MRCOG is Membership of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, the postgraduate qualification in obstetrics and gynaecology awarded by the RCOG. You earn it by passing three exams – MRCOG Part 1, MRCOG Part 2 & MRCOG Part 3. Completing all parts gives you the MRCOG designation (RCOG MRCOG overview). It is the RCOG’s specialty training exam in the UK and is also taken by many doctors in India, the Gulf and other countries.
This guide explains who MRCOG is for, what each part tests, eligibility and attempt rules, fees, how long it takes, what the qualification lets you do and how it compares with other O&G qualifications.
Table of Contents
What is MRCOG?
Takeaway: MRCOG means Membership of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, and holders use it as post-nominal letters.
The RCOG is the UK professional body for obstetrics and gynaecology. Its membership exam has three parts, and there are no exemptions from any part — the old exemption scheme closed in 2006 (RCOG Part 1 FAQs). For a short explainer on the letters and how they are used, see MRCOG full form: what does MRCOG stand for?
Who can take MRCOG?
Takeaway: MRCOG is taken by UK O&G trainees and by doctors worldwide who want a recognised specialist qualification in obstetrics and gynaecology.
- UK specialty trainees, for whom MRCOG is the RCOG’s specialty training exam.
- Indian doctors with an MBBS, MD/MS or DNB in O&G, or working in O&G posts, who want an internationally known qualification.
- Doctors in the Gulf (UAE, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain) working in, or aiming for, O&G posts.
- International candidates from Pakistan, Egypt, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal, Nigeria and elsewhere. Our guide for foreign medical graduates covers this route in more detail.
You can start with Part 1 once you hold a primary medical degree, so many candidates sit it early in their career while gaining O&G experience for later parts.
The three parts of MRCOG at a glance
Takeaway: Parts 1 and 2 are computer-based written exams; Part 3 is a face-to-face clinical assessment of 14 tasks.
| MRCOG Part 1 | MRCOG Part 2 | MRCOG Part 3 | |
| What it tests | Basic and applied sciences relevant to O&G | Applying clinical knowledge to O&G scenarios | Clinical skills and communication across five domains: patient safety, communication with patients and relatives, communication with colleagues, information gathering, applied clinical knowledge |
| Format | 2 papers × 100 single best answer (SBA) questions; 2.5 hours each (format) | 2 papers, each 50 SBAs + 50 extended matching questions (EMQs); 3 hours each; SBAs 40% and EMQs 60% of marks (format) | 14 tasks × 12 minutes, including 2 minutes’ reading; simulated patient/colleague and structured discussion tasks (format) |
| When you can sit it | After your primary medical degree is accepted at eligibility stage | After passing Part 1 | After passing Part 2 and getting your Assessment of Training (AoT) approved |
| Sittings | January and July | January and July | May and November |
| Where | Pearson VUE test centres worldwide | Computer-based test centres | Set venues; November 2026: London, Kolkata, Mumbai, Malaysia, Cairo, Abu Dhabi, Hong Kong |
| Our guides | Part 1 preparation strategy | Part 2 exam format · Part 2 preparation | Part 3 format · Part 3 preparation |
Part 2 has one combined pass mark per exam, set by standard-setting, rather than separate pass marks for SBAs and EMQs. In Part 3, each task assesses 3–4 of the five domains; a clinical examiner features on all 14 tasks and a lay examiner on 4.
MRCOG Eligibility: who can sit each part
Takeaway: You need a primary medical degree for Part 1, a Part 1 pass for Part 2, and a Part 2 pass plus an approved AoT for Part 3.
- MRCOG Part 1. First-time candidates apply for eligibility with proof of their primary medical degree — the original or attested degree certificate, or a registration certificate that states the degree and university. Attestation must be by a notary, lawyer or embassy officer, not a relative, with a translation if the document is not in English (RCOG how to apply). Once eligible, you submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) for each sitting and then book. Resit candidates do not need to reapply for eligibility.
- MRCOG Part 2. You must have passed Part 1.
