Which surgical courses can I attend before the application deadline?
Worth roughly 30% (20/72) of your total Surgical Portfolio score, the ‘Commitment To Specialty’ domain is arguably the most important. Fortunately, most of the items in this section are fairly realistic and may be achieved in a relatively short space of time. In this article, we provide a list of Royal College of Surgeons (RCS) approved courses which are available for attendance before the November deadline. In keeping with our values, we’ve ranked each of the following courses by cost, format (i.e., Live vs Virtual) & expected time commitment to encourage you to ThinkSmart so you can save both time & money!
Free Online Courses
-
Management of Common Femoral Artery DiseasesCourse Provider: Milbrook Medical Conferences
Course Date: 30/09/022Duration: 1 Hour (15:00 - 16:00)CPD Points: 4.25About: An interactive series of lectures by esteemed international surgeons in the field of Vascular Surgery. This is event is formally recognised by the Royal College of Surgeons of England and can also be attended in person (see below).
Link: https://www.millbrook-medical-conferences.co.uk/conferences/september-2022/core-pad-3-management-of-common-femoral-artery-diseases.aspx -
The Secret Life of Catheters
Course Provider: National Catheter Education Programme (NCEP)Duration: < 3 HoursCPD Points: N/AAbout: This course still remains one of the ‘easier’ options for anyone hoping to supplement their Portfolio at the last minute. It’s absolutely free, practically useful and can be completed in your own time, at your own pace. Absolute no-brainer!Link: https://lms.nationalcathetereducationprogramme.org -
INCEPT E-LearningCourse Provider: STARSurgDuration: < 6 HoursCPD Points: 12About: This RCSEng CPD accredited course is ideal for medical students or foundation doctors seeking to explore and better understand research & clinical academia. Two of the three available course modules are formally recognised by RCSEng would be suitable for your portfolio, these are: 1) Study Design & 2) Significant Statistics
Link: https://starsurg.org/incept-e-learning/
Medical Student Tip: INCEPT STARSurg also provide a very useful 'Clinical Academic Careers' module (‘It’s all Academic’), which outlines how to get into research, AFP/SFP and tips for publishing! -
So You Want To Be A Vascular Surgeon?Course Provider: Rouleaux ClubDuration: < 6 HoursCPD Points: N/AAbout: For those of you set on a career in Vascular surgery, or are just curious to explore the specialty, this course is ideal for you! Attendance to this course requires membership to the Rouleaux Club.
Link: http://rouleauxclub.com/2021/04/so-you-want-to-be-a-vascular-surgeon/ -
Preparing for a Career in SurgeryCourse Provider: Association of Surgeons in Training (ASiT)
Course Date: 29/10/2022Duration: 8 Hour (09:00 - 17:00)CPD Points: N/AAbout: ASiTs annual, highly anticipated event provides an opportunity to learn about different surgical specialties, with talks delivered by experienced trainees across the country.
Link: https://www.asit.org/events/asit-events/preparing-for-a-career-in-surgery-29th-october-2022-england-wales-scotland/evt1584
Free Live Courses
-
Management of Common Femoral Artery DiseasesCourse Provider: Milbrook Medical Conferences
Course Date: 30/09/2022Duration: 6 Hours (10:15 - 16:15)CPD Points: 4.25About: An interactive series of lectures by esteemed international surgeons in the field of Vascular Surgery. This is event is formally recognised by the Royal College of Surgeons of England.Link: https://www.millbrook-medical-conferences.co.uk/conferences/september-2022/core-pad-3-management-of-common-femoral-artery-diseases.aspx -
Future Surgeons: Key Skills
Course Provider: Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh (RCSEd)
Course Date: 22/10/2022Duration: 1 DayCPD Points: 6About: This is a high-yield interactive course with practical workshops and engaging talks. Aimed at Medical students and FY doctors..Link: https://www.rcsed.ac.uk/events-courses/event-entry?diaryId=3087 -
Basic Surgical Skills: Manchester
Course Provider: Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh (RCSEd)
Course Date: 22/09/2022 – 23/09/2022Duration: 2 DaysCPD Points: 12About: This 2-day course, aimed at FY1 and above, is designed to outline key surgical skills at the very start of a surgeon's training. You will be taught instrument handling, knot tying, suturing basics, tissue handling, wound management, and diathermy. Note: This course has been advertised as 'free' on the RCSEd website, please enquire within before booking.Link: https://www.rcsed.ac.uk/events-courses/event-entry?diaryId=3191 -
Basic Surgical Skills: BirminghamCourse Provider: Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh (RCSEd)Course Date: 14/11/2022 – 15/11/2022Duration: 2 DaysCPD Points: 12About: This 2-day course, aimed at FY1 and above, is designed to outline key surgical skills at the very start of a surgeon's training. You will be taught instrument handling, knot tying, suturing basics, tissue handling, wound management, and diathermy. Note: This course has been advertised as 'free' on the RCSEd website, please enquire within before booking.Link: https://www.rcsed.ac.uk/events-courses/event-entry?diaryId=3190
Online Paid Courses
-
The Funky Professor: Anatomy CourseCourse Provider: The Funky Professor
Course Fee: £37 - £132Duration: > 10 HoursCPD Points: 9About: This RCSEng CPD accredited course provides an engaging and interactive take on basic surgical anatomy which makes for great MRCS revision and practical application. The Funky Professor course is only eligible for CST applications once the following modules have been completed: 1) The Abdomen, 2) The Thorax, 3) The Pelvis, 4) The Upper Limb, 5) The Lower LimbLink: https://www.thefunkyprofessor.com/ -
Surgical Instruments & StitchesCourse Provider: VirtuaLive
Course Fee: £35Duration: < 10 HoursCPD Points: 6About: An introductory course on various surgical instruments & closure techniques. This course is ideal for final year medical students or foundation trainees preparing for a surgical rotation.Link: https://www.virtualive.eu/course/basic-surgical-instruments-stitches-and-sutures-gold/ -
Surgical KnotsCourse Provider: VirtuaLive
Course Fee: £35Duration: < 10 HoursCPD Points: 6About: A comprehensive course covering various one- and two-handed knot tying techniques as well as instrument ties. This course is accredited by the RCSEng.Link: https://www.virtualive.eu/courses/surgical-knots/ -
Basic Open Surgical TechniquesCourse Provider: VirtuaLive
Course Fee: £60Duration: > 10 HoursCPD Points: 9About: A detailed course covering basic principles such as instrument handling to advanced surgical techniques including aesthetic closure and cyst excision. This course is accredited by the RCSEng.Link: https://www.virtualive.eu/courses/basic-surgical-training/
And that’s it! We’re confident that these alone should be sufficient to score all the points you need for this section. If you'd like to look at other courses, we suggest having a look at the following links:
If you’d like to receive more CST application tips, then sign up for FREE below! You will also gain exclusive access to our free course videos!
- http://accreditation.rcseng.ac.uk/Home/InfoAccredited?_ga=2.61855340.1916881292.1635950126-1516098435.1633978211
- https://www.rcsed.ac.uk/events-courses
- https://www.asit.org/events/asit-events
If you’d like to receive more CST application tips, then sign up for FREE below! You will also gain exclusive access to our free course videos!
See you in the next issue!
ThinkSmart Team
ThinkSmart CST.
Join the ThinkSmart community to gain access to our extensive course library, developed by high ranking trainees & registrars in the UK.
Featured links
Connect with us
ThinkSmart CST © 2025
Created with
