The Duke Elder Undergraduate Prize Examination is open to medical students worldwide. It gives you the opportunity to test your ophthalmology knowledge and demonstrate your interest in the specialty.
The 2026 examination will be delivered online.
The Duke Elder exam assesses ophthalmology knowledge at undergraduate level. It provides an opportunity to demonstrate your interest in the specialty and gain recognition for your achievement. Candidates in the top 10% receive a special commendation from the President of The Royal College of Ophthalmologists.
You can apply if you are an undergraduate medical student.
Applications must be submitted through your medical school. The College cannot accept direct applications from individual candidates.
- Contact your clinical dean or the appropriate officer at your medical school.
- Ask them to submit your name and email address to the College.
- Wait for the College to send you payment instructions.
- Pay the exam fee before the published deadline.
Late applications cannot be accepted.
Application deadlines
Deadlines for the 2026 exam are as follows:
Application deadline: Thursday 25 June 2026
Payment deadline: 5pm, Friday 3 July 2026
Reasonable adjustment evidence deadline: Friday 3 July 2026
Exam date: Wednesday 9 September 2026, 2.30pm
Results issued: Friday 2 October 2026
Reasonable adjustments
If you would like to request a reasonable adjustment for your exam, please view our policies and procedures.
Prepare for your online exam
Before exam day, make sure you have read the guidance and completed any required system checks.
The Duke Elder exam consists of a single paper of 90 multiple-choice questions and lasts two hours. The exam is delivered online under live remote invigilation.
Results are released by the deadline shown in the Exams calendar. We may release them earlier at our discretion.
We send results by email. Please do not contact the exams team before the published results date to ask when results will be released.
All candidates receive their percentage score and ranking by 10% band. Candidates in the top 10% receive a special commendation from the President of The Royal College of Ophthalmologists.
Find out about other College awards and prizes
Associate membership
Duke Elder candidates are eligible to apply for associate membership of the College, giving access to resources, events and opportunities to support a career in ophthalmology.
Please read the Duke Elder information pack (PDF) before contacting us.
If you still need support with your application, please email the Exams Team.