- MRCOG Part 3. You must have passed Part 2 and have your AoT approved before applying. You can apply for AoT any time after passing Part 1 (RCOG Part 3 how to apply). AoT checks your O&G training. AoT has two routes. Route A is for UK trainees at ST3 or above. Route B is for everyone else and needs at least 4 years of full-time (or equivalent) O&G posts after medical registration, including at least 2 years within the 4 years before you apply. See our Part 3 eligibility guide.
Attempt limits and time rules
Takeaway: Plan your sittings around the time limits, because missing them can mean retaking an earlier part.
| Rule | What the RCOG says |
| MRCOG Part 1 attempts | Maximum 6 if you intend to join the UK Specialist Register; no limit otherwise |
| MRCOG Part 1 → MRCOG Part 2 | No deadline to pass Part 2, but you must attempt it within 10 years of passing Part 1 (7 years, pro rata, if you are on the UK Specialist Register route), or retake Part 1 |
| Part 2 attempts | A maximum of 6 if you intend to join the UK Specialist Register; no limit otherwise |
| Part 3 attempts | 4 attempts; if you do not pass in 4, you must retake Part 2 |
| MRCOG Part 2 → Part 3 | You must attempt MRCOG Part 3 at least once within 7 years (pro rata) of passing Part 2, or retake Part 2 |
| Non-attendance | Not counted as an attempt, but the fee is generally forfeited |
Sources: Part 1 FAQs and Part 3 FAQs. Keep your Part 1 pass letter safe — certificates are issued only after Part 3.
How much MRCOG costs
Takeaway: Fees depend on the band of the country where you sit the exam, not where you live — India is Band B and the GCC countries are Band A.
| Band (by exam centre) | Part 1 or Part 2 | Part 3 |
| UK & Republic of Ireland | £589 | £645 |
| Band A — includes UAE, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain | £710 | £1,034 |
| Band B — includes India, Pakistan, Egypt, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal, Nigeria | £613 | £964 |
| Band C | £489 | £707 |
These are the 2027 fees; see the RCOG country bandings for your country. For exams sat in India, GST has applied to Part 1 and Part 2 fees since January 2025 and is collected by the RCOG; Part 3 is not affected. Current deadlines are on our Part 1 and Part 2 booking dates and Part 3 booking dates pages, updated each sitting.
How long MRCOG takes
Takeaway: There is no fixed course length — your timeline depends on which sittings you pass and when your AoT is approved.
Parts 1 and 2 run twice a year, in January and July, and Part 3 runs in May and November. If you pass each part at its first attempt and sit the next available exam, you can move from Part 1 to Part 2 within about six months. Part 3 then depends on your AoT being approved by the deadline for your chosen sitting — for example, the AoT deadline for May 2027 is 21 January 2027 (RCOG Part 3 key dates).
In practice, most candidates fit MRCOG around clinical work, so it is better to plan your sittings backwards from when you want to finish than to aim for the fastest possible route.
What MRCOG lets you do
Takeaway: In the UK, MRCOG is part of specialty training; elsewhere, what it lets you do depends on each country’s regulator.
- UK training route.. MRCOG is built into UK O&G specialty training. Trainees are expected to pass Part 1 before moving from ST2 to ST3, and Parts 2 and 3 before moving from ST5 to ST6. For doctors who trained abroad, full MRCOG is also on the GMC’s list of acceptable postgraduate qualifications for full registration, as long as it was awarded within the last three years (otherwise you need evidence of recent medical experience)
- Gulf countries. Each country’s health regulator decides which qualifications it accepts and at what grade. In the UAE, the unified licensing rules used by DHA, DOH Abu Dhabi and MOHAP recognise exam-based membership of the UK Royal Colleges, which includes MRCOG. Whether you are licensed as a Specialist or a Consultant depends on your experience. In Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Oman, check the current requirements with DHP, SCFHS or OMSB before you plan your career around MRCOG.
- India. MRCOG is a valid qualification in India, but the National Medical Commission (NMC) does not treat it as equivalent to an Indian MD or MS. This matters mainly for teaching and government jobs. For faculty posts in medical colleges, the NMC accepts a UK qualification only when it comes with completed UK specialist training (CCT/CCST) and UK specialist registration, and government specialist posts usually ask for an NMC-recognised MD, MS or DNB. In the private sector, MRCOG is widely valued: several large hospital groups run RCOG-linked training programmes, and many corporate hospitals and IVF centres see it as a mark of advanced O&G training. That is why many Indian doctors hold MRCOG alongside an MD, MS or DNB, or use it to work in the UK or the Gulf.
