MCh in Surgery

In order for you to be able to think in an innovative manner and to be prepared for modern challenges in surgery, this programme aims to develop your scientific insight into current and emerging technologies that will inform your clinical practice and help you to apply basic scientific discoveries to your clinical work for the benefit of your patients.

It aims to facilitate you to develop a critical understanding of current novel and potentially beneficial therapies that use regenerative medicine and digital health platforms in a way that will inspire and encourage you to use this knowledge and develop your own ideas. To be a competent, safe and compassionate surgeon, you need to be able to develop your critical, analytical and problem solving abilities.  

The programme therefore will enable you to critically and analytically consider the evidence base presented to you, to confidently challenge this evidence and make comprehensive, considered and robust decisions on patient care. In doing so you will be enabled to think and work creatively and intellectually which in turn will stimulate you to search for new knowledge for the benefit of your patients and health care provision. 

Further, this programme will enable you to be a lifelong learner, having developed critical, analytical and evaluative skills at Masters level, to undertake your own high quality research and search for innovation, which in turn will further progress your area of expertise. Integral to the programme is the need to develop and enhance a culture in you that ensures a willingness to challenge poor or bad clinical practice, improve service delivery and effect change.

This MCh in Surgery, with its four specialist surgical pathways, is aimed at doctors who are at ST1 level and above and provides an essential educational component for you while you are progressing in your surgical training.

If you are an international medical graduate, this programme will be especially suitable for you – we have designed it so that it will allow you the maximum opportunities to learn both the theory and practice if you do not hold a GMC registration.  If you wish to be considered to be sponsored by the University for a one year GMC registration, you will need to meet the criteria set by both the University and the GMC. 

Take a look at the international eligibility criteria

Candidates should note that GMC regulations state that you MUST be engaged in medical practice for three out of the last five years including the most recent 12 months. The 12 month rule starts at the point the application for registration with the GMC is made. Clinical attachments and observerships are not counted as medical practice. A maximum gap of only 5 weeks in a 12 month period is allowed. Therefore it is vital that the candidate continues to practice medically up until the time they leave their home country to come to the UK.

As well as giving you a very competitive and enhanced surgical training portfolio, gaining this MCh will enable you to continue your post graduate medical education at a higher level such as an MD or PhD if you wish to in the future.

The programme team and university services dedicated to employability will be able to help you with deciding on what you want to do on completion of the programme such as further study, gaining a training number or seeking employment.

For all students studying for a PGCert, PGDip or MCh in all specialist surgical pathways:

Regenerative Medicine and Emerging Technologies

The aim of this module is to enable you to gain a critical understanding of the principles of physiological regenerative processes and how these principles are able to inform your clinical practice. It aims to facilitate you, within your specialist surgical field of practice, to critically examine the evidence base for how modern surgical techniques take advantage of natural healing processes and enhance them. Further it aims to enable you to critically explore and identify emerging technologies including electrical devices and surgical equipment and analytically examine their application in modern healthcare within your field of specialist surgical practice.  It provides the introduction and base of regenerative medicine upon which further modules in all pathways will build.

At the end of the module you will be able to demonstrate a critical understanding and knowledge of the basic science of normal and enhanced healing cellular processes; genetics; scientific basis of the latest advances in cell culturing techniques and application of emerging technologies within your specialist surgical pathway.

You will be taught alongside all students from each of the specialist surgical pathways.

For all students studying for a PGDip or MCh in all specialist surgical pathways:

Research Approaches and Methods

The aim of this module is to develop your knowledge and understanding of various research approaches and methods to enable you to develop a plan or proposal for a dissertation.

By the end of this module you will be able to evaluate relevant research approaches and identify an area of clinical practice that requires investigation.  You will be able to present a rationale for a proposed study, apply a thorough understanding of research methods and communicate a clear research question.

You will be taught alongside students from all specialist surgical pathways and students from the IMS studying for an MSc in Cardiology.  You will be taught by a variety of methods that include group and individual tutorials and you will work closely with your research supervisors.

