Blog Summary
FRCR qualification helps in career growth and gives you a significant advantage. It’s a three-part exam and requires 34 months of clinical radiology training. You can attempt part 1 during your residency and part 2 after the PG exams. To clear the exams, you need to possess in-depth knowledge and extraordinary skills. To practice as a radiologist in the UK you need to get a Certification of Eligibility for Specialty Training after qualifying for FRCR. TAU offers unique fellowship programs to help you clear FRCR exams in the first attempt. The program is designed to improve your confidence level and gain hands-on learning with clinical exposure with training from RCR-certified professionals. Indian nationals with NEET PG scores, MBBS with MCI registration and clearance in screening exams and panel interviews make you eligible to pursue a fellowship in radiology from TAU.
The FRCR exam is powered by the professional body of the Royal College of Radiologists (RCR). This governing body is responsible for conducting radiology examinations, deciding the curriculum, and identifying the practice standards in radiology specialties across the United Kingdom.
The Fellowship of Royal College of Radiologist (FRCR) is a radiology course, which you can complete in 34 months of clinical radiology training. During this time, the candidate needs to clear three steps or phases of the FRCR exam.
In the United Kingdom, the FRCR exam is mandatory for FRCR radiology candidates. Only after completing this radiology course can candidates achieve the qualification of a practicing radiologist.
However, non-UK residents can also take the FRCR exam to improve their career growth. For this reason, many Indian radiology candidates take the FRCR radiology exam to apply for a UK fellowship. Several other radiology candidates take this exam to gain an edge as a radiology resident in India. This is because FRCR is a holistic test assessing your field abilities. It is one of the toughest radiology examinations.
We have prepared a guide to help you explore the following:
- Importance of FRCR radiology course in India
- Eligibility criteria for FRCR exam
- FRCR exam preparation guide
Structure of FRCR Radiology Examination
The FRCR exam contains three phases:
The First FRCR Examination
In this FRCR exam, two modules are included:
- Anatomy for radiology studies
- Physical imaging for diagnostic medical imaging
The anatomy module contains 100 image-based questions, and the physics module contains 200 questions with 40 sets of 5 questions each.
The Final FRCR Part A
The final FRCR examination covers a range of topics:
- Trauma and Musculoskeletal
- Vascular and cardiovascular
- Genito-urinary, gynecology, adrenal, and breast pediatric
- Gastro-intestinal
- Head, neck, and central nervous system
This Part 2A exam contains two modules with 120 questions each in a single best answer format.
The Final FRCR Part B
The final FRCR examination covers the following clinical radiology aspects:
- Rapid reporting
- Reporting station
- Oral exam
In this exam, you need to report 30 cases that too in 35 minutes.
Successfully Clear the First Level of FRCR with Preparation
Why Do I Need to Take the FRCR Exam?
You may be wondering how a radiology course in India can help you. Read on to know:
- FRCR exam offers an additional qualification, which provides more credit. You can easily apply for a job in tertiary care and corporate hospitals.
- The FRCR exam requires in-depth knowledge and extraordinary skills. The high standards of FRCR are the reason this examination can prove you a safe radiologist. The criteria and skills acquired will reflect in your work.
- Once you have completed FRCR, you can pursue a career as a radiologist in the UK. After some time, you would become eligible for Certification of Eligibility for Specialty Training, which gives you the power to practice as a radiologist in the UK.
Requirements For a Radiology Course
You need to appear for all three phases of the FRCR exam in the minimum time possible.
How can you do it?
- Attempt Part 1 during your residency
- Attempt Part 2 after PG exams. You can also attempt Part 2 (A and B) in the 5th semester of MD.
You can give all these FRCR exams in Singapore, UK, and Hong Kong.
Part 1 is held in March, June, and September.
Part 2A is held in June and December. Part 2B is held in April and October.
If you take all three FRCR exams consecutively without taking significant breaks in between, then you can complete FRCR in 2 years.
Eligibility for FRCR Exam
The eligibility criteria are different for different FRCR exam phases.
