The FRCOphth exams explained
The FRCOphth, the Fellowship of The Royal College of Ophthalmologists, is the main professional qualification for ophthalmologists in the UK. It is awarded after four RCOphth exams: Part 1, the Refraction Certificate, Part 2 Written and the Part 2 Oral, which is taken last. To use the FRCOphth post-nominals you must also become a member of the College.
Last updated 25 October 2026 · AuroPrep editorial team · checked against the RCOphth exams page
What are the FRCOphth exams?
| Exam | What it assesses | Needs a pass in | UK fee, 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| FRCOphth Part 1 | The basic sciences relevant to ophthalmology, based on the first two years of the ophthalmic specialist training curriculum. | No other exam | £725 (online) |
| Refraction Certificate | Practical refraction skills in a clinical setting. | No other exam, but see the order below | £900 at a UK centre |
| FRCOphth Part 2 Written | Applied knowledge and clinical understanding, through single best answer questions. | Part 1 | £725 (online) |
| FRCOphth Part 2 Oral | Clinical reasoning, communication and decision-making. | Part 1, the Refraction Certificate and, within the last seven calendar years, Part 2 Written | £1,395 at a UK centre |
What order are the FRCOphth exams taken in?
Part 1 comes before Part 2 Written, and the Part 2 Oral comes last: it needs a pass in Part 1, the Refraction Certificate and Part 2 Written.
The College's exams page says the Refraction Certificate can be taken before or after Part 1. Its Part 1 information pack says Part 1 must be the first exam taken. If you plan to sit the Refraction Certificate first, confirm with the College before you apply.
The College allows six attempts at Part 1 and at the Refraction Certificate, and four each at Part 2 Written and the Part 2 Oral. Who can sit each exam, and the deadlines in UK training, are on FRCOphth eligibility and attempts.
What is the CertRCOphth?
Candidates who pass FRCOphth Part 1 and Part 2 Written are awarded the Certificate of The Royal College of Ophthalmologists (CertRCOphth), which recognises the written components of the Fellowship route.
CertRCOphth holders may use the CertRCOphth post-nominals and can apply for Affiliate Membership of the College. The Fellowship itself also needs the Refraction Certificate and the Part 2 Oral.
When are the FRCOphth exams, and what do they cost?
Next FRCOphth Part 1 sitting: 20 January 2027, apply by 11 November 2026. Sitting each of the four exams once at UK centres costs £3,745 in 2026 exam fees.
Every sitting and application window is on FRCOphth exam dates, each fee and the College's refund rules on FRCOphth exam fees, and the pass rate at each sitting on FRCOphth pass rates.
How do I prepare for the FRCOphth exams?
FRCOphth Part 1, Part 2 Written and the Refraction Certificate each have an AuroPrep guide, study plan and question bank. There is none for the Part 2 Oral.
- FRCOphth Part 1 question bank: single best answers across basic science and optics. FRCOphth Part 1 study plan.
- FRCOphth Part 2 Written question bank: single best answers mapped to the clinical curriculum. FRCOphth Part 2 Written study plan.
- Refraction Certificate question bank: the optics and refraction theory behind the exam. Refraction Certificate study plan.
Every question is checked by at least two reviewers, including a consultant ophthalmologist, before it is published. The Refraction Certificate is a practical exam with no written paper, so its bank is a theory companion: it does not replace supervised hands-on refraction.
Is the Duke Elder part of the FRCOphth?
No. The Duke Elder is a College exam for medical undergraduates that recognises excellence in undergraduate ophthalmology. It is not one of the four exams the Fellowship needs.
Read the Duke Elder exam guide, or practise with the Duke Elder question bank.
These are the College's rules, and it can change them. Where two College documents disagree, this page says so; check with the College before you rely on one of those lines.
Sources. RCOphth exams · Part 1 information pack · RCOphth exam fees, 2026
See also: FRCOphth pass rates · FRCOphth exam fees · Eligibility and attempts · FRCOphth exam dates
Exam guides: FRCOphth Part 1 · FRCOphth Part 2 Written · Refraction Certificate · Duke Elder prize exam
Four exams to the Fellowship. Start with Part 1.
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