About the MRCS

ICBSE and the MRCS

The Intercollegiate Committee for Basic Surgical Examinations (ICBSE) is the examination board which oversees the development and quality assurance of the MRCS and MRCS (ENT) examinations. ICBSE works on behalf of the four surgical royal colleges of the United Kingdom and Ireland.

The Membership of the Royal College of Surgeons (MRCS) is a membership qualification delivered by the four surgical royal colleges, and is intercollegiate because it is the same examination for all four colleges.

The role of the MRCS in surgical training

The MRCS forms part of the Core Surgical Curriculum and 'Early Years' surgical training programme, and is a core requirement of the training pathway. In order to progress to higher specialty training, trainees are expected to complete both parts of the MRCS Examination (MRCS Part A and MRCS Part B). For trainees wishing to train in Otolaryngology, they are required to complete Part A 

Candidate guidance

The documents in this section will help candidates prepare for both parts of the MRCS examination. They provide essential information on the format and content of the examination as well as sample questions and marking criteria.

View MRCS candidate guidance

MRCS regulations and formal documents

The MRCS regulations apply to all candidates; it is essential that you read and understand them before sitting the examination.

View MRCS regulations