



Burns, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery MSc
The only programme of its kind within the world, the MSc in Burns, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery aims to impart a core knowledge and understanding of reconstructive surgery. The programme helps to equip healthcare professionals and scientists with the research skills and translational knowledge necessary for clinically applied research in this expanding field.
The programme is designed to help our students in their career progression by acquiring both scientific and clinical research skills in plastic and reconstructive surgery. Students will develop the necessary transferable skills (laboratory, critical, synthetic), and learn an appreciation of the needs and requirements of patients requiring this specialty. Professor Peter Butler and Dr. Kalaskar lead a cohort of top consultants and scientists in the delivery of this programme. We also offer a certified course in Advanced Surgical Skills in collaboration with Northwick Park Institute of Medical Research.
The majority of our students go on to a career in reconstructive surgery specialties with successful entry into UK training programs. We also help others find successful placements at universities and industries around the globe after completion of this master level course.
The Faculty includes consultants across the reconstructive specialties from the Royal Free London Hospital, University College London Hospital, Great Ormond Street Children’s Hospital, Imperial College Hospitals, and Birmingham University Hospital.
Projects
The research projects can be clinical or scientific. We encourage students to explore all the UCL campus hospitals and laboratories. We have areas of strength within the department but we can help you find collaborators if you have a burning question of your own.
We use novel and emerging technologies in our research programs. Areas of interest include, Tissue Engineering and Nanotechnology, 3D printing, Stem Cells and Advanced Therapies, and Reconstructive Transplantation. Our student publish extensively from their research, Text Book Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery will be release in July 2016, which includes their contribution. A number of internationally peer reviewed publications are also published by our students.
Royal Free Charity Military Scholarship
Military surgery is one of the key aspects of the course. One of the course's newest student recruits is Captain Robert Staruch, a Medical Officer from the British Army, who is funded the Royal Free Charity Military Scholarship. Of the course, Robert said, “I wanted a structured approach to understanding the specialty and its widespread applications, especially in the military. In addition, I am interested in pursuing an academic career in the military and wanted a firm foundation for the future”.
Textbook of Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery now available
The new book 'Textbook in Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery' is now available online. You can download your own free copy or you can purchase a copy in hardback, paperback or e-book. A free Android or iOS app will also be available for you to download. Visit the webpage to get your copy now: http://www.ucl.ac.uk/ucl-press/browse-books/textbook-of-plastic-and-reconstructive-surgery
The book has been published by UCL Press and is the first OPENACESS book in surgery.
This programme aims to impart a robust scientific understanding of burns, plastic and reconstructive surgery, and to equip healthcare professionals (doctors, surgeons, nursing staff and physiotherapists) and scientists with the research techniques and translational tools necessary for research in this expanding field.
Key Information
Programme starts
October 2018
Modes and duration
Part-time students (2 years) will usually attend for approximately 1.5 days per week (October-February).
Tuition Fees (2018/19)
- UK/EU:
- £15,940 (FT) £8,110 (PT)
- Overseas:
- £28,370 (FT) £14,180 (PT)
Application deadlines
Note on fees: The tuition fees shown are for the year indicated above. Fees for subsequent years may increase or otherwise vary. Further information on fee status, fee increases and the fee schedule can be viewed on the UCL Current Students website. Fees for flexible, modular study are charged pro-rata to the appropriate full-time Master's fee taken in an academic session.
Careers
Establishing a career in surgery is becoming very competitive, and students on this programme benefit from the latest knowledge and experience in this expanding field. On completion, graduates find they are in a better position to find placements due to the wide exposure they have had to emerging technologies such as nanotechnology, regenerative medicine, and speciality plastic surgery. This MSc also provides our students with an excellent foundation for further research either at MD or PhD level or for a career as a clinician or healthcare professional within this surgical speciality.
Recent career destinations for this degree
- Plastic Surgeon, Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust
- Research Assistant, Stanford University
- Surgical Resident, Ministry of Health, Kingdon of Bahrain
- PhD in Engineering for Military Wounds, UCL
Employability
This MSc focuses on research as well as theory and students acquire technical, laboratory-based skills. Networking is also one of the key aspects of this programme. Consultant plastic surgeons from both military and civilian backgrounds present lectures, giving students access to one-on-one contact and a multitude of networking opportunities.
Careers data is taken from the ‘Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education’ survey undertaken by HESA looking at the destinations of UK and EU students in the 2013–2015 graduating cohorts six months after graduation.
Register interest in your chosen subjects.
Receive notice of graduate open days, events and more.
Key Information
Programme starts
October 2018
Application and next steps
Applications
Students are advised to apply as early as possible due to competition for places. Those applying for scholarship funding (particularly overseas applicants) should take note of application deadlines.
