MRCS Exam

What is the MRCS?

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. 

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.

MRCS Exam

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.

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 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.

How to Prepare for the MRCS Part B: Webinar Series

Presented by the RCSEd Core Trainee Forum, this series focuses on how to prepare, the best resources/courses, what to expect in the exam and common pitfalls. Expect talks from recent successful candidates and previous examiners along with demonstrations of exemplary answers to mock questions.

Click on the links below to watch the webinars.

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.

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