MS Master of Surgery in Principles of Breast Oncoplasty (Part Time)
Key Details
- Attendance
- Part Time
- Award
- Degree of Master of Surgery
- Course Length
- 3 years
- Course Start Date
- September 2024
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Course Overview
Delivered entirely online, our course is designed to provide surgeons the world-over with access to high-quality education in oncoplastic breast surgery.
Using training techniques developed over eleven years by a specialist educational team at Norwich Medical School, our award-winning course is comprised of six core modules. Each module will allow you to acquire selective CPD accreditation and can also be used to build towards a full Master’s award (MCh/MS) in Principles of Breast Oncoplasty.
This challenging and rewarding programme has a flexible structure designed around the working lives of busy surgical practitioners. It is facilitated by our dedicated Virtual Learning Environment (VLE), which hosts a thriving online community of students and senior specialists from all over the world.
As a student on the Specialist Professional Development (SPD) programme, you will take part in fully-online, tutor-mediated discussions, centred around realistic and challenging clinical cases.
This innovative course is based around six advanced modules, covering all areas of oncoplastic breast surgery and a host of relevant transferrable skills. The course is designed to complement your day-to-day clinical practice, so each session is delivered asynchronously, meaning that you won’t need to log-on at set times.
For each module, you will be expected to actively contribute to the online forum, which will focus on clinical discussions of cases. Each module comprises several topics spanning the knowledge base in that specialist area, each bringing with it new expertise and insights, which will prove directly applicable to your own clinical practice. As such, each forum discussion will take on a life of its own, fuelled by the shared reading, your personal experience, and expert tutor guidance. This will then form the basis for further learning.
Your online learning will be supported by continual formative assessments of your surgical knowledge, critical thinking, and decision-making.
This course is ideal for senior breast and plastic surgery trainees and practicing breast surgery senior grades and consultants with demonstrable experience in core breast oncology.
Study and Modules
Structure
The course is comprised of six 16-week-long online modules, providing advanced learning in the following specialist areas:
- Applied Basic Sciences and Benign breast disease
- Management of Malignant Breast Cancer
- Integrated Research
- Oncoplastic Breast Conserving Surgery
- Oncoplastic Breast Reconstruction
- Clinical Leadership and Management
Each module is delivered in two-week topics, with learning outcomes mapped to the UK ISCP breast surgery curriculum. You will also be required to undertake approximately 10 hours of independent study each week, including:
- Reading core texts and the latest clinical papers
- Discussing an online clinical case with your peers to draw out learning opportunities and evidence-based practice
- Completing formative assessments to aid your learning, including multiple choice questions and script concordance tests
- Constructing a personal management plan for the clinical case to demonstrate your understanding of the topics
Modules Available Starting in September
(Min Credits: 0, Max Credits: 40)Modules Available Starting in January
(Min Credits: 0, Max Credits: 100)Modules Available Starting in May
(Min Credits: 0, Max Credits: 40)Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring, review and update of modules. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes and their constituent modules, the University will endeavour to consult with students and others. It is also possible that the University may not be able to offer a module for reasons outside of its control, such as the illness of a member of staff. In some cases optional modules can have limited places available and so you may be asked to make additional module choices in the event you do not gain a place on your first choice. Where this is the case, the University will inform students.
Teaching and Learning
Teaching
All teaching takes place online and includes the use of validated postgraduate clinical methods, including advanced case-based discussions and formative script concordance testing.
Our tutors are all experienced senior clinicians working both in the UK and internationally, maximising your exposure to global discussions and comparisons of best practice.
Independent Study
The course works best where modules are undertaken in parallel with your clinical duties in breast surgery however, this is not essential.
Assessment
You will need to demonstrate a minimum of 80% online engagement to receive CPD accreditation for each module.
You will also have the option to take a summative written assessment for each module; complete it successfully and you will be awarded 20 university credits. Acquire 60 credits and, in addition to your CPD accreditation, you will also be awarded a Postgraduate Certificate. Successfully complete assessments for 6 modules and you will acquire 120 credits and receive a Postgraduate Diploma. If you then decide to complete a 60 credit Master’s dissertation project, you will achieve 180 credits in total, and a Master’s degree.
The assessment format for the clinical modules is a reflective essay, which will be submitted and marked online, and which can also be utilised as evidence towards your professional portfolio. All essay submissions must be your own original work as there are strict penalties for plagiarism and collusion.
Your research and management modules will involve the online submission of a personal project related to the module outcomes.
All assessments are marked according to the UEA postgraduate senate scale, and detailed feedback is provided based on this structure.
Entry Requirements
- Degree Classification
- Pass, merit or equivalent
- Degree Subject
- MBBS or overseas equivalent
- English Foreign Language
pplications from students whose first language is not English are welcome. We require evidence of proficiency in English (including writing, speaking, listening and reading):
-
IELTS: 7.0 overall with minimum 7.0 in all components
Test dates should be within 2 years of the course start date.
We also accept a number of other English language tests. Review our English Language Equivalencies for a list of qualifications that we may accept to meet this requirement.
If you do not yet meet the English language requirements for this course, INTO UEA offer a variety of English language programmes which are designed to help you develop the English skills necessary for successful undergraduate study:
-
- Intakes
This course is open to UK and International applicants. The intakes for this course are 9th September 2024, 20th January 2025 and 12th May 2025.
Additional Information or Requirements
ST 5 or above, Associate Specialist (2 years in breast surgery), GMC registered and MRCS or equivalent.
Admissions Policy
Our Admissions Policy applies to the admissions of all postgraduate applicants.
Fees and Funding
Tuition fees for the Academic Year 2024/25 are:
- UK/International Students: £7,500 (£1000 per 20 credit module and £1500 for the Dissertation module)
For illustration purposes, the total cost should a student wishing to complete a masters is therefore 6 x £1000 taught modules + £1500 dissertation = £7500
Part-time students can pay per module studied. However, module fees may be subject to an annual increase.
If you choose to study part-time, the fee per annum will be half the annual fee for that year, or a pro-rata fee for the module credit you are taking (only available for Home students).
Further Information on tuition fees can be found here.
Course Related Costs
Core recommended textbooks are cited throughout the modules, which can be obtained locally through medical libraries, but you may wish to purchase your own.
Please see Additional Course Fees for details of additional course-related costs.
How to Apply
Applications for Postgraduate Taught programmes at the University of East Anglia should be made directly to the University.
The closing date for receipt of complete applications is 1 June 2024, including the relevant supporting documents and references.
To apply please use our online application form.
FURTHER INFORMATION
If you would like to discuss your individual circumstances prior to applying, please do contact us:
Postgraduate Admissions Office
Tel: +44 (0)1603 591515
Email: admissions@uea.ac.uk
International candidates are also encouraged to access the International Students section of our website.
Employability
After the Course
Our course is set at the level required of a first year UK consultant in oncoplastic breast surgery. You will be applying the knowledge and skills you acquire on the course assisting your working cases as your learning progresses.
Careers
A degree at UEA will prepare you for a wide variety of careers. We've been ranked 1st for Job Prospects by StudentCrowd in 2022.
The course develops critical thinking and decision-making skills, which are the key skills for consultants in specialist practice.