Aesthetics (Minimally-invasive Aesthetics) MS

London, Bloomsbury and London, Hampstead (Royal Free Hospital)

Develop the necessary minimally invasive aesthetics skills to ensure patient safety by joining our mixed-mode MS Aesthetics (Minimally Invasive Aesthetics) designed to suit the lifestyle of busy professionals. You will learn from world leaders in minimally invasive aesthetics and join the community of professionals driving innovation in the field.

UK students International students
Study mode
UK tuition fees (2024/25)
£15,100
£7,550
Overseas tuition fees (2024/25)
£31,100
£15,550
Duration
1 calendar year
2 calendar years
Programme starts
September 2024
Applications accepted
All applicants: 16 Oct 2023 – 30 Aug 2024
Applications close at 5pm UK time

Applications open

Entry requirements

Applicants should normally be a medical graduate with a primary medical qualification that has been listed on the World Directory of Medical Schools. We will consider applicants with an undergraduate BDS qualification in dentistry or an Advanced Nurse practitioner qualification that are registered with NMC or a prescribing pharmacist registered with GPhc. In addition, all applicants must have a minimum two years of training in their field, ideally with some elements of aesthetic practice.

The English language level for this programme is: Level 2

UCL Pre-Master's and Pre-sessional English courses are for international students who are aiming to study for a postgraduate degree at UCL. The courses will develop your academic English and academic skills required to succeed at postgraduate level.

Further information can be found on our English language requirements page.

The full-time and part-time versions of this programme are taught primarily online with some teaching taking place on campus in London. As such, international students who apply to this programme are not eligible to apply for a regular Student visa for full-time study in the UK.

To attend the on-campus teaching sessions for this course, international students will ordinarily use a UK Standard Visitor visa for study.

Please note that UK immigration rules are subject to change by the UK Government, as such, there is no guarantee that the current rules referred to here will be in place for the duration of your study with UCL.

Should you have any questions regarding visa compliance, please contact the UCL Student Immigration Compliance Team.

Equivalent qualifications

Country-specific information, including details of when UCL representatives are visiting your part of the world, can be obtained from the International Students website.

International applicants can find out the equivalent qualification for their country by selecting from the list below. Please note that the equivalency will correspond to the broad UK degree classification stated on this page (e.g. upper second-class). Where a specific overall percentage is required in the UK qualification, the international equivalency will be higher than that stated below. Please contact Graduate Admissions should you require further advice.

About this degree



Our MS Aesthetics programme is aimed at UK and international healthcare professional trainees who want to learn evidence-based minimally invasive aesthetics to ensure patient safety and satisfaction in their practice.

This blending-learning programme combines online learning with face-to-face teaching on campus each term on pre-allocated dates to enable you to study alongside your clinical commitment.

The curriculum is centred on minimally invasive aesthetic procedures for head and neck. It is taught online with theoretical learning complemented with cadaver-based interactive training in the state-of-the-art Charles Wolfson Centre. You will learn from experts in the field at the centre of excellence for Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (including cosmetic) in Royal Free Hospital as well as other well-known national and international surgeons.

UCL is ranked sixth worldwide for medicine (QS World University Rankings 2023), and the fourth top UK university, according to Times Higher Education 2023.

Who this course is for

The programme will suit clinicians from anywhere in the world who would like to undertake their own high-quality research and explore aesthetics evidence-based practices. Our students can continue working in their own clinics/professions while completing a Master of Surgery programme for the safety and benefit of their patients.

Our blended-learning delivery allows you to become part of an international cohort being taught by a team of experts across the world and to benefit from the culture and wealth of experience this brings. When you graduate, you will join an international alumni community, with academic bonds spanning many countries.

We offer virtual informal chats for prospective applicants. Please email adminaesthetics@ucl.ac.uk if you would like to meet with us.

What this course will give you

This programme offers you the following benefits and opportunities.

