Postgraduate Diploma
(standalone course)
Master’s degree (MEd)
(including PG Dip)
Overview
These programmes use intensive face-to-face teaching, discussion and academic work to challenge and develop your thinking and practice as a surgical educator. Educational themes tailored to the unique features of surgical practice are explored throughout.
There is increasing emphasis across surgical specialities on sound education, assessment and appraisal, and a growing recognition that education is key to safe clinical practice and effective professional development.
Surgery with its professional emphasis on craft, performance and teamwork presents unique opportunities and challenges to educators and trainers.
The MEd and PG Diploma in Surgical Education programmes aim to challenge your thinking and develop your practice as a surgical educator. Successful completion of the programmes will develop your theoretical and practical understanding of surgical education and the judgment needed to innovate in this important and growing field.
The face-to-face nature of the course enables active discussion with peers and tutors and fosters a collaborative community atmosphere in which to develop your educational interests.
These programmes are of interest to those involved with the education of students and trainees in interventional and surgical specialities. Although we expect participants to bring relevant experience of medicine, surgery, and training in the workplace, we make few assumptions of prior knowledge in the field of education.
This programme is designed to produce graduates equipped to further careers in healthcare and surgery–related education; provide a solid foundation for those who intend to go on to study for an MD or PhD; develop understanding of processes involved in surgical education and research; provide a supportive learning environment; and attract highly motivated students.
Study programme
This course is made up of two progressional levels (PG Dip and MEd), and you can apply to either level in the first instance.
The capstone module of the Diploma phase features options from which students may select. Not all are on offer every year but the portfolio includes topics such as Educational Supervision, Engagement, and Simulation.
Is this programme for you?
The programme is designed to produce graduates equipped to further careers in healthcare and surgery-related education, and provide a solid foundation for those who intend to go on to study for an MD or PhD. You develop an understanding of the processes involved in surgical education and research.
Careers
We anticipate that graduates of this programme will be well placed to advance their careers in a range of directions. Some may likely be senior in their ‘first’ profession; for this group the programmes will represent professionalisation for a role they may have taken on without full and appropriate academic training.
Our graduates are positioned to take increasing educational responsibility in Universities, Trusts and professional bodies, influencing policy and practice and empowered to carry out research in surgical education.
Structure
Modules shown are for the current academic year and are subject to change depending on your year of entry.
Please note that the curriculum of this course is currently being reviewed as part of a College-wide process to introduce a standardised modular structure. As a result, the content and assessment structures of this course may change for your year of entry. We therefore recommend that you check this course page before finalising your application and after submitting it as we will aim to update this page as soon as any changes are ratified by the College.
Core modules
You take all of the core modules below.
- Policy and Context of Surgical Education
- Introduction to Learning and Teaching
- Introduction to Assessment and Appraisal
- Introduction to Simulation and Technology Enhanced Learning
- Theory and Practice of Learning, Teaching and Assessment
- Reflection for Surgical Education Project
- Research Methods and Educational Research Project
Surgical Education Specialty Stream and Design Project Module
You choose one module from below.
- Advancing Human Health Through Simulation
- Developing Educational Supervisors
- Technology-Enhanced Learning
Please note that not all speciality stream and design project modules run every academic year.
Core modules
You take all of the core modules below.
- Policy and Context of Surgical Education
- Introduction to Learning and Teaching
- Introduction to Assessment and Appraisal
- Introduction to Simulation and Technology Enhanced Learning
- Theory and Practice of Learning, Teaching and Assessment
- Reflection for Surgical Education Project
Surgical Education Specialty Stream and Design Project Module
You choose one module from below.
- Advancing Human Health Through Simulation
- Developing Educational Supervisors
- Technology-Enhanced Learning
Please note that not all speciality stream and design project modules run every academic year.
Teaching and assessment
Teaching methods
- Curriculum design project
- Discussion groups
- Field trips
- Final Project
- Journal clubs
- Mini-lectures
- On-line discussion forums
- On-line lecture materials
- Peer assessment
- Reflective portfolio project
- Research Proposal
- Role-play
- Seminars
- Simulation-based learning
- Tutorials
- Workshops
- Written and oral assignments
Assessment methods
- Coursework (e.g. group projects, extended writing)
- Dissertation
Entry requirements
We welcome students from all over the world and consider all applicants on an individual basis.
Minimum academic requirement
Our minimum requirement is a 2.1 degree in science, engineering, computing, healthcare or education.
You must also have basic computing experience and three years’ relevant experience.
International qualifications
We also accept a wide variety of international qualifications.
The academic requirement above is for applicants who hold or who are working towards a USA qualification.
For guidance see our Country Index though please note that the standards listed here are the minimum for entry to the College, and not specifically this Department.
If you have any questions about admissions and the standard required for the qualification you hold or are currently studying then please contact the relevant admissions team.
English language requirement (all applicants)
All candidates must demonstrate a minimum level of English language proficiency for admission to the College.
For admission to this course, you must achieve the standard College requirement in the appropriate English language qualification. For details of the minimum grades required to achieve this requirement, please see the English language requirements for postgraduate applicants.
How to apply
You can submit one application form per year of entry, and usually choose up to two courses.
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Choosing your course
This course is divided into two progressional levels of study:
- PG Certificate (PG Cert)
- Master of Education (MEd)
Each level of study has its own separate entry point; you can apply to either level in the first instance.
Making an application
All applicants to our Master’s courses must apply online.