Glasgow Reciprocity Frequently Asked Questions

The pathway mirrors the exemption structure currently used by RCPSG for the International Council of Ophthalmology (ICO) examinations.

• OF Visual Sciences together with OF Optics, Refraction and Instruments: exemption from FRCS (Ophth) Part 1.
• OF Clinical Ophthalmology: exemption from FRCS (Ophth) Part 2.
• FRCS (Ophth) Part 3: candidates must sit and pass the RCPSG Part 3 examination. There is no exemption from Part 3.

Yes. The Part 1 exemption route requires candidates to have satisfied both components of the OF basic sciences pathway: Visual Sciences and Optics, Refraction and Instruments, unless an individual component has been formally exempted by OF under an approved exemption route.

Yes. A pass in the OF Clinical Ophthalmology examination provides exemption from FRCS (Ophth) Part 2 under the collaboration. Candidates must still meet the applicable RCPSG eligibility requirements for onward progression.

No. RCPSG does not offer an exemption from FRCS (Ophth) Part 3. Candidates must meet the College’s eligibility requirements and successfully complete Part 3.

FRCS (Ophth) Part 3 is the final stage of the Glasgow Fellowship examination. Candidates should refer to the current RCPSG regulations and examination information for details of the format and assessment.

No. OF examination passes can provide exemptions from FRCS (Ophth) Parts 1 and 2 as described above, but candidates must still apply to RCPSG, meet the College’s eligibility requirements and successfully complete FRCS (Ophth) Part 3 before becoming eligible to apply for Fellowship of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow.

Candidates who successfully complete the RCPSG requirements may become eligible for Fellowship of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow, subject to the College’s Fellowship and membership requirements. Candidates progressing through the OF pathway may also be eligible for Fellowship of the Ophthalmology Foundation (FIOF), subject to the applicable OF requirements.

Transitional arrangements may apply to candidates who have already completed relevant ICO examinations. Eligibility will depend on the examinations passed and the date of the pass. Candidates with existing ICO results should refer to the published transition information or contact the OF examinations team if they are unsure which route applies to them.

OF exemptions continue to be considered in accordance with the Ophthalmology Foundation’s published exemption policy. Candidates should ensure that any exemption has been formally approved and recorded before relying on it for progression through the pathway.

No. The OF subspecialty examinations are advanced examinations in individual ophthalmic specialties and are separate from the core OF-to-RCPSG pathway. They do not replace the OF core examinations or FRCS (Ophth) Part 3.

Apply to the organization delivering the examination you wish to sit. Applications for OF examinations are made through the Ophthalmology Foundation examination application portal. Applications for FRCS (Ophth) Part 3 are made directly to RCPSG and are subject to the College’s eligibility and application requirements.

RCPSG currently requires Part 3 candidates to have passed FRCS (Ophth) Parts 1 and 2, or to hold accepted exempting qualifications, and to meet the College’s other published eligibility requirements. Candidates should always check the current RCPSG regulations before applying.

Candidates may be asked to provide evidence of their examination passes or exemptions when applying to RCPSG. Guidance on the documentation required will be provided as part of the application process.

No. OF examinations continue to be delivered under the Ophthalmology Foundation’s established examination structure, standards and assessment processes. The collaboration provides a recognised progression route from the relevant OF examinations into the Glasgow FRCS (Ophth) pathway.

Yes. OF examinations are international examinations. The pathway is available to international candidates, subject to meeting the eligibility requirements set by OF and RCPSG for the relevant examinations.

A pathway diagram is available on the Ophthalmology Foundation website showing the progression from the relevant OF examinations to the corresponding RCPSG exemptions and onward to FRCS (Ophth) Part 3.

Please contact the Ophthalmology Foundation examinations team before applying. To help us advise you, include details of the examinations you have already passed, the year of each pass, any exemptions you hold and the examination you are considering next.

For information about OF examinations, eligibility, exemptions, examination dates and applications, please use the Ophthalmology Foundation website. For information about the FRCS (Ophth), including Part 3 eligibility, regulations and applications, please refer to the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow website.