- What is the FRCR qualification in Clinical Oncology?
- FRCR Part 1 (Clinical Oncology)
- Final FRCR Part A (Clinical Oncology)
- Final FRCR Part B (Clinical Oncology)
What is the FRCR qualification in Clinical Oncology?
FRCR stands for: Fellowship of the Royal College of Radiologists.
The Royal College of Radiologists are the professional body responsible for the specialties of Clinical Oncology and Clinical Radiology in the UK. The FRCR postgraduate qualification is awarded by The Royal College of Radiologists to doctors who have successfully passed the FRCR exams.
To register for a licence to practise via the postgraduate route, the GMC require Clinical Oncologists to hold the full FRCR qualification.
The FRCR exams are split into 3 parts and must be completed in the below order:
- First FRCR
- Final FRCR Part A
- Final FRCR Part B
Training
Clinical oncology specialty training can be summarised in the below three stages, beginning at ST3 and proceeding until ST7.
- Core clinical oncology training (ST3-4) – Candidates must pass the First FRCR exam at this stage.
- Intermediate clinical oncology training (ST4-5)
- Advanced clinical oncology training (ST6-7) – Candidates will take the Final FRCR exams.
Success in all three parts of the FRCR examination will result in the award of the Fellowship of the Royal College of Radiologists and furthermore, entitles the use of the post-nominal letters FRCR.
First FRCR exam in Clinical Oncology
Entry Requirements
Trainees who are looking to enter clinical oncology training must have acquired the full MRCP(UK) diploma. They must also complete the First FRCR exam during their core clinical oncology training at ST3 or ST4 level.
Exam Structure
The purpose of the first FRCR exam is to assess whether trainees have an appropriate overall knowledge of the sciences that underpin clinical oncology. This includes:
- physics as applied to radiotherapy
- radiobiology
- cancer biology including molecular biology
- the pharmacology of systemic anti-cancer treatments
- medical statistics
Made up of single best answer questions, the exam consists of four papers overall. The papers are divided into the following modules:
- Cancer Biology and Radiobiology:
Made up of 50 questions and lasting for 2.5 hours.
- Clinical Pharmacology:
Made up of 40 questions and lasting for 2 hours.
- Physics:
Made up of 50 questions and lasting for 2.5 hours.
- Medical Statistics:
Made up of 40 questions and lasting for 2 hours.
Dates, Locations and Cost
Applicants are able to take the First FRCR exam in several locations worldwide, including Dublin, Edinburgh, Hong Kong, India, London and Manchester.
Usually held in both February and August, the First FRCR exam for clinical oncology costs £123 for members or £145 for non-members.
For more details on the examination dates, click here. This page will also detail any changes to the timing, content or structure of an exam.
Royal College Resources
- Specialty Training Curriculum for Clinical Oncology
- Clinical Oncology syllabus
- First FRCR Exam – Guidance notes for candidates
Final FRCR Part A in Clinical Oncology
Entry Requirements
Candidates sitting the Final FRCR Part A exam in clinical oncology will be in the advanced stage of their specialty training (ST6/ST7), thus would have also completed the First FRCR exam.
Exam Structure
The Final FRCR exam Part A comprises of two single best answer papers. It assesses a candidates knowledge of a wide range of common and important disorders in oncology, as well as the ability to apply clinical understanding and make clinical judgements.
Paper 1: This paper lasts for 3 hours and focuses on the following tumour types:
- Respiratory (24 questions)
- Urology (24 questions)
- Head and neck (24 questions)
- Skin (12 questions)
- Central nervous system (12 questions)
- Gynaecology (24 questions)
This paper has 120 questions in total.
Paper 2: This paper also lasts for 3 hours and focuses on the following tumour types:
- Breast (24 questions)
- Lower gastrointestinal (24 questions)
- Upper gastrointestinal (12 questions)
- Haematology (12 questions)
- Miscellaneous (38 questions) and image-based (10 questions)
This paper has 120 questions in total.
Dates, Locations and Cost
Applicants are able to take the Final FRCR Part A exam in several locations worldwide, including Edinburgh, Hong Kong, India, London, Manchester and Singapore.
Usually held in both the Spring and Autumn, the Final FRCR Part A exam for clinical oncology costs £343 for members or £404 for non-members.
For more details on the examination dates, click here. This page will also detail any changes to the timing, content or structure of an exam.
Royal College Resources
- Final FRCR Part A Sample Questions
- Candidate answer sheet
- Advice for candidates
- Candidate Reference Sheet
- Examiners reports
- Candidate examination instructions
Final FRCR Part B in Clinical Oncology
Entry Requirements
Lastly, the Final FRCR Part B exam can be taken by candidates who have passed the Final FRCR Part A exam.
Exam Structure
The Final FRCR Part B exam consists of a clinical test and an oral test.
Clinical exam
- The clinical exam will last for 40 minutes.
- Candidates will rotate through five stations of eight minutes each.
- A different pair of examiners will be at each station. When a candidate reaches their station, they will present information about a patient. This information may be supported by investigation results and also appropriate x-rays or scans.
- Candidates will then be asked a series of questions, including to identify and discuss clinical findings, discuss clinical patient management and comment on treatment plans for those patients who are receiving radiotherapy.
- Candidates should be “bare below the elbow” (as for usual clinical practice) during the clinical examination and must bring a stethoscope, 15 cm ruler, small torch and pen.
Oral exam
- The oral exam will last for 44 minutes.
- There are two pairs of examiners. Candidates therefore spend 22 minutes with each.
- There are eight assessments in the oral exam. Each station allows for four independent assessments of a candidate performance.
- Each examiner leads the questioning for about eleven minutes. The discussion on each topic will usually last for about five and a half minutes. Candidates are asked a number of focused questions during discussion time.
- This exam presents an opportunity to examine areas that are particularly difficult to explore in a written form. Particularly radiotherapy planning, assessment of diagnostic imaging and clinical management.
Dates, Locations and Cost
This exam is only held at one venue in the UK based in London.
The Fellowship of the Royal College of Radiologists and the Hong Kong College of Radiologists also hold a joint examination. This is organised by the Hong Kong College and is held in Hong Kong once a year at the Autumn sitting.
Usually held in both April and October, the Final FRCR Part B exam for Clinical Oncology costs £490 for members or £577 for non-members.
For more details on the examination dates, click here. This page will also detail any changes to the timing, content or structure of an exam.
Royal College Resources
- Click here to view demonstrations videos
- Oral Examination – Instructions for candidates
- Sample oral questions
- Advice for candidates
- Generic examiners reports
If you’re interested in working in the UK and would like to discuss the positions available in your specialty, and how we can assist you, please contact our team.
