This unique programme offers the opportunity to develop and extend expertise in the established and rapidly developing areas of laparoscopic surgery and bowel anastomosis. The MSc accelerates surgical training and improves surgical skills that are essential for building confidence in clinical practice. The programme will provide you with a unique opportunity to gain postgraduate training and development in cognitive and motor skills using the surgical simulators. Our state-of-the-art Virtual Reality Surgical Simulation Centre removes the patient from the equation to allow novice learning and skill mastery to occur in a low-stress, high-feedback environment while protecting the patient from procedural inexperience.
You will be taught techniques of secure suturing, knot tying and bowel anastomosis using non-biological materials. You will also gain a clear understanding of the concepts and theories surrounding the issues of research and critical appraisal, along with academic writing.
This programme is designed to enhance your future career prospects in surgery. It will also provide an excellent foundation for further research - MD(Res) or PhD studies.
The programme comprises of the following compulsory modules:
Laparoscopic Skills (15 credits)
Laparoscopic Suturing Skills (15 credits)
Laparoscopic Procedure Skills (30 credits)
Bowel Anastomosis Skills (30 credits)
Research Methods (30 credits)
Dissertation (60 credits)
Our immersive distance learning programme places students at the heart of the operating theatre using the latest in virtual reality technology and allows for accelerated training in the rapidly developing areas of laparoscopic surgery.
A global leader in integrating technology enhanced learning, course director Dr Bijen Patel has pioneered this concept ever since creating the world’s first Masters Course in acquiring surgical skills by simulation in October 2005 (MSc Surgical Skills and Sciences) at the Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London.
Through a combination of theory and skills demonstrations delivered through the University’s 24/7 virtual learning platform, students will be able to tailor their learning in order to build confidence and master key surgical skills using a take-home simulator for regular hands-on practice.
In addition to acquiring key surgical skills essential for clinical practice, Students will gain a clear understanding of the concept and theories surrounding the issues of research and critical appraisal along with academic writing.
The programme comprises of the following compulsory modules:
Laparoscopic Skills (15 credits)
Laparoscopic Suturing Skills (30 credits)
Laparoscopic Procedure Skills (15 credits)
Bowel Anastomosis Skills (30 credits)
Research Methods (30 credits)
Dissertation (60 credits)
Additional Teaching
An optional London based 3-day summer school* will offer students the opportunity to further develop their practical skills and receive face-to-face feedback.
*Students will be required to cover the cost of their travel and stay in London.
This MS programme is focused, practical-based, highly innovative and "hands-on", mixing the cutting-edge of VR and SoMe with advanced practical training and telementoring in robotics and laparoscopy from some of the world's most renowned expert surgeons. This degree incorporates latest technologies that will place students at the forefront of modern surgical training.
Students learn advanced practical skills in minimally-invasive surgery and have the opportunity to improve their laparoscopic and robotic skills.
Academic surgeons who are experts in their field and recognised as thought leaders in surgery teach on this programme.
You will learn about and develop Virtual and Augmented Reality models at the cutting edge of surgery and be among the only group of students who are specifically taught on the use of SoMe in surgery by some of the pioneers of this movement.
Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits.
The MS consists of six core modules (90 credits), two optional modules (30 credits) and a research dissertation (180 credits).
A Postgraduate Certificate is also available and consists of four core modules (60 credits).
Core modules
Optional modules
For the MS Award, two optional modules are chosen from the following:
Dissertation/research project
This module gives students the opportunity to undertake an individual supervised design project, which will involve collection of primary data, planning, decision-making and production of either a practical research model for training in MIS and/or a VR software model for use or diagnosis in the field of minimally invasive surgery.
Teaching and learning
The programme is delivered through a combination of lectures, tutorials, workshops, practical sessions, group discussions and distance learning. Assessment is through written examination, coursework, presentation, dissertation and viva voce.
Further information on modules and degree structure is available on the department website: Advanced Minimally-Invasive Surgery MS
UCL is one of the world’s very best universities, consistently placed in the global top 10 in world rankings. It is affiliated with University College Hospital (UCLH) which is recognised as a centre of excellence. The university has highly advanced simulation facilities for surgical training as well as excellent collaborative links with other similarly progressive units throughout the surgical community.
The technology integrated into this programme will allow students to be mentored and assessed by surgeons in Europe and the USA whilst being based at the Bloomsbury Campus, using state-of-the-art telestration equipment.
The module structure will also allow students to work directly with experienced academics and develop projects that will be clinically applicable to their future careers. The international, multidisciplinary academic environment will allow students to directly interact with some of the key opinion leaders in surgery - learning operative skills as well as observing the latest procedures - and tailor their practice to be at the forefront of modern surgery.
The Research Excellence Framework, or REF, is the system for assessing the quality of research in UK higher education institutions. The 2014 REF was carried out by the UK's higher education funding bodies, and the results used to allocate research funding from 2015/16.
The following REF score was awarded to the department: Division of Surgery & Interventional Science
80%: Clinical Medicine subjects; 95%: General Engineering subjects rated 4* (‘world-leading’) or 3* (‘internationally excellent’)
Learn more about the scope of UCL's research, and browse case studies, on our Research Impact website.
