Primary FRCA SBA Course for the Sept ’25 Exam

This is an intensive 60-hour question analysis and group-work course designed for anaesthetists preparing for the September 2026 Primary FRCA Examination. Run by the Mersey School of Anaesthesia (MSA), the course is delivered over six full days (9th–14th August 2026) at Village Hotel, Whiston, with long study days from 08:00 to 20:00. Attendance is restricted to candidates who are due to sit the imminent exam and have already completed substantial revision independently.

The course is explicitly NOT a practice question bank, memorisation course, or pattern-recognition tool. Instead, it focuses on collaborative question analysis and group discussion across five core topics: Physics/Measurement Equipment, Physiology, Pharmacology, Clinical, and Statistics. The course material exposes candidates to topics and themes similar to those in the exam to deepen understanding and develop sound judgement for the examination itself. Notably, MSA does not have access to RCA (Royal College of Anaesthetists) question banks and candidates must not expect to see those questions on the course.

A defining feature is the intensive small-group environment. All 72 places are filled with like-minded trainees working collaboratively away from home and work distractions. The course explicitly requires full engagement with group work; there is no didactic teaching, and attendees must come prepared to learn through discussion and debate rather than be taught. Those who do not engage with their group or prefer independent study will be asked to leave. Testimonials emphasize the value of concentrated group study and the camaraderie built over the six intense days.

Full attendance is mandatory — you must arrive before 11:00 on Sunday and remain present for the entirety of the course. All leave, travel, and domestic arrangements must be finalized in advance. The course fee is £485 and includes breakfast, lunch, refreshments, and car parking.