Surgery MCh

Develop an evidence-based approach and advance your clinical practice in your specialist area of surgical expertise on a programme for experienced, qualified doctors who are registered with the General Medical Council.

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Overview

Course length:	2-3 years part-time
Start dates:	September 2025
Location:	Edge Hill University and Wrightington Hospital
Subject(s):	Medicine
Faculty:	Health, Social Care and Medicine
Department:	Medical School

The MCh enables experienced, qualified doctors to develop an evidence- based approach to healthcare practice and to obtain a postgraduate qualification whilst enhancing their surgical clinical expertise within the NHS. Edge Hill University is an accredited Surgical Training Centre with the Royal College of Surgeons (England).

The programme has been designed in collaboration with senior surgeons and academics and is at the cutting edge of contemporary surgical evidence-based practices. It will allow you to extend your knowledge and skills to advanced levels within your specialist area of work. The clinical modules focus on practical skills in operative surgery with the use of interactive teaching aids and practical workshops.

You can choose from a range of specialist pathways or opt for a general surgery route.

MCh Cardiothoracic Surgery*
MCh Colorectal Surgery*
MCh Emergency and Trauma*
MCh General Surgery*
MCh Gynaecology
MCh Gynaecology Oncology
MCh Limb Reconstruction*
MCh Minimal Access Cardiothoracic Surgery*
MCh Minimal Access Surgery*
MCh Neurosurgery*
MCh Obstetrics
MCh Obstetrics and Gynaecology
MCh Oculoplastic Surgery
MCh Oncoplastic and Reconstructive Breast Surgery*
MCh Ophthalmology
MCh Ophthalmology Paediatrics
MCh Ophthalmology (Cataract and Glaucoma)
MCh Ophthalmology (Medical Retina)
MCh Orthopaedics (Foot and Ankle)*
MCh Orthopaedics (Hand and Wrist Surgery)*
MCh Orthopaedics (Hip and Knee)*
MCh Orthopaedics (Spine)*
MCh Orthopaedics (Upper Limb Surgery)*
MCh Otorhinolaryngology*
MCh Paediatric Orthopaedics*
MCh Plastic Surgery
MCh Reproductive Medicine
MCh Rhinology*
MCh Rhinology and Facial Plastic Surgery*
MCh Surgical Gastroenterology*
MCh Surgical Oncology*
MCh Trauma and Orthopaedics*
MCh Urogynaecology*
MCh Urology*

*Pathways currently accredited by the Royal College of Surgeons (England).

Whichever pathway you choose, the programme will be delivered in partnership with Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh NHS Foundation Trust. Wrightington Hospital is recognised as a Centre of Excellence (Orthopaedic Surgery) and has clinical facilities / laboratories that will provide you with excellent learning opportunities.

Course features

Professional accreditation

What you'll study

This course consists of two clinical research modules, a work-based learning module and a dissertation. Topics covered will include:

Specialist aspects of evidence based practice in surgery – the application of advanced knowledge of physiology, pathology, microbiology and imaging. The aim is to enable you to acquire an advanced understanding of the process of service innovation in the relevant subject area.
Qualitative and quantitative research methods.
Critiquing research findings.
Writing a research proposal.
Analysis of quantitative data.
Systematic reviews.
Research governance and ethics.
Focus on a significant piece of investigative enquiry from conceptualisation through to completion.

For more information about each module, including the dates and times of module sessions, please see our Continuing Professional Development Modules for Health and Social Care Practitioners pages.

Compulsory modules:

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Clinical Research Part 1: Critical Appraisal introduces you to the research process through the recognition of the fundamental stages of research design. Based on the principles of ‘Good Clinical Practice’ and wider health and wellbeing research, you will focus on appraisal of the research question, design, methods, ethical issues, and data management and analysis strategies. In addition, you will be introduced to the principles of critical appraisal and modes of critical analysis in order that knowledge, regarding research design, can be applied to develop appropriate critical appraisal skills.

