FRCS Section 1: sittings, booking and prep

Next sitting to book 27 Jan 2027 · 25 sittings listed

About

Section 1 is the first stage of the Specialty Fellowship Examinations that the JCIE supervises for the four surgical Royal Colleges of Great Britain and Ireland; the JCIE is the parent body for ten surgical Specialty Boards.

Who can sit

JCIE tells you by email within 4 weeks of the closing date whether you are eligible for Section 1; anyone refused eligibility gets a full refund.

Next sitting to book£600
General Surgery, 27 Jan 2027 · Booking closes 29 Oct

Every sitting

Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery
3 Nov 2026
Booking closed£580
1 Jun 2027 · Next sitting
Booking closes 11 Mar 2027£600
27 Oct 2027
Booking closes 12 Aug 2027£600
Neurosurgery
3 Nov 2026
Booking closed£580
8 Jul 2027 · Next sitting
Booking closes 8 Apr 2027£600
Paediatric Surgery
4 Nov 2026
Booking closed£580
2 Jun 2027 · Next sitting
Booking closes 11 Mar 2027£600
28 Oct 2027
Booking closes 12 Aug 2027£600
Plastic Surgery
5 Nov 2026
Booking closed£580
3 Jun 2027 · Next sitting
Booking closes 11 Mar 2027£600
27 Oct 2027
Booking closes 12 Aug 2027£600
Urology
7 Jan 2027
Booking closed£600
7 Jul 2027 · Next sitting
Booking closes 8 Apr 2027£600
Cardiothoracic Surgery
7 Jan 2027
Booking closed£600
8 Jul 2027 · Next sitting
Booking opens 14 Jan 2027, 9am · closes 8 Apr 2027£600
Vascular Surgery
8 Jan 2027
Booking closed£600
7 Jul 2027 · Next sitting
Booking closes 8 Apr 2027£600
Otolaryngology
8 Jan 2027
Booking closed£600
7 Jul 2027 · Next sitting
Booking closes 8 Apr 2027£600
General Surgery
27 Jan 2027 · Next sitting
Booking closes 29 Oct£600
1 Jun 2027
Booking closes 11 Mar 2027£600
29 Sep 2027
Booking closes 8 Jul 2027£600
Trauma & Orthopaedic Surgery
28 Jan 2027 · Next sitting
Booking closes 29 Oct£600
2 Jun 2027
Booking closes 11 Mar 2027£600
28 Sep 2027
Booking closes 8 Jul 2027£600

Before you book

How do I get a place on FRCS Section 1?
You apply online through the JCIE application system, with a debit or credit card and uploaded documents (three structured reference forms, CV, summary of operative experience and photo ID); the application is not complete until all are uploaded.
What is the format?
From January 2021 Section 1 is two papers of 120 single best answer questions, each 2 hours 15 minutes.
Where is it sat?
Section 1 is listed as CBT in the JCIE calendar; the calendar does not name test centres.
When are results?
Section 1 results are available within six weeks of the exam, by letter emailed from the Board Chair.
What comes after FRCS Section 1?
Passing Section 1 allows you to proceed to Section 2; Section 2 places are allocated to successful candidates in order of receipt of application to the subsequent Section 1.