Our Surgical Care Practitioner programmes have been specifically developed to enable you to become a competent Surgical Care Practitioner in one of three specialist pathways over a two year full time programme.

You will develop your professional experience and specialist knowledge with a blended learning approach which mixes taught sessions at our Plymouth campus with practical experience in a direct clinical practice setting. 

We also offer a postgraduate certificate qualification, PgCert Surgical Care Practitioner, to those who only wish to complete one years study without specialising in one of the three areas offered at diploma level.

Further information on our postgraduate diploma programmes can be found below:

What further study options are there?

Upon completion of your postgraduate diploma you have the option to continue your study to achieve a masters degree in your chosen specialism:

MSc Surgical Care Practitioner pathways

Programme lead: Toby Rankin.  
Applying for this programme: For full details and relevant forms visit our Professional Development Unit (PDU) admissions page.
Email your completed forms to: pduadmissions@plymouth.ac.uk
What happens after I apply?
Your application will be processed and sent to the Programme Lead for a decision to be made on your suitability to study. You may be asked to provide additional information or to take part in an interview (for overseas students this may be by telephone or video conference). 
Please note that you will be enrolled on the PgDip programme. You may choose to exit with the qualification of PgCert upon completion of an appropriate 60 credits. More information is contained within the Programme Specification. 
<p> </p><div>Surgeons operating using surgical equipment. Image courtesy of Getty Images.</div><p></p>

Tips for applying to the MSc Surgical Care Practitioner course

Anna Valente, PgDip Surgical Care Practitioner (Trauma and Orthopaedic Surgery) and James Cartwright, PgDip Surgical Care Practitioner (Cardiothoracic Surgery) talk about the programme.

Student insights

I felt I had reached the top of my game and I didn’t see anywhere else that I could develop. This course has put me into a position where I can do something different with the skills that I’ve acquired.
Wayne Johnson, PgDip Surgical Care Practitioner (Trauma and Orthopaedic Surgery)

Career opportunities

Our MSc/PgDip Surgical Care Practitioner will equip you to perform as an advanced practitioner that provides surgical and clinical care across the entire patient journey from the pre-admission clinic to the operating theatre to post-surgery ward care.
You’ll both work autonomously and collaboratively as part of the multi-disciplinary team.
<p>Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust<br></p>

Fees and funding

Please note that the MSc Advanced Critical Care Practitioner and MSc Surgical Care Practitioner programmes are not eligible for postgraduate funding via the Student Loans Company (SLC). 
The programmes are a top-up of 60 credits over and above the PgDip, which applicants are required to have undertaken prior to applying for the MSc. 
Postgraduate loans are only available to those who will be undertaking a full 180 credits during the time they receive the loan. 
Applicants to these MSc programmes will already have completed 120 credits and therefore do not qualify. 
Information on fees and funding
<p>Auditor work desk, accounting business research, financial audit, tax report. Image courtesy of Getty Images.<br></p>
Faculty of Health and Human Sciences

You can contact the Professional Development Unit with any queries

Prospective student enquiries

+44 1752 586951

Current student enquiries

Professional Development Unit, Level 4 Rolle Building, University of Plymouth, Drake Circus, Plymouth, PL4 8AA, United Kingdom.

8.30–17.00 (Friday 16.30)