SURGERY at Canterbury Christ Church University

WHY MCH SURGERY?

We are pleased to deliver an innovative Level 7 Masters, MCh in Surgery with five individual awards in the specialist surgical pathways of:

• Orthopaedics and Regenerative Medicine
• Otorhinolaryngology
• Urology
• Ophthalmology
• Obstetrics and Gynaecology

The theme of regenerative medicine and the teaching of practical skills through simulation runs through each of the specialist pathways and modules.

What are the aims of the course?

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.

who is the course for?

This MCh in Surgery, with its five 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. 

What can i do next?

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.