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 or flexible study depending upon the time that you are able to commit to this course.

• 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 programme consists of:

5 core modules (75 credits)

• Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (SURGGB01)
• Burns, Military Injury and Wound Healing (SURGGB02)
• Joint Research Methodology (ORTHG007)
• Applied Tissue Engineering (SURGGN06)
• Biomaterials in Regenerative Medicine (SURGGN05)

1 optional module from a choice of 4 (15 credits)

• Stem Cells and their applications in Surgery
• Nanotechnology
• Translation of Nanotechnology
• Advanced Surgical Skills in Microsurgery

Research project (90 credits)

Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (SURGGB01)

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 (SURGGB02)

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 (ORTHG007)

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 (SURGGN06)

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 (SURGGN05)

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 

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.

Nanotechnology

An introduction to the use of nanotechnology in medicine. This module discusses why size matters in biological environments and current/future use of nanotechnology in diagnostics, medical imaging, drug delivery and tissue engineering.

Translation of Nanotechnology

An introduction into the translation of nanotechnology and regenerative medicine from "bench to bedside". Students will learn about:

• Routes of translation
• The importance of IP
• GMP & conformity of assessment
• Avenues of investment
• Demonstrate awareness of investment  avenues of commercialisation
• Ethical issues approval for clinical trials
• The economics  in the translation of an idea into a commercially available product.

Advanced Surgical Skills in Microsurgery

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

 Clinical Faculty