What is
MRCP(UK)?
Three examinations. One respected postgraduate qualification. A clearer route into physician training and beyond.
More than three
exams.
MRCP(UK) means Membership of the Royal Colleges of Physicians of the United Kingdom. It is a postgraduate physician qualification administered by the Federation of the Royal Colleges of Physicians of London, Edinburgh and Glasgow.
It is designed to assess the medical knowledge, clinical reasoning and practical skills required for medical specialty training. Doctors in the UK and across the world take these examinations as part of their professional development.
Part 1 asks what you know. Part 2 asks how you think. PACES asks what you can do with a patient.
Three different tests.
One connected journey.
Each exam measures a different skill. Select a card to explore its purpose, format, eligibility and pass standard.
What does Part 1 test?
A broad understanding of the major medical specialties, basic clinical sciences, pharmacology, physiology and clinical guidelines. The emphasis is on knowledge and its clinical foundations.
See how the
pieces fit together.
There is one fixed first step, but the last two can be taken in either order.
Start with Part 1
You need to pass Part 1 before applying for Part 2 Written or PACES. It establishes the knowledge base for the rest of the diploma.
Two valid routes: Part 1 → Part 2 → PACES, or Part 1 → PACES → Part 2. Completion of all three is required for the diploma.
MRCP
Part 1.
This is the first examination in the pathway. It assesses your understanding of the diseases, physiology and basic sciences that underpin Internal Medicine.
Questions cover cardiology, respiratory medicine, gastroenterology, neurology, endocrinology, nephrology, infectious diseases and the wider physician syllabus. The written paper includes no images and has no negative marking.
MRCP
Part 2 Written.
Once you pass Part 1, you can progress to Part 2 Written. Here the focus shifts from recalling facts to making decisions about real clinical presentations.
Expect clinical vignettes, ECGs, radiographs, cross-sectional scans and laboratory results. Questions assess differential diagnosis, investigation selection, immediate management, longer-term care and prognosis.
MRCP
PACES.
PACES — the Practical Assessment of Clinical Examination Skills — is an in-person assessment of how you examine, communicate with and make decisions for patients.
The five-station PACES23 format tests clinical examination, recognition of signs, communication, differential diagnosis, judgement, management of patient concerns and welfare.
To pass, you need at least 126/168 overall and to meet the minimum standard in all seven skills. The Federation advises completing a two-year foundation programme and entering core physician training before PACES; there is no separate mandatory two-year rule.
Explore the interactive PACES circuit ↗Five stations.
Eight encounters.
Click through the current PACES23 circuit to see exactly what happens at each station.
Communication + Respiratory
A 10-minute communication encounter with a patient or surrogate, followed by a 10-minute respiratory examination encounter. You are assessed on communication, examination and clinical interpretation.
Each station has two independent examiners. The full circuit includes five-minute intervals between stations.
How many attempts
do you have?
Six attempts, for each exam.
You have a standard maximum of six attempts at Part 1, six at Part 2 Written and six at PACES. Attempts are counted separately: passing Part 1 on your third attempt does not reduce your Part 2 allowance.
An exceptional additional attempt can be requested with evidence of further educational attainment and an appropriate educational plan. Approval is not automatic and only one exceptional additional attempt is permitted for a component.
No. The old seven-year completion restriction has been removed. The Federation expanded this change in July 2024 to cover older Part 1 passes. PACES candidates in that group must have stayed clinically active since passing Part 1. Remaining eligibility and attempt conditions still apply.
A withdrawal meeting the Federation's formal rules does not count as an attempt. Check the applicable process before withdrawing.
For attempts or older qualifications, read the official attempts policy ↗.
Check your starting point.
Estimate your costs.
Two practical tools to answer the questions doctors usually ask first. These are planning aids, not official eligibility decisions or exam bookings.
Which exam can you apply for?
Select the statement that best describes your current position.
Provided you meet all official criteria, the 12-month medical employment requirement is met. Part 1 also cannot be taken until 12 months after your graduation date.
What will MRCP cost?
Choose where you will sit the exams. The calculator shows the Federation's published examination fees, excluding travel and preparation.
Include repeat sittings in my estimate
International prices are standard rates; Hong Kong and some other centres differ. Future fees can change. Estimate assumes the same region/rate for each sitting. Does not include course, travel, visas or accommodation.
Where can you
sit MRCP?
You can sit the written examinations at authorised test centres in the UK and many other countries. PACES runs in selected clinical centres and may require travel.
United Kingdom
Written examinations run at authorised UK computer-based test centres. PACES runs at hospitals and clinical examination centres throughout the UK; available venues vary by diet.
Check official centre availability ↗From 2026, both written papers are primarily centre-based. Remote proctoring currently remains for Myanmar and Sudan. PACES is always in person.
