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‘MRCP’ stands for the Membership of the Royal College of Physicians of the United Kingdom. It is a postgraduate medical diploma for physicians who wish to specialise in internal medicine. The qualification is recognised by several countries worldwide and attaining this prestigious title is a crucial step toward specialty training in the UK. MRCP is awarded by the Federation of Royal Colleges, which includes the Royal Colleges in London, Edinburgh, and Glasgow.

For international medical graduates, especially those who wish to practice in the UK, MRCP is not just an academic milestone. For them, it is an essential step toward GMC registration, which is a legal requirement to practice medicine there. Upon successful completion of MRCP, IMGs can practise at an ST3+ level.

Who can apply for MRCP?

 MRCP is accessible to medical graduates who have completed at least 12 months of postgraduate clinical experience. It is an ideal choice for those who wish to improve their clinical knowledge and diagnostic skills and ultimately work as a physician in hospital-based specialties.

Structure of the MRCP (UK)

You must complete a three-part examination, including two theoretical and one practical exam, in order to achieve the MRCP title.

MRCP Part 1: It is the first step that tests your understanding of basic medical sciences and clinical knowledge.

Format: Two papers

Number of questions: 100 multiple-choice questions per paper

Type of questions: Best-of-Five (BoF) format

Total duration: Six hours (3 hours for each paper)

MRCP Part 2: This exam builds on Part 1, and it tests your ability to apply medical knowledge in complex scenarios.

Format: Two papers

Number of questions: 100 multiple-choice questions per paper

Type of questions: Best-of-Five (BoF) format

Total duration: Six hours (3 hours for each paper)

MRCP PACES: It is the third and final stage of MRCP. PACES is a hands-on clinical exam that evaluates communication skills, physical examination techniques, clinical reasoning and professionalism. It is conducted in a structured clinical setting with real or simulated patients.

There will be a total of five stations, and each station is 20 minutes long. Also, there will be a 5-minute interval between stations.

Global recognition and career scope

 Doctors who possess the MRCP postnominal enjoy more career opportunities in the UK, the Middle East, India, and many other regions across the globe. MRCP holders also benefit from high salary packages, as employers value the depth of training and commitment needed to achieve this qualification. Besides, in India, MRCP is considered equivalent to MD in India. So, it can be an ideal pathway for medical graduates in India who wish to become consultant physicians here, without going through the NEET PG route.

We hope this guide has given you a lot of information about the MRCP qualification. If you still have any doubts regarding the MRCP exams, feel free to contact the StudyMRCP team. We are happy to help you.

If you are a medical professional aiming to advance your career with the MRCP qualification or you are preparing for any parts of the exam, we can help you with our expert-led MRCP courses that hold an impressive pass rate over the last few years.

To know more, connect with our team today.

Authored By: Sarath