For all students studying for a MCh in all specialist surgical pathways:

Dissertation / Project

The aim of this module is to enable you to plan and manage a piece of work which demonstrates a critical understanding of the processes undertaken in order to produce a dissertation/project of professional relevance with appropriate academic rigour. The dissertation/project may be an empirical research study, a quality improvement project, a critical evaluation of practice/literature review or a systematic review.

At the end of this module you will be able to clearly convey the process you have undertaken and the result of the research question.  You will be able to critically evaluate appropriate literature; select an appropriate study design and research methods whilst adhering to ethical principles.  You will also be able to analyse and interpret the data and apply this to theoretical and professional practice issues.  You will be able to reflect on the research process in terms of your personal and professional journey through this module.

You will receive individual and group supervision and expert advice where necessary.  This may be in the use of statistical methods or an aspect of study design for example.  Supervision will be undertaken by a Research Supervisor. 

For all students studying for a PGCert, PGDip or MCh in Surgery (Orthopaedics and Regenerative Medicine):

Note – students studying for a PGCert are only required to successfully complete two of the following modules in addition to the Regenerative Medicine and Emerging Technologies module.

Applied and Advanced Regenerative Medicine:

The aim of this module is to enable you to build upon the principles of the Regenerative Medicine and Emerging Technologies module in order that you can critically explore the practical applications.  It aims to facilitate you to gain a critical understanding of the challenges of tissue engineering and how diverse technologies can assist biological regeneration within the field of orthopaedic surgery for the benefit of patients and health populations.

By the end of this module you will be able to demonstrate a critical understanding of the challenges in applying regenerative medicine in the practice of orthopaedic surgery; scientific basis of biological and synthetic matrices, tissue engineering, 3D culture and application of robotics and computing.

Biomechanics

The aim of this module is to enable you to build upon the principles of the Regenerative Medicine and Emerging Technologies module in order that you can critically explore the practical applications within this module.  It aims to facilitate you to gain a critical understanding of the core principles of orthopaedic surgical management to restore failed biomechanics for the benefit of your patients and health populations.

By the end of the module you will be able to demonstrate a critical understanding of the physiology of biomechanics and implant biomechanics/tribology; gait analysis; navigated surgery and patient specific instrumentation.

Arthroscopic Surgery

The aim of this module is to enable you to build upon the principles of the Regenerative Medicine and Emerging Technologies module in order that you can critically explore the practical applications within this module.  It aims to facilitate you to gain a critical understanding of the core principles in diagnosis and intervention of orthopaedic conditions using minimally invasive techniques for the benefit of your patients and health populations.

By the end of this module students will be able to demonstrate a critical understanding of the physiology of cartilage lesions and their repair; use of graft materials – synthetic, autograft and allograft; principles of ligament reconstruction and patient specific instrumentation in minimally invasive techniques

Limb Reconstruction

The aim of this module is to enable you to build upon the principles of the Regenerative Medicine and Emerging Technologies module in order that you can critically explore the practical applications within this module.  It aims to facilitate you to gain a critical understanding of the core principles of the restoration of biomechanics in a biologically sympathetic way for the benefit of your patients and health populations.

By the end of this module you will be able to demonstrate a critical understanding of the physiology of fracture fixation and osteotomy; non-union of bone; bone infection and arthroplasty.

For all students studying for a PGCert, PGDip and MCh in Surgery (Otorhinolaryngology):

Note:  Students studying for a PGCert are only required to take two of the modules below in addition to the Regenerative Medicine and Emerging Technologies module.

Principles and Practice of Paediatric Otorhinolaryngology

The aim of this module is to enable you to gain a critical and in depth understanding of paediatric otorhinolaryngology conditions and procedures. It aims to enable you to critically apply the principles of regenerative medicine and how these inform current surgery and emerging technologies within the field of paediatric otorhinolaryngology.  It aims to enable you to challenge current evidence and to seek new knowledge and innovations to inform and enhance your skills base.  Further it aims to encourage you to critically consider the potential complexities and outcomes on individual patients and populations.

By the end of this module you will be able to demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the pathophysiology of paediatric otorhinolaryngology sub-specialities; specialist paediatric otorhinolaryngology procedures, development of regenerative medicine and emerging technologies and their impact.

