Programme description
This programme is delivered by the University in partnership with the Royal College and leads to the award of Master of Surgery and Urology (ChM). It runs alongside clinical training and complements in-the-workplace training.
Based on the Intercollegiate Surgical Curriculum, it offers trainees in urology the opportunity to study topics relevant to the speciality and supports preparation for final professional exit exams such as FRCS and FEBU.
Your study will allow you to improve your evidence-based knowledge and enhance your clinical practice.
Online learning
The programme is taught entirely online and our students are supported through asynchronous discussion by our faculty of Consultant Urologists.
Our interactive online learning technology enables you to communicate with our highly qualified teaching staff from the comfort of your own home or workplace.
Online students not only have access to’s excellent resources, but also become part of a supportive online community, bringing together students and tutors from around the world.
Programme structure
The programme runs on a semester basis over two years and involves approximately 10-15 hours of study each week.
Courses within the programme may also be offered as Continuous Professional Development (CPD) in the future. Please contact the team to discuss if this is something that interests you
Year 1
You will be taught through a clinical problem-based approach using asynchronous discussion boards to cover technical skills and procedures relevant to the cases as well as core knowledge and clinical skills.
Each semester, courses are taught at the same time so you may be engaged in 5-6 different discussions at any one time (one per course).
You will spend 10-15 hours on programme-related study each week (activities include reading the discussion thread, reading around the topic, contributing to the discussion).
Compulsory courses
- Oncology 1
- Core Urology
- Andrology
- Stone Disease
- Female Urology, Reconstruction, Neurourology
- Paediatric Urology
- Transplant Nephrology
- New Technologies & Minimal Access Developments
Year 2
Knowledge and understanding of the specialty is assessed in Year 2 following completion of specialty courses, with a formal MCQ examination (SBAs and EMIs) that replicates the style of the FRCS exam.
Compulsory courses
- Oncology 2
- Core Academic Activity (Research Methodology and Study Design)
- Specialist Academic Activity (Research Project)
You will have the opportunity to develop skills in academic surgery and undertake an independent research project.
The programme offers an alternative to a dedicated research fellowship for those who do not wish to take time out of clinical practice or training.
Learning outcomes
On completion of this programme, trainees will be able to:
demonstrate in-depth knowledge of their chosen surgical sub-specialty, and be able to apply this knowledge to the systematic assessment and management of surgical patients in the elective, urgent and emergency clinical setting
recognise the leadership contribution and responsibilities of the surgeon in the multidisciplinary management of complex surgical disease
critically reflect upon day-to-day surgical practice in the context of recent advances, and engage in critical dialogue with peers and experts in other sub-specialties
apply the general principles of clinical study design, ethics, and statistics to critically evaluate the scientific literature in surgical research, and make informed judgements on new and emerging issues in surgery
exercise a high level of autonomy and initiative in professional activities at a level of independent surgical practice
Entry requirements
A medical degree (MBChB or equivalent) recognised by the General Medical Council, and must have acquired your MRCS (or equivalent assessment milestone).
UK applicants must have 1 – 2 years dedicated urology training (post MRCS completion) and be based in a supervised surgical training programme at the time of enrolling.
Applicants must have completed a minimum of 24 months of basic training in surgery and 18 months of specialty training in urology before enrolling for the ChM.
Surgeons who have a consultant or career grade post (or equivalent) in urology are also eligible for entry.
Entry requirements by country
English language requirements
You must demonstrate a level of English language competency at a level that will enable you to succeed in your studies, regardless of your nationality or country of residence.
English language tests
For 2021 entry we will accept the following English language qualifications at the grades specified:
- IELTS Academic: total 6.5 with at least 6.0 in each component.
- total 92 with at least 20 in each section. We do not accept TOEFL Score to meet our English language requirements.
- total 176 with at least 169 in each paper.
- Trinity ISE: ISE II with distinctions in all four components.
- Your English language qualification must be no more than three and a half years old from the start date of the programme you are applying to study, unless you are using IELTS, TOEFL or Trinity ISE, in which case it must be no more than two years old.
English speaking countries
We also accept a degree that has been taught and assessed in English from a university on our list of approved universities in non-majority English speaking countries.
If you are not a national of a majority English speaking country, then your degree must be no more than three and a half years old at the beginning of your programme of study.
Find out more about our language requirements:
English language requirements