Study Here - Postgraduate and Professional - Courses

Introduction

This programme is designed to enable participants to develop their interest and practical skills in Minimally Invasive Surgery (MIS) and undertake specialist modules in general surgery, gynaecology, orthopaedics or urology.  The teaching team includes a number of internationally renowned experts who have specialist knowledge and research interests in the range of subject areas offered. The Programme Directors are: Professor Matin Sheriff, Consultant Urological Surgeon and Professor Anan Shetty, Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon. 

Watch the video about (MIS) Minimally Invasive Surgery

The programme is offered by Canterbury Christ Church University and consists of lectures, seminars and journal clubs, which will be delivered on the Medway campus (30 minutes from London).  The learning experience will be greatly enhanced using state of the art practical simulation equipment and live video links to local operating theatres.  Cadaveric experience will also be available.  Three clinical attachment periods, each being of two week duration, when students are allocated to a specific Consultant Surgeon, are also included.

Programme Information

Nature of the Programme

The MCh Minimally Invasive Surgery programme consists of six taught postgraduate modules including the ‘Developing a Research Proposal’ module, together with a Research Dissertation consisting of three modules.  It includes the option to exit with a PgD or PgC award. It is also possible to undertake single modules as standalone elements.  The full-time programme, based in the UK, consists of a number of modules (6 modules = PgD) that are intended to be studied in the first two terms. All modules are studied at M (Masters) level and each module carries 20 M level credit points.  Students are normally expected to complete the PgD aspects of the programme in 9 months and complete the dissertation (60 Level credits) within 12 months, to be awarded the MCh Minimally Invasive Surgery.

Programme Aims

The aims of the MCh Minimally Invasive Surgery are:

1. To provide clinicians with an advanced educational experience which will encourage critical and rigorous analysis of the literature, research evidence, policies and guidelines related to the Minimally Invasive Surgery practice;
2. To provide clinicians with advance understanding of anatomy and patho-physiology of MIS procedures;
3. To improve knowledge of ergonomics and its application to MIS;
4.  To provide the opportunity to learn basic, intermediate and advanced level practical skills in MIS;
5. To provide better understanding of identification and management of complications associated with MIS procedures;
6. To provide better understanding of the impact of MIS procedures on the healthcare economy;
7.  To enable students to complete, by independent study, a dissertation or systematic review which demonstrates a critical understanding and application of research methods and issues in MIS.

MCh Minimally Invasive Surgery

The programme consists of 9 modules offered at M. level with each module attracting 20 credit points. The modules offered within the programme are listed below:

• Module 1: Foundations of Minimally Invasive Surgery
• Module 2: Specialist Module 1 (General Surgery, Gynaecology, Orthopaedics or Urology pathway)
• Module 3: Specialist Module 2 (General Surgery, Gynaecology, Orthopaedics or Urology pathway)
• Module 4: Practical Skills (Basic/Intermediate)
• Module 5: Practical Skills (Advanced)
• Module 6: Developing a Research Proposal

To be awarded the MCh Minimally Invasive Surgery, students must successfully complete the PgD (modules 1-6) and then progress to complete research dissertation modules 7, 8 and 9.
 

• Module 7, 8 and 9: Research dissertation: Critical evaluation of professional practice or systematic review or empirical project or service improvement

Assessment

Assessments will include:

• 4,000 word written assignment
• Poster and oral presentations
• Objective Structured Practical Examination (OSPE)
• A final dissertation which must be submitted by the end of September for internal marking and external ratification
• Final results will be issued before Christmas
• Graduation ceremony will be held in a local Cathedral early the following year

Entry Requirements

Applicants must be a qualified and registered medical practitioner with a minimum of three years post qualification clinical experience.

The International Office at Canterbury Christ Church University will check all international applications in terms of:

a) Equivalence of qualifications (by using NARIC, as necessary)
b) English Language - IELTS 6.5 (with minimum 6.0 in writing) or equivalent

A Criminal Records Bureau check and Occupational Health screening will be completed for all successful applicants prior to any clinical visits.

Further Information

For an information booklet please contact:

Allison Allen
Programmes Administrator
Faculty of Health & Social Care
Email: allison.allen@canterbury.ac.uk
Telephone: 01634 894479

For further information please contact:

Peter Milburn
Academic Lead, Medical Education
Faculty of Health and Social Care
Email: peter.milburn@canterbury.ac.uk
Telephone: 0044 (0)1634 894400

Fees

For information on current tuition fees, please visit our finance pages.

How to Apply

Before applying please register your interest with Allison Allen (see above contact details).

International students

International students should visit the International Office website for further information and to download an application form:

International Office website
Application information for International Students

For information on fees for international students please click here.

UK / EU students

UK / EU students should click here to download an application form.

Faculty of Health and Social Care Website