Core Revision
Short answer: you can sit both parts of the DCH from outside the UK without GMC registration. The FOP theory paper runs at test centres in a number of countries, or online if you meet the RCPCH’s criteria. The DCH Clinical is online for UK and overseas candidates alike. Here is what the RCPCH asks of you, what it costs and what the diploma will and will not do. Checked against rcpch.ac.uk on 16 October 2026.
Who can sit it
You need a primary medical qualification or GMC registration, not both. The RCPCH’s regulations tie the definition to the GMC: a qualification that would make you eligible for GMC registration or, from an overseas body, one the GMC recognises. The RCPCH’s theory exam pages link to a directory where you can check your medical school.
Paediatric experience is recommended, not required: four to six months in general, or six if you sit overseas.
There is no English test. The RCPCH strongly recommends English equivalent to IELTS level 7, because you must communicate in English throughout the exam. It warns that candidates below that level will struggle to meet the standard needed to pass both exams.
| Eligibility | A primary medical qualification or GMC registration |
|---|---|
| GMC registration | Not required |
| Paediatric experience | Recommended, not required: six months if you sit overseas |
| English | Not tested; IELTS level 7 or equivalent strongly recommended |
| FOP fee, international | £455 in 2026 and 2027 |
| DCH Clinical fee | £640 in 2026; £660 in 2027, the same for UK and overseas |
| Attempts | Up to six at each part from 1 November 2026, then one more with evidence |
Sitting the FOP outside the UK
The FOP is the same paper wherever you sit it. For 2026 the RCPCH lists test centres in 14 countries outside the UK: Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE; India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka; Malaysia, Singapore and Trinidad and Tobago. It may not run in every listed country in every diet. Local start times are on your admission document. You arrange your own travel, visa and accommodation. The RCPCH does not refund candidates who cannot travel or get a visa.
Online invigilation is available in the UK and overseas, except in the UAE. There are three ways to qualify: no test centre in your country of residence at the time of the exam, living more than 200 miles from one or an approved reasonable adjustment. Evidence goes in when you book. For residence that means something like a utility bill from the last three months, an employer’s letter or a tenancy or mortgage agreement. Mobile phone bills, passports and national identity cards are not accepted as proof of residence. Documents must be in English or come with a notarised translation.
All online start times are set in UK time, so work out your local time carefully. The RCPCH has noted connectivity problems for many candidates sitting online in Egypt, Iran, Myanmar, Syria and Sudan. It suggests a venue with backup generators and a stronger connection.
Sitting the DCH? Try ten questions free.
The DCH Question Bank has 661 single-best-answer questions across all 26 syllabus areas, each with a plain-English summary and a deeper explanation, plus topic drills and a timed mock. It is £49.99 for 12 months. Try ten questions first, free and with no sign-up.
The DCH Clinical from overseas
The DCH Clinical has been online since 2020. Sessions start at 10:00 or 14:00 UK time. You need to be logged in an hour before. Everyone needs a laptop or PC rather than a tablet or phone. You also need Google Chrome, a webcam and microphone, plus at least 1.5 Mbps upload and download. Check your set-up before you apply: the RCPCH will not refund candidates who skipped the checks. Places are limited and go by the date and time you apply.
Fees and paying from abroad
The international FOP fee is £455 in both 2026 and 2027, at a centre or online. The DCH Clinical has one rate for UK and overseas candidates: £640 in 2026 and £660 in 2027. Both parts in 2027 come to £1,115.
You pay online by credit card or by a debit card linked to a UK bank account. Hong Kong is an exception for the theory exams. Bank drafts and cheques are not accepted. Fees are charged in sterling, so what you pay can move with the exchange rate. The RCPCH also warns that bank accounts outside the UK sometimes have an international payment limit. Check yours before the window opens.
Attempts and the seven-year window
From 1 November 2026 the attempt rules cover DCH candidates in the UK and internationally. You can have up to six attempts at each part. After that the RCPCH allows one more if you show evidence of additional educational experience since your last attempt. For overseas candidates, that evidence comes from the centre or agency overseeing your training. Attempts before 1 November 2026 do not count. The RCPCH expects you to pass both parts within seven years of passing the first.
What it will and will not do for you
The RCPCH describes the DCH as an internationally recognised postgraduate medical diploma. It also states that the DCH is not linked to any recognised training programme. Nothing on the RCPCH pages we checked says it helps with GMC registration or with getting a UK post. If either is your aim, check the GMC’s guidance and ask employers before you pay.
How this fits the platform
The DCH hub covers both parts: the question bank of 661 best-of-five questions across all 26 syllabus areas, a timed 100-question mock in two hours (the FOP shape), the twelve-chapter revision guide (its last chapter is on the DCH Clinical) and the Core Tools. Access is £49.99 for 12 months as a one-off payment. You can try ten questions free first.
Quick answers
Do I need GMC registration to sit the DCH?
No. A primary medical qualification is enough. GMC registration is an alternative way to qualify, not a requirement.
Can I sit the DCH from outside the UK?
Yes. The FOP runs at test centres in several countries, with online invigilation for those who meet the criteria. The DCH Clinical is online for UK and overseas candidates.
Do I need IELTS for the DCH?
No English test is required. The RCPCH strongly recommends English equivalent to IELTS level 7.
How much does the DCH cost for international candidates?
The FOP is £455 in 2026 and 2027. The DCH Clinical is £640 in 2026 and £660 in 2027, the same as for UK candidates.
Core Revision is independent and not affiliated with the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health.
