World First for University of Surrey Postgraduate Medical School

The University of Surrey’s (UniS) Postgraduate Medical School’s (PGMS) first clinical postgraduate taught degree programme got off to a flying start earlier this month – not only is it the first clinical postgraduate programme to be delivered by PGMS, but it is also the first clinical MSc programme for gynaecologists of its kind in the world.

The MSc in Advanced Gynaecological Endoscopy is a collaborative programme run between the University of Surrey’s Postgraduate Medical School and the British Society for Gynaecological Endoscopy trust (BSGE). The Programme Director, Dr Karen Ballard, works closely with the President of the BSGE, also the programme’s clinical director, Mr Jeremy Wright to bring together both clinical skills and academic knowledge. Dr Brian Gennery, Acting Head of School, commented that this is a tremendous accolade for Surrey and will serve as a model for the development of future clinical programmes within PGMS.

The MSc is specifically designed to dovetail into the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists’ intermediate training programme and aims to develop advanced clinical skills in gynaecological endoscopy, as well as fostering a critical understanding of the evidence underpinning the principles of gynaecological endoscopy. Students therefore gain hands-on practical skills training at an advanced level, as well as a firm knowledge base in the more theoretical aspects that surround the subject.

The clinical skills of specialist gynaecologists from Ashford and St Peter’s NHS Trust, the Royal Surrey County Hospital, and members of the BSGE, combine with the academic skills of PGMS staff to deliver the modules within an environment of first class teaching and state of the art clinical skills training facilities in the new PGMS building.

The programme, designed for specialist registrars and consultant grades, attracts students from the UK as well as abroad and has proved to be incredibly popular; the first intake was oversubscribed and many places on next year’s intake are already reserved.