Eligibility of Part 1
To become eligible for Part 1 of the FRCR exam, you need:
- A primary medical qualification which is GMC recognized
- Radiology post which includes training
Ideally, anyone who has completed radiology training or currently getting radiology training can apply for the FRCR Part 1 exam.
Eligibility of Part 2A
For the Part 2A FRCR exam, you need the following:
- Cleared FRCR Part 1 exam
- 24 months of training in clinical radiology
However, here, you also need an acknowledgment from your department’s head stating that you have received appropriate training as per FRCR.
Eligibility of Part 2B
For the Part 2B FRCR exam, you need the following:
- Cleared the FRCR Part 1 and FRCR Part 2A
- 34 months of training in clinical radiology
For this exam, you need a declaration from the department head stating that you have completed training according to the FRCR curriculum and requirements.
How Can You Prepare for FRCR Examination?
If you are ready to take the FRCR exam, then check how to prepare for FRCR.
Study Sources For Part 1
Since there are two modules in Part 1, you need to prepare for both:
Anatomy
You can utilize the following books for in-depth knowledge in the anatomy module:
- Imaging Atlas of Human Anatomy’ by Abrahams
- Pocket Atlas of Sectional Anatomy
- Anatomy for Diagnostic Imaging – Ryan
- Applied Radiological Anatomy- Butler
Physics
You can utilize the following books for in-depth knowledge in the physics module:
- Farr’s Physics for Medical Imaging
- Christensen’s Physics of Diagnostic Radiology
- FRCR Physics Notes: Beautiful revision notes for the First FRCR Physics exam
- MRI in Practice by Catherine Westbrook
Study Sources For 2A
For the Final FRCR Exam Part 2A, you can use the following books:
- Get Through FRCR Part 1: MCQs and Mock Examination
- SBAs for the FRCR 2A (Cambridge Medicine (Paperback))
- Revision Notes for the Final FRCR Part A: Second Edition (Postgrad Exams)
- Grainger & Allison’s Diagnostic Radiology: 2-Volume
Study Sources For 2B
For the Final FRCR Exam Part 2B, you can use the following books:
- Final FRCR 2B Viva: A Survival Guide (Cambridge Medicine (Paperback))
- Emergency Radiology: The Requisites (Requisites in Radiology)
- Chapman & Nakielny’s Aids to Radiological Differential Diagnosis: Expert Consult – Online and
- Rapid Review of Radiology (Medical Rapid Review Series)
Pursue a Radiology Course in India
While you can purchase the above books and study for Part 1, 2A, and 2B exams on your own, there’s a more straightforward route. You can enroll in a course, prepare for the FRCR exams, and try to clear all three phases in the first attempt only.
The Texila American University offers one such outstanding course for the FRCR. TAU offers a unique and well-structured 3-year fellowship course, which is curated for clearing the FRCR exam. Therefore, throughout this program, candidates are given in-depth knowledge in the area. The clinical skills of applicants are improved as a radiologist, which lead to a better career in the field.
The entire course structure is designed in a manner to help applicants:
- Gain confidence for every FRCR examination
- Gain hands-on experience in radiology-related subjects
- Receive training from the Royal College of Radiologists or RCR certified trainers
This course by TAU is a hospital-based program, where applicants can receive a chance to complete clinical training in TAU-associated hospitals in India. This includes required rotations according to the RCR guidelines.
Eligibility Criteria for Enrolling in Fellowship in Radiology (FRCR Clinical Premier Training)
- NEET PG preferred
- Indian Nationality
- MBBS with Medical Council Registration
- Clearance in screening exam and panel interview
Completing a course for the FRCR exam offers you a chance to clear all three exams in a single attempt only. You can gain the skills and knowledge to attempt & clear the examination by supervised learning. It is a win-win situation for the applicant.
Hence, explore more about FRCR Clinical Premier Training, and start learning. From experienced faculty to real-time learning opportunities, this course is specifically designed to help you succeed!
