The Postgraduate Certificate in Surgery is a flexible and interactive way to build up invaluable surgical knowledge and skills ahead of the MRCS exam. Study online, anywhere in the world, at your own pace over 1–2 years to gain this nationally-recognised qualification and enhance your application for specialty selection.

The Anatomy and Pathology Museum (APM), offers a unique study space to support you in preparing for the anatomy and pathology sections of the MRCS exams.

View cadaveric tissue demonstrating anatomic structures side by side with pathology specimens designed to enhance your understanding of malformations, injuries, infections and more. iPads with supporting specimen information are provided, including an interactive anatomical self-test resource.

New e-resource

For MRCS candidates based outside of London, specimens on display in the APM are now available for members to study online via a new e-resource. 

Featuring interactive images, self-testing tools and more, this is an essential resource in preparing for the MRCS exams.

This e-resource is now available to all RCS England members via the College’s Virtual Learning Environment (VLE).

Extended hours study sessions

To support candidate revision for the MRCS part B, we run extended evening and weekend hours study sessions in the run up to exam periods. Candidate self-study is supported by a senior surgeon or anatomist onsite. Check the latest dates and times.

The following electronic resources are particularly useful to MRCS exam candidates and are fully accessible as part of affiliate membership.

Atlases

Acland’s Video Atlas of Human Anatomy

A series of individual videos demonstrating the structure and linkages of parts of the human anatomy, using real human bodies.

Visible Body

An interactive 3-D human anatomy visualization and learning tool available online or as an app for iOS and Android users.

EBooks

Principles and Practice of Surgery (7^th ed.)

Robbins & Kumar Basic Pathology (11^th ed.)

Gray's Basic Anatomy, (3^rd ed.)

Gray’s Atlas of Anatomy (3^rd ed.)

Gray’s Anatomy (42^nd ed)

Netter’s Atlas of Human Anatomy (8^th ed.)

Guyton and Hall Textbook of Medical Physiology, (14^th ed.)

Netter’s Clinical Anatomy (5^th ed.)

Other resources

The library subscribes to numerous online journals and some bibliographic databases. We also have a subscription to ClinicalKey, a clinical search engine that provides access to guidelines, patient education information, Clinical Overviews, videos and images.

Books

 Books are available to borrow for exam candidates from the Members’ Library at Lincoln’s Inn Fields and do not require affiliate membership. Titles include:

• Grant’s Atlas of Anatomy (13^th ed.)
• Ganong's review of medical physiology (25^th ed.)
• Last’s Anatomy: Regional and Applied (12^th ed.)
• Essential revision notes for Intercollegiate MRCS : book 1 (2006)
• Access to surgery : 500 single best answers in general & systemic physiology (2007)
• Surgical critical care for the MRCS OSCE (2015)
• Physical examination for surgeons : an aid to the MRCS OSCE (2015)
• SBA MCQs for the MRCS Part A (2013)
• MRCS Part A : 500 SBAs and EMQs (2013)
• Intercollegiate MRCS part A : SBAs and EMQs : mock papers with comprehensive answers (2013)

Our book collection can searched on our catalogue Surgical Library.

Study Space

The Members’ Library at Lincoln’s Inn Fields provides a peaceful study space in a central London environment. Members and fellows can visit anytime during opening hours.

If you are unable to visit the library in Lincoln’s Inn Fields, take advantage of the SCONUL Access scheme. The scheme allows RCS England fellows, members, affiliates and associates access to 177 libraries across the UK and Ireland for study space.

Find out more about opening hours or how to apply.

Help

If you need assistance you can use our help pages or contact us at library@rcseng.ac.uk for more information or support.