Principles and Practice of Ear Pathology (Otology and Neuro Otology)

The aim of this module is to enable you to gain a critical and in-depth understanding of ear pathology, otology and neuro-otology conditions and procedures.  It aims to enable you to critically apply the principles of regenerative medicine and emerging technologies and how these inform current surgery and emerging technologies within otology and neuro-otology.  It aims to enable you to challenge current evidence and to seek new knowledge and innovations to inform and enhance your skills base.  Further it aims to encourage you to critically consider the potential complexities and outcomes on individual patients and populations.

By the end of this module you will be able to critically discuss and challenge the scientific evidence base of specialist neuro-otology conditions and procedures; impact on clinical outcomes; novel developments using regenerative medicine and emerging technologies and potential impact.

Principles and Practice of Rhinology and Facial Plastic Surgery

The aim of this module is to enable you to gain a critical and in depth understanding of rhinology and facial plastic conditions and procedures. It aims to enable you to critically apply the principles of regenerative medicine and how these inform current surgery and emerging technologies within the field of rhinology.  It aims to enable you to challenge current evidence and to seek new knowledge and innovations to inform and enhance your skills base.  Further it aims to encourage you to critically consider the potential complexities and outcomes on individual patients and populations.

By the end of this module you will be able to critically discuss and challenge the scientific evidence base of specialist rhinology conditions and procedures; novel developments using regenerative medicine and emerging technologies and their impact on current and future procedures.

Principles and Practice of Head and Neck Surgery and Voice Management

The aim of this module is to enable you to gain a critical and in depth understanding of head and neck surgery and voice management procedures. It aims to enable you to critically apply the principles of regenerative medicine and how these inform current surgery and emerging technologies within the field of head and neck surgery and voice management.  It aims to enable you to challenge current evidence and to seek new knowledge and innovations to inform and enhance your skills base.  Further it aims to encourage you to critically consider the potential complexities and outcomes on individual patients and populations.

By the end of this module you will be able to demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the scientific basis of the pathophysiology of head and neck conditions and voice management; specialist management procedures; novel developments using regenerative medicine and emerging technologies and their potential impact.

For all students studying for a PGCert, PGDip or MCh in Surgery (Urology)

Note students studying for a PGCert are only required to take two of the modules below in addition to the Regenerative Medicine and Emerging Technologies module.

Applied Basic Science in Urology

The aim of this module is to enable you to build upon the principles of the Regenerative Medicine and Emerging Technologies module in order that you can critically explore the practical applications within this module.  It aims to facilitate you to gain a critical understanding of the basic science as applied to urology and how pharmacotherapy can treat urological conditions.  Further it aims to facilitate your critical understanding of how these agents work with an in depth exploration of the role of biomaterials for the benefit of your patients and health populations.

By the end of this module you will be able to demonstrate a critical understanding of the cell cycle and its role in apoptosis and cancer; receptors and their manipulation; bio-materials to include collagen, silicon and tapes and scientific base for botulinum toxins and their uses.

Applied and Advanced Emerging Technologies in Urology

The aim of this module is to enable you to build upon the principles of the Regenerative Medicine and Emerging Technologies module in order that you can critically explore the practical applications within this module.  It aims to facilitate you to gain a critical understanding of the principles of emerging technology that is relevant to the speciality of urology and to apply this knowledge in everyday clinical practice.

By the end of this module you will be able to demonstrate a critical understanding of the types of lasers and their uses; optics and telescopes; laparoscopy and principles of robotics.

Endourology and Regenerative Medicine

The aim of this module is to enable you to build upon the principles of the Regenerative Medicine and Emerging Technologies module in order that you can critically explore the practical applications within this module.  It aims to facilitate you to gain a critical understanding of the principles of endourology which forms a significant aspect within the field of urology and to apply this knowledge in everyday clinical practice for the benefits of their patients and populations.

By the end of this module you will be able to demonstrate a critical understanding of the types of surgical instrumentation; ureterorenoscopy/laser fragmentation of stone; percutaneious kidney surgery for stones and prospects of regenerative medicine.

Laparoscopic Urologic Surgery

The aim of this module is to enable you to build upon the principles of the Regenerative Medicine and Emerging Technologies module in order that you can critically explore the practical applications within this module. It aims to facilitate you to gain a critical understanding of the practical skills that will allow you to perform steps of laparoscopic surgery under simulation.

