MRCP vs MRCS: Which should I take?

TL;DR

If you are wondering “MRCP vs MRCS: which should I take?” the answer depends entirely on your career path. The MRCP (UK) is essential for physicians aiming for internal medicine and subspecialties like cardiology or neurology, while the MRCS is the gateway to higher surgical training. Both are globally recognised and rigorous, but your choice should reflect whether you see your future in medicine or surgery.

Why this matters

For international graduates and UK trainees alike, postgraduate qualifications can make or break entry into competitive training posts. The MRCP (Membership of the Royal Colleges of Physicians) and MRCS (Membership of the Royal Colleges of Surgeons) are the two most common entry-level memberships. Both are run by UK Royal Colleges, both carry global respect, but they set you on completely different trajectories. Choosing correctly is vital so that you don’t invest years of effort in the wrong exam.

Overview of MRCP and MRCS

• MRCP (UK): Awarded by the Royal Colleges of Physicians of the UK. It is the required qualification for internal medicine and most medical specialties. Official site.

• MRCS: Awarded jointly by the Royal Colleges of Surgeons of England, Edinburgh, Glasgow, and Ireland. It is required for higher surgical training. Official site.

Simple distinction:

• If you aim for medicine, pursue MRCP.

• If you aim for surgery, pursue MRCS.

  
  

Eligibility

• MRCP: You must hold a primary medical qualification (e.g., MBBS) recognised by the GMC. Most candidates attempt MRCP Part 1 after at least 12 months of postgraduate clinical experience.

• MRCS: Requires a recognised medical degree and usually completion of internship. Surgical experience during early training is strongly recommended before attempting Part B.

  
  

Exam structure

MRCP (UK):

1. Part 1 – Written exam, 200 best-of-five questions covering a wide range of medical specialties.

2. Part 2 Written – 270 best-of-five questions focused on diagnosis, investigation, and management.

3. PACES – Clinical skills exam with 5 stations, testing history, examination, communication, and diagnostic reasoning.

   
   

MRCS:

1. Part A – Written paper: Single Best Answer (SBA) and Extended Matching Questions (EMQ) on applied basic sciences and surgical principles.

2. Part B (OSCE) – Clinical exam assessing surgical anatomy, operative skills, clinical scenarios, and communication.

   
   

Cost & time commitment

Feature	MRCP (UK)	MRCS
Typical duration	2–3 years	1.5–3 years
Number of parts	3	2
Exam fee (international, approx.)	£616 (Part 1), £616 (Part 2), £1,202 (PACES)	£578 (Part A), £1,030 (Part B)
Prep time	6–12 months per part	6–12 months per part

(Figures as of 2025; confirm on MRCP(UK) and RCS England for latest updates.)

Recognition

• MRCP (UK): Required for entry into Specialty Training in the UK (Internal Medicine Training → higher specialty). Widely recognised across the Middle East, Asia, and many Commonwealth countries.

• MRCS: Required for surgical training posts in the UK (Core Surgical Training → higher specialty). Recognised internationally in surgery-focused careers.

  
  

Difficulty

• MRCP: The main challenge is breadth. Candidates must master clinical medicine across all specialties. PACES, involving live patient exams, is particularly tough.

• MRCS: The challenge lies in depth of anatomy and practical surgical knowledge. The OSCE format of Part B is highly pressured.

  
  

Who should take each exam?

• MRCP: Ideal for those aiming at careers in internal medicine or subspecialties such as cardiology, neurology, respiratory medicine, endocrinology, or gastroenterology.

• MRCS: The natural choice if you aspire to be a surgeon – whether in general surgery, orthopaedics, ENT, urology, or neurosurgery.

  
  

Practical mini-cases

• Case 1: A graduate in India fascinated by cardiology → MRCP is required, as cardiology training in the UK mandates MRCP.

• Case 2: An intern who enjoys surgical theatres and trauma care → MRCS is essential, the only entry to surgical training.

  
  

Common pitfalls

• Confusing MRCP or MRCS with PLAB – these are postgraduate memberships, not licensing exams.

• Attempting exams too early without sufficient clinical exposure.

• Underestimating the preparation time needed per part.

• Ignoring official eligibility and fee updates.

• Choosing based on peers rather than career goals.

  
  

FAQs

1. Can I attempt both MRCP and MRCS?

Yes, but most candidates focus on one pathway as each requires years of dedicated study and aligns to different specialties.

2. Which is more difficult: MRCP or MRCS?

They are difficult in different ways: MRCP tests breadth of medicine, MRCS tests applied anatomy and surgical skills.

3. Does MRCP replace PLAB?

No. PLAB is for licensing to practise in the UK; MRCP is a postgraduate qualification. However, MRCP can support GMC registration.

4. Which qualification has wider international recognition?

MRCP is more widely recognised for physicians globally, whereas MRCS is highly regarded within surgical circles.

5. How many attempts can I take?

Neither MRCP nor MRCS has strict attempt limits, but multiple failures may raise eligibility concerns or require further training evidence.

Ready to start?

If you are heading towards medicine, start with MRCP Part 1 overview and practise with Free MRCP MCQs. To simulate exam conditions, Start a mock test. At Crack Medicine, we provide structured question banks, lectures, and app-based revision to make your MRCP journey manageable and high-yield.

Sources

• MRCP(UK) official site

• MRCP(UK) fees page

• Royal College of Surgeons – MRCS

• General Medical Council – UK postgraduate qualifications