MRCPsych - a guide for overseas psychiatrists
- April 06, 2023
For overseas psychiatrists looking to register with the GMC and find a psychiatry job in the NHS, one option is to complete the Membership of the Royal College of Psychiatrists examinations - MRCPsych. Here we will take a detailed look at the MRCPsych exams, fees and centres.
International Medical Graduates (IMGs) from any country in the world can sit the MRCPsych examinations, provided certain eligibility criteria are met. These are summarised below along with a broad look at the following topics:
- What is MRCPsych?
- What is the exam content and format?
- Eligibility for overseas doctors
- Assessment Portfolio
- Sponsorship Requirements
- How do I apply?
- How much will it cost me?
- Where can I sit the exams?
- How can I prepare for the MRCPsych examinations
- Passed? What next?
The Royal College of Psychiatrists is the professional body responsible for the specialty of Psychiatry throughout the UK. Among many other duties, its role is to set and monitor the educational curriculum for those training to enter the profession.
What is MRCPsych?
The MRCPsych examinations are the central component of training for psychiatrists in the UK and the examinations are designed to test your knowledge of basic medical sciences as well as the clinical skills required for diagnosis and management within psychiatry.
For international doctors, MRCPsych is one of the two main routes IMGs can take to full GMC registration - you can find a range of articles covering these routes in our resource library here: Royal College or PLAB route.
For doctors who wish to take more senior roles reflective of their current practice, IMG Connect advise that MRCPsych would be the best route to take.
Overseas doctors must be registered with a recognised medical board in their country of residence and should have undertaken 3 years of training and MRCPsych (UK) is a prerequisite to anyone wishing to go on to a specialist training post as a physician in the UK
What is the exam content and format?
The MRCPsych examinations consist of two written papers (Paper A + Paper B) and one clinical examination (CASC).
Typically, a UK Psychiatrist would sit Paper A from FY2. Candidates will then progress through MRCPsych examinations from CT1 – CT3, before going on to specially training for CCT.
Paper A – The scientific and theoretical basis of psychiatry – 3 hours
This is a written paper, worth 150 marks and comprising 150 questions made up of approximately two thirds multiple choice questions (MCQ) and one third extended matching item questions (EMI).
It covers the following sections of the syllabus:
Paper A is now taken online.
Paper B - Critical review and the clinical topics in psychiatry – 3 hours
This is a written paper, worth 150 marks and comprising 150 questions made up of approximately one third covering critical review and two thirds covering clinical topics.
It covers the following sections of the syllabus:
Paper B is now taken online.
CASC - Clinical Assessment of Skills and Competencies
The CASC is based on a format that is similar to OSCEs. Specifically, the examination consists of two circuits which must be completed on the same day.
In total, the circuit includes 16 stations, made up of:
- five stations on history taking, including risk assessment
- five stations on examination, including physical and mental state
- six stations on patient management
Stations consist of several elements with instructions provided to all candidates, marked against the examiners construct.
These have a standardised format with elements in common between stations of a similar type. Find out more here.
The CASC exam is taken in person.
Eligibility for overseas doctors
The MRCPsych examinations can be taken by both:
- Doctors from the EU, who are working overseas
- Non-Eu doctors who are working overseas
Each examination has different criteria, to complete the full MRCPsych, an overseas doctor must be registered with a recognised medical board in their country of residence and complete the Assessment Portfolio for Overseas Candidates demonstrating that they have complete 3 years of equivalent training.
Furthermore, prior to taking CASC, overseas candidates must demonstrate competencies in Psychotherapy AND Child & Adolescent Psychiatry or Learning Disability.
For each part of the exam the Royal College suggest the following eligibility criteria:
MRCPsych Paper A
You are eligible for Paper A if you are a fully registered medical practitioner.
MRCPsych Paper B
It is a recommended to have at least 12 months experience in psychiatry before taking this examination.
Clinical Assessment of Skills and Competencies (CASC):
You are eligible to take CASC if you have 24 months post internship experience in Psychiatry, by the time of sitting the CASC
AND
You have a pass in both Paper A and B
AND
You can demonstrate you have sponsorship in place. Sponsorship forms must be submitted by an appropriate medical education lead confirming that the eligibility requirements to sit the MRCPsych examinations have been met.
In addition, overseas candidates must show their sponsor evidence of having achieved equivalent competencies at appropriate competency levels (year 1, 2, 3) for each component of the examination.
