
Surgical Writing and Evidence Based Practice (Online Learning) PgCert, PgProfDev
Online
DURATION
1 up to 2 Years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Part time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
22 Aug 2025
EARLIEST START DATE
08 Sep 2025
TUITION FEES
GBP 5,070 / per year *
STUDY FORMAT
Distance Learning
* estimated tuition for surgical writing and evidence based practice PgCert, PgProfDev
Key Summary
Introduction
The Postgraduate Certificate of Surgical Writing and Evidence-Based Practice is offered by our University, in partnership with the BJS Foundation. The programme aims to support surgeons, clinicians and others to acquire an academic qualification that recognises knowledge and skills in writing for:
- clinical practice
- editing
- evidence-based practice
Why Edinburgh?
As one of the top 25 universities in the world (QS World University Rankings 2024), the University of Edinburgh has a strong historic and trusted reputation in academic surgery and online surgical education. The BJS Foundation has a unique international reputation in surgical editing and publishing. The Certificate Programme makes use of the strong synergies between both parties, ensuring that teaching insights and material are contemporary and at the cutting edge of academic surgical and clinical practice.
This part-time, online learning programme builds on the global reach of the University’s existing successful award-winning online surgery programmes, providing students with an opportunity to gain a formal qualification in surgical writing and evidence-based surgical practice without needing to be based in Edinburgh. Students may take individual courses as Postgraduate Professional Development (PPD) or take all four courses to graduate with a Postgraduate Certificate degree. A global student population from various academic and professional backgrounds will enjoy a rich learning experience while studying this programme.
Awards:
PgCert, PgProfDev
Ideal Students
The programme will attract surgeons and others globally and provide a formal qualification to enhance their professional and academic development in surgery or related fields.
We recommend applicants set aside 100 hours for every 10 credits of study.
Program Outcome
The programme’s learning outcomes have been mapped onto the SCQF11 level characteristics.
This programme aims to equip students with evidence-based tools to be able to write in a scientific academic style, undertake critical appraisal/peer review, editing and literature reviews to understand evidence-based practice. On graduating from this programme, students will be able to write a manuscript for publication.
Career Opportunities
Many students on the programme will be in full-time employment looking to enhance their professional and academic development. Knowledge and skills in research and academic writing are important for a career in clinical and surgical sciences and provide a solid foundation for future academic work.
Surgical and non-surgical applicants may be attracted by the BJS and our University's reputation. The programme can enhance careers by equipping individuals with evidence-based tools to write a manuscript for publication. Our courses also offer opportunities for continual professional development and optional content for other online master's programmes.
Curriculum
The programme consists of two 10-credit courses and two 20-credit courses. All 4 courses (60 credits) are required to complete the certificate. Alternatively, you can opt to take individual courses as Postgraduate Professional Development (PPD). The courses offered are:
- Writing in Surgery (10 credits)
- Reviewing the Evidence Base in Surgery (10 credits)
- Editing in Surgery (20 Credits):
- Evidence-Based Practice (20 credits)
Postgraduate Certificate Qualification
To gain the Postgraduate Certificate Qualification you need to complete all of the above 4 courses.
Postgraduate Professional Development (PPD)
Postgraduate Professional Development (PPD) is aimed at working professionals who want to advance their knowledge through a postgraduate-level course(s), without the time or financial commitment of a full Postgraduate Certificate.
You may take a maximum of 50 credits worth of courses over two years through our PPD scheme. These lead to a University of Edinburgh postgraduate award of academic credit. Alternatively, after one year of taking courses, you can choose to transfer your credits and continue studying towards a Postgraduate Certificate.
Although PPD courses have various start dates throughout the year you may only start a Postgraduate Certificate programme in September.
Any time spent studying PPD will be deducted from the amount of time you will have left to complete a Postgraduate Certificate programme.
Please contact the programme team for more information about available courses and course start dates.
Admissions
Scholarships and Funding
Funding for postgraduate study is different to undergraduate study, and many students need to combine funding sources to pay for their studies.
Most students use a combination of the following funding to pay their tuition fees and living costs:
- borrowing money
- taking out a loan
- family support
- taking out a loan
- family support
- personal savings
- income from work
- employer sponsorship
- scholarships
Program Tuition Fee
Student Testimonials
Program delivery
Online learning
Our online learning technology is fully interactive, and award-winning and enables you to communicate with our highly qualified teaching staff from the comfort of your own home or workplace.
Our 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. Applicants would be recommended to set aside 100 hours for each 10 credits of study.
Program Admission Requirements
Show your commitment and readiness for Grad school by taking the GRE - the most broadly accepted exam for graduate programs internationally.