MRCOG does not by itself guarantee a post or a grade anywhere; employers and regulators decide. For more on outcomes, read our guides to the benefits of MRCOG and career options after MRCOG.
MRCOG vs other qualifications
Takeaway: Choose by where you want to work and train, not by which qualification sounds more senior.
- MRCOG vs DNB (O&G): DNB is India’s national board qualification; many Indian doctors weigh one against the other or hold both. Read MRCOG vs DNB OBGYN.
- MRCOG vs DRCOG: DRCOG is the RCOG’s diploma for doctors who are not O&G specialists, such as GPs and junior doctors, to show advanced knowledge of women’s health. It is not a specialist qualification or a step towards MRCOG. Read MRCOG or DRCOG.
- MRCOG vs FRCOG: FRCOG is not an exam. It is a fellowship the RCOG awards by election to members, usually after at least 10 years of membership, who have made a significant contribution to O&G through research, teaching or publications. So MRCOG comes first, and FRCOG may follow much later. Read MRCOG vs FRCOG.
- MRCOG vs other overseas exams: Compare routes in MRCOG vs other overseas exams.
If you are an MBBS graduate without an O&G post
Takeaway: You can sit Part 1 with an MBBS, but you will need structured O&G training before Part 3.
Parts 1 and 2 test knowledge, while Part 3 and the AoT depend on real O&G training and clinical experience. If you do not yet have an O&G post, plan how you will gain that experience alongside your written exams. One option is StudyMEDIC’s two-year Clinical Program, which combines hospital-based O&G clinical training with MRCOG preparation; check how any programme’s training will be documented for your AoT before you join.
Frequently asked questions
What is the full form of MRCOG?
MRCOG stands for Membership of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists. It is awarded after you pass all three parts of the RCOG exam. See our MRCOG full form guide.
Can I do MRCOG after MBBS?
Yes, you can apply for MRCOG Part 1 eligibility with a primary medical degree such as MBBS. You will need O&G training and an approved AoT before you can sit Part 3.
Is MRCOG a degree or a membership?
It is a membership of the RCOG gained by examination, not a university degree. Completing all parts leads to the MRCOG designation.
How many times a year is the MRCOG exam held?
Parts 1 and 2 are held twice a year, in January and July. Part 3 is held twice a year, in May and November.
Can I sit MRCOG in India or the Gulf?
Yes. Parts 1 and 2 are computer-based at test centres, and Part 3 venues have included Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Delhi, Abu Dhabi and Riyadh in recent sittings. Venues for each Part 3 sitting are listed on the RCOG key dates page.
What is the MRCOG fee for Indian candidates?
India is in Band B, so the 2027 fee is £613 for Part 1 or Part 2 and £964 for Part 3. GST is added to Part 1 and Part 2 fees for exams sat in India.
Is there any exemption from MRCOG Part 1?
No. The RCOG closed its exemption scheme in 2006, so every candidate sits all three parts.
Is MRCOG valid in the Gulf?
Each Gulf country sets its own licensing rules. In the UAE, MRCOG counts as an exam-based Royal College membership under the unified rules used by DHA, DOH Abu Dhabi and MOHAP, and whether you are licensed as a Specialist or a Consultant depends on your experience. In Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Oman, check the current requirements with DHP, SCFHS or OMSB before you apply.
Not sure where to start? Book a free counselling call with our MRCOG team to plan your sittings, or go straight to the MRCOG Part 1, Part 2 or Part 3 course.
Related guides: All about MRCOG (video series) · MRCOG Part 1 and Part 2 booking dates · MRCOG Part 3 booking dates · Benefits of MRCOG
Sources: RCOG — MRCOG exam overview · RCOG — Part 1 FAQs · RCOG — Part 1 key dates and fees · RCOG — Part 2 key dates and fees · RCOG — Part 3 FAQs · RCOG — country bandings