Course Accreditation

Providing a quality mark for surgical education

As well as running a large number of surgical education courses, the RCS also accredits and monitors short courses run by other providers.

This is to ensure that a course has been developed in line with the College's criteria and standards for surgical education, and that the educational content, teaching methods, aims and learning outcomes are appropriate.

Course accreditation is usually awarded for three years following a successful panel visit to view the course in delivery. Any accreditation is subject to satisfactory annual monitoring and review.

Benefits of course accreditation

Having a course accredited will demonstrate that the course meets the standards as defined by the Royal College of Surgeons and that it offers a high-quality learning experience. Recognition of these factors may assist in attracting course delegates. Accredited courses will also receive the following benefits:

• Peer review from a panel of leading surgeons
• Use of the RCS logo on course materials and website
• Use of the strap line ‘Accredited by the Royal College of Surgeons of England’
• Listing on RCS Website 
• Listing in RCS Bulletin
• Use of RCS participant evaluation questionnaire
• Applicable courses will be awarded with Continuing Professional Development (CPD) points as part of Course Accreditation

Who can apply

 Course Accreditation is designed for short courses of up to and including five days in length. Any organiser or provider of educational or scientific courses which aid the development of competent surgeons or those from allied health professions can apply for Course Accreditation. However, only courses which can provide detailed and positive feedback from at least the previous two sittings of the course, or which have previously received Course Approval from the RCS, are eligible for Course Accreditation.

How to apply

In order to apply, a course organiser must register with the RCS Accreditation Portal and complete an application under 'Short Course'. The RCS fee structure for Course Accreditation and further information about the process can be reviewed on the RCS Accreditation Portal.

RCS Accreditation cycle

Click each stage to find out more (if you're viewing on a mobile device you may have to scroll down for more info)

Step 1 - Desktop assessment

Initial desk-based review of application for re/accreditation, including assessment of course participant feedback.

At each step of the process, the applicant may be asked for further information, or to amend the educational activity they provide, to meet RCS Education Standards.

Step 2 - Panel visit

If the application is viable, a visit to the education provider by a RCS re/accreditation review panel - including one or more senior surgeons - takes place.

Step 3 - Report of review panel

Report of the review panel to RCS Quality Assurance Operational Group. This may include conditions and recommendations for the provider.

Step 4 RCS Quality Assurance Operational Group

If the QAOG supports accreditation for the application, it makes a re/accreditation recommendation to RCS Council. This may include conditions and recommendations for the provider.

Step 5 RCS Council: final decision

RCS Council makes the final decision on awarding accreditation. If awarded, accreditation lasts for three years. Accreditation may be accompanied by conditions to be met and/or recommendations to be considered by the applicant. The accreditation is accompanied by ongoing monitoring of educational provision.

Contact

If you have any queries about Course Accreditation that are not covered in our standards and frequently asked questions, please contact the Quality Assurance Department at qa@rcseng.ac.uk or on 020 7869 6236/6208.