Assessment Portfolio for Overseas Candidates:
As above, one aspect of eligibility for CASC as to complete an Assessment Portfolio. This must demonstrate achievement of equivalent competencies to those defined in the ARCP documented on the application form, this must include competencies in Psychotherapy AND Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, or Learning Disability have been achieved by the time of applying for the MRCPsych CASC.
In addition, overseas candidates must demonstrate that they undertake the following activities as part of their structured job plans:
- be observed interviewing patients in ward rounds for specified reasons
- be observed interviewing patients in out-patient or community settings or other contexts for specified reasons
- be assessed via formal presentation of cases with their medical notes; discuss management of cases with their Clinical or Educational Supervisor
- be assessed formally in having achieved competencies in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry or Learning Disability AND Psychotherapy
Assessments and achievement of competencies should take place in a range of settings and psychiatric specialties with structured, documented feedback on performance having been provided.
Whilst there is not an assessment criteria form available as this is incorporated into the online submission, take a look at the ARCP assessment portfolio form for CT1-3 in the UK, which should help give you a starting point for your own portfolio.
Sponsorship requirements
International candidates must have a sponsor in place in order to support evidence that their three years of training satisfy Royal College criteria of having achieved equivalent competencies at appropriate competency levels (year 1, 2, 3) for each component of the examination.
Sponsorship is required by all applicants for entry to the CASC examination and your sponsor should be an appropriate medical education lead confirming you have met the requirements to sit the MRCPsych examinations.
Acceptable sponsors are:
- College Tutor
- Training Programme Director
- Educational Supervisor
- Head of School
- Director of Medical Education (or equivalent)
- Head of Department of Psychiatry
- Consultant responsible for employee/trainee appraisal
Once your sponsor has authorised your application, you will receive a confirmation email from the Royal College, and you will be asked to complete your application and proceed to payment.
How do I apply?
To apply you will need to complete an online application form. It takes about 15 – 20 minutes. You can sit Paper A and B in any order. You will be required to enter contact details and training history, including your medical registration.
Payment is made by credit/debit card.
If applying for the CASC, you will also need to provide the contact details of your sponsor.
It is important to note that the online form for Paper A, B and CASC will only be available during the published application dates and must be submitted before the closing date and time. Applications submitted after, will not be accepted.
How much will it cost me?
|
Candidate |
Paper A |
Paper B |
CASC |
|
£496 |
£446 |
£1,024 |
|
|
Non-PMPT Trainees and Affiliates (UK & Ireland Centres) |
£550 |
£495 |
£1,137 |
Where and when can I sit the examinations?
The good news is that changes have been made in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and Paper A and B can be taken online, making it much easier for IMGs to complete the MRCPsych examinations and work towards their GMC registration in a normal time frame. To maintain the integrity fo the CASC exam, delivery will be in-person only from September 2023.
You can sit the examination from your home country with details on submissions and preparation for an online exam available on the Royal College website.
For up-to-date information on application and exam dates, please see the Royal College website here.
How do I prepare for the MRCPsych examinations?
With lots of materials online we have discussed with IMGs the best place to start looking for resources and materials relating to the exams. Most IMGs recommended starting with the Royal College, who have created useful resources to help you to prepare for the exams. See below:
Syllabus:
We always suggest that this is the best place to start – plan your study around the curriculum topics and make a road map to your success in the exams.
Syllabus: summary of areas of core medical knowledge underpinning specialist training in psychiatry
Current critical review syllabus:
For Paper B candidates will need to ensure that they make optimal use of the MRCPsych Paper B Critical review Evidence Based Practice Syllabic Content.
Sample Papers:
These will help you prepare and polish your exam techniques and are a good idea to regularly benchmark your knowledge against the syllabus. In addition sample questions will help you work quickly on the day, you will already know what to expect. Please note: you may be required to be a member to access these.
Marking schemes (Paper A and B):
Candidates pass or fail the written papers based on their performance, and not how well you perform against other candidates. As such, it is a good idea to understand how the exam is worked, so you can maximise your exam skills, giving you the best chance of a pass.
Marking schemes can be found here.
Marking scheme (CASC):
A good start with CASC preparation is to get to know how you will be assessed, take a look at the criteria for scoring a pass mark in CASC, as well as the History Marksheet, Management Marksheet and Examination Marksheet.
Written papers marksheet example:
Again, this is a useful tool to help you familiarise yourself with the exam format and improve your test skills. An example marksheet can be found here.
CASC examination guide:
The Royal College have produced a helpful guide for candidates which provides information on stations, role plays and assessment.
CASC preparation videos:
Here you will have the opportunity to see CASC stations in action. This will give you a good idea of what to expect and help you prepare.
