Faculty of Radiologists and Radiation Oncologists, RCSI

FFR RCSI (Fellowship of the Faculty of Radiologists and Radiation Oncologists, RCSI)

The FFR RCSI is the fellowship examination of the Faculty of Radiologists and Radiation Oncologists at RCSI and is the exit examination for the Irish diagnostic radiology training programme. It has two examinations: the Primary (Part I) in the physical basis of imaging, anatomy and radiation protection, and the Final (Part II) in clinical radiology, split into Part 2A (written) and Part 2B (viva, digital reporting and rapid reporting). Both are held in Dublin, with Part 2A also offered in Kuwait.

3

Parts

6

Dates listed

Awarded by: Faculty of Radiologists and Radiation Oncologists, RCSI

Cost: Confirm current fees in the RCSI application portal.

Who can sit it

Primary medical qualification acceptable to the Irish Medical Council for full or provisional registration. Primary FFR: two years after full registration (minimum three years post-graduation), one year of clinical experience after full registration and one academic year of radiology in a recognised centre, and current radiology training in a recognised training centre. Final FFR: satisfactory assessments from a recognised training centre for the first three years of training. If oversubscribed, priority goes to trainees on the Faculty of Radiologists training programme, then others by date of completed application.

When NCHDs sit it

The FFR RCSI is not an entry requirement for the Irish radiology training programme (entry is from intern year or SHO posts by competitive interview). Trainees sit the Primary FFR at the end of year 1 of the five-year SpR programme (May diet, with September as the supplemental) and the Final Part 2A (September) and Part 2B (November) after the first three years of training, typically in year 4, with the February and April supplemental diets for repeats. Completion of the FFR is required for completion of training. The regulations require all Final attempts to be made within nine years of starting radiology training.

The parts

Primary FFR (Part I)2 (May and September, the September diet being a supplemental sitting)/yr

(a) Multiple choice paper, (b) digital image examination with multiple choice paper, (c) viva voce; subjects are the physical basis of medical imaging, radiation biology and protection, anatomy and imaging techniques · Held over several days (May 2026 diet listed as 18-21 May 2026); individual component durations are not published on the Faculty or RCSI pages

Regulations (June 2023): may not be taken until two years after full registration (a minimum of three years after graduation), with at least one year of recognised clinical experience after full registration and one academic year of clinical experience in radiology in a recognised centre; candidates must be training in radiology in a recognised training centre. Maximum four attempts, which must be at consecutive sittings unless the Fellowship Advisory Committee permits deferral. Held at RCSI Dublin. Confirm the current fee in the RCSI application portal.

Final FFR Part 2A (written)1 main sitting (September) plus a supplemental sitting (February) depending on candidate numbers/yr

Two written papers in clinical radiology, a combination of single best answer and extended matching questions · One day; paper lengths are not published on the Faculty or RCSI pages

May be attempted after satisfactory assessments from a recognised training centre for the first three years of training. Part 2A and 2B may be taken in any order and neither is a prerequisite for the other. Maximum six attempts (a 4th attempt requires review by the National Training Coordinator and Fellowship Advisory Committee; a 7th may be recommended in exceptional circumstances). All attempts at the Final must be within nine years of starting radiology training on an approved scheme. Held at RCSI Dublin and Kuwait. Confirm the current fee in the RCSI application portal.

Final FFR Part 2B (clinical radiology)1 main sitting (November) plus a supplemental sitting (April) depending on candidate numbers/yr

Combination of viva voce in clinical radiology, a digital image reporting session and a rapid reporting session · Diet runs over several days (2-6 November 2026); individual component durations are not published

Same eligibility, attempt limits and nine-year window as Part 2A. Held at RCSI Dublin. Confirm the current fee in the RCSI application portal.

