Courses FAQ

• How do I book a place on an RCS course?
• Can I book multiple courses at the same time?
• A course I'd like to book a place on is fully booked. What can I do?
• Can I block book or commission an RCS course for a group?
• Where can I take an RCS course?
• How can I pay for an RCS course?
• Invoicing

How do I book a place on an RCS course?

You can book a place on all of our surgical and dental courses here on our website. Select an RCS course to view dates and prices and book online.

If you prefer not to use our secure online booking system, please print and fully and legibly complete the application form that appears on each course webpage and return it to us with your payment.

You can return your form to us by post, fax or email. If returning by email, please ensure it is in pdf or jpg format and that it is an attachment rather than embedded in the email.

If you are sending photos of the form rather than a scan, please ensure that they are of high-enough quality to print and read at A4 size.

We are unable to hold or reserve a course place whilst we wait for the application form.

We aim to process your application within 3 working days of receipt and will send you confirmation of your booking by email.

You should contact our regional and international centres directly to book your place on the RCS courses that they offer.

Can I book multiple courses at the same time?

Yes, you can book a place on as many courses as you like.

A course I’d like to book a place on is fully booked. What can I do?

You can pre-register your interest for some courses to receive an email as soon as booking opens.

Can I block book or commission an RCS course for a group?

Yes – we arrange block bookings and course commissions for lots of organisations. We can also develop a bespoke course to suit your specific needs. Find out more.

Where can I take an RCS course?

Some RCS courses take place at RCS-partner centres in London and Manchester and some take place at our regional and international centres. Please visit the individual course pages for information about where each specific course takes place.

How can I pay for an RCS course?

You can pay online for all courses here on our website.

We accept all major credit and debit cards but unfortunately we are not able to accept Amex or Diners cards or payment by cheque, and we cannot send invoices without a purchase order (see below).

Along with the option to book online here, you can also contact our regional and international centres directly to book your place on the RCS courses that they offer.

Invoicing

If your course fees will be paid by a third party (eg trust, hospital, charitable fund) and they wish to be invoiced then they must provide us with an official purchase order. We are unable to process your application without this and cannot make any exceptions.

The purchase order should be submitted with the application form. Please note that we can only invoice organisations and not individuals. It is often quicker and simpler to pay yourself and claim the money back from your hospital or trust; please see if your organisation offers this option.

Please read our terms and conditions.

• How can I check that I am suitable for a course?
• How do I know my suitability level if I'm not based in the UK?
• What happens if I book onto a course and then find out that I'm unsuitable?
• How many CPD points can I accrue by taking an RCS course?

How can I check that I am suitable for a course?

Each course page contains its suitability criteria.

If you do not match the criteria for a particular course but still feel that it is suitable for you, please discuss the course with your educational supervisor.

If they agree, you may apply for a place using the downloadable application form and include a letter from them with your application. If you book online, we reserve the right to request this before confirming your booking.

How do I know my suitability level if I’m not based in the UK?

Take a look at the UK surgical pathway to identify the point that most closely corresponds with your experience and career stage.

If you’re still unsure of your eligibility, please email your CV to us at education@rcseng.ac.uk

What happens if I book onto a course and then find out that I’m unsuitable?

As it is your responsibility to ensure you are fully suitable for any course you book a place on, please be certain before booking.

If we find that you aren’t suitable for a course you have booked onto, it’s possible that your booking will be withdrawn without a refund.

Please read our terms and conditions.

How many CPD points can I accrue by taking an RCS course?

Each course page contains its CPD points, when applicable.

Find out more about CPD

• How do I leave feedback after a course has finished?
• Why do I need to complete an online evaluation survey?
• Will my name appear next to my feedback?
• What happens if I don't send online feedback?
• Should I complete an online evaluation survey even if I failed part of my course?
• I failed my MCQ or moulage - what should I do?
  

How do I leave feedback after a course has finished?

The link to the online survey will be emailed to you after the course, using the email address that you registered on the RCS website. Please note that the survey link will only be sent out once attendance registers from the course have been uploaded to our system; this can take several days after the course ends.

Why do I need to complete an online evaluation survey?

We believe that honest feedback is integral in helping us deliver the highest quality of surgical training. To encourage this, we ask all course participants and faculty members to give their views after completing a course via our online evaluation survey, which takes no more than ten minutes to complete.

You will need to complete the online evaluation survey before you can access the certificate for your course.

Will my name appear next to my feedback?

No - all feedback is anonymous. The email link is unique to you and allows our database to recognise your completion of the survey, but we cannot match survey responses with individuals.

