• Graduate Diploma in Surgery

Study plan

The Master of Surgery consists of 48 credit points (cp), including core units and elective units of study. Core units of study comprise introductory study in biostatistics (6cp) and a research dissertation (18cp) or stream specific core units of study (24crp) . You will complete either (a) a research dissertation in your chosen areas which involves enrolment in two units of study designated Dissertation A and Dissertation B; or, (b) the stream specific core units of study. All students complete 18 to 24cp of elective units of study chosen from the list of elective units offered by the school.

The research may be undertaken in one of the following stream areas: breast surgery, cardiothoracic surgery, colorectal, endocrine surgery, hand surgery, head and neck, neurosurgery, orthopaedic, otorhinolaryngology, paediatric surgery, plastic/reconstructive surgery, surgical anatomy, surgical oncology, surgical outcomes, surgical sciences, surgical skills, transplant surgery, trauma surgery, upper gastrointestinal surgery, urology or vascular surgery and endovascular surgery.

Coursework streams of study include: surgical anatomy and surgical sciences.

Capstone experience

A capstone experience comprises one or more units of study designed by the school to provide students with an opportunity to draw together the learning that has taken place during the award, synthesise this with their prior learning and experience, and draw conclusions that will form the basis for further investigation, and intellectual and/or professional growth.

For the Master of Surgery, all students complete a research project in their chosen areas under appropriate supervision as the capstone experience.

Graduate opportunities

The knowledge that graduates develop through this course will complement the practical experience they obtain as advanced trainee in surgery at teaching hospitals through the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (or equivalent) training program. This course is not a qualification to practice surgery.

Graduates of the Master of Surgery by coursework will understand the principles of applying the best available research evidence to patient care. They will also have a knowledge of epidemiological methods, biostatistics, literature searching and controlled trials as well as an understanding of research methodology for those with a future interest in a teaching hospital or academic surgical career. In addition, graduates will have acquired specific skills relevant to their surgical specialty.

Course accreditation

The knowledge that graduates develop through this course will complement the practical experience they obtain as advanced trainee in surgery at teaching hospitals through the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (or equivalent) training program.

Further study

Outstanding graduates may be eligible to pursue a higher degree by research in the courses of Doctor of Philosophy, Master of Philosophy and Master of Surgery (by research) offered by Sydney Medical School. A research degree provides students with the opportunity to prepare a substantial piece of work which represents a significant contribution in a particular field of study; and to gain transferable skills in general research methodology.

Sydney Medical School is affiliated with over 40 independent medical research institutes aimed at achieving medical firsts in specialist areas of health and medicine.
It provides an outstanding environment for postgraduate research. Sydney Medical School's research activities consistently attract high levels of funding from the Commonwealth and state governments, overseas funding agencies and other public and private sources.

Other study options

Sydney Medical School offers a wide range of short professional development courses for health professionals through its clinical schools, disciplines and associated research institutes.

Many of the courses offered are pre-accredited for Continuing Medical Education (CME) points, and other courses may be awarded CME points on request to your relevant association or professional body. For further information and a list of courses available please see the Sydney Medical School website http://sydney.edu.au/medicine/future-students/courses/short-courses.php.

Admission requirements

A successful applicant for admission to the Master of Surgery will :
(a) hold a Bachelor of Medicine or Bachelor of Surgery or equivalent qualifications, from the University of Sydney or equivalent qualification; and
(b) have been a registered trainee on the relevant surgical training program of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons or equivalent, or
have employed as resident medical officer, achieved satisfactory interview, obtained satisfactory references, and approval by Head of Discipline or his nominee; or
have been a Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons.

In exceptional circumstances the dean may admit applicants without the following qualifications but whose evidence of experience and achievement is deemed to be equivalent.

Domestic students

How to apply

Applications are made directly to the University and assessed by the Faculty.

International students

How to apply

Overseas applicants may apply (a) directly to the University, or (b) through a University overseas representative (education agent).

Domestic students

Indicative postgraduate student contribution amount

Indicative postgraduate student contribution amount not available for Master of Surgery.

Annual review for postgraduate student contribution amount

Annual review for postgraduate student contribution amount not available for Master of Surgery.

Postgraduate Domestic Tuition Fee

This 2013, tuition fee for a domestic postgraduate student represents the fee that is payable by you in the calendar year you commence your course, commencing in 2012 for a standard annual full time load of 48 credit points (1.0 EFTSL). If your study load is more or less than the 1.0 EFTSL your fee will differ.

Annual review for postgraduate domestic tuition fee

Importantly, tuition fees are subject to annual review by the University, and are likely to increase each year of your period of study, effective at the start of each calendar year.

Additional incidental fees

For some courses there are incidental fees additional to the student contribution and/or course fee. Some of those fees are significant, for example, faculty-specific materials, tools, protected clothing and equipment. For further information about these additional incidental fees, please visit the University's Future Students' website.

Potential for inaccuracy

Whilst every reasonable effort has been made to include correct and up to date information in this prospectus, you are also advised to consult directly with the Student Centre for domestic students or the International Office for international students so that they can provide you with specific and up to date information about those fees.

The academic requirements that are displayed are applicable to currently available courses only, and are updated annually in October and may be changed without notice. The Faculty Handbook and the University of Sydney Calendar are the official legal source of information relating to study at the University of Sydney, and you are referred to those documents

Please note that if you are classified by the University as a Research Training Scheme student in accordance with the Other Grants Guidelines (Research) 2010, you will be exempt from the payment of any SCA or tuition fees for courses undertaken as part of a Research Masters degree and Research Doctoral degree. More information about your eligibility for this Scheme is available here.

International students

International tuition fees for postgraduate students

This 2013, tuition fee for international postgraduate students represents the fees that are payable by you in the calendar year you commence your course, commencing in 2013, for a standard annual full time load of 48 credit points (1.0 EFTSL). If your study load is more or less than the 1.0 EFTSL your fee will differ.

Annual review

Importantly, tuition fees are subject to annual review, and are likely to increase each year of your period of study, effective at the start of each calendar year.

Additional incidental fees and health insurance

For some courses there are incidental fees additional to the tuition fees. Some of those fees are significant, for example, faculty-specific materials, tools, protected clothing, and equipment. The University's Future Students' webpage has further information about these additional incidental fees for postgraduate coursework students and postgraduate research students.

In addition to the fees indicated here for the course of study, International Students studying on an Australian Student Visa must have appropriate health insurance for the duration of their studies on a Student Visa through an approved provider of the Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) scheme. This is a requirement of the Australian Government, unless otherwise exempted by the Government.

Potential for inaccuracy

Whilst every reasonable effort has been made to include correct and up to date information here, you are also advised to consult directly with the Student Centre for domestic students or the International Office for international students so that they can provide you with specific and up to date information about those fees.