Why Join the Faculty of Surgical Trainers
Surgical training is demanding, often undervalued, and rarely given the professional infrastructure it deserves. The Faculty of Surgical Trainers exists to change that — and membership is how you become part of that effort.
By joining the Faculty, you become part of a community of surgical trainers who are committed to raising standards, advancing the profession and supporting one another. Membership offers:
- Recognition of your commitment to surgical training from a prestigious international Surgical Royal College.
- Connection to a peer network of trainers across the UK and internationally.
- Access to education, events and resources designed specifically for surgical trainers.
- A voice in shaping the future of surgical training through engagement with national bodies and stakeholders.
- A clear pathway from Associate to Member to Fellow as your career and contribution develop.
Whether you are early in your training role or an experienced trainer with a long record of contribution to surgical education, the Faculty has a membership level for you.
Fellows and Members of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh can join the Faculty for a one-off payment, with no annual subscription required.
FST Membership Levels
Becoming an Associate of the Faculty demonstrates your active interest in surgical training. Surgical Associates must be at the level of ST3 and above; however Associate membership is also open to non-surgical clinicians and scientists.
To join as an Associate, please submit:
- A completed FST Application Form.
- A Letter of support from an educational supervisor or comparable professional. This letter should detail your interest and involvement in surgical training.
- A four-page educational CV.
Associates do not hold post-nominals.
Membership of the Faculty is the level that we expect most dedicated surgical trainers will apply for. Membership signifies dedication, involvement and commitment to surgical training, and the award of the post-nominals MFSTEd will signpost this commitment.
To become a Member you must demonstrate a clear interest and participation in surgical training and education, and be either a fully trained surgeon or in a recognised surgical training post.
We will assess your interest and participation in surgical training based on the three domains of Teaching and Training Activity, Educational Leadership, and Scholarship and Research in Education.
To join as a Member, please submit:
- A completed FST Application Form.
- A completed Summary of Evidence Form.
- An educationally-based Curriculum Vitae - maximum four A4 pages in length.
Members are entitled to use the post-nominals MFSTEd.
Fellowship of the Faculty is our highest reward for individuals with a clear commitment to excellence, and a high level of commitment in the field of surgical education and training.
We would like to stress that successful Fellowship applicants have to demonstrate a very high level of commitment to and involvement in surgical education and training. You must be a fully trained surgeon to achieve Fellowship (i.e. Consultant or Associate Specialist / Staff Grade doctor). We expect Fellowship applicants to score highly in all three domains of teaching and training, educational leadership and educational scholarship.
Fellowship level applicants must also demonstrate activity significantly over and above the five areas needed for membership level application. For Fellowship level applications you must also provide two structured references confirming your commitment and participation in surgical training and education.
To join as a Fellow, please submit:
- A completed FST Application Form.
- A completed Summary of Evidence Form.
- An educationally-based Curriculum Vitae - maximum four A4 pages in length.
- A supporting statement and completed referee form from two referees
Fellows are entitled to use the post-nominals FFSTEd.
Subscription & Election Fees
Are you an RCSEd Member or Fellow?
If yes, you can become an Associate, Member or Fellow of the Faculty of Surgical Trainers with a FREE subscription. You will only need to pay a one-off joining fee.
How to Apply for FST Membership
To apply, download and complete the relevant forms below and submit them along with your supporting documents to fst@rcsed.ac.uk. Before applying, please review the Application Guidance carefully to ensure you are applying at the right level and have everything you need.
FST Membership Documents
Contact Us
For any Faculty related queries or questions, please contact: fst@rcsed.ac.uk