The MRCP (Membership of the Royal Colleges of Physicians of the United Kingdom) is a prestigious medical qualification essential for doctors seeking to specialize in internal medicine and related specialties in the UK. Administered jointly by the Royal Colleges of Physicians of Edinburgh, Glasgow, and London, the MRCP is a prerequisite for entry into Physician Higher Specialty Training (PHST) programmes.
The MRCP consists of three parts: Part 1 (written examination), Part 2 Written (advanced written examination), and Part 2 Clinical (PACES - Practical Assessment of Clinical Examination Skills). Success in all three components is required to obtain the MRCP diploma, which is recognized globally and opens doors to specialist medical careers worldwide.
The MRCP (Membership of the Royal Colleges of Physicians of the United Kingdom) is a three-part postgraduate medical examination that assesses knowledge and clinical skills required for specialist training in internal medicine. It is mandatory for doctors wanting to pursue higher specialty training in the UK.
The MRCP has three parts: Part 1 (200 multiple-choice questions testing basic medical sciences), Part 2 Written (200 clinical scenario questions), and Part 2 Clinical (PACES - a 5-station practical examination testing clinical skills and communication).
The MRCP Part 1 exam costs £489 for UK candidates and £655 for international candidates. Part 2 Written fees are similar, while PACES costs £698 (UK) and £1,278 (international). Total cost ranges from £1,495 (UK) to £2,390 (international) if passed on first attempt.
MRCP Part 1 and Part 2 Written exams are held 3-4 times per year (typically February, June, September, and December). PACES frequency varies by location but is generally offered multiple times throughout the year at various international centers.
MRCP Part 1 requires a score above 540 (using equated scoring). Part 2 Written requires a score of at least 454 (approximately 121 correct answers out of 200). PACES uses criterion-referenced marking across seven clinical skills domains.
Yes, MRCP Part 1 and Part 2 Written can be taken online from home/office or at test centers. From 2025, Part 2 exams will move to remote online proctoring for both UK and international candidates. PACES remains an in-person examination only.
Candidates are allowed a maximum of 6 attempts at each part of the MRCP exam. After 6 failed attempts, additional attempts may be considered only with exceptional circumstances and educational supervisor support.
PACES (Practical Assessment of Clinical Examination Skills) is the clinical component of MRCP Part 2. It consists of 5 stations lasting 20 minutes each, with a total exam duration of approximately 125 minutes. The 2023 format includes communication encounters and clinical consultations.
Ready to begin your journey toward MRCP membership? Access our comprehensive question banks for all three parts of the MRCP, with thousands of practice questions, detailed explanations, and mock exams designed to help you succeed on your first attempt.