Who can apply?
This programme is aimed at trainee plastic surgeons, clinicians, scientists who wish to specialise in plastic and reconstructive surgery, and healthcare professionals.
Application deadlines
- All applicants
- 27 July 2018
For more information see our Applications page.
Apply nowWhat are we looking for?
When we assess your application we would like to learn:
- why you want to study Burns, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at graduate level
- why you want to study Burns, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at UCL
- what particularly attracts you to this programme
- how your academic and professional background meets the demands of this programme
- where you would like to go professionally with your degree
Together with essential academic requirements, the personal statement is your opportunity to illustrate whether your reasons for applying to this programme match what the programme will deliver.
Contact Information
- Ms Julie Cheek, Teaching Administrator
- j.cheek@ucl.ac.uk
- +44 (0)20 7794 0500 ext. 34980
- Dr Deepak Kalaskar, Programme Lead
- d.kalaskar@ucl.ac.uk
Royal Free Charity Military Scholarship
Military surgery is one of the key aspects of the course. One of the course's newest student recruits is Captain Robert Staruch, a Medical Officer from the British Army, who is funded the Royal Free Charity Military Scholarship. Of the course, Robert said, “I wanted a structured approach to understanding the specialty and its widespread applications, especially in the military. In addition, I am interested in pursuing an academic career in the military and wanted a firm foundation for the future”.
Programme structure
The programme in Burns, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery can be taken at two levels:
- Certificate
- Masters
Mode of Study
- PG Certificate: Flexible study only (6 months - maximum of 2 years). Applicants must meet the criteria for flexible study in the UK. Please contact the department before applying.
- MSc course: Available either as full-time, part-time or flexible study depending upon the time that you are able to commit to this programme.
- Full-time: 1 year
- Part-time: 2 years
- Flexible/Modular: up to 5 years
Applicants who require a Tier 4 visa to study in the UK must apply for the full-time option.
Modules
All MSc students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits.
The taught programme consists of:
Three core modules (total 45 credits)
- Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (SURG0072)
- Burns, Military Injury and Wound Healing (SURG0073)
- Joint Research Methodology (SURG0002)
Three optional modules from the choices below (total 45 credits)
- Stem Cells and their applications in Surgery (SURG0059)
- Advanced Surgical Skills in Microsurgery (SURG0103)
- Applied Tissue Engineering (SURG0058)
- Biomaterials in Regenerative Medicine (SURG0087)
- Transplantation Science (SURG0083)
- Introduction to Evidence Based Healthcare (SURG0104)
- Systematic Reviews Part I (SURG0098)
- Systematic Reviews Part 2 (completion of Part 1 is a prerequisite) (SURG0099)
- Application of Evidence in Clinical Practice (SURG0101)
- Randomised Controlled Trials: Design & Conduct (SURG0128)
- Robotics Surgical Skills (SURG0102)
Research project (90 credits)
Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (SURG0072)
This module aims to introduce trainee surgeon, clinician and health care professional to basic and the most up to date techniques used in plastic and reconstructive surgery.
It covers a wide range of topics related to hand, breast, face, eye, nose, ear, lower limbs, and abdominal plastic and reconstructive surgery. Lectures are delivered by renowned consultants and plastic surgeons, specialists in their respective areas, to get our students face to face with the most modern clinical practice and challenges.
Burns, Military Injury and Wound Healing (SURG0073)
This module aims to introduce trainee surgeons, clinicians and health care professionals to the challenges of burns and military injuries.
A wide range of topics are covered as a part of this module such as burns and military injuries, wound healing and repair, current clinical practice, solutions and challenges.
These lectures are specially designed and delivered by specialist plastic surgeons with the military background to educate our students to the most up to date clinical practices used in military trauma and injuries.
Joint Research Methodology (SURG0002)
A shared module teaching the basic transferable research skills required for a successful research scientist.
Topics include:
- Scientific writing "critical thinking"
- Research planning
- Statistics and presentation skills
Students should develop a basic understanding of frequentist statistics and improve their presentation/communication of research ideas and data.
Applied Tissue Engineering (SURG0058)
The course introduces students to the use of tissue engineering as a strategy to replace or restore a level of function to diseased or damaged tissue. World leading
scientists and surgeons will provide lectures on engineering specific tissues and discuss future strategies in:
- Scaffold design
- Bio-responsive scaffolds
- Bio-mimetic scaffolds
Biomaterials in Regenerative Medicine (SURG0087)
An introduction to biomaterial design, manufacture and characterisation for regenerative medicine. This module will provide students with an understanding of material-cell interfaces and various approaches to modify materials to promote desirable cellular responses (including nanoscale biofunctionalisation and surface structuring).
