ESSQ Overview

ESSQ Overview

Please follow the links below to learn more about the ESSQ. 

Online distance learning

The programme is delivered through the University of Edinburgh's award winning medical virtual learning environment, eeSURG and, being online, is designed to give you the freedom to study flexibly at the times and in the places which suit you best.  Click here to sample the course website.

To find out more about online distance learning, and whether it is right for you, try the University of Edinburgh's online readiness quiz. 

Learner support

The eeSURG learning environment contains a wealth of learning material as well as academic and non-academic discussion boards, your own page and portfolio and passwords to three Elsevier online texts (Principles and Practice of Surgery, Guyton's Textbook of Medical Physiology and Robbins Basic Pathology).

Your group will work be supported by range of experienced eTutors from across the specialties who will help to guide your discussions and define your learning.

In the dissertation year you continue to be fully supported by an approved eDissertation Supervisor.

The ESSQ Office handle the day-to-day student support and are on hand for you 0900-1700 GMT every weekday.

In addition, as fully matriculated students of the University of Edinburgh, you will have a university e-mail account and student card, a password for MyEd (the University's web portal) and through that, full access to an unparalleled online library of books and ejournals and inter-library loan facilities.

When you visit Edinburgh, for the end-of-year exam or other reason, you will have the same entitlements as any campus-based student and are encouraged to take advantage of the campus-based facilities at both the University of Edinburgh and the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh.

Cert/Dip/MSc

The Certificate in Surgical Sciences is designed to give you a firmer grounding in basic science as applied to surgery whilst the Diploma takes this further and offers an alternative, taught route to the MRCS. Most students apply for the full qualification of MSc which could be used as a means of moving towards a period of full-time research training towards an MD or PhD.

It is appreciated that the traditional approach of taking ‘time out’ for a period of research training might not be appropriate for all training surgeons but the MSc will offer you a unique way of developing your research and educational skills while continuing to practise in the clinical environment. Furthermore, it will provide you with recognition of academic achievement and a strong foundation with which to progress through specialist surgical training.

Study commitments

ESSQ requires a considerable commitment and self-discipline on the part of the student. You are expected to undertake around 10 to 15 hours of self-directed online study per week and participate throughout in assessed online discussions. A considerable amount of this time will also be devoted to reflecting on or applying knowledge to real life situations.

Most of the work involves independent and group study using a clinical problem-based approach, supported by a systems-based review of the course material which allows you to choose between two learning styles; problem-solving or systematic where specified learning objectives are followed.

Your study time could be spent in a wide variety of ways: making choices regarding treatment and diagnosis of virtual patients as you work through a virtual case, discussing coursework and sharing ideas with peers and tutors, trying out self-test MCQs, reading course material or perhaps preparing another piece of written work.

Assessment

Certificate and Diploma levels

The programme follows the University of Edinburgh's Postgraduate Assessment Regulations.

The first two years of the ESSQ are assessed in-course through the marking of online discussions and the amount of participation in the course generally, and by the end-of-year examination. Marks are issued during the year to keep you informed of your progress. In the Diploma year you are also expected to submit four short written pieces of work for assessment.

UK and Ireland-based students come to Edinburgh for the end-of-year Diploma and Certificate examinations and international students will be examined at an approved assessment centre closer to home.

Masters level

This is assessed through submission of a Masters Dissertation. See Programme Content for details.

Postgraduate Code of Practice

ESSQ follows the University of Edinburgh Code of Practice for Taught Postgraduate Programmes.

Fees for students starting in 2010/11

Year 1 - Certificate: £2,070
Year 2 - Diploma: £2,410
Year 3 - MSc: £2,410

Total:
£6,890 over 3 years

These fees apply to both UK-based and international students.

An initial instalment of the Year 1 fees is required. You must pay the deposit when you accept your conditional offer.  If the deposit is not received, the offer will be withdrawn. 

Refund policy: all deposits paid are non-refundable.

The remainder of the fees may be paid in full or in two instalments (if you set up a payment plan with the university at the start of term).

Academic year 2010/11

The academic year 2010/11 begins on Monday, 6 September 2010. There is only one intake per year. The programme is split in to terms with breaks in the New Year and at early spring.