By the end of this module you will be able to demonstrate a critical understanding of the use of a laparoscopic stack system and scientific evidence for patient specific instrumentation; safe port insertion; laparoscopic skills and principles of laparoscopic suturing.

For all students studying for a MCh / PGDip / PGCert in Surgery (Ophthalmology):

Note students studying for a PGCert are only required to take two of the modules below in addition to the Regenerative Medicine and Emerging Technologies module.

Micro-invasive Cataract Surgery

The aim of this module is to enable you to gain a critical and in depth understanding of the practical skills that will allow you to perform surgical techniques of micro-invasive cataract surgery under simulation.  It aims to enable you to critically examine emerging technologies within the field of micro-invasive cataract surgery.  It aims to enable you to challenge current evidence and to seek new knowledge and innovations to inform and enhance your skills base.  Further, it aims to encourage you to critically consider the potential complexities and outcomes on individual patients and populations. 

By the end of this module you will be able to demonstrate an analytical, critical and systematic understanding of the pathophysiology of cataract, the evidence base for the treatment by different surgical methods and the use of novel and emerging technologies in micro-invasive cataract surgery.

Minimally Invasive Glaucoma Surgery

The aim of this module is to enable you to gain a critical and in depth understanding of the practical skills that will allow you to analyse the relative benefits of MIGS as an emerging technology.  It further aims to enable you to critically analyse  the different procedures available, their relative benefits and nuances of implantation techniques as well as clinical efficacy and patient benefit.  It aims to enable you to critically apply the principles of regenerative medicine and how these inform current surgery and emerging technologies within the field of minimally invasive glaucoma surgery.  It aims to enable you to challenge the current evidence and to seek new knowledge and innovations to inform and enhance your skills base.

By the end of this module you will be able to demonstrate an analytical, critical and systematic understanding of the pathophysiology of glaucoma and its treatment by different medical and surgical methods including trabeculectomy and the scientific evidence base of novel developments that use regenerative medicine as an emerging technology.

Advances in Treatment of Medical Retina Conditions

The aim of this module is to enable you to gain a critical and in depth understanding of the underlying pathophysiology of retino-vascular disorders that will allow you to analyse the relative benefits of innovative therapeutic options and emerging technologies available for treatment. It further aims to introduce you to regenerative medicine pertaining to retinal conditions and to enable you to critically analyse the pharmacology and therapeutics of anti-VEGF and intraocular steroid preparations.  It aims to enable you to challenge the current evidence and to seek new knowledge and innovations to inform and enhance their skills base.

By the end of this module you will be able to demonstrate an analytical, critical and systematic understanding of the evidence base for the pathophysiology of retino-vascular conditions (diabetic retinopathy DR, retinal vein occlusion RVO, wet macular degeneration wARMD, ocular ischaemia) and uveitis.  You will be able to challenge the scientific evidence base for the practice or regenerative medicine as applied to retinal conditions.

Lasers in Ophthalmology

The aim of this module is to enable you to gain a critical and in depth understanding of the underlying physical principles behind lasers and the use of lasers in clinical practice. Further it aims to enable you to critically analyse the beneficial and harmful effects of lasers and their interactions with biological tissues.   It aims to enable you to challenge the current evidence and to seek new knowledge and innovations to inform and enhance your skills base.

By the end of this module you will be able to demonstrate an analytical, critical and systematic understanding of the physical principles underlying lasers, laser tissue interactions, evidence base for their use and the principles of laser safety in clinical practice.

As in every surgical specialty when you finish your foundation and core training, you will apply for a National Training Number (NTN) which in 6 years will provide you with comprehensive training in your respective field and will enable you to be awarded the CCST.  Following this, your name will be incorporated into the specialist register of the General Medical Council (GMC) allowing you to become a Consultant.  

