Surgical Science and Practice

The MSc in Surgical Science and Practice prepares senior surgical trainees for life as independent specialists and focuses on key skills and knowledge essential for modern practices, some of which are not fully represented or are omitted from most graduate training curricula. The modular nature of the course allows you to fit study around your work.

The programme will appeal to trainees in all surgical disciplines and to newly qualified consultants/specialists who seek to enhance their understanding and professional skills. Applicants will usually be in the later years of their surgical training.

Surgeons work as part of multidisciplinary teams in complex organisations, and will need to adapt and develop new skills and roles throughout their professional lives. The MSc syllabus covers management skills, quality improvement, leadership, teamwork and patient safety, development and implementation of surgical technologies, as well as an introduction to the principles of medical education and clinical research methods. It also includes taught material on research skills. The knowledge gained during the course will stand you in good stead throughout your career.

To complete the MSc in Surgical Science and Practice, you will need to:

• attend the six compulsory modules in Oxford;
• undertake and pass an assessed written assignment for each module; and
• complete a dissertation on a topic founded on a work-based research project that will build on the material studied in the taught modules.

Taught by global experts, the six modules are as follows:

• Becoming a Clinical Educator
• Human Factors, Teamwork and Communication
• Leadership and Management in Healthcare
• Quality Improvement Science and Systems Analysis
• Healthcare Innovation and Technology
• Evidence-Based Surgery

Each module includes a period of preparatory study and one week of face-to-face teaching in Oxford, which is then followed by a period for assignment work. The modules can be studied in any order and each module normally takes place once a year giving you the opportunity to individualise your patterns of study.

The taught weeks include group work, discussions, guest lectures, and interaction and feedback with tutors and lecturers. The practical work develops your knowledge and understanding of the subjects covered.

A virtual learning environment (VLE) provides support between modules. Assignments are submitted online and thus can be completed from anywhere in the world.

This flexible programme is delivered jointly by the Nuffield Department of Surgical Sciences and the Department for Continuing Education.

The allocation of graduate supervision for this course is the responsibility of the Nuffield Department of Surgical Sciences and/or Department for Continuing Education and it is not always possible to accommodate the preferences of incoming graduate students to work with a particular member of staff. Under exceptional circumstances a supervisor may be found outside the Nuffield Department of Surgical Sciences and/or Department for Continuing Education.

Most students commencing this part-time programme are already in full-time employment. The MSc aims to prepare you for your future working life and to equip you for:

• managing surgical/healthcare units and leading surgical/healthcare teams
• undertaking surgical and clinical research
• embarking upon an academic career pathway
• becoming a clinical educator.

Past students have also gone on to study for the part-time DPhil in Evidence Based Health Care.

Changes to this course and your supervision

The University will seek to deliver this course in accordance with the description set out in this course page. However, there may be situations in which it is desirable or necessary for the University to make changes in course provision, either before or after registration. In certain circumstances, for example due to visa difficulties or because the health needs of students cannot be met, it may be necessary to make adjustments to course requirements for international study.

Where possible your academic supervisor will not change for the duration of your course. However, it may be necessary to assign a new academic supervisor during the course of study or before registration for reasons which might include sabbatical leave, parental leave or change in employment.

For further information, please see our page on changes to courses.

Other courses you may wish to consider

If you're thinking about applying for this course, you may also wish to consider the courses listed below. These courses may have been suggested due to their similarity with this course, or because they are offered by the same department or faculty.

Courses suggested by the lead department

Evidence­‐Based Health Care MSc
Patient Safety PGCert
Paediatric Infectious Diseases PGDip
Evidence Based Health Care DPhil

All graduate courses in this area offered by the Department for Continuing Education

Cognitive Behavioural Studies PGCert

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy MSc

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy PGDip

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy PGCert

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy DPhil

Continuing Education DPhil

Enhanced Cognitive Behavioural Therapy PGCert

Evidence Based Health Care (Medical Statistics) MSc

Evidence Based Health Care (Systematic Reviews) MSc

Evidence-Based Health Care DPhil

Evidence-Based Health Care MSc

Experimental and Translational Therapeutics MSc

Health Research PGDip

Health Research PGCert

Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy MSt

Paediatric Infectious Diseases MSc

Paediatric Infectious Diseases PGDip

Patient Safety PGCert

Psychodynamic Counselling PGCert

Psychodynamic Practice MSt

Psychodynamic Practice PGDip

Qualitative Health Research Methods PGCert

Surgical Science and Practice MSc

Teaching Evidence-Based Health Care PGCert

Translational Health Sciences MSc

All graduate courses offered by the Nuffield Department of Surgical Sciences

Integrated Immunology MSc

Patient Safety PGCert

Surgical Science and Practice MSc

Surgical Sciences DPhil

Surgical Sciences MSc by Research

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Entry requirements