CASC Blueprint:
This helpful summary details stations in some detail and gives a useful overview of the exam format.
The Royal College also suggest taking a look at Passing the MRCPsych - an insider’s guide - a useful guide to help you to get over the first steps.
As ever at IMG Connect, we believe in preparation. In order to succeed in the clinical exam, IMGs have told us that it is vital that you practise your clinical examinations as frequently as possible, preferably under the supervision of a senior colleague. This will give you confidence in approaching and examining children with examiners present.
Passed? What's next?
First of all, congratulations! After you have passed all parts of MRCPsych you can apply for a full registration with a license to practice. Once the GMC have approved your application, you can work as a doctor in the UK.
Don’t hesitate to get in touch using the buttons above (and below) and chat with an IMG Consultant to discuss your options for NHS roles with CESR support and start your journey towards Specialist Registration with IMG Connect.
For access to a community of like-minded psychiatry IMGs and dedicated psychiatry recruiters, join the IMG Psychiatrists Facebook group.
To receive the latest news and updates on all things psychiatry, including the Royal College, GMC registration and the NHS, follow us on social media and join the conversation.
Relevant Jobs
A new role as Specialty Doctor in inpatient child and adolescent mental health service at a Trust rated \"Outstanding\" by the CQC has just opened for both UK based and overseas candidates. Based in a city just north of London the trust supports doctors looking to build experience before entering ST4 or to support with CESR applications.
This is a great opportunity for overseas Specialty Doctors who want to establish themselves in the NHS, and grow their career. The post is suitable for candidates holding specialisation in the EEA, or for experienced IMGs looking to complete CESR.
ELIGIBILITY FOR THE ROLE:
Non-EEA:
- MRCPsych
- Experience in Child & Adolescent Psychiatry
- Specialist certification in Psychiatry (desirable)
- Experience in Child & Adolescent Psychiatry
- Experience in Child & Adolescent Psychiatry
Discover an exceptional opportunity for a Specialist Doctor in General Adult Psychiatry at an NHS Trust in London. This dynamic role caters to overseas specialists aspiring to join the NHS, accepting applications from EEA-specialized candidates and experienced IMGs pursuing CESR.
As part of the highly diverse General Adult Psychiatry Department, you\'ll work in various mental health services, contributing to the well-being of over 800,000 individuals. The department functions as a cohesive team of doctors built on mutual respect and trust. It offers a comprehensive range of services, including adult mental health, crisis resolution, home treatment teams, community integrated mental health teams, eating disorders, liaison psychiatry, personality disorder services, and psychological therapies.
There will be a CESR support, Section 12, and AC are provided, fostering career development. Enjoy a vibrant life in London, while advancing your career in this exceptional NHS job opportunity.
ARE YOU ELIGIBLE FOR THIS ROLE?
EEA Candidates:
-
Experience of working in General Adult Psychiatry (essential)
Non-EEA Candidates:
-
MRCPsych or PLAB (essential)
-
Experience of working for General Adult Psychiatry (essential)
UK based applicants
-
Experience of working in General Adult Psychiatry(essential)
An excellent job opportunity for either experienced Specialist grade (Associate Specialists) or Consultants in General Adult Psychiatry working in the community across five boroughs of Greater Manchester. The Trust\'s vision is for a happier and more hopeful life for everyone in their communities and their staff work hard to deliver the very best care for the people who use their services. They are really proud of their people, and continue to do everything they can to make sure that they are a great place to work.
The post is suitable for candidates holding specialisation in the EEA, or for experienced IMGs looking to complete CESR.
WHAT IS THE NHS FOUNDATION TRUST LIKE?
The NHS Foundation Trust serves a population of 1.3 million and their vision is a happier and more hopeful life for everyone in their communities. The Trust has more than 3,600 dedicated and skilled staff deliver care from 88 different locations in six boroughs. The Trust\'s mental health teams provide care and treatment for people with mild to moderate conditions such as depression, anxiety or dementia, or more serious mental health illnesses such as schizophrenia and bi-polar disorder. They run \"Healthy Minds\" (psychological therapies), drug and alcohol services, psychiatric intensive care, rehabilitation services, military veterans\' services and many more.
The Trust\'s learning disability services are for people with a moderate to profound level of learning disability, such as those with downs syndrome. The Trust has an updated strategy (2022-2025) that confirms their commitment to being a specialist mental health, learning disability and autism provider, while recognising the impact of the pandemic and the changes within the health and social care system.
WHAT IS THE DEPARTMENT & TEAM LIKE?
