What is the Membership of the Royal College of Surgeons (MRCS) Exam
The Membership Examination of the Surgical Royal Colleges of Great Britain and Ireland (the MRCS) is designed for surgical trainees in the generality part of specialty training. The MRCS examination is a crucial milestone in a surgical career; it determines whether a surgical trainee possesses the correct knowledge, skills and attributes to complete basic training and to progress to higher levels of specialist surgical training.Â
The MRCS examination is intercollegiate, meaning that it is common to all Colleges (The Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow, The Royal College of Surgeons of England and The Royal College of Surgeons of Ireland).
Founded in 1505, the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh (RCSEd) is one of the oldest and largest of the surgical colleges in the world. By choosing to sit your MRCS examination Part B with us, you will be joining our membership network of over 33,000 professionals in over 140 countries across the world. As well as joining a College renowned for its friendliness and approachability, the College offers a wide range of member benefits to support you through every step in your career and professional development.
RCSEd delivers MRCS Part A and Part B exams across the UK and internationally, including centres in Europe, the Middle East, South Asia and Africa. This makes it an ideal choice for candidates based overseas or looking for greater flexibility.
On this page
- What is the MRCS Exam
- MRCS Exam Overview
- MRCS Part A & Part B Exam Dates and Booking
- MRCS (ENT) OSCE Exam Update
- Preparing for the MRCS
- MRCS Preparation Courses
- MRCS Part A Revision Videos
- MRCS Part B Revision Videos
- MRCS Lecture Series
- MRCS Revision Podcasts
- Acland Anatomy: Your MRCS Exam Resource
- MRCS Library Services
- Edinburgh Surgery Online
MRCS Exam Overview
The Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh offers the examination at a variety of locations throughout the UK and internationally. The MRCS examination is made up of two parts: A and B.
Intercollegiate MRCS Part A
The Intercollegiate MRCS Part A exam is designed to assess the knowledge expected of a surgical trainee two to three years after qualification. It is a five-hour multiple choice question (MCQ) exam, comprising two papers taken on the same day: Paper 1 - Applied Basic Science and Paper 2 - Principles of Surgery in General.
Book hereIntercollegiate MRCS Part B - OSCE
The Intercollegiate MRCS Part B (OSCE) integrates basic surgical scientific knowledge and its application to clinical surgery. Its purpose is to build on the test of knowledge in Part A and assess how this is applied in clinically appropriate contexts. This is done through a series of stations reflecting elements of day-to-day clinical practice.
Book hereMRCS Part A & Part B Exam Dates and Booking
Find upcoming MRCS Part A and Part B exam dates in the UK, Ireland and internationally. The MRCS is an essential step for surgical trainees working towards career progression. Browse the calendar, plan your preparation and secure your place by booking online today.
MRCS Exam Calendar
View our MRCS calendar to see upcoming exams, preparation courses and closing dates for MRCS Part A, MRCS Part B and the MRCS Part B preparation course across the UK, Ireland and internationally. Use this calendar to plan your exam preparation and registration effectively.
Explore hereMRCS (ENT) OSCE Exam Update
The final MRCS (ENT) OSCE examination is scheduled for February 2026. Candidates wishing to register must do so by Thursday 4 December 2025, as this will be the last opportunity to sit this exam. Read more here.
Preparing for the MRCS
Before starting specialty training, you must pass both MRCS Part A and Part B. Part A is a written exam consisting of multiple choice questions (MCQs), while Part B is a clinical, practical examination in the format of an OSCE (Objective Structured Clinical Examination).
Together, these assessments ensure you have the essential knowledge, communication skills, and practical understanding required for safe surgical practice.
To support candidates through their preparation, the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh offers a wide range of high-quality MRCS preparation courses, both in-person and online, designed and delivered by experienced examiners and surgical educators.
MRCS Preparation Courses
The College also offers regular MRCS preparation courses throughout the UK and internationally.
The Edinburgh / International MRCS OSCE Preparation Course
The Edinburgh MRCS OSCE Preparation course is aimed at FY2 and above, and primarily those preparing for the Intercollegiate Part B MRCS Examination. It is designed to help improve candidates' performance in the MRCS Part B Examination via practice sessions with 'mock' MRCS OSCE stations and discussions with examiners on the pitfalls and problems commonly encountered with the examination process. The course structure includes short lectures, discussion groups and OSCE stations.
MRCS Part B Surgical Anatomy Revision Day (Wade Programme) (Online)
The aim of the MRCS Part B Surgical Anatomy Revision Day course is to assist trainees in their preparation for the anatomy component of the MRCS Part B (OSCE) examination.
