Online Postgraduate eLearning Programmes
Run in partnership with the University of Edinburgh, the Edinburgh Surgery Online (ESO) suite of Postgraduate eLearning programmes offers a range of options for surgeons at various stages of their training.
The programmes are designed to meet the needs of the modern health professionals in training.
Click on the links below to find out more:
2024 Applications
Applications for 2024 are now closed. Please visit the Edinburgh Surgery Online website to find out the opening date for applications for 2025.
Edinburgh Surgery OnlineMembership of the Royal College of Surgeons (MRCS)
The MSc in Surgical Sciences supports the trainees' professional accreditation, as the first two years follow the UK Intercollegiate Surgical Curriculum Programme, thereby preparing students for the Membership of the Royal College of Surgeons (MRCS) examinations.
Patient Safety
The three-year part-time online MSc programme in Patient Safety and Clinical Human Factors was launched in 2018 in partnership with the University of Edinburgh, as part of the Edinburgh Surgery Online suite of Postgraduate eLearning programmes. The course aims to support all graduate healthcare professionals (ranging from nurses to surgeons and anaesthetists) in using evidence-based tools and techniques to improve the reliability and safety of everyday healthcare systems and processes.
For full details including eligibility and programme structure visit the Edinburgh Surgery Online website.
Postgraduate Online Learning Open Days 2025
Edinburgh Surgery Online is running a series of open day sessions on 21–22 May 2025, introducing its flexible postgraduate online programmes. These sessions offer an excellent opportunity to explore study options designed to support your professional development in surgery and healthcare.
Upcoming sessions include:
Introduction to MSc Surgical Sciences
Join the session to know more about the Surgical Sciences MSc Programme and how this can support your professional development in Surgery and research, as well as supporting your preparation for the MRCS qualifications.
Introduction to Surgical Writing and Evidence Based Practice
The Surgical Writing and Evidence Based Practice programme aims to support surgeons, clinicians and others to acquire an academic qualification that recognises knowledge and skills in writing for clinical practice, editing and evidence based practice.
Introduction to Patient Safety and Clinical Human Factors
This session will introduce you to the PGCert/PGDip/MSc Patient Safety and Human Clinical Factors programme. We will discuss the programme structure, programme aims, as well as offer opportunities to answer questions you have about the programme and online postgraduate studies more broadly.
Open Days Registration 2025
Click the link below to explore the full list of sessions and register your place.
Book hereEdinburgh Surgery Online Tutor
The role of the Edinburgh Surgery Online tutor involves actively engaging with students on asynchronous discussion boards typically spanning a period of five weeks. Support for students normally requires the tutor to log into the website no more than 2-3 times a week, each session lasting less than an hour.
Prior e-learning experience is not required, and you will receive support from module leaders, academic facilitators, and the administrative office of Edinburgh Surgery Online. CPD credit is provided by the RCSEd, and a modest stipend is available to cover any personal costs associated with supporting the programme.
Edinburgh Surgery Online Tutor Recruitment
If you are interested in supporting elements of the Edinburgh Surgery Online programmes and taking part, learn more by clicking the link below.
Find Out More