Postgraduate study
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Urology (Online Learning) ChM (Urology)

Awards: ChM (Urology)

Study modes: Part-time

Online learning

Funding opportunities

Programme website: Urology (Online Learning)

It has provided me with the tools to achieve lifelong learning at a very high level, all aided by a world-class faculty and super support team.

Sarah J Hart ChM Urology graduate

This programme is delivered by the University in partnership with the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, and leads to the award of Master of Surgery (ChM). It runs alongside clinical training and complements in-the-workplace training.

Based on the UK Intercollegiate Surgical Curriculum, it offers trainees in urology the opportunity to study topics relevant to the speciality and supports preparation for final professional exit exams such as FRCS and FEBU.

Your study will allow you to improve your evidence-based knowledge and enhance your clinical practice.

The programme is taught entirely online and our students are supported through asynchronous discussion by our faculty of Consultant Urologists.

Our interactive online learning technology enables you to communicate with our highly qualified teaching staff from the comfort of your own home or workplace.

Online students not only have access to Edinburgh’s excellent resources, but 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:

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

Courses within the programme may also be offered as Continuous Professional Development (CPD) in the future. Please contact the team to discuss if this is something that interests you.

Year 1

You will be taught through a clinical problem-based approach using asynchronous discussion boards to cover technical skills and procedures relevant to the cases as well as core knowledge and clinical skills.

Each semester, courses are taught at the same time so you may be engaged in up 5 different discussions at any one time (one per course).

You will spend 10-15 hours on programme-related study each week (activities include reading the discussion thread, reading around the topic, and contributing to the discussion).

Compulsory courses

  • Oncology 1
  • Core Urology
  • Andrology
  • Stone Disease
  • Female Urology, Reconstruction, Neurourology
  • Paediatric Urology
  • Transplant Nephrology
  • New Technologies & Minimal Access Developments

Year 2

Compulsory courses

  • Oncology 2
  • Core Academic Activity (Research Methodology and Study Design)
  • Specialist Academic Activity (Research Project)

You will have the opportunity to develop skills in academic surgery and undertake an independent research project.

The programme offers an alternative to a dedicated research fellowship for those who do not wish to take time out of clinical practice or training.

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 (Urology)Urology2 YearsPart-timeProgramme structure 2023/24

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

  • demonstrate in-depth knowledge of their chosen surgical sub-specialty, and 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, and 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, and 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

This award would highlight your interest in the specialty and commitment to continuing professional development. It is designed to enable you to study for final professional surgical examinations in a structured yet flexible way.

Upon completion, you will be able to demonstrate in-depth knowledge of the surgical specialty and application of this knowledge to the systematic assessment and management of surgical patients in the elective, urgent and emergency clinical setting.

If you wish to be involved with teaching or research you will also find this a useful qualification.

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, and must have acquired your MRCS (or equivalent assessment milestone).

UK applicants must have 1 to 2 years dedicated urology training (post MRCS completion) and be based in a supervised surgical training programme at the time of enrolling.

Applicants from outside the UK must have completed a minimum of 24 months of basic training in surgery and 18 months of specialty training in urology before enrolling for the ChM.

Surgeons who have a consultant or career grade post (or equivalent) in urology 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 (Urology)Urology2 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
  • your tuition fee status

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

Other funding opportunities

Search for scholarships and funding opportunities:

  • ChM Programme Administration, Sarah Jones
  • Phone: +44 (0)131 651 4932
  • Contact: chm.info@ed.ac.uk
  • Programme Director, Louise Buckley
  • Phone: +44 (0)131 651 4932
  • Contact: chm.info@ed.ac.uk
  • ESO Office - Simon Laurie House
  • 196 Canongate
  • Edinburgh
  • 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

  • ChM Programme Administration, Sarah Jones
  • Phone: +44 (0)131 651 4932
  • Contact: chm.info@ed.ac.uk
  • Programme Director, Louise Buckley
  • Phone: +44 (0)131 651 4932
  • Contact: chm.info@ed.ac.uk
  • ESO Office - Simon Laurie House
  • 196 Canongate
  • Edinburgh
  • Central Campus
  • Edinburgh
  • EH8 8AQ