Overview of the Programme
The Postgraduate Certificate (PGCert) in Surgical Education is aimed at surgical trainees of all surgical specialities and levels (CST1 – ST8) who are involved in, or intend to be involved in, the education of junior surgical colleagues. It is heavily focused on the learner’s surgical educational practice, entwining theoretical knowledge in the field of education with practical ability in surgery to enhance the learner’s aptitude as a surgical educator.
The flexible approach of this part-time programme allows learners to complete the modules alongside clinical commitments. The programme is primarily delivered online through individual tasks, small group work, discussion boards, and interactive webinars, all of which are facilitated by surgical educationalists. Learners are also required to demonstrate the way in which they teach content related to surgery such as surgical anatomy, surgical skills, clinical examination, and communication skills. Their performance will be assessed and will contribute to their overall outcome for the programme.*
The PGCert in Surgical Education is offered by Doctors Academy Group of Educational Establishments. It relies on a multidisciplinary approach which, essential to both surgery and education, enables the expertise of academics and professionals in different fields to collaborate to provide a relevant and valuable programme that will enhance the skills of surgical trainees and, ultimately, positively impact patient care.
If you have any queries about the PGCert in Surgical Education, please email us at pgcert@doctorsacademy.org.uk. We would, however, advise that you first read this page in its entirety since it is possible that the information you require is available here.
*Learners will be given the opportunity to complete this element of the programme by teaching in suitable courses held at the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Cardiff, Cardiff. Those who reside outside the UK will be given an alternative manner through which they can demonstrate their teaching in various aspects of surgical education. This will be discussed and agreed with the programme director.
Modules
The PGCert in Surgical Education comprises 10 modules, each of which is assessed by a formative or summative assessment. The assessments will take the form of written reflections, academic posters, blueprints of surgical courses and resources, and observations of teaching.
The modules of which this programme is comprised are:
- Module 1: The History and Evolution of Surgical Education and Training
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Module 2: Theoretical Frameworks in Surgical Education
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Module 3: Creating Educational Resources for Surgical Trainees
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Module 4: Teaching Basic and Surgical Anatomy
- Module 5: Teaching Surgical Skills and Non-Operative Technical Skills
- Module 6: Teaching Clinical Examination and Patient-Centred Communication Skills
- Module 7: Planning Surgical Courses, Workshops and Teaching Sessions
- Module 8: Evaluating Surgical Courses
- Module 9: Assessing Surgical Trainees
- Module 10: Providing Objective and Constructive Feedback in Surgical Education and Training
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this module, the learner will be able to:
- apply knowledge of the history of surgical education and training to consider his/her practice as a surgical educator.
- use models of reflective practice to enhance his/her practice as a surgical educator.
- reflect on the teaching sessions that he/she delivers in a structured manner, critically evaluate them, and plan steps to improve future sessions.
By the end of this module, the learner will be able to:
- provide an overview of the most common theories of learning.
- use key principles of learning theories to design and deliver effective teaching sessions.
- use frameworks of technical skills development to design and deliver effective teaching sessions.
By the end of this module, the learner will be able to:
- recognise theoretical aspects that underpin the creation of online educational resources and use them to develop his/her own resources.
- construct clear learning outcomes, using established frameworks as guides.
- create blueprints of new and innovative online educational resources.
By the end of this module, the learner will be able to:
- confidently use cadaveric prosections, osteology, anatomical images, and anatomical drawings to teach basic and surgical anatomy.
- explain important basic and surgical anatomical concepts with and without visual aids.
- apply key theoretical principles to deliver effective teaching in basic and surgical anatomy.
By the end of this module, the learner will be able to:
- demonstrate an ability to teach core components of surgical skills and non-operative technical skills.
- appreciate the intricacies of teaching practical skills to students who possess different degrees of competency.
- guide students to unlearn negative habits that impede their ability to proficiently perform technical and non-technical skills.
- apply key theoretical principles to deliver effective teaching in surgical skills and non-operative technical skills.
By the end of this module, the learner will be able to:
- demonstrate an ability to teach core components of clinical examination skills in surgery and patient-centred communication skills.
- provide students with structured approaches through which to perform clinical examinations in surgery and communicate with patients.
- apply key theoretical principles to deliver effective teaching in clinical examination in surgery and patient-centred communication skills.
By the end of this module, the learner will be able to:
- plan surgical educational events that are underpinned with core components relevant to surgical education, selecting appropriate teaching, feedback and assessment strategies.
- discuss important theoretical principles that facilitate effective educative design.
- demonstrate a critical awareness of the principles of course design.
By the end of this module, the learner will be able to:
- critically analyse the various components of a course, such as the rationale, content, organisation, execution, and feedback.
- use different methods of evaluation to evaluate a surgical course.
- reflect upon the evaluation process to refine and enhance future surgical educational events.
By the end of this module, the learner will be able to:
- critically reflect upon the quality of different surgical assessment designs and advocate for reasonable measures of improvement.
- evaluate the impact of various surgical assessments on learning and teaching.
- summarise the technical and statistical analysis of surgical assessment data.
By the end of this module, the learner will be able to:
- explain the importance of providing learners with objective and constructive feedback.
- use frameworks to structure the feedback he/she delivers to his/her learners whilst considering aspects that will enable and prevent the delivery of effective feedback.
- provide objective and constructive feedback to learners in a structured and effective manner.
