Brief Outline of Examinations

Please see the New Examination Structure section for updates on the changes in the examination structure.

Detailed information on the College's examinations is available in the Application Packs

Part 1 Fellowship

No previous experience in ophthalmology is necessary for candidates to sit the Part 1 FRCOphth but candidates will be required to pass this examination before they enter into the third year of ophthalmic specialist training.

The structure is based on the learning outcomes from the curriculum for the first two years of training. This includes basic sciences but also theoretical optics and some pathology. There is no clinical component and the syllabus is assessed by a theoretical written section.

Refraction Certificate

No previous experience in ophthalmology is necessary for candidates to sit the Refraction Certificate but candidates are unlikely to pass this assessment if they have not undertaken a large number of clinical refractions in the clinical settings of either the hospital workplace or in optometric establishments. Candidates in OST are required to pass this examination before they enter into the fourth year of ophthalmic specialist training.

The assessment consists of an 8 station Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE). Candidates are examined on 8 OSCE stations from a list of a possible 16 stations. 4 of these will be compulsory and not change from exam to exam and the other 4 will be selected from the remaining 12 stations. Each station is timed for precise periods of 5 minutes. Please see the Refraction Certificate Candidates' Information Pack, available on the Examination Application Packs Page, for full details.

Exemption - Candidates who hold a valid optometric degree are exempt from this certificate.

Part 2 Fellowship

This examination is open to candidates who have passed the Part 1 FRCOphth and the Refraction Certificate. The examination is held twice yearly in February/April and September/November. Candidates are required to pass this examination by the end of year seven of ophthalmic specialist training.

The structure is based on learning outcomes from the curriculum in its entirity. The syllabus is assessed in two components: a theoretical written section and a practical examination. Only candidates who successfully complete the written component will automatically proceed to the practical component approximately 8-10 weeks after the written component. Candidates are not permitted to defer sitting the practical component for any reason; a pass in the written components cannot be carried forward to another sitting. The two parts are designed, written and blueprinted as a whole and candidates must ensure they are available for both dates when applying to sit the examination. Candidates who do not sit the practical component, or are unsuccessful, must resit the written component.

Success in the Part 2 FRCOphth examination leads to the award of Fellowship and the post-nominals FRCOphth. International Medical Graduates (IMG) should note that the award of FRCOphth does not permit exemption from the PLAB test.

Diploma in Ophthalmology Examination

The Royal College of Ophthalmologists administers an examination leading to the award of the Diploma in Ophthalmology (DRCOphth). The examination is currently held once a year in September.

This diploma is aimed at those not wishing to pursue a career as a consultant ophthalmologist in the United Kingdom. It should, therefore, be of interest to all doctors with an interest in ophthalmology working outside the European Union.

Membership

From 2010, the College is pleased to announce a new classification of Membership of the College for examination candidates who have successfully completed the Refraction Certificate and Diploma examinations, which has previously been referred to as the Diploma Plus.

The MRCOphth is a postgraduate ophthalmic qualification for doctors who have a number of years experience and knowledge in ophthalmology below that expected of an independent practitioner. Further details are available here.

Please note: the College previously ran a three-part Membership examination, assessing the entire curriculum for Basic Specialist Training. This concluded in 2008.

Fellowship Assessment

This assessment was designed as an exit requirement for trainees completing Higher Specialist Training. The assessment takes the form of a presentation of an agreed number of cases which have been studied during HST and which include cases reflecting the trainee's special interest or research subjects.

Candidates wishing to proceed to the exit assessment should note that folders are available from the College for presentation of the case book and should be obtained shortly after beginning specialist registrar training. Candidates should begin collecting cases as soon as they take up specialist registrar posts. Case books should be submitted in the last year of training i.e. 3½ years after starting. Intention to submit must be intimated to the College and the date of the examination will be approximately 3 months after submission. Approximately 4 cases should, therefore, be accumulated per year of training. (10 cases in all will be presented.) The examination will consist of an interview by examiners who have read the case book this will be either 2 or 3 assessors. The interview is based on the contents of the casebook but also includes extended questions on each sub-specialty area. No time limit is set on the interview but most are expected to last 1-2 hours. There is no clinical component. Full details, including eligibility criteria, are available in the Fellowship Assessment Application Pack available on Examination Application Packs Page.

Candidates are strongly advised to discuss the case book with their local college tutors at an early stage.

Candidates are advised to submit casebooks within a reasonable time, prior to thier CCT date. Provisional interview dates are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis and the Examinations Department is not responsible for candidates submitting their casebooks too close to their expected CCT date. Dates cannot be pre-booked.

Certificate in Laser Refractive Surgery

The Royal College of Ophthalmologists has introduced an assessment in laser refractive surgery which leads to a certificate of competence to practice, subject to satisfactory yearly appraisals and continuing professional development.

This certificate applies only to refractive procedures performed by laser.

Full details of the structure of the assessment are available here.

Duke Elder Undergraduate Prize Examination

The Duke Elder Undergraduate Prize Examination takes place once a year in Medical Schools throughout the country. The next examination is scheduled to take place on Wednesday 5 May 2010 (Closing date - 10 March 2010 - by which candidates have to submit their names to their Medical School). For an application pack please contact the Examination Department. In addition Medical Schools should have the information from January 2010 and further information can be obtained from the organiser within your Medical School.

Admission Ceremony

The next Admissions Ceremony is scheduled to take place on Friday 10 September 2010 at The Royal College of Surgeons of England. Further details will be posted to those eligible to attend in July 2010.

Page updated: 28 January 2010 (ELB)