Completion of this programme will not only give you a MCh in a surgical pathway that will aid your career progression, but it will highly enhance your prospects of employment.  You will gain the knowledge and skills that few trainee doctors will possess and it will place you at the forefront of technology and science.  You will be able to demonstrate and share unique skills with colleagues for the benefit of excellent patient care and be a source of inspiration and innovation.  These skills will be highly sought after.   This will advantage you, whether you remain in your current place of employment whilst undertaking this programme or whether you will be applying for a post on completion of the programme in the UK or abroad.  The programme team and university services dedicated to employability will be able to help you with deciding on what you want to do on completion of the programme such as further study, gaining a training number or seeking employment.

You will be taught in university using a variety of teaching and learning approaches. These will include seminars, journal clubs, web based learning, group work, case studies, videos surgical procedures and surgical practice using simulation in the university’s simulation suite. 

Each pathway is overseen by a pathway director who is a senior Consultant Surgeon within their speciality. Each module within the pathways is delivered and co-ordinated by a senior surgeon. These key people will be joined by many other senior surgeons within the speciality who will take part in teaching the modules.  In this way, you will be taught by the surgeons who are most experienced within the subsections of the modules and this will enrich your learning. All of the pathways have well established faculties of surgeons and they will also be central in helping you with your academic work and applying the theory to practice.  All of the surgeons are contracted by the university to teach you. You will also be taught by experienced senior academic staff within the university for the research modules. These staff will support and guide you in the Research Approaches and Methods module and Dissertation module.

Whilst in university you will also be able to observe and practice cell culturing and 3D culture in the university’s stem cell laboratory. Whilst you are in the lab, you will be supported by the technician, research scientist and visiting researchers. If English is not your first language, you may wish to undertake the Academic English Language course which will be delivered over the first two terms at a time when you are not studying the programme modules. This will run every other week at the university and its aim is to help students with academic writing in English. This course has run in previous post graduate medical programmes and our students have found it extremely helpful to their studies. The lecturer who runs this course will join the induction week and you will be able to meet with him to discuss any needs you may have.

Each module comprises 200 hours. These 200 module hours consist of 30 hours being taught face to face in university, 125 hours of independent study and 45 hours of clinical observership/attachment. You will be given guidance by your module teachers on independent study which may include researching, finding and reading further papers, preparing seminars and presentations, group work with your colleagues, undertaking web based learning, simulated practice in the simulation suite or spending time in the university’s stem cell research laboratory. The purpose of a clinical observership/attachment is so that you can apply the theory you learn in university in each module to surgical practice. It is also an opportunity for you to explore and question the practice you observe. The amount of hours and basis on which you will spend your time will depend on whether or not you have General Medical Council (GMC) registration. If you are a student who is not registered with the GMC (and this may be because you have joined the programme as an international student), you will be allocated to an NHS hospital or a private hospital. You will be given a contract with the hospital, for the duration of the programme, which allows you to observe your clinical supervisor or whoever your clinical supervisor arranges for you to join. You will not be able to scrub up and take part in surgical procedures or consult with patients. Your clinical supervisor will oversee this observership/attachment and will also arrange for you to visit other hospitals to observe procedures that may be appropriate for each of the modules. The university has agreements with two private hospitals and two NHS Trusts in Kent for the observership/attachments.

If you have GMC registration and you are not currently in employment with a hospital (ie you have left your recent place of employment in order to study on this programme) you will also be given a contract with an allocated NHS hospital or private hospital, for the duration of the programme, which will allow you to scrub up in theatre with your clinical supervisor. You will only be able to do this under direct supervision of your clinical supervisor. Your clinical supervisor will oversee this observership/attachment and will also arrange for you to visit other hospitals to observe procedures that may be appropriate for each of the modules.

If you have a GMC registration, are remaining employed within your current hospital and are undertaking this programme as part of your surgical training, your clinical practice will remain unchanged. It will be important for you to have discussed this programme and its requirements with your line manager before you start to ensure that you are being given enough time to attend university, study each module and take the assessments. Your personal academic tutor and your clinical supervisor will want to meet with your line manager at the beginning of the programme to explain the programme and help that person ensure you are able to meet your learning needs. 

If you are an international medical graduate and you are being sponsored by the university for a GMC registration, you will be given a contract with a NHS hospital or private hospital for the duration of the programme. At the beginning of the programme your personal academic supervisor and clinical supervisor will meet with you to discuss the requirements of your contract which is specific to being a sponsored international medical graduate. During your interview for this sponsorship this will be fully explained to you.

