MRCP(UK) vs MRCS
Exam Comparison
Overview
MRCP and MRCS are the postgraduate examinations that determine whether a UK doctor enters medical or surgical specialty training respectively. You must choose based on your career direction. MRCP leads to physician specialties, MRCS leads to surgical specialties. Both are required before entering higher specialty training (ST3+).
Exam Profiles
MRCP(UK)
Membership of the Royal Colleges of Physicians of the United Kingdom
Full Name
Membership of the Royal Colleges of Physicians of the United Kingdom
Country
United Kingdom (recognised internationally)
Eligibility
Doctors with at least 12 months post-registration clinical experience; required for medical specialty training
Format
Part 1: 200 best-of-five MCQs (2 papers, 3 hours each). Part 2 written: 270 best-of-five (3 papers). PACES: 5 clinical stations with real patients (carousel format)
Pass Mark
Variable standard-setting per diet for all parts; PACES requires pass in each station
Cost
Part 1: ~GBP 600; Part 2 written: ~GBP 600; PACES: ~GBP 1,100. Total: ~GBP 2,300
Frequency
Part 1: 3 diets/year; Part 2: 3 diets/year; PACES: continuous (multiple centres worldwide)
Career Path
Essential for ST3+ medical specialty training (cardiology, gastroenterology, respiratory, etc.) and physician roles
MRCS
Membership of the Royal College of Surgeons
Full Name
Membership of the Royal College of Surgeons
Country
United Kingdom (recognised internationally)
Eligibility
Doctors with surgical experience or aspiration; typically taken during core surgical training (CST)
Format
Part A: 2 papers (applied basic sciences + clinical problem-solving), 180 SBAs per paper (2.5 hours each). Part B: Clinical OSCE (18 stations, 4 sections: anatomy, communication, clinical/procedural, critical care)
Pass Mark
Variable standard-setting; must pass both papers of Part A; pass all 4 sections of Part B
Cost
Part A: ~GBP 620; Part B: ~GBP 1,000. Total: ~GBP 1,620
Frequency
Part A: 3 times/year; Part B: 3 times/year at multiple centres
Career Path
Required for ST3+ surgical specialty training (general surgery, orthopaedics, ENT, urology, plastics, etc.)
Key Differences
| Category | MRCP(UK) | MRCS |
|---|---|---|
| Career track | Medical specialties (cardiology, respiratory, gastro, etc.) | Surgical specialties (general surgery, ortho, ENT, etc.) |
| Clinical exam format | PACES — real patients, bedside examination, communication | Part B OSCE — anatomy vivas, procedures, communication, critical care |
| Anatomy emphasis | Minimal anatomy — focused on medicine and diagnostics | Significant anatomy component (Part A and Part B) |
| Total cost | ~GBP 2,300 | ~GBP 1,620 |
| Typical timing | During IMT (Internal Medicine Training, ST1-3) | During CST (Core Surgical Training, ST1-2) |
| International recognition | Highly regarded globally for physician roles | Highly regarded globally for surgical roles |
Career track
Medical specialties (cardiology, respiratory, gastro, etc.)
Surgical specialties (general surgery, ortho, ENT, etc.)
Clinical exam format
PACES — real patients, bedside examination, communication
Part B OSCE — anatomy vivas, procedures, communication, critical care
Anatomy emphasis
Minimal anatomy — focused on medicine and diagnostics
Significant anatomy component (Part A and Part B)
Total cost
~GBP 2,300
~GBP 1,620
Typical timing
During IMT (Internal Medicine Training, ST1-3)
During CST (Core Surgical Training, ST1-2)
International recognition
Highly regarded globally for physician roles
Highly regarded globally for surgical roles
Our Verdict
Take MRCP if your career is in medical specialties. Take MRCS if your career is in surgical specialties. This is a fundamental career direction decision, not a comparison of difficulty. Both are required for ST3+ entry in their respective training pathways.
Disclaimer: Exam details, costs, and formats are based on the most recent publicly available information and may change. Always verify directly with the examining body (GMC, NBME, NBE, Royal Colleges) before making decisions.
Prepare for MRCP(UK) or MRCS with MedNext
Structured courses, MCQ practice, clinical reasoning, and exam prep — in 39 languages.
Explore MedNext Academy