RCGP Fellowship

There are some requirements that you must fulfil to be eligible to apply: 

1. You must be either a current Member or International Member in good standing of the RCGP, and have been for at least five continuous years; 

2. If you are clinically active in the UK, you must also have successfully completed at least one cycle of revalidation post-CCT (this requirement is not applicable to candidates who are not clinically active or those who solely practise outside the UK); 

3. You should also be able to demonstrate a significant contribution to: 
   - the health and welfare of the community, 
   - the science or practice of medicine, 
   - the aims of RCGP, or any organisation which benefits general practice. 

4. Fellowship is open to UK, Overseas and International Members. 

If successful, a candidate can use the postnominals FRCGP or FRCGP[INT] following their formal election as a Fellow/International Fellow at a Council meeting. 

• Your application will initially be assessed by your local Faculty Fellowship Committee. 

• After some further checks by the Fellowship Oversight team, successful applications are subsequently taken to Council for ratification and election, meaning that members are elected as Fellows/International Fellows four times a year. 

• After election at a Council meeting, you can then use the post-nominals FRCGP or FRCGP[INT].  

• As of April 2025, there is no longer a one-off administration fee to become a Fellow. 

• Your application will be linked to your MyRCGP log in, so some of your personal details will be prepopulated. Please check these carefully, any changes you make here will be reflected in your member record. 
• Designated body - if you are unsure who your designated body is, you can find out on the General Medical Council website.

• This can be between 500 - 1,000 words.
• There are six suggested 'achievement areas' for fellowship, which a prospective Fellow would typically be able to refer to as the basis of their application. These areas are: Clinical practice; Patient-centred practice; Leadership; Teaching and education; Innovation and creativity; and Academia and research. 

• Showcase your contributions to general practice, patients, and the community in a similar way to how you would in a job interview. Do not be afraid to sell yourself! 

• You will need a principal and additional supporter to support your application. 
• At least one of your supporters must be a current Member or Fellow (or International Member/Fellow) of the RCGP (and have been for at least five years). 
• Only one of your supporters can be a current practice colleague and neither can be family relations (including spouses) or life partners. 
• The role of your supporters is to set out the reasons you should be recommended as a Fellow and to attest to some, if not all, of the work, personal qualities, and achievements on which you base your application. 
• You will need to input your supporters contact details (full name, email address, GMC number (if applicable) and telephone number) and their supporting statements. 
• A confirmation email will be sent to them on submission of your completed application. 

• You will receive notification that you have submitted your application. 
• Your application will be checked by your Faculty Administrator and then assessed by your Faculty Fellowship Committee. Some final checks are then made by the Fellowship Oversight team. 
• Once approved, you will receive an email confirming this and the date of your ratification and election to Fellow/International Fellow by Council. 
• Once elected following the Council meeting, you will be able to book to attend a ceremony to celebrate your achievement with your family and friends and to receive your fellowship certificate. 
• You will also be upgraded to Fellow/International Fellow and you will be able to use the post-nominals FRCGP or FRCGP[INT]. 

• Candidates need a principal and additional supporter to support their application. 
• At least one supporter must be a current Member or Fellow (or International Member/Fellow) of the RCGP (and have been for at least five years). 
• Only one supporter can be a current practice colleague, and neither can be family relations (including spouses) or life partners. 
• The role of the supporters is to set out the reasons the candidate should be recommended as a Fellow and to attest to some, if not all, of the work, personal qualities, and achievements on which they base their application. 
• Candidates will need to input your contact details (full name, email address, GMC number (if applicable) and telephone number) and your supporting statements. 
• A confirmation email will be sent to you on submission of the candidates completed application. 

• You will need to prepare a supporting statement of up to 500 words. 
• Your role is to provide your own independent insights about the candidate to build up a complete description of the candidate's achievements. 
• Try to demonstrate how the candidate has made a significant contribution to the health and welfare of the community, the science or practice of medicine, and the aims of the RCGP, or any organisation which benefits general practice. 
• Set out the reasons as to why you believe the candidate should be made a Fellow. What do you feel is special about their achievements? What is the impact of their work and of their personal qualities and values? Try to clearly and persuasively describe how they have made a difference, vividly bringing them to life for the reader. 
• You may wish to mention the relevant ‘achievement areas’ for fellowship, which the candidate may have referenced in their application. These areas are: Clinical practice; Patient-centred practice; Leadership; Teaching and education; Innovation and creativity; and Academia and research. 

• Once you have completed your supporting statement, you will need to send it on to the candidate so they can upload this to their application. 

• You will receive notification that the candidate has submitted their application. 
• The application will be checked by the candidate’s local Faculty Administrator and then assessed by the Faculty Fellowship Committee. Some final checks are then made by the Fellowship Oversight team. 
• Once approved, the candidate will receive an email confirming this and the date of their ratification and election to Fellow/International Fellow by Council, which you will be copied into.