The service (generally for people aged 16 to 64) has been running since 2008, according to a model whereby their team of consultants are deployed as follows: three consultants work exclusively in the community and outpatient areas, one consultant works with the Early Intervention Service, two consultants cover the inpatient area and one works with our Home Treatment and A&E Liaison Team. Within this arrangement, the consultant appointed to this post will work with other sector consultants (East, West and South sector community outpatients).
WHAT IS LIFE LIKE IN THE REGION?
Situated in the east of Greater Manchester, between the City of Manchester and the Pennines National Park, the area offers a wonderful mixture of city and famously beautiful countryside. Manchester is one of the main cities of England, with all the benefits that brings including vibrant social and entertainment options in a vibrant city centre. The region enjoys excellent transport connections both international through the airport and local, via the M62, and M60 motorways and the Metrolink tram system. Approximately 22.5% of the population are from ethnic minority groups.
WHAT OPPORTUNITIES ARE AVAILABLE TO YOU?
If you are a new consultant you will receive mentoring and support from medical leads as well as access to a large peer group of enthusiastic and high-caliber Consultants.
ARE YOU ELIGIBLE FOR THIS ROLE?
EEA Candidates:
- European Specialist Qualification
- Experience of working in General Adult Psychiatry
Non-EEA Candidates:
- MRCPsych
- Experience of working in General Adult Psychiatry
UK based applicants
- Experience of working in General Adult Psychiatry
- Section 12 and Approved Clinician
This is a great opportunity for any experienced General Adult Psychiatrists and including those working towards CESR or specialist registration in the UK.
The NHS Foundation Trust is currently looking for a Specialist in Inpatient Adult Psychiatry. This is an outstanding opportunity for experienced Consultants Psychiatrists, Associate Specialist (Specialist Grade) and Specialty Doctors who is looking to work toward Specialist Registration through the CESR pathway.
The post is suitable for candidates holding specialisation in the EEA, or for experienced IMGs ideally with MRCPsych and overseas consultant or specialist experience looking to complete CESR.
WHAT IS THE NHS FOUNDATION TRUST LIKE?
The NHS Trust provides mental health services to all age ranges and supports people with a range of mental health problems whether they are mild, moderate or severe. The NHS Trust employs over 9,000 people who deliver support for the patient services. In addition to providing a wide range of patient services, we also contribute to training the next generation of nurses, doctors and therapists and conduct research that will help to advance clinical practice and treatments in the future.
WHAT IS THE DEPARTMENT & TEAM LIKE?
The Department is a 14 bedded ward which admits adults of working age. The district covers a largely rural area of 285 square miles with a population of approximately 114,000. There are 275 admissions per 100,000 adult population in Somerset. Over the last three years there was an average of 223 admissions per year with bed occupancy being lower than the national average. The majority of the patients admitted were given a diagnosis of a psychotic illness, followed by a mood disorder and then personality disorders.
The post holder will be part of the team which consists of a ward manager 0.5WTE, a deputy ward manager 1WTE, a trainee doctor 1.WTE, a medical secretary 0.4WTE, a ward administrator 1.0WTE, a ward psychologist 0.5WTE, three occupational therapists, 11 staff nurses, 17 health care assistants, and 6 service assistants.
The post holder will also be responsible for conducting Mental Health Act assessments for adults of working age admitted to the ward. Other Mental Health Act assessments for adults of working age in Mendip will fall to the community adult consultant psychiatrists. The post holder may be invited to contribute.
WHAT IS LIFE LIKE IN THE REGION?
Based in the South West, the trust is located between various areas of outstanding natural beauty and the idyllic rolling hills of Exmoor, featuring national hotspots for cycling, surfing, and climbing. There’s plenty to keep you occupied alongside the abundance of music festivals and local traditions.
WHAT OPPORTUNITIES ARE AVAILABLE TO YOU?
There is real opportunity to progress through CESR at pace at this trust, with a strong desire for newly-qualified consultants to develop their specialty areas of interest and undertake in various cancer trials and research projects where possible. Research is encouraged here, particularly when this is appropriate to professional development and to the service development of the department.
If you are a new consultant you will receive mentoring and support from medical leads as well as access to a large peer group of enthusiastic and high-caliber Consultants.
ARE YOU ELIGIBLE FOR THIS ROLE?
