UCC Postgraduate courses

Surgical Science

Course Fact File
CodeMCHSC
Duration2 Years Part-time
Teaching ModePart-Time. See Additional Teaching Mode Information for more info.
QualificationsMCh
NFQ LevelLevel 9
Closing DateRolling deadline. Open until all places have been filled. Early application is advised.
Non-EU Closing DateOpen until all places have been filled or no later than 30 June. Early application is advised.
Start Date14 October 2024

Course Outline

'The MCh in Surgical Science is a two-year part-time programme with an annual intake, which aims to provide postgraduate education in surgery for medical graduates. It is comprised of taught modules to enhance the academic understanding of the speciality, prior to or during surgical training, and a dissertation. The taught modules consist of formal teaching material and course work, individual assignments including case studies, journal reviews and clinical skills teaching, towards the development of a competitive clinical, teaching and research portfolio. The Masters programme will also provide structured training in research methods and academic writing over two years to support the completion of research in the clinical setting.'

Year 1

  • SY6005 Essentials in Clinical Surgery 1 - Infection Prevention and Management including Antibiotic Stewardship, Wound Management and Healing (5 credits)
  • SY6004 Surgical Immunology - Harnessing the post-operative immune response for optimal transplantation and surgical oncology outcomes (5 credits)
  • MX6007 Surgical Metabolism Optimising Metabolism and Fluid Management in the Surgical Setting (5 credits)
  • MX6005 Professional Development in Surgery 1 (15 credits)

Completion of Year 1 leads to the award of a Certificate in Surgical Science.

Year 2

  • SY6002 Essentials in Clinical Surgery 2 - Optimising Efficiencies, Pre-op Screening and Early Discharge Strategies, Theatre Process, Pain Management (15 credits)
  • MX6006 Professional Development in Surgery 2 - Leadership and Management Strategies, Self-Care and Human Factors Awareness, Safety Solutions and Error Reduction in Surgery including Radiation Safety Training (15 credits)

Completion of 60 credits in Years 1 and 2 leads to the award of a Diploma in Surgical Science.

  • SY6003 Research Project in SurgeryResearch Dissertation (30 credits) 

Completion of 90 credits leads to the award of MCh Surgical Science.

Additional Teaching Mode Information

Teaching sessions consist of both online learning and face-to-face teaching sessions.

  • MCh Year 1: Online 80% / Face-to-face 20%
  • MCh year 2: Online 90% / Face-to-face 10%

Where students are overseas, we offer flexible remote participation in face-to-face sessions. 

Academic Programme Catalogue

See the Academic Programme Catalogue where you can search for the complete and up-to-date content for this course. Note that the modules for all courses are subject to change from year to year. For complete descriptions of individual modules, see the Book of Modules.

Course Practicalities

In recognition of the significant clinical service commitments of all participants, the course delivery employs a blended learning approach with significant use of online learning resources. Contact teaching sessions are scheduled every two months and occur on Friday evenings and Saturdays in the Brookfield Health Sciences complex in UCC.

Assessment

Assessment will involve written assignments, MCQs, and Portfolio completion.

Who teaches this course?

This course is delivered by staff in the medical education unit and medical and surgical consultant staff with some external faculty.

Why Choose This Course

This innovative programme will provide you with a strong foundation with which to progress through specialist surgical and other postgraduate training. There is significant use of e-learning; therefore, campus-based contact teaching time is condensed recognising the work commitments of surgical trainees. The modular structure offered allows flexibility to trainees who can opt to access a one year Certificate or two-year Diploma/Masters. 

This course combines a focus on surgical efficiencies such as innovative strategies in decision making, improving surgical key performance indicators and the development of the early career surgeon as a service and team leader.

Skills and Careers Information

This programme may appeal to those contemplating or embarking on a surgical career or those who wish to broaden their academic portfolio to enhance their competitiveness. It may also be attractive to overseas students who would like the opportunity to learn more about the surgical environment in Ireland and expand their academic repertoire and surgical management strategies.

On completion of the MCh students will be expected to have a sound knowledge and comprehension of strategies that improve surgical outcomes and will have developed evaluative, problem-solving, management and leadership skills. This will enhance the possibilities of securing core and higher specialist training opportunities. Those who continue to Masters level will have undertaken substantive research in their field of practice.

Requirements

Applicants for the MCh in Surgical Science will be medical graduates who attained their Degrees of MB BCh BAO, or equivalent, from a recognised medical school and be registered with the Medical Council in the country in which they are practising. 

For Applicants with Qualifications Completed Outside of Ireland

Applicants must meet the required entry academic grade, equivalent to Irish requirements. For more information see our Qualification Comparison page.

International/Non-EU Applicants

For full details of the non-EU application procedure visit our how to apply pages for international students.

  • In UCC, we use the term programme and course interchangeably to describe what a person has registered to study in UCC and its constituent colleges, schools, and departments.
  • Note that not all courses are open to international/non-EU applicants, please check the fact file above. For more information contact the International Office.
English Language Requirements

Applicants who are non-native speakers of the English language must meet the university-approved English language requirements. Vsit our PG English Language Requirements page for more information.

Fees and Costs

Postgraduate EU and International Fees 2024/2025

See our Postgraduate EU and Non-EU (International) Fee Schedule for the latest information.

Deposits 

If your course requires a deposit, that figure will be deducted from your second-semester fee payment in January.

Fee payment 

Fees are payable in two equal instalments. First payment is at registration and the balance usually by the end of January.

How can I pay? 

See different options on our How Do I Pay My Fees? page.

Any questions? See the 'Contact Us' section on the Fees Office page.

How To Apply

1. Check dates

Check the opening and closing dates for the application process in the fact file boxes at the top of the page.

2. Gather documents

Scanned copies of supporting documents have to be uploaded to the UCC online application portal and include:

  • Original qualification documents listed on your application including transcripts of results from institutions other than UCC.
  • Any supplementary items requested for your course if required.

3. Apply online

Apply online via the UCC online application portal. Note the majority of our courses have a non-refundable €50 application fee.

Any questions? Use our web enquiry form to contact us.

The closing date for non-EU applications is Open until all places have been filled or no later than 30 June. Early application is advised.

Apply Now

For queries regarding course content or timetables please contact

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