Booking the ORE and LDS
The two routes are booked in completely different places. You book the ORE through the GDC and the LDS through the Royal College of Surgeons of England. This guide sets out where to book, the sittings and windows for the year ahead, and the fees, so you know what to expect before you commit. If you are still deciding between the two, start with the ORE vs LDS comparison.
Booking the ORE
You book the ORE through the GDC, using your eGDC or MyGDC account. The exam is being delivered under a new contract from 2026. Here are the key dates for the first year.
- The first-year window runs from 31 May 2026 to 30 May 2027.
- Part 1 sitting on 25 to 26 August 2026, with booking opening on 30 June 2026. Around 2,400 Part 1 places in year one.
- Part 2 sittings from 10 to 13 September 2026, then further sittings from November 2026 to April 2027. Roughly 200 places per sitting, about 944 Part 2 places in year one.
- Places are limited and popular sittings fill very quickly, so be ready the moment booking opens.
ORE fees for 2026/27
Application fee
£115
Paid once when you apply. Includes VAT.
Part 1
£485
Includes VAT.
Part 2
£6,967
Includes VAT. This rose sharply from £4,235, so budget for it early.
ORE dates and fees can change. Confirm the current figures and sitting dates on the official GDC page before you book.
Booking the LDS
You book the LDS through the Royal College of Surgeons of England. RCS confirms your Part 1 eligibility first, and then takes the exam booking through Eventbrite, so once you are cleared you reserve your place via the RCS Eventbrite listing. Parts 2 and 3 are booked through RCS as well. The dates below are indicative for 2026, so treat them as a guide rather than a fixed calendar.
- Part 1 in February and August.
- Part 2 in February, June and November.
- Part 3 in February, June and October.
LDS fees for 2026
Part 1
£900
Rising to £1,025.
Part 2
£1,575
Rising to £1,793 from September 2026.
Part 3
£1,525
Rising to £1,736. A £230 completion fee also applies to register with the GDC after you pass Part 3.
You must pass Parts 1 and 2 within five years. The exact LDS dates and fees change, so confirm them on the official RCS page before you book.
Add up the full cost first
Exam fees are only one part of the bill. Before you book, work through the full picture, including application fees, English tests, travel and registration, on the cost page.
See the Cost of Registration guideCheck the official pages
The ORE dates, and the exact LDS dates and fees, change and should be confirmed on the official GDC and RCS pages before you book.
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