The pathway from medical school to consultant involves multiple postgraduate exams, each with its own fee structure. The total cost is rarely discussed openly, but it is a significant financial commitment — particularly for international medical graduates who pay higher fees at most stages.
Medical specialties (MRCP + SCE pathway)
MRCP Part 1: approximately £450. MRCP Part 2 Written: approximately £450. MRCP PACES: approximately £700. Total MRCP: approximately £1,600 for UK trainees. International candidates pay a surcharge of £100 to £200 per component.
SCE: approximately £500 per attempt for UK trainees, £700 for international candidates.
Total pathway cost (MRCP + SCE): approximately £2,100 for UK trainees, £2,700 to £3,000 for international candidates. This excludes costs of resits, revision resources, travel, and accommodation.
Paediatrics (MRCPCH pathway)
MRCPCH FOP: approximately £350. MRCPCH TAS: approximately £350. MRCPCH AKP: approximately £350. MRCPCH Clinical: approximately £700. Total MRCPCH: approximately £1,750 for members. Non-member and international surcharges apply.
Psychiatry (MRCPsych pathway)
MRCPsych Paper A: approximately £450. MRCPsych Paper B: approximately £450. MRCPsych CASC: approximately £750. Total MRCPsych: approximately £1,650 for members.
Anaesthesia (FRCA pathway)
FRCA Primary MCQ: approximately £400. FRCA Primary OSCE: approximately £600. FRCA Primary SOE: approximately £500. FRCA Final Written: approximately £450. FRCA Final SOE: approximately £500. Total FRCA: approximately £2,450 for RCoA trainees.
The revision resource cost
On top of exam fees, most candidates spend £200 to £600 on question banks and revision resources for each major exam. Over a full training pathway, this adds £1,000 to £3,000 to the total cost.
iatroX's single subscription at £99 per year covers every exam on the platform — MRCP, SCE (all 13 specialties), MRCPCH, MRCPsych, FRCA, MRCGP, PLAB, MRCEM, GPhC, ORE, MFDS, and international exams. For a trainee who needs access across multiple stages of training, this represents a significant saving compared to buying individual subscriptions for each exam.