Skip to main contentSkip to footer
doctors in a surgical setting wearing masks and scrubs
Brighton & Sussex Medical School

Surgical Studies

BSMS > Postgraduate > Surgical Studies

Surgical Studies

Key facts

MSc, PGDip, PGCert

Full-time: 1 year

Part-time: 3 years

Eligible applicants: UK, international

Location: University of Brighton, Falmer campus, University of Sussex, Falmer

Course Leader: Anouk van der Avoirt

Read Anouk van der Avoirt's profile here >

General enquiries: brighton.ac.uk/enquiries

This course is jointly validated by the University of Brighton and the University of Sussex. Applications for 2021/22 entry are now open.

Apply for the surgical studies course Here >

Download the course application handbook for further information on this course. 

Download the Surgical Studies handbook here > 

Watch our video below to find out more about this course.

BACKGROUND IMAGE FOR PANEL

Our COVID-19 contingency plans for 2020-2021

At a time of National and Global Crisis, we are swiftly adapting to changes and maximising the opportunity for enhancing learning on our Masters in Surgical Studies.

Our priority is the safety and well-being of our students, here is what you should know about the upcoming academic year (2020/21).

The academic year will start as normal in September and term dates will not be changed. Visit the University of Sussex website for up to date term dates.

View the latest information on terms dates here >

The teaching will be delivered by a blend of face to face and on-line teaching, we will adapt our timetables and teaching methods to make the most of this approach. The balance of blend will depend on the stringency of social distancing and other regulations in force at the time.

We currently hope for our clinical modules (MDM170, MDM171, MDM172) which are scheduled for after January 2021 to deliver them face to face, the professional modules (MDM10, MDM110, MDM122) will all be taught on-line without any changes made to the curriculum of the assignments.

Key areas of study

Three clinical modules:

  • Advanced professional issues in surgery
  • Perioperative care in surgery
  • Principles and practice of simulation in surgery

Three professional modules:

  • Research methods and critical appraisal
  • Leadership and change management in clinical services
  • Communication, learning and teaching in health and social care

Research-based dissertation

Course overview

This course is designed to provide and prepare surgeons for advanced posts and practice. It is modular with six one-week teaching blocks.

The course is not designed to duplicate the preparation for the Royal College exams; instead it will cover topics not routinely covered by standard training or included in mainstream textbooks. The emphasis is on acquiring knowledge and skills which will prepare students for advanced practice in surgery.

Seb Chong photo

"This programme is fantastic for covering such topics as research, leadership, ethics and medical law, which are all highly relevant to surgery and yet receive little attention in the traditional surgical curriculum. I have highly enjoyed studying these subjects in depth." -

Sebastian Chong, MSc Surgical Studies student

Course structure

PG Cert

Advanced Professional Issues in Surgery

Principles and Practice of Simulation in Surgery

Research Methods and Critical Appraisal

PGDip

PGCert PLUS

Perioperative Care of the Surgical Patient

Communication, Learning and Teaching in Health and Social Care

Leadership and Change Management in Clinical Services  

MSc

Perioperative Care of the Surgical Patient

Communication, Learning and Teaching in Health and Social Care

Leadership and Change Management in Clinical Services  

Dissertation

Career opportunities

This course will support the professional who is looking to become a better rounded surgical expert.

It will marry theory with practical skills in a variety of subjects to produce a thorough learning experience. The professional modules encompass the three crucial areas of research, leadership and education to equip the surgical leaders of tomorrow with the knowledge and skills necessary for their jobs.

Entry requirements

Applicants should have an undergraduate medical degree, and should be able to demonstrate an ability to study at this level. It is expected that students will be in clinical practice throughout the programme.

Applications will also be considered from other professionals in appropriate clinical practice (theatre and surgical practitioners and physician associates).

For international students a minimum IELTS score of 7.0 is required.

This course is open to applications from UK and international students. 

Fees and funding

The fees listed below are the overall costs for full-time courses taken in the academic year 2021/22. Where courses are taken part-time over more than one academic year, fees are usually charged pro-rata for the modules taken during each academic year.  

With effect from 2021/22 onwards, EU nationals starting new postgraduate courses will pay international fees and will not be eligible for student funding from the UK government. However, there are exceptions to this for Irish nationals and EU nationals with settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme. For the latest information, please see gov.uk/student-finance.

MSc

UK £11,000

International £22,500

PGDip

UK £7,338

International £15,000

PGCert

UK £3,669

International £7,500


Health Education Kent, Surrey and Sussex (HEKSS) have provided funding for a number of Surgical Studies students with bursaries covering 80% of the course fees. Bursaries are available to any doctors, nurses and allied health professionals employed by the NHS within HEKSS.