Postgraduate study
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Trauma and Orthopaedics (Online Learning) ChM (Trauma & Orthopaedics)

Awards: ChM (Trauma & Orthopaedics)

Study modes: Part-time

Online learning

Funding opportunities

The ChM in Trauma and Orthopaedics has an extensive and comprehensive syllabus. With knowledgeable staff and an international student presence, the diversity of orthopaedics is thoroughly explored. This prestigious degree has helped me in my clinical and academic pursuits and is recommended to anyone in their search to improve their understanding of trauma and orthopaedics.

Jarrad Stevens ChM Trauma and Orthopaedics Graduate 2018

This programme is delivered by the University of Edinburgh, in partnership with the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh.

The programme leads to the degree of Master of Surgery (ChM).

Who is this programme for?

Based on the UK Intercollegiate Surgical Curriculum, the ChM in Trauma and Orthopaedics provides the opportunity for you to select those advanced modules relevant to your declared specialty.

It also supports learning for the Fellowship of the Royal College of Surgeons (FRCS) examinations.

The programme is designed to run alongside clinical training and complement in-the-workplace assessment.

Our online learning technology is fully interactive, award-winning and enables you to communicate with our highly qualified teaching staff from the comfort of your own home or workplace.

As an online student, not only will you have access to Edinburgh’s excellent resources, but you will also become part of a supportive online community, bringing together students and tutors from around the world.

Studying online at Edinburgh

Find out more about the benefits and practicalities of studying for an online degree:

How will I learn?

The programme runs on a semester basis, over two years, and involves approximately 10 to 15 hours of study each week.

The online distance learning nature of this programme is perfect for doctors working unsociable shift patterns.

You will have access to high quality, interactive online resources, ejournals and online textbooks, as well as dedicated technological support.

Year 1

Compulsory courses:

  • Basic Science 1 & 2
  • Adult Reconstruction Trauma
  • Shoulder and Elbow
  • Hand
  • Spine
  • Knee
  • Ankle and Foot
  • Paediatric
  • Hip

You are supported throughout the programme through asynchronous discussions with tutors who are all leading clinicians in their field.

Year 2

Compulsory courses:

  • Basic Science 3
  • Specialist Academic Activity
  • Core Academic Activity

Compulsory courses cover the core elements of the subsections of the orthopaedic syllabus.

You will have the opportunity to complete an academic research project and there will be a written Multiple Choice Question examination (Single Best Answer and Extended Matching Item).

Find out more about compulsory and optional courses

We link to the latest information available. Please note that this may be for a previous academic year and should be considered indicative.

AwardTitleDurationStudy mode
ChM (Trauma & Orthopaedics)Trauma and Orthopaedics2 YearsPart-timeProgramme structure 2023/24

On completion of this programme, you will be able to:

  • demonstrate in-depth knowledge of your chosen surgical subspecialty
  • be able to apply this knowledge to the systematic assessment and management of surgical patients in the elective, urgent and emergency clinical setting
  • recognise the leadership contribution and responsibilities of the surgeon in the multidisciplinary management of complex surgical disease
  • critically reflect upon day-to-day surgical practice in the context of recent advances
  • engage in critical dialogue with peers and experts in other sub-specialties
  • apply the general principles of clinical study design, ethics, and statistics to critically evaluate the scientific literature in surgical research
  • make informed judgements on new and emerging issues in surgery
  • exercise a high level of autonomy and initiative in professional activities at a level of independent surgical practice

As a graduate of this programme, you will be able to demonstrate in-depth knowledge of your chosen surgical subspecialty.

You will also be able to apply this knowledge to the systematic assessment and management of surgical patients in the elective, urgent and emergency clinical setting.

These entry requirements are for the 2024/25 academic year and requirements for future academic years may differ. Entry requirements for the 2025/26 academic year will be published on 1 Oct 2024.

A medical degree (MBChB or equivalent) recognised by the General Medical Council.

Should have also acquired MRCS (or equivalent assessment milestone).

UK applicants must be an Advanced Trainee in Trauma and Orthopaedics, with a minimum of 3 years' experience.

Candidates outside the UK should have equivalent experience.

Surgeons who have a consultant or career grade post (or equivalent) in Orthopaedic Surgery are also eligible for entry.

Students from China

This degree is Band D.

International qualifications

Check whether your international qualifications meet our general entry requirements:

English language requirements

Regardless of your nationality or country of residence, you must demonstrate a level of English language competency at a level that will enable you to succeed in your studies.

English language tests

We accept the following English language qualifications at the grades specified:

  • IELTS Academic: total 6.5 with at least 6.0 in each component. We do not accept IELTS One Skill Retake to meet our English language requirements.
  • TOEFL-iBT (including Home Edition): total 92 with at least 20 in each component. We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements.
  • C1 Advanced (CAE) / C2 Proficiency (CPE): total 176 with at least 169 in each component.
  • Trinity ISE: ISE II with distinctions in all four components.
  • PTE Academic: total 62 with at least 59 in each component.

Your English language qualification must be no more than three and a half years old from the start date of the programme you are applying to study, unless you are using IELTS, TOEFL, Trinity ISE or PTE, in which case it must be no more than two years old.

Degrees taught and assessed in English

We also accept an undergraduate or postgraduate degree that has been taught and assessed in English in a majority English speaking country, as defined by UK Visas and Immigration:

We also accept a degree that has been taught and assessed in English from a university on our list of approved universities in non-majority English speaking countries (non-MESC).

If you are not a national of a majority English speaking country, then your degree must be no more than five years old* at the beginning of your programme of study. (*Revised 05 March 2024 to extend degree validity to five years.)

Find out more about our language requirements:

Tuition fees

AwardTitleDurationStudy mode
ChM (Trauma & Orthopaedics)Trauma and Orthopaedics2 YearsPart-timeTuition fees

The University of Edinburgh offers a small number of scholarships to outstanding candidates. These are very competitive. We publish data on the success rate for scholarship applications to help you understand the level of demand.

(Revised 18 March 2024 to remove 'Commonwealth Distance Learning Scholarships' information) 

UK government postgraduate loans

If you live in the UK, you may be able to apply for a postgraduate loan from one of the UK's governments.

The type and amount of financial support you are eligible for will depend on your programme, the duration of your studies, and your residency status.

Programmes studied on a part-time intermittent basis are not eligible.

Other funding opportunities

Search for scholarships and funding opportunities:

  • Programme Directors, John McKinley and Matt Moran
  • Phone: +44 (0)131 651 4932
  • Contact: chm.info@ed.ac.uk
  • ChM Programme Administration
  • University of Edinburgh, ESSQ Office Room G10/G11
  • Simon Laurie House, 196 Canongate
  • Central Campus
  • Edinburgh
  • EH8 8AQ
Programme start date Application deadline
9 September 2024 23 August 2024

We encourage you to apply at least one month prior to entry so that we have enough time to process your application. If you are also applying for funding or will require a visa then we strongly recommend you apply as early as possible.

You must submit one reference with your application.

Find out more about the general application process for postgraduate programmes:

Further information

  • Programme Directors, John McKinley and Matt Moran
  • Phone: +44 (0)131 651 4932
  • Contact: chm.info@ed.ac.uk
  • ChM Programme Administration
  • University of Edinburgh, ESSQ Office Room G10/G11
  • Simon Laurie House, 196 Canongate
  • Central Campus
  • Edinburgh
  • EH8 8AQ