  • A prestigious university located in the heart of London and affiliated with the Royal Free Hospital, recognised as a centre of excellence in plastic surgery.
  • An extensive curriculum updated regularly by based on evidence-based literature.
  • High-quality teaching by an internationally acknowledged faculty of leaders in education and research alongside committed team of NHS based teachers providing the best possible student experience in minimally invasive aesthetics.
  • You’ll work directly with experienced academics to develop a fresh research project topic or contribute to an existing project that will be clinically applicable to your future career progression.
  • We welcome research collaborations with your local institutions if you are based outside the UK.
  • Develop a mindset based on evidence-based practice placing patient safety at the heart of all planned minimally invasive aesthetics procedures.
  • Form a network with other students (professionals) as a solid foundation for future innovations and collaborations.

The foundation of your career

In an increasingly competitive environment, a qualification of this rigour from a world-leading institution will set you apart from other practitioners. It will give clinicians and healthcare professionals a notable point of difference if they are looking to secure a higher training programme in the field of minimally invasive aesthetic. You should be able to participate in the delivery of relevant short courses or research in aesthetics.

Employability

With the potential introduction of aesthetics regulation and guidelines, our programme will give you a professional competence framework in minimally invasive aesthetic. You will graduate with enhanced key generic skills including critical thinking, scholarly writing, independent learning, and scientific method that will benefit both your current and future career. You may return to our programme as a tutor or supervisor.

Our graduates go on to present in national and international conferences and publish in journals across the growing field of minimally invasive aesthetic. If you intend to continue your higher education activities such as obtaining a PhD, guidance will be provided by our international team of lecturer / tutors.

Networking

There are regular networking opportunities, including events where you can hear from expert speakers. We encourage students to broaden their skills and expand their networks by attending and participating at conferences.

Teaching and learning

You will be taught through online and virtual lectures, tutorials and expert forums. The cadaver-based interactive training in campus is taught via simulations and fresh frozen cadavers.

During the virtual and in-person sessions, you will have a chance to work in small groups and practice your presentation and teamwork skills.

We use a variety of formative and summative assessments to ensure that students can integrate theoretical and practical knowledge and skills with relevant contextual understanding.

These include scenario-based online quizzes, peer-marking, coursework, e-poster presentation, virtual oral presentation, critical reflective case study, critical appraisal of existing literature and Objective Structured Clinical and Practical Examination (OSCPE).

Your weekly schedule will depend on the duration of your programme.

  • On the one-year, full-time programme, you will have approximately 12 hours of teaching and 10 hours of independent learning a week.
  • On the two-year, part-time programme, you will have approximately six hours of teaching and five hours of independent learning a week.

During the cadaver-based interactive session you will have six to nine hours of teaching a day.

A Postgraduate Diploma will be offered on successful completion of five taught modules (all core modules plus two pathway specific).

Modules

On the full-time programme, you will complete five taught modules: two in term one and three in term two. The modules are predominantly distance learning with selected in campus sessions as outlined below:

  • One and a half days in term one (the half-day for induction).
  • One day in term two.
  • Two sets of cadaver-based interactive trainings each belonging to one module and involving two and a half days of on-campus sessions. One set will be in delivered in term two while the other set will be delivered in term three.

The remainder of the academic year is used for assessment and examinations. All assessments are designed so they can be completed virtually except for the Objective Structured Clinical and Practical Examination (OSCPE) for two of the taught modules. This exam normally runs in one day for both modules during term three and you are expected to attend the college for this purpose.

You will also conduct a research project throughout the year.  You will normally submit your summative assessments for this module in July or early August. 

Please note that we continually review and improve our modules and that the content of our website is prepared in advance, so the above information may be subject to change. Exact dates of on-campus sessions will be provided to all students at the start of the academic year.

On the part-time programme, you will complete five taught modules over two years.

In your first year, you will complete two modules in term one, and one module in term two. The modules are predominantly distance learning with selected in campus sessions as outlined below:

  • one and a half days in term one (the half-day for induction)
  • one day in term two.

