Course overview
Working with consultant orthopaedic surgeons and the medical team, you grow to apply this knowledge in clinical practice.
Develop your clinical expertise, evidence-based practice and clinical research skills in the specialist area of trauma and orthopaedics on our unique course and support your career progression.
Supporting information for applicants
Course details
Course structure
Year 1 core modules
Data Management in Clinical Research
This module is delivered three hours a week for 10 weeks. You gain a solid understanding of statistical concepts to analyse basic clinical and medical data and statistics. You learn the basic fundamentals leading up to multivariate analysis. There is one assessment for this module, submitted in week 11, where you analyse a dataset according to three given tasks and give a 20-minute presentation on your findings.
Develop the knowledge and skills you need to design and manage primary or secondary research, audit or evaluation project relevant to your practice, preparing you for dissertation. You also cover research governance and ethics, to prepare you to apply for ethical approval or release.
You are assessed through a written 4,000-word proposal for a research, audit or evaluation study, which is worth 100% of the module marks and should be submitted in week 13.
Introduction to Research, Ethics, and Governance
Gain an understanding of the basic premises of ethical clinical research, with a solid foundation to build on as you progress. Explore the concept of clinical governance and the importance of evidence in a clinical context. To ensure a good understanding of research outcomes, you examine data and basic analysis techniques, enabling you to complete more advanced modules that follow. You also explore the concept of mastery and studying at level 7.
The module is delivered in the first semester across 10 three-hour sessions. You work with students from a range of courses to enable cross profession discussion and learning.
You further develop your knowledge and understanding of a range of relevant applied orthopaedic science topics such as anatomy and physiology, surgical anatomy, orthopaedic pathology, biomechanics, clinical assessment and investigation, evidence-based orthopaedic disease management and clinical decision making, and trauma management.
Year 2 core modules
Dissertation and Research Article
In this module, you build on the skills you have learned previously and become a more independent learner. You also enhance your employability by developing the ability to produce work to a publishable standard.
Component 1 is a detailed written account of the research project (15,000 words, worth 70% of the overall module mark).
Component 2 is the production of a research article ready to be submitted for publication (worth 30% of the overall module mark).
Modules offered may vary.
How you learn
You learn through lectures, seminars, practical sessions, clinical sessions and group work. There is a mix of face-to-face and online learning.
Specialist modules are delivered by trauma and orthopaedic colleagues at James Cook University Hospital, the University Hospital of North Tees and the University Hospital of Hartlepool.
How you are assessed
You are assessed through written reports, statistics exams, statistics mini-projects, research proposals, written exams, oral exams, and a dissertation thesis and research article.
Entry requirements
For the two-year, part-time route for students employed and studying in the UK (on-campus and blended), you must:
- be a qualified doctor, employed within the UK, with a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery
- have membership of the Royal College of Surgeons or an equivalent postgraduate degree such as Master of Science or Diplomate in National Board
- work within an orthopaedic specialty at or above F2, SHO, ST3 (or equivalent)
- be registered with the General Medical Council.
If you are an international applicant, you must have been offered a job in the UK through the Medical Training Initiative and have IELTS 7 (or above) before applying.
For the two-year, online-only part-time route, for international students working outside of the UK, you must:
- be a qualified doctor with Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery
- have Membership of the Royal College of Surgeons or hold equivalent qualifications such as Diploma of the National Board of Orthopaedics
- be employed and working within an orthopaedic speciality at F2, SHO, ST3 (or equivalent)
- have IELTS 6.5 or above
- be a licensed doctor (General Medical Council equivalent in your country of employment).
You need to submit an up-to-date CV and two clinical references.
You must also have a successful interview, a Disclosure and Barring Service check and you may need an occupational health work-based risk assessment check.
If you have a disability, specific learning difficulty, mental health condition, autism spectrum condition, sensory impairment or medical condition that may require reasonable adjustments in an external placement, University or clinical practice area, this should be declared as part of your enrolment process. If you are unsure, you can contact the relevant admissions or course tutor for guidance.
International applicants can find out what qualifications they need by visiting Your Country
For general information please see our overview of entry requirements
Employability
Career opportunities
You are fully equipped with the research and evidence-based practice skills to enhance your career progression towards a consultant position.