Module code: HEA4065

Credits: 30

Assessment

60% Coursework

40% Practical

Work-based learning in Clinical Practice enables you to develop the specialist clinical knowledge, understanding, skills and behaviours needed to identify strategies to advance clinical practice in your specialist clinical area. You will develop a critical insight into the structure and function of the NHS, focusing on strategies for safe and effective delivery of healthcare. You will have the additional opportunity to enhance your advanced knowledge and understanding of the complexities of high-quality healthcare provision through a case/team-based approach. Patient safety is at the hub of any work-based learning activity and you will therefore also develop organisational leadership skills through exposure to quality enhancement projects to ensure sustainable improvements in patient care and management.

Module code: HEA4247

Credits: 60

Assessment

100% Coursework

Practical: Pass/fail element

How you'll study

The programme is delivered over two to three years, commencing in September each year. The academic year runs from September through to July, though the dissertation submission will be in September of the second year, with the option to defer the dissertation to the third year. You will experience a variety of teaching and learning strategies including lectures, seminars, individual and group tutorials and independent guided study.

An online Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) is used for some components of the programme. The surgical modules have elements of practice-based learning and involve the completion of a log of practical experience which complements the course material. The dissertation allows you to focus on a significant piece of investigative enquiry from conceptualisation through to completion.

You can expect to receive your timetable at enrolment. Please note that while we make every effort to ensure that timetables are as student-friendly as possible, scheduled teaching can take place on any day or evening of the week.

How you'll be assessed

Assessment methods include a research proposal, written assignments, completion of online activities and discussions, Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCEs), clinical log books, poster presentations, clinical audit, seminar presentations and a dissertation.

Who will be teaching you

The programme team consists of experienced academic staff from across Edge Hill University and expert clinicians from Wrightington Hospital and other specialist hospital trusts. This collaborative approach provides a team of high calibre individuals to support your learning. Additionally, leading surgeons from related specialities are invited as guest speakers on the surgical modules. Edge Hill University enjoys an excellent reputation for the teaching quality of its programmes. All staff involved in the delivery of modules and pathways within this programme are currently involved in scholarly and research related activities which are congruent with their teaching responsibilities.

Entry criteria

Entry requirements

In addition to having a medical degree, you will also need to be registered with the General Medical Council to work in the UK or alternatively have successfully applied for an International Training Fellowship. You must have demonstrable clinical expertise and some experience in surgery.

For further information regarding eligibility for International Training Fellowships, please email [email protected].

How to apply

If you wish to apply for this course, please email your CV to [email protected] in the first instance.

Should you accept an offer of a place to study with us and formally enrol as a student, you will be subject to the provisions of the regulations, rules, codes, conditions and policies which apply to our students. These are available at www.edgehill.ac.uk/studentterms.

Where you'll study

Faculty of Health, Social Care and Medicine

Finance

Tuition fees

If you are joining the MCh in academic year 2025/26, are already registered with the General Medical Council, and have been working in the NHS for a minimum of two years at the point you enrol on the programme, you can expect the tuition fee to be £16,000 for the entire course, subject to completing the programme within three years.

Alternatively, if you are joining the MCh in academic year 2025/26 and are appointed as an International Training Fellow, you can expect the tuition fee to be £35,000 for the entire course, subject to completing the programme within three years.

Financial support

Please view the relevant Money Matters guide for comprehensive information about the financial support available to eligible UK students joining postgraduate courses at Edge Hill University.

Money Matters

EU/EEA and Swiss students who have settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme may be eligible to apply for financial support. Irish nationals can ordinarily apply to Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI). If you are an EU student who does not have settled or pre-settled status, or are an international student from a non-EU country, please see our international student finance pages.

Your future career

Medical professionals need to continually seek ways to improve their career prospects in an increasingly competitive job market where a postgraduate qualification is often now deemed essential.

The MCh provides a highly relevant qualification for doctors working in a specialist area of surgical practice which will add to your portfolio of qualifications and provide you with opportunities for professional development supported by expert clinicians and academics.