FRCOphth Part 2 Oral & FRCS Ophthalmology (Edinburgh / Glasgow) Part 3 Viva Preparation Course

Preparation for the final clinical examination in both the FRCOphth and FRCS Ophthalmology pathways.

Prerequisites: FRCOphth Part 1 Written + Refraction Certificate + Part 2 Written must be passed before sitting the FRCOphth Part 2 Oral examination.

Is This Course Right for You?

Taking FRCOphth Part 2 Oral

The full FRCOphth Part 2 Oral examination format is covered.

This includes structured viva stations (including AER and HP), OSCE clinical stations, communication stations, and a full mock examination with written feedback.

Taking FRCS Ophthalmology (Edinburgh / Glasgow) Part 3 Viva

The course also prepares candidates for the FRCS Ophthalmology Part 3 Viva, covering both clinical viva and OSCE components.


Where the examination emphasis differs, dedicated sessions address FRCS-specific content such as Neurology and General Medicine, which replace the FRCOphth AER/HP component.

UK Ophthalmology Trainees (ST4–ST7)

This course is designed for trainees approaching the final examination of the UK OST training programme.


Teaching is aligned with the UK FRCOphth oral examination sittings, commonly held in centres such as Cardiff, York, Manchester, and others.

International / IMG Candidates

The course supports international candidates preparing for FRCOphth Part 2 Oral or FRCS Part 3 Viva.

Course schedules are aligned with international oral examination sittings, including centres such as Bangalore, Amman, Cairo, Delhi, Kuala Lumpur, Pakistan, Singapore, Dubai, and others.

CESR Candidate

Structured clinical case discussions, viva practice, and OSCE-style scenarios help support candidates preparing for both the final examination and CESR portfolio evidence requirements

Prerequisites & Where This Sits

This course prepares candidates for the final oral examinations in two parallel pathways: FRCOphth Part 2 Oral and FRCS Ophthalmology (Glasgow/Edinburgh) Part 3 Viva. Please check the pathway relevant to your examination route.

Important
FRCOphth Pathway – Final Stage Requirements

For candidates sitting FRCOphth Part 2 Oral, this is the final examination in the FRCOphth pathway. All three prior examinations must be passed before booking the Part 2 Oral.

  • FRCOphth Part 1 Written Basic sciences MCQ paper
  • FRCOphth Part 2 Written Clinical knowledge MCQ paper
  • Refraction Certificate Practical retinoscopy and refraction OSCE
The Part 2 Written examination and the Refraction Certificate may be completed in any order after passing Part 1 Written. Both must be confirmed on the RCOphth candidate record before eligibility for the Part 2 Oral examination is granted.
FRCOphth Examination Pathway
Candidates following the FRCS Ophthalmology (Glasgow/Edinburgh) pathway sit the Part 3 Viva after passing the required written examinations. This course prepares candidates for both final oral examinations.
Step 1 — Required First
Part 1 Written
Basic sciences MCQ paper — gateway to all further exams
Step 2 — Either Order After Part 1
Part 2 Written
Full OST clinical curriculum — 180 SBA MCQs, online proctored
Step 2 — Either Order After Part 1
Refraction Certificate
10-station practical OSCE — retinoscopy & subjective refraction
Step 3 — Final Examination
Final Oral Examination
Final clinical examination preparing candidates for FRCOphth Part 2 Oral or FRCS Ophthalmology (Glasgow/Edinburgh) Part 3 Viva.
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About the Course

Course Description

This is a structured 6-week preparation course designed for candidates sitting the FRCOphth Part 2 Oral and FRCS Ophthalmology (Glasgow/Edinburgh) Part 3 Viva examinations. The course runs through weekend sessions, allowing candidates to prepare alongside their clinical work while maintaining a consistent revision schedule in the months leading up to the examination.

Each week focuses on key clinical subspecialties commonly examined in the oral examination, including anterior segment, glaucoma, lids, orbit, strabismus, neuro-ophthalmology, and posterior segment disease. Teaching sessions combine focused revision lectures, clinical case discussions, viva-style questioning, and exam-oriented discussions.

The course is delivered by a faculty of experienced consultants from the United Kingdom and India, many of whom are actively involved in postgraduate teaching and examination preparation.

