UK psychiatry: MRCPsych and why it is in demand
Psychiatry is one of the UK’s most persistently short-staffed medical specialties, and internationally-qualified doctors who take the Royal College of Psychiatrists’ MRCPsych exams are a large part of how the NHS fills those posts.
Last updated 2026-07-11 · figures are indicative snapshots — confirm current values with the source
How do international doctors enter UK psychiatry, and is it in demand?
The postgraduate qualification is the MRCPsych from the Royal College of Psychiatrists — Paper A, Paper B and the CASC clinical exam — which can also serve as a GMC-recognised route to registration. Demand is high: the College’s 2025 census found roughly one in seven consultant psychiatrist posts in England vacant (about 14%), up from 10% in 2021.
This is free information only, for internationally-qualified doctors who, of their own accord, want to understand the UK registration route. GeraClinic (Gera Services Ltd) is a telemedicine platform, not a recruitment agency: we do not place doctors into UK jobs, we do not actively recruit from countries on the WHO Health Workforce Support and Safeguards List (which includes Pakistan and Bangladesh), and we never charge you a fee for finding work. You always apply to UK employers yourself, on your own account.
The MRCPsych exams
MRCPsych is the membership examination of the Royal College of Psychiatrists. It has three parts: two written papers testing the scientific and clinical basis of psychiatry, and a clinical exam of practical skills. Passing it is central to UK specialty training in psychiatry, and it is one of the postgraduate qualifications that can support GMC registration without PLAB.
- Paper A: written, ~150 single-best-answer questions over 3 hours (theoretical and scientific basis).
- Paper B: written, ~150 questions over 3 hours (critical review and clinical topics).
- CASC: the Clinical Assessment of Skills and Competencies, an OSCE-style clinical exam.
Why psychiatry is in demand
Psychiatry has among the highest consultant vacancy rates of any UK specialty, which is why internationally-qualified psychiatrists are actively sought by NHS employers (to whom doctors apply directly).
- About 14% of consultant psychiatrist posts in England were vacant in 2025 — roughly one in seven — up from 10% in 2021.(Royal College of Psychiatrists — 2025 workforce census)
- Highest sub-specialty vacancy rates included eating disorders (~20%), general adult (~17%) and child and adolescent psychiatry (~16%).
Global Doctor Career Map — a personalised roadmap across all three routes
A personalised written roadmap for your specialty and country: remote/telemedicine income now, the UK route (PLAB/GMC timeline and costs) and the GCC route (Prometric/DataFlow timeline and costs) — with a stage-by-stage plan you can work through. Delivered in 48 hours, money-back guarantee. It is an education and career-document service only: we never charge a fee for finding you work.
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Frequently asked questions
What exam do I need to work in UK psychiatry?+
The MRCPsych from the Royal College of Psychiatrists — Paper A, Paper B and the CASC clinical exam. It underpins UK specialty training in psychiatry and is a recognised postgraduate qualification that can support GMC registration.
Is psychiatry in shortage in the UK?+
Yes. The Royal College of Psychiatrists’ 2025 census found around one in seven consultant posts in England vacant (about 14%), with even higher gaps in eating disorders, general adult and child and adolescent psychiatry.
Earn as a telemedicine doctor while you plan your move
GeraClinic is a telemedicine platform where licensed doctors consult patients online. It is free to apply, with no signup or monthly fees — you set your own hours and fee and keep 85% of every consultation while you work through the pathway above.