Stem Cells and their applications in Surgery (SURG0059)
In this module, students will learn:
- Basics of stem cells, their pluripotency and differentiation characteristics.
- Sources of stem cells and their methods of extraction form human tissue.
- Applications of stem cells in surgery and regenerative medicine.
- Students will understand the essential requirements for stem cell based therapies, pre and post operatively and in surgery.
- Student will become aware of regulations for clinical application of stem cells based therapies.
- Students will be become aware of current research and will be able to use their knowledge during research projects.
Advanced Surgical Skills in Microsurgery (SURG0103)
Teaching for this hands-on module takes place at the dedicated surgical theatres of Northwick Park Institute of Medical Research (NPIMR). The module delivers specialised surgical skills which increases in complexity; specifically: vascular and microsurgical techniques. This module is taught in one week during Term 2 and assessment of competencies is continuous and successful completion is certified. NPIMR is the only centre in the UK which provides formal certicification for this training.
- Assessment of the necessity for microsurgery
- Decisions as to protocol and procedures
- Set up and use of operating microscope
- Tissue dissection and vessel preparation
- End-to-end and end-to-side anastomoses
- Interrupted and continuous sutures
- Fault finding and repair
The two main areas of research are:
RECONSTRUCTIVE TRANSLATION / CTA
This research group has set up the first reconstructive transplantation programme in the UK and are pioneers in the field. The areas of study are facial transplantation, hand transplantion, combined hand and face transplantatin as well as emerging transplant of other tissues. It has an established clinical research programme with long standing international collaborations.
TISSUE ENGINEERING / NANOTECHNOLOGY
This group is at the forefront of translational tissue engineering/nanotechnology research. It produced the first in-human tracheal tissue-engineered transplant in collaboration with the Karolinska Institute and also the first in-human tissue-engineered arterial bypass graft. A first in-human nasal construct will be carried out later this year.
- 3D printing of craniofacial implants
- 3D modelling of medical images
- Tendon tissue engineering
- Development of auricular reconstruction using nanocomposite and stem cells with 3D printing technology
- Development of nasal reconstruction using nanocomposite and stem cells with 3D printing technology
- Development of synthetic face using nanocomposite and stem cells
- Development of conduit to regulate nerve using peptide modified nanocomposite materials and stem cells
- Extraction of stem cells from fat tissue
- Development of lymphatic drainage system using nanocomposite
- Fillers for plastic surgery applications using nanocomposite and stem cells
- Nanoparticles for diagnostic and treatment of cancer
- Fluorescent quantum dots for assessment of flap perfusion
- Development of nanocomposite for craniofacial orbital reconstruction
- Reconstruction of vermillion and lip using nanocomposite materials
- Creation of neo-hair follicle
- Breast reconstruction
- Skin tissue engineering
MSc Research Publications
For details of our MSc students' published research output please click here
Name | Position | Telephone | |
Ms Julie Cheek | Teaching Administrator | 020 7794 0500 ext 31302 | j.cheek@ucl.ac.uk |
Mr Deepak Kalaskar | Programme Lead | 020 7794 0500 ext. 34654 | d.kalaskar@ucl.ac.uk |
Prof Peter Butler | Programme Director | 020 7794 0500 ext 31302 | via Caroline Ryan |
Clinical Faculty
Aesthetic Plastic Surgery Module |
Military Plastic Surgery Module |
Mr Stephen Hamilton | Mr Darren Chester |
Mr Hugo Henderson | Mr Shehan Hettiaratchy |
Mr Niall Kirkpatrick | Lt Col Steven Jeffery |
Mr Patrick Mallucci | Maj Graham Lawton |
Burn Surgery Module |
Reconstructive Surgery Module |
Mr Naeim Moieman | Mr Neil Bulstrode |
Craniofacial Surgery Module |
Mr David Floyd |
Mr Jonathan Britto | Mr Shadi Ghali |
Mr David Dunnaway | Mr Adrian Grobbelaar |
Mr Loshan Kangesu | Mr Stephen Hammilton |
Mr Niall Kirkpatrick | Mr Ciaran Healy |
Mr Greg O'Toole | Mr Nicholas Kalavrezos |
Hand Surgery Module |
Mr Norbert Kang |
Mr David Floyd | Prof Mo Keshtgar |
Ms Barbara Jemec | Mr Anthony Macquillan |
Mr Ash Mosahebi | Mr Ash Mosahebi |
Mr Greg O'Toole | Mr Asif Muneer |
Mr Bran Sivakumar | Miss Joanne Atkins Palazzo |
Mr Neil Toft | Mr Greg Williams |