The Membership of the Royal College of Surgeons (MRCS) is a highly coveted recognition for surgeons across the globe. A globally recognized membership, MRCS is the stepping stone for surgical trainees who wish to become members of one of the four surgical royal colleges in the UK and Ireland. In order to unlock this prestigious career path, you need to have an in-depth understanding of the eligibility criteria for applying for the MRCS examination.
Eligibility
To be eligible for the Part A MRCS exam, the candidate should have completed a primary medical qualification accepted by the United Kingdom General Medical Council. If you are an overseas candidate, you need to have a primary medical qualification accepted by the councils of the respective colleges.
For first-time applicants who do not appear on the registers of the GMC or Medical Council, they need to submit an original certificate or an authenticated copy of a medical degree acceptable to each of the four colleges. All the documents need to be mailed, and documents received by post will not be accepted.
If you have previously participated in a surgical examination with one of the Surgical Royal Colleges, no action is required, and the college will contact you directly via email if they require any further information.
For Indian candidates, the basic MBBS qualification is the only requirement you need to possess if you want to appear for an examination. Take note that a candidate can attempt the Part A exam six times and the MRCS Part B exam four times in total.
The primary goal of the MRCS is to examine if the surgical trainee has the basic knowledge, skills, and attributes to become a surgeon and if they are eligible to progress as specialists.
Passing the MRCS examination will surely add some extra benefits to your surgical career. It opens up plenty of opportunities in reputed hospitals and opens the door for a dream career in medicine and surgery.
If you are looking to build your dream career in surgery, then first check whether you are eligible to apply. Then focus on cracking your dream career.
