RCSEd Surgical Skills Competition

Compete in the RCSEd Surgical Skills Competition and showcase your surgical skills in a national challenge for final-year medical students.

The RCSEd Surgical Skills Competition offers final-year medical students the opportunity to demonstrate their surgical skills through a series of tests, competing against their peers from across the UK in a national setting.

Challenges range from suturing and knot-tying to basic laparoscopic techniques.

Running since 2011, the competition is a highlight of the College calendar and a valuable opportunity for the College to engage with and support the next generation of surgeons. Students benefit not only from national recognition and feedback from experienced clinicians but also by gaining hands-on experience, enhancing their CVs and developing confidence in their surgical abilities.


Previous Competition Winners

2024/25
Laura Saunders
Queen's University Belfast
2023/24
Tom Adamson
Newcastle University
2022/23
Richard Huynh
Newcastle University
2021/22
Hugh Pearson
University College London

2024/25 Surgical Skills Competition

The Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh (RCSEd), in partnership with Medtronic, proudly hosted the 2024/25 Surgical Skills Competition, culminating in a Grand Final on Saturday 15 March 2025. Designed to test and celebrate the practical abilities of final-year medical students, the competition began with an online quiz, followed by a video submission of suturing techniques using a surgical skills kit. The top student from each medical school was invited to Edinburgh to take part in a series of hands-on surgical tasks assessed by experienced clinicians.

Congratulations to all this year’s finalists. Check back later this year for details on how to enter the 2025/26 competition.