MRCS Part B centres open to doctors in India and the Gulf for 2027 include Hyderabad, Chennai, Trivandrum and Pune in India, and Abu Dhabi, Jeddah and Bahrain in the Gulf, each run by one of the four surgical royal colleges. As of 3 November 2026, the Hyderabad deadline has already passed, so the next realistic regional options are Abu Dhabi in July 2027, a UK sitting, or a centre run by another college.
This guide covers every confirmed centre in India and the Gulf, which deadlines have closed, what to do if you live in Qatar, Oman or Kuwait, how to choose a centre and how to plan travel around your sitting.
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How MRCS Part B centres work across the four colleges
MRCS Part B centres are run by individual colleges, even though the exam itself is intercollegiate and the same for RCS England, RCS Edinburgh (RCSEd), RCPS Glasgow (RCPSG) and RCSI. The exam board, ICBSE, sets the standard, while each college organises its own sittings, venues and application windows.
That means choosing between MRCS Part B centres decides which college you apply through and which deadlines apply to you. RCS England publishes a fixed calendar with dates and deadlines. RCPSG rotates its international centres, RCSEd has a long history in Chennai and RCSI holds Part B in Bahrain. Always read the application page of the college that runs your chosen centre.
Whichever college you choose, the format is the OSCE described in our guide to the MRCS Part B OSCE format. You can only apply once you have passed Part A within the last seven years and hold a medical degree that meets the eligibility rules. Our MRCS eligibility guide explains those rules in detail.
MRCS Part B centres in India
India has four MRCS Part B centres you should know about: Hyderabad (RCS England), Chennai (RCSEd), and Trivandrum and Pune (RCPSG, on a rotating basis). Of these MRCS Part B centres, only Hyderabad has a published 2027 date from RCS England, and its application window is now closed.
If you missed Hyderabad, do not panic. RCSEd’s Chennai sittings have run for nearly three decades, and RCPSG lists Trivandrum and Pune among its rotating centres. We have not listed dates for these because they change, so open each college’s page before you plan. Nearby options also exist: RCS England lists Lahore (6 to 8 Apr 2027, deadline 7 Jan 2027) and Colombo (6 to 7 Jun 2027, deadline 11 Mar 2027), both still open.
MRCS Part B centres in the Gulf
The Gulf MRCS Part B centres currently listed are Abu Dhabi in the UAE (RCS England, and RCPSG also), Jeddah in Saudi Arabia (RCS England) and Bahrain (RCSI). Abu Dhabi is the only Gulf sitting with confirmed RCS England dates for 2027.
For most doctors already working in the UAE, Abu Dhabi is the obvious choice among MRCS Part B centres, since you avoid long-haul travel and time off. Doctors in Saudi Arabia should watch for the Jeddah dates, which RCS England has listed for April 2027 without final days yet. RCS England also lists sittings in Cairo and Alexandria, which some Gulf candidates consider.
Qatar, Oman and Kuwait: what to do
None of the MRCS Part B centres currently listed are in Qatar, Oman or Kuwait, so candidates working there need to travel to another country for the OSCE. The closest listed options are Abu Dhabi, Jeddah and Bahrain.
Part A is a different story. It is held at Pearson test centres in the UK and internationally, and RCPSG lists regions including the Middle East and South Asia. So you can usually sit Part A close to home, then plan one trip for Part B. Check the RCS England Part A page when you book.
UK Part B sittings as a backup
If no regional centre fits your timeline, RCS England runs several UK sittings each year, and all three upcoming UK sittings are still open for applications. The October 2026 UK sitting has already taken place, with results due on 25 November 2026.
Among MRCS Part B centres, a UK venue makes sense if you already plan to visit the UK, or if the regional dates sit badly with your rota. Check whether your passport needs a UK visa, and start early. For every Part A and Part B date in one place, see our MRCS exam dates page.
The Part B fee is the same at every centre
The Part B fee is £1,212 from 1 January 2027, after a 3% rise from £1,177 for all candidates. The fee is set at intercollegiate level, so moving between MRCS Part B centres changes your travel costs, not the exam fee.
Budget separately for flights, accommodation near the venue and a spare day. If you pay in rupees or dirhams, the cost will move with the exchange rate, so check the figure at the time you book.
How to choose between MRCS Part B centres
Choose between MRCS Part B centres by working backwards from your Part A result and your leave, then picking the earliest open sitting you can genuinely prepare for. Proximity matters, but preparation time matters more.
- Check your Part A window. You must have passed Part A within the last seven years to sit Part B, so note your Part A pass date first.
- List open deadlines. On 3 Nov 2026, Hyderabad is closed; UK Jan to Feb 2027, Lahore, Colombo, UK May, Abu Dhabi and UK Oct 2027 remain open.
- Match leave and rota. A Part B centre close to work saves leave but only helps if the date suits your preparation.
- Plan the trip. Allow time for visas, arrive a day early and keep your ID matching your application.
- Book preparation backwards. Give yourself several weeks of timed station practice before the date.
Many doctors pick the nearest of the MRCS Part B centres and then rush. In our view, a later sitting with proper preparation is usually the better choice. For a study plan, see our MRCS Part B preparation strategies and the final week checklist.
Travel and visa planning for your Part B centre
Start travel planning as soon as your Part B centre is confirmed, because visas and leave approvals often take longer than the exam application itself. This is general advice; check the current rules for your passport and destination.
Apply for any visa well before the deadline, and keep the college’s confirmation email ready as supporting evidence. Book accommodation close to the venue so you are not stuck in traffic on the morning. Bring the same government photo ID you used for your application, and pack light so you can focus on rest, not logistics.
Our MRCS Part B general surgery course can be timed around the sitting you choose, wherever your Part B centre is.
Frequently asked questions
Which MRCS Part B centres are in India?
Hyderabad (RCS England), Chennai (RCSEd), and Trivandrum and Pune (RCPSG, rotating). The Hyderabad January 2027 deadline of 30 October 2026 has passed.
Is there an MRCS Part B centre in Dubai or Qatar?
None of the MRCS Part B centres currently listed are in Dubai, Qatar, Oman or Kuwait. The nearest listed Gulf options are Abu Dhabi, Jeddah and Bahrain.
When is the Abu Dhabi Part B sitting in 2027?
RCS England lists Abu Dhabi for 24 to 28 July 2027, with an application deadline of 29 April 2027.
Does the fee change between MRCS Part B centres?
No. The Part B fee is £1,212 from 1 January 2027 for all candidates, whichever centre you choose.
Can I sit Part A in the Gulf?
Yes. Part A is held at Pearson test centres internationally, including the Middle East and South Asia, and all candidates sit the same exam on the same day.
What if I missed the Hyderabad deadline?
Look at RCSEd Chennai, RCPSG’s Indian centres, Lahore, Colombo, Abu Dhabi or a UK sitting. The UK January to February 2027 deadline is 19 November 2026.
Talk to our MRCS team about which Part B sitting fits your Part A result, leave and preparation time.
Related guides:
- MRCS exam dates for every sitting
- MRCS Part B OSCE format and stations
- MRCS eligibility explained
- 21 phrases for Part B communication stations
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