Pick the Part 1 diet
you are aiming for.
The countdown updates with the UK calendar. Application periods and examination dates are taken from the published 2027 Federation schedule.
Live UK-date countdown
All published application periods open and close at 08:00 UK local time. Read our full exam dates guide ↗ · Official dates ↗
A milestone.
Not the finish line.
MRCP is an important physician qualification, but passing it does not automatically grant specialist registration, an NHS job or consultant status.
+ Foundation
+ MRCP(UK)
training
+ consultant role
Illustrative route only. Specialty entry levels, alternative competency routes and appointment rules differ by programme.
IMT and specialty training
Full MRCP is a key requirement in many physician higher-specialty pathways, often alongside specified IMT-equivalent competencies. Always check the exact recruitment-year person specification.
Physician training pathways ↗GMC registration
The full MRCP(UK) diploma is an accepted postgraduate qualification on a GMC registration route. It does not remove the need to satisfy English, primary qualification, experience and other GMC conditions.
GMC accepted qualifications ↗International careers
MRCP is respected internationally, but clinical licensing, specialist recognition and professional grading are controlled by each country's medical regulator. Recognition does not guarantee a post.
Common career questions ↗Ready to apply?
Here's the process.
Applications for all three examinations are managed through MyMRCP(UK). Choose your exam diet carefully and allow time for document checks and travel plans.
Check eligibility
Confirm your medical graduation date, Part 1 pass where required, attempt allowance and PACES clinical readiness.
Open MyMRCP(UK)
Create or sign in to your account, check your details and prepare primary medical qualification evidence as instructed.
Choose a centre
Select an available exam location within the published application window. PACES centre allocations and payment processes differ.
Confirm your place
Follow the payment instructions, review the admission documents and check the current exam blueprint before starting revision.
Your next
MRCP milestone.
Build your first plan in three clicks. No account needed, and nothing is submitted.
The questions
doctors ask us.
Clear answers to the rules that can otherwise be confusing. Tap any question to read the answer.
Use the official MyMRCP(UK) portal for applications. Exams and centre availability can change, so check the published regulations before committing to travel or course costs.
Can I take MRCP immediately after MBBS?
Not straight away. You need at least 12 months’ experience in medical employment by the date of the examination, and Part 1 cannot be taken until 12 months after you graduated.
Can I sit MRCP without working in the NHS?
Yes. Eligible doctors working outside the UK can sit the written papers at authorised international centres, and PACES at selected international clinical venues.
Do I need PLAB or GMC registration first?
No. PLAB and GMC registration are not general prerequisites for sitting the MRCP examinations. Obtaining GMC registration to work in the UK is a separate process.
Can I take PACES before Part 2 Written?
Yes. Part 1 must be passed first; Part 2 Written and PACES may then be taken in either order, subject to applicable regulations and available examinations.
Are IELTS or OET required to sit MRCP?
An IELTS or OET pass is not a general MRCP examination entry requirement, although good English is essential, especially for PACES. GMC registration has separate English-language evidence requirements.
Is there negative marking in Part 1 or Part 2?
No. Each correct answer earns one mark. There is no negative marking for incorrect answers.
What is the maximum number of attempts?
The standard limit is six per component. A single exceptional seventh attempt may be considered on application, but is not automatic. Qualifying formal withdrawals are not counted as attempts.
Does my Part 1 pass expire after seven years?
The former seven-year completion rule has been removed, including for older passes under the Federation's July 2024 update. Attempt limits and other eligibility regulations still apply.
Will passing all three give me a UK consultant job?
No. Full MRCP(UK) is an important postgraduate qualification, but substantive UK consultant appointments normally require specialist registration through an appropriate route, among other requirements.
Can I sit the written exams from home?
Both written papers are primarily taken at authorised computer-based centres. The Federation currently lists Myanmar and Sudan as remote-proctoring exceptions. PACES is always face to face.
Sources and editorial verification · updated 21 October 2026 +
- Federation: MRCP Part 1
- Federation: MRCP Part 2 Written
- Federation: PACES format
- Official examination pass marks
- Official attempt limits and exceptions
- Removal of seven-year rule
- Part 1 dates and fees
- Part 2 dates and fees
- PACES dates, centres and fees
- International written examination centres
- PACES eligibility and application
- GMC postgraduate qualifications
Regulations, availability and fees can change. The official authority takes precedence over this guide. The interactive eligibility checker is informational and does not evaluate every individual condition.
Now you know the route.
Make a plan that works.
Preparing alongside a full-time clinical job is possible with structure, consistent question practice and a realistic timetable. Explore our MRCP Part 1 resources when you're ready.
Explore our MRCP Part 1 course ↗See the exam dates guide →