What happens if I don’t send my online feedback?

If you don’t give feedback via the online evaluation survey within 30 days of the first email being sent to you, you will need to request a course certificate. This carries a £10 administrative charge.

Should I complete an online evaluation survey even if I failed part of my course?

It is not compulsory to complete the feedback if you have failed, however we would welcome views about your experience of the course.

I failed my MCQ or moulage - what should I do?

Please book a retest with another centre, taking your feedback with you to help the new centre understand your strengths and weaknesses.

Make sure you still leave online feedback via the online evaluation survey for the main course where you failed.

When will I receive my certificate after completing a course?

Course certificates are available to download via your account on the RCS website. Please note that your certificate will only be created once you have completed the online evaluation survey and it can take 24 hours for these systems to update each other.  

Why haven’t I received a certificate?

We are no longer issuing printed certificates. Course certificates are available to download via your account on our website. Please note that your certificate will only be created once you have completed the online evaluation survey and it can take 24 hours for these systems to update each other.

1. Login using the email address that you have registered with us
2. Navigate to 'My Account' by clicking on your name in the top, right hand corner
3. Follow the course order history link in the right hand side column
4. View or print any certificates that you have within your account. Please note that depending on your browser, you may have to choose to print or save as a pdf

If you did not complete the online evaluation survey for your course, you will need to request a certificate. This carries a £10 administrative charge. To request a certificate, please contact the education team.

How can I order a duplicate certificate or receipt?

Certificates for all historic courses can be accessed online via 'My Account'. Receipts can be requested using this form.

• Can I cancel a course booking online?
• What is the RCS course cancellation policy?
• What happens if RCS cancels a course I've booked a place on?
  

Can I cancel a course booking online?

Yes - log in to your account to cancel a booking.

What is the RCS course cancellation policy?

If you need to cancel your place more than four weeks before the course date, you will incur an administration fee of 10% (or £50, whichever is greater) of the total course fee.

If you notify us to cancel your place less than four weeks before the start date of the course, once the course has started or if you do not notify us at all, the total course fee will be charged and you will not receive any refund.

Please read our terms and conditions.

What happens if RCS cancels a course I’ve booked a place on?

From time to time, we may need to cancel a course after you have booked your place, for example if we are affected by an event outside our control or if it is not financially viable for us to run the course. If we do this, we will tell you as soon as possible and provide you with a full refund of course fees paid.

We will not be responsible for any consequential losses (e.g. travel or accommodation costs) incurred by you in such cases and you may wish to consider taking out appropriate travel insurance for any non-refundable costs you incur when arranging to attend the course.

We may cancel your place on the course and terminate our contract by giving you notice if:

          (a) you do not pay any fees due within fifteen days of our written reminder;

(b)  you commit a material breach of these Terms & Conditions;

(c) you are expelled or excluded from the course as a result of your misconduct or behaviour on the course;

(d)  your behaviour or conduct does not in our reasonable opinion meet professional standards or rules, including those relating to integrity, ethics, honesty and trustworthiness; and/or

(e)  your attendance or progress is unsatisfactory and/or we find that you are unsuitable for the course and in our reasonable opinion, the cancellation is our best interests and/or your best interests.

Very occasionally, we may also need to make changes to a course’s timetable and/or teaching staff without giving advance notice.

Please read our terms and conditions.

Access requirements

Take a look at our minimum technical requirements.

Credits

RCS Education courses that carry credits towards the PG Cert in Surgery.

These must be booked separately using the standard booking process and places will be allocated on a first come, first served basis. Please note, we cannot guarantee that a place will be available.

Cancellation

If you wish to cancel your place on an e-learning programme or online module (ie, courses delivered and assessed online) you must notify the Education Team by email (education@rcseng.ac.uk). If you notify us to cancel within 24 hours of booking the e-learning programme or e-module, you will receive a full refund of any fees paid.  We will not refund fees paid for e-learning programmes or online modules if you notify us to cancel more than 24 hours after booking.

Courses or programmes that are made up of both online content and components that are delivered face-to-face are subject to the cancellation policy detailed in the course cancellation section above.

Please read our terms and conditions.

How do I create an RCS account?

To book a place on a course, you need an RCS account. Create an account here on our website.

If you’ve attended an RCS course in the past, it’s likely that you already have an account. Log in using your email address or log in number.

How do I update my personal details?

Log in to your account to edit your personal details including your email address, phone number and home and work addresses.

How do I change my password?

Log in to your account to change your password.

If you’ve forgotten your password, you can request a new one