Entry Requirements
I. Academic Ability
Undergraduate Medical Degree
Applicants must hold a first-class or upper second-class (or equivalent) undergraduate degree in Medicine. The applicant’s undergraduate degree in Medicine may be awarded by any Medical School in the world.
Postgraduate Examination
Applicants must have passed the first part of a relevant postgraduate examination such as the Membership of the Royal College of Surgeons (MRCS) Part A or the Membership of the Royal College of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (MRCOG) Part 1. International postgraduate examinations (outside the UK) are accepted.
Proficiency in the English Language
If the applicant’s first language is not English, he/she will need to provide evidence that he/she has achieved the minimum required score in the IELTS (Academic) or the OET. The minimum overall score for the IELTS (Academic) is 7.5, and applicants must have achieved a minimum score of 7.0 in each component (listening; reading; writing; speaking). Applicants who have taken the OET must have achieved a minimum score of 350 in each of the four sub-tests (listening; reading; writing; speaking).
Ability to Undertake Part-Time Study
Applicants will need to demonstrate the ability to undertake part-time study. This will be evidenced in the applicant’s Statement of Purpose and supported by the written reference(s).
II. References
Applicants are required to provide the names and contact details of two references: one academic and one professional. The referees will be contacted and requested to provide a written reference. Please be advised that the application cannot progress until the references have been received, and applicants are therefore advised to select referees who will be able to provide a timely reference.
An applicant’s references will validate his/her academic ability, interest in and enthusiasm for surgical education, current and/or prospective involvement in surgical education, and ability to complete a part-time postgraduate programme alongside clinical commitments.
III. Supporting Documents
Applicants will need to upload the following supporting documents with their application.
- The transcripts from your undergraduate degree in Medicine and any other university-level qualifications that you have achieved. The official document(s) issued by the awarding university should be uploaded. If your transcript is not in English, you will also need to provide the certified translation.
- An academic CV that highlights your academic achievements and relevant professional experience. This must be provided as a Word document or a PDF.
- A Statement of Purpose which illustrates your enthusiasm for surgical education, your current and/or prospective involvement in surgical education, and the reasons for which you wish to enrol in this programme. Your Statement of Purpose should not exceed two sides of A4 (1.5 spacing). It must be provided as a Word document or a PDF.
Your Statement of Purpose will prove crucial in helping us to determine if this PGCert in Surgical Education is appropriate for you. We will assess it for:
- your commitment to surgical education (at present and beyond this programme).
- your current involvement in surgical education.
- the reasons for which you wish to complete this programme.
- the reasons for which you believe you are suited to this programme.
- your ability to write coherently in English.
- your propensity to undertake part-time study alongside your clinical commitments.
- your ability to engage in learning and thrive in an online environment.
IV. Interview
As part of the admissions process, you will be invited to interview if your written application is strong and you meet the selection criteria. The interview will be held via Zoom, and the panel will consist of experts in the field of surgical education who will assess your suitability to the course. You will be informed by email if you have been invited to interview as soon as your application has been reviewed.
Important Dates
1st January 2024 (0900 hours GMT)
Applications for entry in the academic year 2023/2024 open.
31st July 2024 (2000 hours BST)
Applications for entry in the academic year 2023/2024 close.
7th October 2024 (0900 hours BST)
Programme starts.
Fees for Academic Year 2024/2025
The fee for the PGCert in Surgical Education for the academic year 2024/2025 is £2,895. The same fee applies for ‘Home Students’ (i.e., those whose permanent residence is in the UK) and for International Students (i.e., those whose permanent residence is outside the UK).
The fee can either be paid in full before the start of the programme, or it can be paid in four equal instalments of £723.75. The dates of each instalment are:
Instalment 1: 1st October 2024
Instalment 2: 1st December 2024
Instalment 3: 1st March 2025
Instalment 4: 1st June 2025
The fee must be paid in full by 1st June 2025.
Please note that, as part of this programme, you may be required to attend sessions at the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Cardiff, Cardiff. You may incur additional travel and accommodation expenses for this, and these are not covered within the programme fee.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
For whom is the PGCert in Surgical Education suitable?
The PGCert in Surgical Education is aimed at surgical trainees of all surgical specialities and levels (CST1 – ST8) who are involved in, or intend to be involved in, the education of junior surgical colleagues. Applicants will be required to demonstrate their commitment to surgical education during the admissions process.
How much time will I need to dedicate to this programme?
Learners will typically dedicate two-to-four hours per week to this programme.
How will I be supported on this programme?
You will be given a personal tutor for the duration of the programme who will meet with you virtually (via Zoom) and keep in contact with you via email. We can arrange face-to-face meetings if required. The academic tutors will also provide you with support during their modules.
Will I need to attend face-to-face?
You will need to attend the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Cardiff, Cardiff on two occasions during which you will be required to teach content related to surgery (e.g., surgical anatomy, surgical skills, clinical examination, communication skills). Your performance on each occasion will be assessed, and your attendance will, therefore, contribute to your overall outcome for the programme.
Are you able to support my visa application?
If you are successful in obtaining a place on the programme, we can provide you with a letter to confirm that you have been accepted. We are unable to sponsor student visas for this programme.
Whom should I contact if I have a query about the programme?
Please email us at pgcert@doctorsacademy.org.uk or call us on (+44) 2920 616765.