UK based candidates:
- Specialty Doctor Experience
- Specialisation in Psychiatry
- MRCPsych
- Consultant or specialist experience
An excellent job opportunity for either experienced Specialist grade (Associate Specialists) or Consultants in Learning Disability Psychiatry that continuously provide high quality mental health and learning disability services, both inpatient and in the community across five boroughs of Greater Manchester. The Trust\'s vision is for a happier and more hopeful life for everyone in their communities and their staff work hard to deliver the very best care for the people who use their services. They are really proud of their people, and continue to do everything they can to make sure that they are a great place to work.
The post is suitable for candidates holding specialisation in the EEA, or for experienced IMGs looking to complete CESR.
WHAT IS THE NHS FOUNDATION TRUST LIKE?
The NHS Foundation Trust serves a population of 1.3 million and their vision is a happier and more hopeful life for everyone in their communities. The Trust has more than 3,600 dedicated and skilled staff deliver care from 88 different locations in six boroughs. The Trust\'s mental health teams provide care and treatment for people with mild to moderate conditions such as depression, anxiety or dementia, or more serious mental health illnesses such as schizophrenia and bi-polar disorder. They run \"Healthy Minds\" (psychological therapies), drug and alcohol services, psychiatric intensive care, rehabilitation services, military veterans\' services and many more.
The NHS Foundation Trust aims to deliver mental health through services based in each Borough and in conjunction with local Commissioners and local social service departments. The Trust\'s learning disability services are for people with a moderate to profound level of learning disability, such as those with downs syndrome. The Trust has an updated strategy (2022-2025) that confirms their commitment to being a specialist mental health, learning disability and autism provider, while recognising the impact of the pandemic and the changes within the health and social care system.
The Trust made the list of the top 120 best places to work in 2015, as compiled by HSJ and Nursing Times, in association with NHS Employers. 5 The list is a celebration of NHS organisations that have worked hard to promote great staff engagement and create an environment where people can enjoy their work. The Trust is accredited with a ‘two ticks’ symbol to ensure that people with disabilities are afforded equal opportunity to enter employment and progress if and where possible.
WHAT IS THE DEPARTMENT & TEAM LIKE?
The Department is a team of kind, fair & determined doctors. In the context of a Specialist Community Learning Disability service model these values translate into principles which drive their vision and work. The team is committed to building upon the evidence base which informs the delivery of safe, caring, responsive and well led services. Their network of teams benefit from sharing learning from quality initiatives, research, compliments, complaints and incidents which in turn drive locality developments and the plans they share. Their service model will be supported by Quality Improvement forums and Research and Innovation hubs, these groups will work across disciplines, organisations and geographical boundaries.
The service model provides a platform from which their multi-disciplinary teams deliver a broad spectrum of pathways. Each pathway is flexed to meet the individual needs, skills and circumstances of the client. A client’s pathway may vary in the range of reasons for involvement, the setting of the intervention, the approach taken, even the number of disciplines involved. The population of Oldham is around 238,722, with a growth projected increase to 246,645 by 2025 (2.18%). At present, around 5156 people, within the borough of Bury, have a known learning disability, with the five year forecast showing this to increase to 5536 by mid-2025.
The post holder will provide psychiatric input to adults with learning disabilities of 18 years and older within the area. The post holder will be a key member of the team and will have access to clinical space at the clinic. It is also expected that psychiatric assessment, advice and liaison will be given in a variety of community locations. For example: The post holder is expected to carry out assessments of complex cases and support development of multi-disciplinary management plans.
WHAT IS LIFE LIKE IN THE REGION?
Oldham is a town with considerable geographical, cultural and ethnic diversity, situated in the northeast part of Greater Manchester, between the City of Manchester and the Pennines. The town enjoys excellent transport connections via the M62, and M60 motorways and the Metrolink tram system. The population of Oldham Borough is 227,312, of whom 62.1% are aged between 16 and 64 (OMBC 2013 mid-year estimate). Approximately 22.5% of the population are from ethnic minority groups.
WHAT OPPORTUNITIES ARE AVAILABLE TO YOU?
If you are a new consultant you will receive mentoring and support from medical leads as well as access to a large peer group of enthusiastic and high-caliber Consultants.
ARE YOU ELIGIBLE FOR THIS ROLE?
EEA Candidates:
- Experience of working in Learning Disability Psychiatry
- Board Certified Specialist in Learning Disability Psychiatry
Non-EEA Candidates:
- MRCEM (UK) (essential)
- Experience of working in Learning Disability Psychiatry
- Specialist training in Learning Disability Psychiatry
UK based applicants
- Experience of working in Learning Disability Psychiatry
This is a great opportunity for any experienced General Adult Psychiatrists working towards CESR or specialist registration in the UK, whilst working as a specialty doctor in the NHS.