This intensive, one-day revision course consists of a series of short, illustrated introductory talks, interspersed with interactive demonstrations on cadaveric images, led by experienced tutors. The talks review the format of the MRCS Anatomy OSCE, including examples of common questions and suggestions for effective revision strategies to maximise success. Key concepts and general principles which underpin the anatomical organisation of the Head and Neck, Trunk and Limbs, and which assist with understanding and visualisation, are a major theme. The demonstrations focus on improving attendees’ ability to identify important structures and relationships of surgical importance, as well the chance to discuss key MRCS surgical anatomy topics. Attendees will also have the opportunity to clarify their understanding of any anatomy with which they are unsure (‘anatomy clinic’).
For delegates who are at an earlier stage in their revision (e.g. Part A preparation), or who want further anatomy study material, we would recommend the Surgical Anatomy Study Days
Surgical Anatomy (MRCS Level) – Wade Programme Series
This online study series is tailored to help early-stage MRCS candidates and clinical medical students build a strong foundation in applied surgical anatomy. Each course includes a blend of interactive teaching, exam-focused revision, and practical guidance to support independent study.
These sessions form part of the WADE programme anatomy series, designed specifically to enhance MRCS Part B performance.
Surgical Anatomy of the Head and Neck: A Study Day (MRCS Level- Wade) (Online)
A comprehensive overview of the key anatomical regions of the head and neck, focusing on their clinical and surgical relevance.
Book hereSurgical Anatomy of the Trunk: A Study Day (MRCS Level - Wade) (Online)
This course explores essential trunk anatomy, including thoracic, abdominal and pelvic structures, with a focus on common OSCE themes.
Book hereSurgical Anatomy of the Limbs: A Study Day (MRCS Level - Wade) (Online)
Enhances knowledge of upper and lower limb anatomy, helping you confidently tackle surface anatomy and radiological interpretation in the MRCS exam.
Book hereMRCS Part A Revision Videos
RCSEd’s Foundation Trainee Surgical Societies Presents: Preparing for the MRCS Part A Examination: Webinar Series
RCSEd’s Foundation Trainee Surgical Societies UK (FTSS-UK) have created a webinar series designed to help those who are revising for the MRCS Part A examination.
Topics covered include head injuries, peri-operative care, trauma and burns, orthopaedics and many more.
MRCS Part B Revision Videos
How to Prepare for the MRCS Part B: Webinar Series
Preparing for the MRCS Part B OSCE exam is one of the most important steps for surgical trainees aiming to progress in their careers. To support candidates, the RCSEd Core Trainee Forum has created a dedicated MRCS Part B webinar series.
In these revision videos, you will learn:
- How to prepare effectively for the MRCS Part B OSCE.
- The best revision resources and recommended courses.
- What to expect on the exam day.
- Common pitfalls and how to avoid them.
- Example answers to mock questions, demonstrated by recent successful candidates and previous examiners.
This series is designed to give you practical insights and strategies that can help you pass the MRCS Part B with confidence.
Click on the links below to watch the MRCS Part B exam revision webinars.
Introduction to the MRCS Part B
MRCS Lecture Series
The MRCS lecture is designed to provide insight into the examination with a particular focus on the Part B OSCE exam. This includes the purpose and format of the exam, the broad content areas, domains, how the exam is assessed and marked, and insight from the perspective of an Intercollegiate MRCS Examiner.
MRCS Revision Podcasts
Prepare for success with the MRCS revision podcast, featuring key exam topics, expert tips, practical insights and essential guidance from experienced surgeons.
Click on the links below to listen to the MRCS exam revision podcasts.
Acland Anatomy: Your MRCS Exam Resource
Acland Anatomy
Acland Anatomy is an exclusive RCSEd member benefit. This resource provides over 300 narrated videos of real specimens, carefully dissected and presented in stunning 3D, designed to enhance your anatomical knowledge, support MRCS Part A and B exam preparation and strengthen your surgical skills.
Learn more
MRCS Library Services
The College Fellows, Members and Affiliates have access to use their well-resourced medical and surgical library, with all the latest in texts, journals and electronic resources and a wealth of fascinating historical stock dating from the 15th century to the present.
RCSEd Fellows and Members are eligible for free full-text access to thousands of electronic journals, books and databases through the Knowledge Network.
Edinburgh Surgery Online
The Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh and the University of Edinburgh have developed award-winning, part-time online Master’s programmes to support the early and advanced surgical trainee. The track record of the existing team in developing online postgraduate education is excellent. The MSc in Surgical Sciences was launched by both institutions in 2007 as a response to the considerable changes in surgical training. The programme delivered its first group of graduates in July 2010 and has demonstrated in its short existence that the format meets with strong student approval, resulting in increasing recruitment year on year, and leading to a significantly improved success rate for MSc in Surgical Sciences students in the MRCS examination.
Edinburgh Surgery Online - Postgraduate Programmes
Run in partnership with the University of Edinburgh, the Edinburgh Surgery Online suite of Postgraduate eLearning programmes offers a range of options for surgeons at various stages of their training.
Browse here
Contact us
For any queries, please email the Surgical Examinations department: surgical.exams@rcsed.ac.uk