Dates

2 Nov 2026SittingFinal FFR Diagnosis Part 2B, RCSI Dublin (2-6 November, first day) (Final FFR Part 2B (clinical radiology))

5 past dates

10 Jul 2026Apply byPrimary FFR Diagnosis (supplemental) applications close (Primary FFR (Part I))
10 Jul 2026Apply byFinal FFR Diagnosis Part 2A applications close (Final FFR Part 2A (written))
4 Sept 2026SittingFinal FFR Diagnosis Part 2A, RCSI Dublin and Kuwait (Final FFR Part 2A (written))
4 Sept 2026Apply byFinal FFR Diagnosis Part 2B applications close (Final FFR Part 2B (clinical radiology))
7 Sept 2026SittingPrimary FFR Diagnosis (supplemental), RCSI Dublin (Primary FFR (Part I))

Needed for

Radiology Training

Preparation resources

Resources for each exam part, with access details, costs and suggested priorities.

Faculty of Radiologists RCSI examination regulations (Primary and Final FFR)College resourceFree
The Faculty's own regulations set out Part I physics and anatomy structure, Part 2A SBA/EMQ format and Part 2B long cases, rapid reporting and viva; read them before choosing any prep material.
Farr's Physics for Medical Imaging (3rd edition)BookPrimary FFR Part I
The core physics text for FFR Part I and FRCR Part 1; most candidates use it as their main physics read alongside a question bank.
Radiology Cafe FRCR physics notes and free anatomy mock examsNotesFreePrimary FFR Part I
Free structured physics notes and 18 anatomy mock papers that map directly to Part I content; widely used as the summary read before or after Farr's.
RadiopaediaNotesFree
The reference and case library nearly every trainee uses through Part I anatomy and Final 2A/2B; free articles and cases with quiz mode.

Anatomy for Diagnostic Imaging (Ryan, McNicholas and Eustace)BookPrimary FFR Part I
Irish-authored radiological anatomy text by Faculty examiners that maps to the Part I anatomy image paper.
Revise Radiology (Part 1 physics and anatomy, 2A, 2B)Question bankPhysics from £100/month or £150/3 months
Paid question bank with mock exams and online courses, including 2A SBAs and 2B reporting practice. Check its coverage against the FFR format.
FRCR Focus physics question bankQuestion bankPrimary FFR Part I
Largest dedicated physics bank (2,750+ questions) with 50 free trial questions; good for drilling the Part I physics MCQ format.
FRCR Tutorials free long cases and viva setsQuestion bankFree long cases and vivas; paid rapid reporting packetsFinal FFR Part 2B
Free timed long case sets and viva cases plus paid rapid reporting packets that mirror the 2B format.
Radiology AssistantNotesFreeFinal FFR Part 2A, Final FFR Part 2B
Free systematic teaching articles used for 2A knowledge and 2B viva reasoning.

Rapid Review of Radiology (Shanbhogue et al.)BookFinal FFR Part 2B
Case-based spot diagnosis book commonly used for 2B short cases and viva.
Chapman and Nakielny's Aids to Radiological Differential DiagnosisBookFinal FFR Part 2A, Final FFR Part 2B
Differential lists for viva answers and 2A; a reference rather than a read-through.

RCR FRCR exam pages and sample papersCollege resourceFree
The FRCR syllabus and samples run close to FFR content and most prep material is written for FRCR, but check the Faculty regulations for the FFR-specific format and viva.

Tiers are editorial: S = essential and closely mapped to the exam, A = strong, B = useful supplement, C = optional. No affiliate links; prices are indicative and change.

Preparing

The Primary FFR covers radiation physics, radiation protection and legislation, anatomy and imaging techniques, and includes a viva as well as written and image-based MCQ components, so preparation combines a physics text with a large volume of cross-sectional anatomy image practice and viva rehearsal with peers or a physicist. Most Irish trainees prepare during SpR year 1 alongside the Faculty's physics and anatomy teaching.

The Final FFR tests the whole of clinical radiology: Part 2A through SBA and extended-matching written papers, and Part 2B through viva, digital reporting and rapid reporting sessions. Preparation is usually spread through years 3 and 4 with regular reporting practice, rapid-reporting timed sets and viva sessions with consultants. Full regulations, syllabus and structure documents are on radiology.ie; the Faculty does not publish pass rates.

Last verified 2026-08-18. Sources: https://www.rcsi.com/dublin/professional-cpd/professional-exams/radiology-and-radiation-oncology https://www.radiology.ie/training/examinations1 https://www.radiology.ie/images/examinations/Examination_Regulations_FoRRO_June_2023.pdf