PG Diploma Coloproctology (PGDip) (Part time)

Norwich Medical School at the University of East Anglia have developed the first higher degree qualification in coloproctology in the UK.

The traditional Fellowship of the Royal College of Surgeons (FRCS) in General Surgery does not provide specialist recognition in coloproctology and a recent nationwide survey of more than 100 surgical trainees carried out via the Association of Surgeons in Training (ASIT) and The Dukes Club indicated that more than 60% of respondents thought a specialised MS qualification would be beneficial for a future career in coloproctology.

Due to European Working Time Regulations and shift patterns in work, time is one of the biggest obstacles trainees face in developing the skills and competencies required for a successful career in coloproctology. Our MS in Coloproctology is therefore designed to complement current training systems and prepare students for a year 1 consultant coloproctologist post.

Flexible Training

The heart of the course will be the e-learning hub – a Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) within which all the learning and forum discussions will take place. The VLE will provide a repository for all students’ training needs, from access to directed reading, to feedback from course tutors. It will allow students great flexibility to progress in a goal-directed way when they themselves have the time to study. Problem-based learning scenarios will encourage students to identify learning objectives through researching the literature, ensuring that theory and practice are soundly evidence-based on strong scientific principles. Students will receive adequate mentoring support, both online and locally, from the time of enrolment until they complete their research project.

Our Curriculum

Colorectal Surgery is the largest sub-speciality in general surgery and our course aims to enhance the knowledge and skills of Colorectal Surgeons. We offer flexible pathways, including the award of a postgraduate diploma after the completion of 6 modules including passing the practical aspect of the course. Successful completion of an additional 15,000 word dissertation will make students eligible for the award of MS in Coloproctology.

Course Organiser:Prof Jerome Pereira

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Entry Requirements Entry Requirement

Applicants must be:

- ST 5 or above;
- Registered with the GMC and MRCS or equivalent;
- Resident in the UK.

Students must provide a current, full CV when they apply.

Students for whom English is a Foreign language

We welcome applications from students whose first language is not English or those whose degree was not taught in English. To ensure such students benefit fully from postgraduate study, we require evidence of proficiency in English. We also will require a certain standard to be achieved on the written element of the test. Our usual entry requirements are as follows:

• IELTS: 7.0 (minimum 7.0 in all component)
• TOEFL: Internet-based score of 98 (minimum 22 in all components and 23 in speaking)
• PTE: 70 (minimum 70 in all components)

All scores must be less than two years old. Intakes

Intakes are every January. There is no September intake to this course.

The deadline for applications is 1st November each year.

Some of the distinctive and innovative features of this course are;

• The first e-learning specialist masters degree in Coloproctology in the UK
• Highly evidence based programme delivered using Problem Based Learning (PBL)
• Assessment of practical skills providing a quality benchmark that is a first in the UK
• It is the highest qualification in this field in the UK and world-wide
• Delivered by a UK wide eminent faculty of nationally recognised experts in the field
• Uses innovative and leading edge assessment tools including Script Concordance testing for assessing clinical reasoning and decision-making
• Quality assurance given by UEA and The Royal College of Surgeons of England (RCS). Some of the faculty are Fellows of the RCS and play key roles in national training of coloproctology trainees.
• We provide training in additional competencies including management, clinical leadership, service redesign, research audit and clinical education, which are an integral part of practice and the current NHS policy drivers, but not included in national training programmes

The online format of this programme ensures that the course is ‘visually rich’ and will offer students the opportunity to join a Video Club where experts can offer feedback on problems encountered and knowledge can be shared with the faculty.

Innovations include a ‘Student Wiki’ in which students will share information and scientific papers. There will be continual assessments of forum activity by faculty, and based on other successful UEA Masters courses, the level of debate will prove exceptionally stimulating for students and faculty alike.

About Norwich Medical School

Norwich Medical School at the University of East Anglia has established a reputation for exciting and innovative approaches to education supported by a strong and rapidly developing research programme.

As part of the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences it has a growing emphasis on inter-professional co-operation in teaching and research.

The School itself is building a strong reputation in Population Medicine, Health Economics, Diet and Health and BioMedicine with laboratory work now being concentrated in the newly built BioMedical Research Centre.

Fees and Funding

The fee for the entire two year course starting in the academic year 2013/14 will be:

UK/EU students: £4,488

Overseas students: £10,247

Please note, overseas students may only apply for a place on this course if they already resident in the UK. The University is unable to support study visa applications for part-time study.