Core Revision
Short answer: £1,025 in exam fees at UK rates if you sit both parts in 2027, £365 for the FOP and £660 for the DCH Clinical. International candidates pay £1,115 because their FOP fee is higher. The RCPCH lists no reduced fee for a resit. On top come time off, revision materials and the kit for an online exam. Checked against rcpch.ac.uk on 16 October 2026.
The fees at a glance
| FOP, UK candidates | £365 in 2026 and 2027 |
|---|---|
| FOP, international candidates | £455 in 2026 and 2027 |
| FOP online instead of at a centre | The same fee |
| DCH Clinical, UK and overseas | £640 in 2026; £660 in 2027 |
| Both parts in 2027, UK rates | £1,025 |
| Both parts in 2027, international rates | £1,115 |
| A resit | No reduced rate listed |
The two exam fees
The FOP fee depends on whether you are UK-based or overseas. For UK candidates it is £365. The RCPCH has already published the same figure for 2027. It is the same at a test centre or online. You pay when you apply, by credit card or a debit card linked to a UK bank account.
The DCH Clinical works differently. You apply in the window and pay once you have been offered a place. The RCPCH processes payments after the window closes and aims to finish within two weeks. The fee is £640 in 2026 and £660 in 2027, with one rate for UK and overseas candidates.
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.
What a resit costs
The RCPCH lists no resit rate for either exam. You pay for each exam when you apply for it. For the DCH Clinical it also says it cannot offer reduced fees or payment plans. So budget for the full fee each time: another £365 for a second FOP at UK rates, or another £660 for a second Clinical in 2027.
From 1 November 2026 you can have up to six attempts at each part, then one more with evidence of additional educational experience. FOP results show your percentage in each category, which tells you where to aim if you need another go. It pays to sit each part when you are ready, not before.
Changing your mind
FOP. Withdraw during the application window and you get a full refund, with no reason needed. After it closes you normally get nothing back, although you can ask for a partial refund with evidence of exceptional circumstances. Refunds are in sterling, so if you paid from another currency you may not get back exactly what you paid.
DCH Clinical. Once you have applied, the RCPCH cannot guarantee a refund if you withdraw. Any refund is at the discretion of its Clinical Assessment Managers and may be partial, minus an administration fee. Fees cannot be moved to a later exam date. Candidates who did not check the technical requirements before applying are not eligible for a refund.
The costs people forget
Time off. Both exams fall on weekdays. All three 2027 FOP papers are on Wednesdays and every 2027 Clinical day falls between Tuesday and Friday. For a trainee that means study leave. For a GP in practice it may mean sessions to cover.
Revision materials. A question bank, a textbook or two, perhaps a course. The RCPCH sells exam textbooks and periodically runs DCH Clinical preparation courses. Price these up before you start rather than as you go.
Kit and a quiet room. The DCH Clinical needs a laptop or PC rather than a tablet or phone. You also need Google Chrome, a working webcam and microphone, plus at least 1.5 Mbps upload and download. You need a private space for about three hours: you log in an hour early and the circuit runs up to two hours. If home will not be quiet, plan where you will sit it. If you qualify to sit the FOP online, its requirements are stricter, including at least 10 Mbps download and 2 Mbps upload.
Travel. Most candidates sit the FOP at a test centre, so add the cost of getting there. Candidates abroad arrange their own travel and visas. The RCPCH does not refund those who cannot travel or get a visa.
A study budget. Before you pay anything, ask your educational supervisor or practice whether any of it can come from a study budget.
How this fits the platform
Our part is smaller than either exam fee. The DCH hub is £49.99 for 12 months as a one-off payment. That covers the question bank of 661 best-of-five questions across all 26 syllabus areas, a timed mock of 100 questions in two hours (the FOP shape), the twelve-chapter revision guide (its last chapter covers the DCH Clinical), the Core Tools, the Core 10 and the Core Calendar. Twelve months is long enough for a February FOP and a May Clinical. You can try ten questions free first.
Quick answers
How much does the DCH cost?
£1,025 in exam fees at UK rates if you sit both parts in 2027: £365 for the FOP and £660 for the DCH Clinical. International candidates pay £1,115.
Do I have to pay again if I resit the DCH?
Yes. You pay for each exam when you apply for it. The RCPCH lists no reduced resit fee.
Is the FOP cheaper online?
No. The fee is the same at a test centre or with online invigilation.
Can I get a refund if I withdraw from the FOP?
Yes, in full, if you withdraw during the application window. After it closes you normally get no refund.
Core Revision is independent and not affiliated with the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health.