All specialties require you to have the full MRCP(UK), or a qualifying alternative, in order to take up a post.
There are three parts to the MRCP(UK) examination - Part 1, Part 2 (written), and Part 2 (clinical examination) - commonly referred to as 'Part 1', 'Part 2' (or 'Part 2 Written') and 'PACES'.
For information on the MRCP(UK) examination and its constituent parts, please visit the MRCP(UK) website. Information on qualifying alternatives can be found on the other tabs in this section of the website.
Part 1
You must have sat and passed Part 1 by the time of application (the deadline for application submission can be found on the timeline page).
Any applications received without Part 1 (or suitable alternative) will be rejected as ineligible.
Part 2 Written and PACES
If you are missing Part 2 and/or PACES at the time of application, you must be able to demonstrate that you can sit and pass the missing exam(s) before the deadline for that round.
It is possible to progress through the remainder of the recruitment round subject to completing the examination by a set deadline for that round. In the event you fail to gain the missing part(s), your application will not be able to proceed any further and any offer made would be withdrawn; this includes if you are appealing your MRCP(UK) outcome.
The deadline to have gained the full MRCP(UK) diploma is the first offers deadline for the round: 15 April 2025 for the first round and 21 October 2025 for the second round.
Round 1
- Part 2 Written: The last diet in which it is possible to pass Part 2 Written before the deadline is the 2024/04 examination. The 2025 Part 2 Written Examination results are not due out until just after the deadline and so cannot be considered.
- PACES: The last diet in which it is possible to pass PACES before the deadline is the 2025/01 examination; applicants to this diet are advised to ensure it is clear on their PACES application that they are applying to specialty recruitment to ensure their allocated examination date is early enough to receive results by the deadline.
Applicants requiring the full MRCP(UK), who have not completed it prior to these diets, and have not applied to these diets for their outstanding part(s), will not be eligible and should expect their application to be withdrawn.
Round 2
To ensure that you receive your results for each examination before the deadline, the latest examination diet for which you can be considered for this round are as follows:
- Part 2 Written: 2025/02
- PACES: 2025/02; although examination dates around the start of the window will have their results just before the deadline, as most will not be in time, the decision is that no results from this diet can be accepted to ensure equity for all applicants.
Applicants requiring the full MRCP(UK), who have not completed it prior to these diets, and have not applied to these diets for their outstanding part(s), will not be eligible and should expect their application to be withdrawn.
Providing information
When you apply, you will be required to give details about which parts of the examination you have passed at that point. You will also be asked to supply your RCP Code Number as the Physician Specialty Recruitment Office will work with the Federation of Royal College Physicians to verify the MRCP(UK) examination status of all applicants prior to the first offers deadline.
If you are successful in securing a training programme, your employing organisation will request to see proof of having completed the MRCP(UK) as part of pre-employment checks.
While all specialties will accept the MRCP(UK) as a suitable postgraduate examination for HST entry, several will also accept applications from trainees who have undertaken alternative training pathways; and will thus accept alternative UK postgraduate examinations.
The specialties participating in the PSRO-coordinated process which accept alternative training pathways: allergy, audiovestibular medicine, clinical genetics, clinical neurophysiology, dermatology, haematology, immunology, medical ophthalmology, rehabilitation medicine and sport & exercise medicine. Alternative examinations to the MRCP(UK) will only be accepted in tandem with the required experience and acquisition of competences for that training pathway; for example, you cannot undertake training in IMT and use the paediatric college examination for entry.
The deadline to have completed alternative specialty examinations is the same as for the MRCP(UK) diploma, that is the first offers deadline for the round.
For information on what alternative examinations your specialty accepts, please visit that specialty's page.
There are alternatives to the MRCP(UK) for trainees from a physician pathway covered on the person specification. This page details these alternatives and some points to note for trainees applying from this route.
Points to note
- The deadline for completing the alternative varies on the method, so check each one below for the timing.
- Applicants will be asked to supply evidence at time of application where available; each section will detail how this is done.
- Those not able to supply evidence with their application, must send it to the lead region for their specialty by the first offers deadline for that round. Anyone not supplying proof by the deadline will have their application withdrawn.
- The alternatives only qualify for the MRCP(UK) criterion and applicants will need to submit the relevant alternative certificate to demonstrate that their internal medicine capability meets the requirements.
- The rules only apply to alternatives to the MRCP(UK) and there are no arrangements in place for trainees from other pathways (e.g. paediatrics or general practice) who have alternatives to the UK examinations.
Eligibility for the specialist register in GIM
If the GMC have assessed your previous experience and confirmed that you are eligible for the specialist register in general internal medicine, you can apply without the MRCP(UK). Usually this will be proven via the GMC medical register, where your specialist registration will be listed. Evidence of your status is required at time of application and you cannot apply prospectively on the basis of eligibility at a later date.
If you are not on the specialist register but are able to get confirmation from the GMC that your training qualifies you for the specialist register, this can also be accepted.
Your internal medicine training can be from anywhere in the world, as long as the UK GMC has assessed it and can confirm your eligibility.
Providing evidence
You will need to demonstrate on the application form via the specific MRCP(UK) section, that you have attained this level of training. You will also need to upload evidence to your application form; this could be via a screenshot of the GMC specialist register or a scan of the letter from the GMC.
Irish Basic Specialty Training in medicine
Trainees who have fully completed the Irish Basic Specialty Training (BST) programme in general internal medicine, including the MRCPI examination, are eligible to apply. It is not necessary to be an Irish national to qualify, as long as you have completed the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland accredited programme. As with the MRCP(UK), the training must be fully completed by the first offers deadline and evidence received by the lead region for the specialty of application.
You cannot apply on the basis of the MRCPI alone, it will only be accepted as part of the BST programme.
Providing evidence
You will need to demonstrate on the application form via the specific MRCP(UK) section, that you have attained this level of training. You will need to attach evidence with your application form that you completed this programme, along with your MRCPI diploma; this will usually be via the certificate awarded by the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland. Applicants who have not been signed off as complete for the programme at time of application will be required to confirm they can complete by the deadline and to send their evidence by the deadline to be eligible.
Hong Kong & Singapore
The MHKCP (Hong Kong) and MMed Singapore qualifications both contain the full MRCP(UK) diploma, and hence both will continue to be accepted as 'alternative' to MRCP(UK); as has been the case in previous years.