Master of Surgery (MSurg)

The Master of Surgery (MSurg) is a comprehensive two-year surgical training programme which provides structured postgraduate training in General Surgery leading to the award of Master of Surgery from the University of Buckingham.

The MSurg is designed for international doctors who wish to expand their surgical training in the UK. Our students will take part in training analogous to the Core Surgical Training offered by the Joint Committee on Surgical Training (JCST) which forms the first stage of speciality training for most doctors training in surgical specialities. The expectation is that students will take their MRCS to coincide with the award of the MSurg. The MRCS is an internationally recognised qualification that could lead to further surgical training in  the UK.

The programme consists of up to four placements in surgical specialities designed to deliver core training, knowledge and skills considered by the RCSEd as suitable for early years training.

The key features of the MSurg are:

• Student-led – An ePortfolio is used to encourage a learner-centred approach with the support of educational supervisors. The ePortfolio contains tools to identify educational needs, and enables the setting of learning goals, reflective learning and personal development.
• Competency-based – The curriculum outlines competencies that trainees must reach by the end of the programme. The curriculum is directly linked to the ePortfolio as it defines standards required for good medical practice and formal assessments.
• Continuation of Good Medical Practice – building on existing training the curriculum contains important emphasis on generic competencies necessary for practice as a surgeon.
• Supervision – each student has a series of supervisors with clearly defined roles and responsibilities overseeing training including their Clinical Supervisor, Educational Supervisor, University Tutor, Pathways to Postgraduate Training in Surgery Director, and Dean of Postgraduate Medicine.
• Appraisal meetings with supervisors – regular appraisal meetings and review of competence progression are set out in the ePortfolio.
• Dissertation – Literature review of 10,000 words.

Affiliate Membership to the RCSEd will be granted to all MSurg students.

Download the course brochure here

Full details in the Curriculum Handbook

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Candidates need to have a primary medical degree and will need to obtain full registration with the General Medical Council ahead of starting the course. Additionally, they should also have the following:

• Successfully completed one year of internship at a hospital and must supply their Certificate of Completion.
• An IELTS score of 7.5, with a minimum of 7.0 in each section or an OET with an average of 440-350 overall and a minimum of 350 in each component.
• Graduated from an internationally recognised medical school.
• Completed their undergraduate training and be fully registered with the Medical Council in their respective countries.
• Two character reference letters from any member of their medical school academic staff, OR from their current senior medical colleagues and consultants.

There are various options for entry onto the course, depending on the applicant’s qualifications.

Terms and conditions for prospective students

When you are offered a place at the University you will be notified of the terms and conditions between the University and students on our courses of study. When you accept an offer of a place on the course at the University a legal contract is formed between you and the University on the basis of the terms and conditions outlined in your offer letter. Your offer letter and the terms and conditions contain important information which you should read carefully before accepting an offer. Read the admissions terms and conditions > >

Contact us

The Admissions Team would be happy to answer any questions you may have:

Miriam Averna-Joint

Quality and Administrative Manager

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Regular workplace-based assessments will be conducted throughout training. Students will be assessed on the following units:

1. Basic Sciences
2. Common Surgical Conditions
3. Basic Surgical Skills
4. Assessment and Management of the Surgical Patient
5. Perioperative Care
6. Management of Trauma
7. Surgical Care of the Paediatric Patient
8. Care of the Dying Patient
9. Organ Transplantation
10. Health Promotion

The assessments will be carried out via:

• Case Based Discussions
• Clinical Evaluation Exercises
• Procedure-based Assessments
• Direct Observation of Procedural Skills in Surgery
• Multi Source Feedback
• Assessment of Improvement Project
• Observation of Teaching
• E portfolio
• Dissertation
• Workplace Based Assessment and Annual Review of Competence Progression (ARCP)

Placement Trusts

Students will be placed at one of the following placement hospitals:

• Leighton Hospital, Crewe
• Milton Keynes University Hospital
• University Hospital of North Durham
• James Paget University Hospital, Great Yarmouth
• Glan Clwyd Hospital, Rhyl, Wales
• Blackpool Teaching Hospitals

Attainment of the MSurg and MRCS will confirm fulfilment of completion of early years training allowing the student to consider higher surgical training.

Fees are payable in six monthly instalments.

Payment of a minimum of the £10,000 is required within four weeks of the date shown on the offer letter to secure a place on the programme (of which up to £5,000 is non-refundable if the applicant withdraws for any reason other than a genuine visa refusal). The remainder of the first six months’ fees would be required four weeks before the start date of the course.

Due to the mode of study on this course you will not normally need a room in University accommodation during your degree.

However, if you require short-term accommodation in Buckingham we would be happy to provide a list of local bed and breakfast or hotel accommodation. Alternatively, please contact our Accommodation Office for advice.

Apply directly

You can apply directly using our online application form – all you need to do is click the ‘apply’ button at the top of this page.

Help and support

If you need any help making your application or if you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to get in touch using the form below, or by phone on +44 (0)1280 820227. We are available between 09:00 and 17:00, Monday to Friday.

You may find it useful to download these great tips from Which University? on writing your personal statement.

If you would like to make any changes to your current application, please contact Admissions using the form below.