Subspecialties Covered
Anterior Segment Glaucoma Lids Orbit Strabismus Neuro-ophthalmology Posterior Segment
Programme Emphasis
  • Structured clinical reasoning
  • Investigations and management discussions
  • Communication skills
  • Examination technique and viva strategy
Final Phase — Mock Examinations

The final phase includes dedicated mock examinations with parallel mock viva and OSCE sessions, allowing candidates to practise under exam-style conditions and receive structured feedback.

Course Schedule

Week Topic FRCOphth FRCS Glasgow Time (BST)
Week 1 Orientation + Anterior Segment 1400 - 1700
Week 1 Glaucoma & Lids 1400 - 1700
Week 2 Orbit & Strabismus 1400 - 1700
Week 2 Neuro - Ophthalmology 1400 - 1700
Week 3 Posterior Segment 1400 - 1700
Week 3 Viva: Investigations & Management (Anterior + Posterior + Oculoplasty + Strabismus + Neuro) 1400 - 1700
Week 4 General Medicine & Neurology (Glasgow-specific) x 1400 - 1700
Week 4 GMC + NICE + RCOphth Guidelines + Communication (FRCOphth-specific) x 1400 - 1700
Week 5 Mock Viva (2 Parallel sessions) – choose exam track 1400 - 1700
Week 5 Mock OSCE (2 Parallel sessions ) – choose exam track 1400 - 1700

Note: The mock viva schedule will be finalized after a poll is conducted with registered candidates, but sessions will be held on Saturday or Sunday evenings.

Upcoming FRCOphth Part 2 & FRCS Ophthalmology (Edinburgh/Glasgow) Part 3 viva course

Course
Dates

Registration Status

4th Early Bird Registration FRCOphth Part 2 & FRCS Ophthalmology (Edinburgh/Glasgow) Part 3 viva course
25 May 2026 – 7 Jun 2026
5th FRCOphth Part 2 & FRCS Ophthalmology (Edinburgh/Glasgow) Part 3 viva course
TBA

5th FRCOphth Part 2 & FRCS Ophthalmology (Edinburgh/Glasgow) Part 3 viva course

TBA

Planned

Individual weekend viva sessions

More Ways to Prepare

Library Subscription

1-1 Mentoring​

Mock Viva

What is the difference between FRCOphth and FRCS Ophthalmology?

FRCOphth is awarded by the Royal College of Ophthalmologists (RCOphth), while FRCS Ophthalmology is the intercollegiate surgical fellowship awarded by the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh and Glasgow.

Although the awarding bodies differ, both examinations assess similar clinical competencies in ophthalmology, particularly at the final oral examination stage.

PrepMedico’s Part 2 Oral preparation course is structured to prepare candidates for both FRCOphth Part 2 Oral and FRCS Ophthalmology (Edinburgh/Glasgow) Part 3 Viva.

Before sitting the FRCOphth Part 2 Oral examination, candidates must pass:

Part 1 Written ExaminationPart 2 Written ExaminationRefraction Certificate

All three must be recorded on the RCOphth candidate record before eligibility for the final oral examination is granted.

The FRCS Part 3 Viva follows a similar clinical assessment format but includes additional emphasis on general medicine and neurology relevant to ophthalmology practice.

PrepMedico’s course includes dedicated sessions covering FRCS-specific content, ensuring candidates preparing for either examination pathway are fully supported.

The FRCS Part 3 Viva follows a similar clinical assessment format but includes additional emphasis on general medicine and neurology relevant to ophthalmology practice.

PrepMedico’s course includes dedicated sessions covering FRCS-specific content, ensuring candidates preparing for either examination pathway are fully supported.

Yes. Both FRCOphth and FRCS Ophthalmology examinations are open to international medical graduates (IMGs).

PrepMedico courses support candidates preparing for sittings held in international centres including Bangalore, Amman, Cairo, Kuala Lumpur, Delhi, Pakistan, and others.

The PrepMedico Library Subscription provides access to recorded sessions from previous course cohorts.

This option is ideal for candidates who:

• Cannot attend live sessions• Prefer flexible self-paced revision• Want to review key teaching discussions before the examination

No. UK-based training is not mandatory for sitting these examinations.

However, candidates should ensure their clinical experience reflects the breadth of knowledge expected in the Royal College ophthalmology curriculum.

Frequently Asked Questions

4th FRCOphth Part 2 & FRCS Ophthalmology (Edinburgh/Glasgow) Part 3 viva course