Graduate Certificate in Surgical Education
Course code: GC-SURGED
March, July
AUD $16,992 (2026 indicative first year fee). Commonwealth Supported Places (CSPs) are not available
Access Melbourne is available
March, July
AUD $17,488 (2026 indicative first year fee)
IELTS 7.0 with writing 7.0; speaking 7.0; reading 7.0; listening 7.0
Course structure
Overview
The Graduate Certificate in Surgical Education combines the specific challenges of surgical education with a foundation in broader education principles.
Over one year of study, you’ll learn about educational theory and curriculum design, and learn how to apply them in the context of surgical education.
Course structure
To gain the Graduate Certificate in Surgical Education, you must complete four core subjects (12.5 credit points each). You are expected to enrol in two subjects per semester, but it’s possible to undertake just one, and complete the certificate over a longer period of time.
Most participants in this course are busy professionals undertaking studies in conjunction with clinical commitments, so flexibility is key. The majority of subjects are online (e.g. webinars, moderated discussions, and tutorials), and spread over 13-week semesters.
Workload
You should expect to commit approximately 8 - 10 hours per week to each subject. This includes formal learning activities, reading and private study.
Explore this course
Explore the subjects you could choose as part of this certificate.
Complete all of the following
| Accordion | |
|---|---|
| Context of Surgical Education · 12.5 pts |
This subject introduces participants to the discipline of surgical education and the context in which it is situated including regulatory frameworks. Challenges facing the discipline will be explored. Several topics are introduced with the opportunity to pursue further study in subsequent subjects. Participants have an opportunity to gain an understanding of the structure of the course, consider study skills and resources to support learning and use a range of educational methods to explore the contemporary context of surgical education. Participants complete a range of exercises (readings, small group discussions – online; web-based writing; journal review; presentations and two essays). Overall aims of the subject are:
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| Learning & Teaching in Surgical Practice · 12.5 pts |
This subject introduces participants to a range of educational methods and their application in medical and surgical education. Benefits and challenges of traditional and new methods will be discussed. The subject draws heavily on participants’ experiences and educational theory. During a one-day meeting, participants will ‘teach’ and ‘learn’ in simulated activities. In workplace-based activities, participants will be required to design, deliver and reflect on their own teaching. The overall aims of this subject are:
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| Educational Theory for Surgical Training · 12.5 pts |
This subject introduces participants to education theory and its application in medical and surgical training. Participants will gain a broad appreciation of the ‘educational landscape’ with an opportunity to pursue one theory in detail. Both teacher and learner perspectives will be explored and participants will critically reflect on their experiences from both perspectives. The subject is intentionally theoretical as it provides essential grounding for all subsequent subjects in which there will be opportunities to apply theory to practice. The overall aims of this subject are:
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| Curriculum Design in Surgical Education · 12.5 pts |
This subject draws together essential elements of curriculum design – planning, resourcing, recruitment, selection, development, implementation, assessment and evaluation. Participants will review existing programs with respect to theoretical underpinning, educational methods and structure. Participants will be expected to design a component of a surgical training program using best educational practice. |