This course, offered in partnership with the Orthopaedic Academy, is aimed at candidates preparing for the part 2 FRCS (Orth) examinations or equivalent. It consists solely of mock viva and clinical stations, providing you with the chance to refine your knowledge, practise your exam techniques, and clarify any questions with experienced faculty based in the...
Gordon Museum of Pathology
Hodgkin Bldg, Newcomen St, London, United Kingdom
This course caters to candidates preparing for the FRCS (Tr & Orth) exam and trainees in the early stages of their training seeking to enhance their knowledge and viva experience in hand and wrist surgery. It stands out for its exclusive focus on exam preparation, offering precise terminology and essential concepts crucial for success in...
If you’ve already smashed your MRCS exam and have your sights firmly set on becoming a consultant, the FRCS exams are your next stop. Because the exams are a thorough and tough assessment of the candidates, most of the time, students seek out additional help. This help comes in the form of FRCS exam courses that can greatly improve your chances of nailing the test.
Do you want to do your best and bag the win? Then keep on reading more about these courses.Â
What are the FRCS Exams?Â
Fellowship of the Royal College of Surgeons, or FRCS, is a two-part examination you need to take if you’re considering the surgery pathway.
Once you’ve cleared the FRCS in a particular speciality, you can practice as a surgeon in the UK or the Republic of Ireland. You can sit for this exam in the vicinity of the UK/Ireland or outside of these regions as well. For further details, click here.
The exams consist of the following:
FRCS Section 1
This is a multiple-choice written examination that tests a candidate’s theoretical knowledge in their chosen speciality and core topics in general surgery. This examination is usually divided into two papers taken on the same day.
FRCS Section 2
This oral and clinical examination assesses a candidate’s ability to apply their knowledge and skills to real-life surgical cases.
The format of the Part B examination can vary by speciality, but it generally consists of a combination of oral (viva) examinations, clinical examinations, and objective structured clinical examinations (OSCEs).
What Specialities Need to Take the FRCS Exam?
Here is a list of some common surgical specialities and the FRCS exams they need to take:
FRCS Cardiothoracic Surgery
Part 1: Single Best Answer (SBA) and Extended Matching Questions (EMQ) papers
Part 2: Viva/OSCE
FRCS General Surgery
Part 1: Single Best Answer (SBA) and Extended Matching Questions (EMQ) papers
Part 2: Viva/OSCE
FRCS Neurosurgery
Part 1: Single Best Answer (SBA) and Extended Matching Questions (EMQ) papers
Part 2: Viva/OSCE
FRCS Ophthalmology
Part 1: Single Best Answer (SBA) and Extended Matching Questions (EMQ) papers
Part 2: OSCE
FRCS Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
Part 1: Single Best Answer (SBA) and Extended Matching Questions (EMQ) papers
Part 2: Viva/OSCE
FRCS Otolaryngology (ENT)
Part 1: Single Best Answer (SBA) paper
Part 2: Viva/OSCE
FRCS Paediatric Surgery
Part 1: Single Best Answer (SBA) and Extended Matching Questions (EMQ) papers
Part 2: Viva/OSCE
FRCS Plastic Surgery
Part 1: Single Best Answer (SBA) and Extended Matching Questions (EMQ) papers
Part 2: Viva/OSCE
FRCS Trauma & Orthopaedics
Part 1: Single Best Answer (SBA) paper
Part 2: Viva/OSCE (Objective Structured Clinical Examination)
FRCS Urology
Part 1: Single Best Answer (SBA) and Extended Matching Questions (EMQ) papers
Part 2: Viva/OSCE
FRCS Vascular Surgery
Part 1: Single Best Answer (SBA) and Extended Matching Questions (EMQ) papers
Part 2: Viva/OSCE
Do I Need to Go on an FRCS Course?Â
It totally depends on you.
If you think you’re weak in OSCEs, then you can go for FRCS OSCE courses. Similarly, if you need help with the theoretical part, you should pick courses that will help you improve in this particular area.
Generally speaking, candidates find OSCEs tougher than written exams which is why most of them go for FRCS courses centred on the viva. They target areas like patient management, communication skills, clinical skills, ethics and professionalism that can help you score better in the real exam.
How Much Do FRCS Courses Cost?Â
There is a wide variety in price from £500 to £3,000 for FRCS (Fellowship of the Royal Colleges of Surgeons) courses. Several factors contribute to the price variation, among them being:
Costs for courses will vary depending on the instructor’s experience, accessibility, and demand for their services.
Costs may vary depending on the length of the course as well as the amount of material covered.
Fees for in-person classes could be more than those for online ones due to factors like rent for the classroom and food for the students.
Course prices vary by region, with those in big cities likely being more expensive than those in smaller communities or the countryside.
The cost of specialised training courses may vary depending on the intricacy and demand for a certain surgical subspecialty.
Before opting for an FRCS course, consider all these variables and make your final choice.
Conclusion
Doing well on the FRCS (regardless of the speciality) can be challenging. Therefore, you need to prepare thoroughly in order to score well. FRCS courses can help you with this goal because they ensure that your preparation is top-notch.
Little details you might’ve missed, or things you find difficult to understand are all made easy – thanks to the multiple FRCS courses available. Ask around, read it up online, research and pick the best course to ace your exam!