In your second year, you will take the remaining two taught modules in term two. The modules are predominantly distance learning with selected in campus sessions as outlined below:

  • Two sets of cadaver-based interactive trainings each belonging to one module and involving two and a half days of in campus sessions.  One set will be in delivered in term two while the other set will be delivered after the Easter break.

The remainder of the academic year is used for assessment and examinations.  All assessments are designed so they can be completed virtually except for the OSCPE for two of the taught modules. This exam normally runs in one day for both modules during term three and you are expected to attend the college for this purpose. 

You will also conduct a research project throughout year two. You will submit your summative assessments for this module in July or early August.

Please note that we continually review and improve our modules and that the content of our website is prepared in advance so the above information may be subject to change. Exact dates of on-campus sessions will be provided to all students at the start of the academic year.

Please note that the list of modules given here is indicative. This information is published a long time in advance of enrolment and module content and availability are subject to change. Modules that are in use for the current academic year are linked for further information. Where no link is present, further information is not yet available.

There are two specialist pathways for students to choose from: MS Aesthetic Surgery and MS in Minimally Invasive Aesthetics. Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits. Upon successful completion of 180 credits, you will be awarded an MS in Aesthetics (Minimally-invasive Aesthetics). Upon successful completion of 120 credits, you will be awarded a PG Dip in Aesthetics (Minimally-invasive Aesthetics).

Accessibility

Details of the accessibility of UCL buildings can be obtained from AccessAble accessable.co.uk. Further information can also be obtained from the UCL Student Support and Wellbeing team.

Fees and funding

Fees for this course

UK students International students
Fee description Full-time Part-time
Tuition fees (2024/25) £15,100 £7,550
Tuition fees (2024/25) £31,100 £15,550

Pathways include:
Aesthetic Surgery (TMSANASATS19)
Minimally-invasive Aesthetics (TMSANASMIA19)

The tuition fees shown are for the year indicated above. Fees for subsequent years may increase or otherwise vary. Where the programme is offered on a flexible/modular basis, fees are charged pro-rata to the appropriate full-time Master's fee taken in an academic session. Further information on fee status, fee increases and the fee schedule can be viewed on the UCL Students website: ucl.ac.uk/students/fees.

Additional costs

We aim to minimise the additional costs to students beyond your tuition fees. However, please be aware of the following costs that you are expected to meet.

  • Travel to other sites: this may be needed during your study for the allocated dates that you come to the college. Find out about the cost of using public transport at Transport for London.
  • Textbooks: the library has a range of books that can be borrowed, and some books may have an online copy. You may decide to purchase your own textbook or print course documents to support your individual learning. For this, we suggest allowing approximately £250 per year.

For more information on additional costs for prospective students please go to our estimated cost of essential expenditure at Accommodation and living costs.

Funding your studies

For a comprehensive list of the funding opportunities available at UCL, including funding relevant to your nationality, please visit the Scholarships and Funding website.

Next steps

There is an application processing fee for this programme of £90 for online applications and £115 for paper applications. Further information can be found at Application fees.

We require the following documentations before we can consider your application:

  • Any relevant degree certificates
  • Transcripts of your studies to date
  • Curriculum vitae (CV)
  • Personal statement or statement of purpose that should include:
    • Your reasons for choosing UCL and MS Aesthetics (Minimally Invasive Aesthetics).
    • What particularly attracts you to our programme.
    • Any relevant work experience you have in minimally invasive aesthetic.
    • How your academic and professional background meets the demands of this challenging programme.
    • Your future aspiration and how our programme can help you achieve it.
  • Two academic references with the following notes:
    • Correct details of your referees.
    • Email addresses should end with an institutional domain. We do not accept references from personal email addresses.
  • Proof of your English language ability if English in not your first language.

We will contact your referees directly.

Please ensure all your supporting documents are in English. For non-English documents, please provide an official certified English translation.

Please note that you may submit applications for a maximum of two graduate programmes (or one application for the Law LLM) in any application cycle.

Choose your programme

Please read the Application Guidance before proceeding with your application.

Year of entry: 2024-2025

UCL is regulated by the Office for Students.