United Kingdom
Diploma in Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery
The primary exam for ENT trainees in the UK. Tests otolaryngology anatomy, physiology and clinical ENT.
- Exam body
- Royal College of Surgeons
- Frequency
- Twice yearly
- Eligibility
- CT1/CT2 ENT trainees
- Format
- Written MCQ + OSCE
DO-HNS - Diploma in Otolaryngology: overview
Diploma in Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery is administered by Royal College of Surgeons. The primary exam for ENT trainees in the UK. Tests otolaryngology anatomy, physiology and clinical ENT.
In practical terms the assessment is delivered as Written multiple-choice questions + OSCE, and candidates are measured against a standard setting. It is scheduled twice yearly, so building a realistic timeline back from the sitting you intend to take is the first planning step.
Exam pattern at a glance
- Exam format
- Written MCQ + OSCE
- Pass / selection standard
- Standard setting
- Frequency
- Twice yearly
- Eligibility
- CT1/CT2 ENT trainees
Subjects covered
Syllabus
- Otolaryngology Anatomy
- Head & Neck Surgery Principles
- Audiology
- Rhinology
- Laryngology
Subject focus and weightage
Candidates who score well tend to protect time for the highest-yield areas rather than reading everything evenly. For DO-HNS - Diploma in Otolaryngology, the topics that repeatedly carry weight include temporal bone anatomy, common ent conditions, surgical anatomy h&n. Working these to mastery first, then broadening outward, is a more reliable use of limited revision time than a single linear pass through the syllabus.
The syllabus spans core subjects including Otolaryngology Anatomy, Head & Neck Surgery Principles, Audiology, Rhinology, Laryngology. A blueprint-led plan - allocating study hours in proportion to how heavily each subject is examined - usually beats spending equal time on every subject.
High-yield areas
Study priorities
- Temporal bone anatomy
- Common ENT conditions
- Surgical anatomy H&N
How to prepare
A dependable preparation cycle for DO-HNS - Diploma in Otolaryngology moves through three repeating phases. Learn: build the core concept for each topic once, from structured notes, so the framework is solid before you test it. Recall: convert that understanding into durable memory with active recall and spaced repetition rather than re-reading. Practise: apply it under exam conditions with question banks, reviewing every wrong answer until you understand why the correct option wins - which for this exam is where clinical-reasoning gaps surface.
Timed, full-length practice in the exam's own format is what converts knowledge into a score: it trains pacing, and the stamina a long paper demands. Analyse each mock not just for the total but for which subjects and question-types are dragging the score, then feed that back into the next study block.
Frequently asked questions
What is the DO-HNS - Diploma in Otolaryngology exam and who conducts it?
Diploma in Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery is conducted by Royal College of Surgeons. The primary exam for ENT trainees in the UK. Tests otolaryngology anatomy, physiology and clinical ENT.
What is the DO-HNS - Diploma in Otolaryngology exam pattern?
The stated format is Written multiple-choice questions + OSCE. The pass or selection standard is Standard setting. Because pattern and marking can be revised between cycles, confirm the current structure on the official notification before you sit.
Who is eligible for the DO-HNS - Diploma in Otolaryngology?
Broadly, eligibility is: CT1/CT2 ENT trainees. This is a summary only - the definitive eligibility criteria, documentation and any registration or attempt limits are published by Royal College of Surgeons for each sitting.
Sources and currency
Sources: official examination-body notifications and information bulletins (NBEMS, NMC, GMC, the relevant UK Royal College, USMLE/NBME, AMC, MCC and the Gulf health authorities as applicable). Exam patterns and eligibility change between cycles - always confirm the current sitting's rules, dates and fees on the official body's own notification before you apply. Last verified July 2026.
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