The programme has been designed to be undertaken on a full time and part time basis. Whatever basis you have decided to undertake this programme, your meeting in the first two weeks’ induction will guide you on the modules to be undertaken, when these will occur and at what point you will be assessed in them. If you decide that you would like to undertake this programme on a part time basis, it is advisable to contact the Programme Director (telephone or email the programme administration team at: medicalsciences@canterbury.ac.uk) to discuss this. This would be particularly important if you have decided to exit with a Post Graduate Certificate as you would only need to take the compulsory Regenerative Medicine and Emerging Technologies module and two further modules. The Programme Director can help you to decide which of these you would prefer and which would be most helpful to you in your future career plans.

All modules will include a formative assessment which is where you will be given informal feedback on your module assessments and progress.  Each module will be summatively assessed and you are allowed to have one first attempt and one reassessment attempt.  The weeks where these occur are shown in the timetables.  Your personal academic tutor and clinical supervisor will guide you in these.

The modules are assessed in various ways.  The table below shows how each module is assessed.

MCh

Module 1

Regenerative Medicine and Emerging Technologies (20 credits)

Module 2

Research Approaches and Methods (20 credits)

Modules 3,4,5 & 6

Specialized Surgical Pathway Modules (20 credits per module = 80 credits)

Module 7, 8 & 9

Dissertation / Project (60 credits)

Total = 180 credits

PgDip

Module 1

Regenerative Medicine and Emerging Technologies (20 credits)

Module 2

Research Approaches and Methods (20 credits)

Students complete all four Specialised Surgical Pathway Modules (20 credits per module = 80 credits)

Total = 120 credits

PgCert

Module 1

Regenerative Medicine and Emerging Technologies (20 credits)

Students choose two modules from four Specialised Surgical Pathway Modules (20 credits per module = 40 credits)

Total = 60 credits

If you are an overseas student applying for the University’s General Medical Council International Sponsorship Scheme for GMC registration, you will be required to have English Language overall score of 7.5 with a minimum requirement of 7.0 in all four areas.

You will be required to complete a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check and Occupational Health screening prior to any clinical attachments.  You will be required to undertake a telephone interview, which will be conducted by the Pathway Director.  If you are an overseas student applying for the University’s General Medical Council International Sponsorship Scheme you will be subject to a video conferencing style interview that meets the criteria stipulated within the University’s scheme protocol.

Fees

2018/19 tuition fees for this course

Tuition fees for all courses which last more than one academic year are payable on an annual basis, except where stated.

There will be an annual inflationary increase in tuition fees for this course where the course lasts more than one academic year. The increase will reflect cost inflation in the University. Any inflationary increase will be no more than 3.5% for each year of your study. The increase will be calculated on the previous year’s tuition fees and not the tuition fees at the start of the course. 

Government loans of up to £10,280 are available for some postgraduate Master’s courses for students starting their course from 1 August 2017. Loans are subject to both personal and course eligibility criteria. 

The rules around course eligibility mean that in some cases it may depend on how you are studying (full-time or part-time) as to whether you can apply for a postgraduate loan. To check whether your course is eligible, you can  email the Student Fees Team or call 01227 923 948

Read more about  postgraduate masters student loans.

Students may self-fund their course or a sponsor may fund or part-fund. Bursaries, scholarships and fee discounts may also be available.

Further information

• See information about financial support available for postgraduate studies
• If you would like information about paying your fees, please contact finance@canterbury.ac.uk
• For specific fee queries, please contact fees@canterbury.ac.uk

Additional course costs

Although we aim to minimise any additional costs to students over and above the course tuition fee, there will be some additional costs which students are expected to meet.

Costs applicable to all students

General principle policy

The University’s general principles policy for additional course fees are set out here

Applications are made to the Admissions Office for Overseas, Home and EU students. 

Please download and complete an application form before returning it to international.admissions@canterbury.ac.uk

If you fulfil the entry requirements you will undergo a telephone interview to discuss your application.

Contact the IMS team at medicalsciences@canterbury.ac.uk