Edinburgh, and Glasgow. This qualification is recognized as a benchmark of excellence in surgical practice. Let’s delve into the detailed eligibility criteria to apply for the MRCS examination.
Eligibility Requirements
MRCS Part A Eligibility
To be eligible for the MRCS Part A exam, candidates should have completed a primary medical qualification accepted by the General Medical Council (GMC) of the United Kingdom. For overseas candidates, it is necessary to have a primary medical qualification accepted by the respective colleges’ councils.
If you are an Indian student, you need only an MBBS degree to be eligible for the examination.
MRCS Part B Eligibility
Candidates need to pass Part A to be eligible for the Part B examination. Aspirants can attempt the Part A exam up to six times and the Part B exam up to four times in total.
To be eligible for the MRCS Part B exam, you must possess a medical degree deemed acceptable by either the UK General Medical Council (GMC) or the Medical Council in Ireland, allowing you to be fully, provisionally, or temporarily registered. First-time applicants not registered with the GMC or the Medical Council in Ireland must submit their original medical degree certificate or an authenticated copy to the colleges’ councils.
Exam Pattern
MRCS Part A is a written examination consisting of multiple-choice questions (MCQs) lasting up to 5 hours in total. The first paper covers “Applied Basic Science,” and the second paper is based on “Principles of Surgery in General.”
MRCS Part B is an OSCE-Objective Structure Clinical Examination. This practical examination assesses applied knowledge of anatomy, surgical pathology, critical care, and applied surgical science.
Take your first step towards the coveted RCS membership and embrace a new world of opportunities. With proper hard work and dedication, you can surely achieve success. All the best.
