Get your university programme accredited
We accredit and monitor university programmes offered by higher educational institutions.
Our accreditation assures that your programme meets our high standards for academic quality, facilities, and governance. It provides assurance to students and stakeholders that your programme delivers an outstanding learning experience.
Eligibility
Universities and higher education institutions that provide postgraduate education and training for surgeons or members of the wider surgical team can apply for programme accreditation.
Accreditation typically covers degree programmes or their equivalent, as well as modular or credit-awarding courses.
Institutions offering programmes aligned with the Curriculum Framework for the Surgical Care Practitioner (2022) are eligible to apply for surgical care practitioner programme accreditation.
Benefits of programme accreditation
- Quality assurance: rigorous review ensures high standards in surgical education.
- Professional recognition: demonstrates excellence and credibility for providers.
- Enhanced visibility: courses gain greater exposure within the profession.
- Use of the RCS England accredited logo: a mark of quality and credibility.
- Promotional support: course listed on our website and in the Bulletin.
- Confidence for learners: guarantees a trusted and effective learning experience.
Fees
- £3,000 per year of accreditation.
In addition, we’ll ask you to cover expenses relating to the accreditation panel visit, which is part of the application review process and ongoing monitoring. Costs may vary for international programmes.
Terms of university programme accreditation
Accreditation is awarded for three years following a successful panel visit during programme delivery and is subject to annual monitoring.
Programmes must also meet the following standards:
- Programmes are delivered by a recognised UK higher‑education institution with appropriate degree‑awarding powers.
- Quality assurance processes are robust, including regular review, external examination, and student feedback.
- Staff are suitably qualified and experienced, with defined roles and ongoing professional development.
- Offer an academically rigorous curriculum, current, and aligned with the needs of surgical education.
- Admissions, assessment, and student‑support processes are fair, transparent, and consistently applied.
- Placements are safe, well‑managed, and delivered in an environment that upholds equality of opportunity.
- Annual monitoring and continuous improvement processes are in place, with clear reporting and oversight.
- Each programme has a clear rationale, defined target audience, and entry criteria aligned with required prior knowledge and experience.
- A realistic minimum completion timeframe is stated and supported by a structured induction for all delegates.
- Surgery‑related programmes provide students with access to both an academic supervisor and an appropriately qualified surgical supervisor throughout their studies.
How to apply
To start your accreditation application, complete our short online form.
What happens next
- Application review: Our Quality Assurance team will be in touch with the full application form and will review your application against RCS England standards once received.
- Accreditation visit: If eligible, we’ll arrange an expert panel review visit to your institution. This will include seeing the programme in delivery and discussing your application in more detail. The panel usually includes a consultant surgeon and an RCS staff member.
- Final decision: The visit report is submitted to the Quality Assurance Operational Group, and if approved, the accreditation is awarded for three years.
- Timeline: Accreditation typically takes three to six months.
Contact
If you have any questions about applying for accreditation, please email qa@rcseng.ac.uk and we’ll be happy to help.