Neurology SCE (UK)
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Next registration and exam dates
Roadmap to neurology in the UK
Neurology in the UK is not a run-through programme from graduation: you train in medicine first, then enter neurology at ST4.
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After medical school: Foundation Programme
2 years (FY1 and FY2)
UK graduates get provisional registration with a licence to practise, then complete the 2-year Foundation Programme.
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Medicine first: Internal Medicine Training (IMT)
3 years (IMT Stage 1)
IMT Stage 1 lasts 3 years after foundation. ACCS (internal medicine) and Broad Based Training (medicine route) are also accepted for neurology.
MRCP(UK) (Parts 1, 2 and PACES) is the general-medicine membership exam taken during IMT. It is not a neurology exam. For neurology ST4 (2026 round): MRCP(UK) Part 1 at application and the full diploma by the offer date.
Neurology ST4 also asks for at least 36 months of medical-specialty experience after foundation, including at least 18 months of acute inpatient care, and a quality-improvement or research project.
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Neurology specialty training: ST4 to ST8
5 years
Entry is at ST4 (2022 curriculum). Training lasts 5 years, one of which may be research. Neurology trains as a dual CCT in Neurology and Internal Medicine, with Internal Medicine Stage 2 built into the programme.
Recruitment is national, through Oriel, run by NHS England. Posts normally start in August. Check the NHS England recruitment timeline and Oriel for the application dates of your round.
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In-training assessment: ARCP (no written in-training exam)
Every year of training
There is no written in-training exam for UK adult neurology (no RITE equivalent). Progress is judged at the annual ARCP using workplace-based assessments, supervisor reports and portfolio evidence.
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Certification exam: the Neurology SCE, then CCT
Usually ST7 (penultimate year)
Passing the Specialty Certificate Examination in Neurology is required for CCT. The ARCP decision aid (2022, marked draft) expects it attempted by ST6, passed or attempted by ST7 and passed by ST8.
The SCE is held about every nine months. The CCT and entry to the Specialist Register follow at the end of ST8, after satisfactory ARCPs.
Passing the SCE alone does not give UK specialist registration; that comes with the CCT at the end of training (or the GMC Portfolio pathway).
Where the exam fits
UK neurology trainees usually sit the SCE in the penultimate year of specialty training (ST7). Passing it is required for the CCT at the end of ST8.
The SCE is held about every nine months, so most trainees have more than one chance before the end of training.
Neurology SCE: the details
The Specialty Certificate Examination in Neurology is run by the Federation of the Royal Colleges of Physicians of the UK and developed with the Association of British Neurologists.
Specialty Certificate Examination in Neurology
| Applications | A window of about 4 weeks that closes about 12 weeks before the exam (see Next registration and exam dates). |
|---|---|
| Structure | Two papers of 100 questions, taken on one day. |
| Number of questions | 200 |
| Options per question | 5 (best of five, single best answer) |
| Duration | Two 3-hour papers |
| Delivery | Computer-based at a test centre. From June 2026 all UK and international sittings are in centre. |
| Pass rule | One mark per correct answer, no negative marking. The pass mark is set by statistical test equating and reported on a scaled score where 416 is a pass (2025: 111 of 200; 2024: 113 of 200). |
| Fee | £700 for UK candidates (£875 international). |
| Results | About 6 weeks after the exam. |
All registration and exam dates
Dates are set by the board and can change. Always check the official page before you apply.
Curriculum and blueprint
SCE in Neurology blueprint
Twelve categories, published as expected numbers of the 200 questions (indicative; the actual number may vary slightly), spread across both papers.
Special groups — 13 questions (6.5%)
- Pregnancy
- Intellectual (learning) disability
- Terminally ill patients
- Teenagers (transition)
- Paediatrics
- Elderly
Specific presentations — 26 questions (13%)
- Disorders of sleep
- Neurological complications of cancer
- Disorders of CSF
- Disorders of cranial nerves
- Disorders of spinal cord and roots
- Disorders of the autonomic nervous system
- Neuro-otology
Diagnostics, applied and basic science — 14 questions (7%)
- Neuroradiology
- Neurophysiology
- Neuropathology
- Neurogenetics
- Clinical pharmacology
Cognition and consciousness (CiP1) — 20 questions (10%)
Headache and pain (CiP2) — 15 questions (7.5%)
Seizures and epilepsy (CiP3) — 20 questions (10%)
Inflammatory and infectious disorders (CiP4) — 24 questions (12%)
Movement disorders (CiP5) — 20 questions (10%)
Neuromuscular disorders (CiP6) — 15 questions (7.5%)
Traumatic brain injury and rehabilitation (CiP7) — 9 questions (4.5%)
Neuropsychiatric and functional disorders (CiP8) — 9 questions (4.5%)
Acute stroke and TIA, primary and secondary prevention — 15 questions (7.5%)
The capability-based blueprint published in March 2026 for the 2022 curriculum. The Federation has not said which sitting it first applies to (the 2025 exam used an older 13-category blueprint); check with the Federation.
Eligibility
- UK trainees usually take the SCE in their penultimate year of training. The ARCP decision aid (2022, marked draft) expects it attempted by ST6, passed or attempted by ST7 and passed by ST8.
- International candidates: the Federation sets no eligibility requirements, and MRCP(UK) is not required. It advises sitting the exam at a similar or later point in training.
How HighYieldNeuro helps
Our 1,443 high-quality questions span every area of neurology, each with a detailed explanation and a summary of the key points, and are reviewed and updated every year.
Our comprehensive study notes cover every area of neurology for every part of the exam, with a Last Minute Review series for the final few days before the test. Your personalised study plan sets out week by week what to cover before your exam date.
Official sources
Curriculum, blueprints and exam pages. Confirm dates, fees and eligibility with the board before you apply.
- SCE in Neurology (Federation)
- SCE exam dates and fees
- SCE in Neurology blueprint (March 2026)
- Official sample questions
- Neurology specialty training (Federation)
- Internal Medicine Training (Federation)
- Neurology ARCP decision aid (2022, draft)
- Neurology ST4 person specification (NHS England, 2026)
Last verified: 8 Oct 2026