Senior clinical fellowship scheme

Our senior clinical fellowship scheme offers senior trainees (ST6 to ST8) in the UK and internationally the chance to take part in hands-on, quality-assured training in highly specialised surgical subspecialties.

The transition from senior trainee to consultant can be challenging. These fellowships, run jointly with the Surgical Specialty Associations (SSAs), help trainees bridge that gap and prepare for consultant practice.

Aims of the senior clinical fellowship scheme

The fellowship programmes aim to strengthen the skills and confidence of future consultants, improving patient outcomes and supporting the quality of the surgical workforce.

Training centres that run an RCS England quality-assured senior clinical fellowship are investing in high-quality subspecialty training for surgeons approaching or completing their certificate of completion of training, within a supported learning framework.

What we’re doing

We have quality assured a large number of senior clinical fellowship programmes in training centres in the UK and internationally. 

These posts last between six months and two years and include structured learning aims, outcomes and surgical competencies to help trainees prepare for the transition to consultant in their chosen specialty.

Find out more about taking part in a senior clinical fellowship.

We are working with SSAs to develop standardised frameworks for delivering fellowships in each specialty. Find out more about our specialty standards and partnerships.

Apply to run a senior clinical fellowship

Who can run a fellowship

Consultant surgeons delivering training in an NHS or private health care centre in the UK or internationally.

How to apply

• Read the full senior clinical fellowship scheme guide before applying.
• To start your application, complete our short online form.
• If your application is seeking approval for a post to follow a specialty standard framework, you need to read the specific requirements set out in specialty standards and partnerships.

Approval requirements

• You must demonstrate that the programme meets set criteria and standards in the senior clinical fellowship scheme guide or the relevant specialty standards. 
• Before applying, training centres must fully understand their responsibilities. This includes recruitment plans, curriculum content and structure, learning, teaching and quality assurance and assessment details.
• Each fellowship must have a named lead supervisor and co-supervisor. These are usually the consultants within the department making the application.

Fee

• £2,500 for NHS-funded or not-for-profit posts
• £3,750 for privately funded or international posts
• £1,800 for posts following a specialty standardised framework
• £250 per fellow, per year, if more than one fellow is training in the same post at the same time.

These fees cover approval of the training programme for three years. After three years, it is required to apply again. 

Approval and renewal process

1. Initial review: We check your application to make sure it’s complete.
2. Specialty review: The relevant Surgical Specialty Association (SSA), Specialty Advisory Committee (SAC) and Training Programme Director (TPD) or international equivalent reviews the application.
3. Quality assurance review: Our Quality Assurance Operational Group (QAOG) makes the final decision. 

You may be asked to make changes to your fellowship programme at different stages of the process. Approval can take up to six months.

Some applications are turned down. This can happen for various reasons, including concerns training may be found impinging the training of other trainees.

Reapproval process

• Reapproval is required after three years. The fellowship supervisor will need to submit a new or updated application.
• As part of the reapproval process, we review previous fellows’ logbooks.
• Reapproval may take up to six months.
• The full fee is required for reapproval.

What Trusts will receive

• Accreditation for three years: Your post will be approved and recognised by RCS England.
• Expert review: Your programme will be reviewed by the relevant Surgical Specialty Association (SSA), Specialty Advisory Committee (SAC) and Training Programme Director (TPD) to ensure it meets the required standards.
• Defined quality assurance processes: We’ll help ensure your fellowship offers a high-quality learning experience aligned with RCS England and specialty standards.
• Attracting high-calibre trainees: Your programme will be promoted on our website, and we can support with your recruitment advert.
• Fellow monitoring and certification: We’ll lead and support the monitoring and certification process throughout the fellowship.
• Use of the RCS England logo (upon RCS England form confirmation): You can include this on course materials and your website, upon prior completion of a logo form that will be sent to you once the accreditation is granted.
• Use of the approved strapline: “This RCS England senior clinical fellowship post has been approved by the Royal College of Surgeons of England and [specialty association(s)].”
• Inclusion in the Bulletin.

What Fellows will receive

• Advanced subspecialty training: Hands-on experience in areas such as knee, skull base or bariatric surgery, typically beyond what’s offered in standard training.
• Structured curriculum: Training follows the Intercollegiate Surgical Curriculum Programme methodology.
• Career progression support: These fellowship programmes help bridge the gap between senior trainee and consultant, easing the transition.
• International opportunities: SC fellowship programmes are available in the UK and abroad, and open to international candidates and Specialty and Associate Specialist (SAS) doctors.
• Fellowship monitoring: We conduct a monitoring process to ensure every fellow receives high-quality training and appropriate support or advice if any issues arise.
• Certification and ceremony: At the end of the fellowship, fellows receive a certificate upon successful outcome of the ratification assessment. If they are a member of the College, they will be invited to a diplomates’ ceremony.
• Fellow testimonials: We share fellows’ experiences on our website to help promote the impact of the fellowship programme.

Specialty standards and partnerships

We work with the SSAs to develop standardised frameworks for running fellowships within a specialty.

These frameworks include additional criteria for both the training centre seeking approval and the fellow taking part.

To be approved to run a fellowship under one of these frameworks, you’ll need to show that you meet the specific criteria and follow the application process described in the relevant framework.