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Overview
This online two-year, 30 credit specialized program is designed to prepare surgical care professionals from many disciplines to address surgical challenges and contribute to finding solutions in low resource settings globally.
The program provides a strong foundation for present and future global surgical care professionals by developing knowledge and skills in the interpretation and use of published experience and research, balanced with applied learning in low resource settings. Students will spend four to eight weeks in an underserved location globally, producing practical “on-the-ground” skills. The location of the placement is determined by the student in consultation with a program advisor.
A blended model of practicum based learning and on-line teaching methods facilitate the participation of candidates from across Canada and around the world.
Academic Progress Requirement
For students who begin the MGSC in September 2023 or later, all SURG courses in the MGSC are graded on a pass/fail basis with 74% being required to pass. Students will not receive a grade or percentage on their transcript, but will receive a notation of Pass or Fail.
Students who began the MGSC prior to September 2023 will remain on a percentage grading system.
What makes the program unique?
Our graduate program is an innovative, online program focused on the global burden of unmet surgical care. Learners will build on their health-care related disciplines to gain the fundamental knowledge, critical thinking tools and practical skills needed to lead the way to improved access to care by addressing the gap that exists between surgical need and the equitable provision of safe surgical care in low resource settings.
The Master of Global Surgical Care (MGSC) is an online two-year, 30-credit specialized program consisting of 8 courses designed to prepare surgical care professionals from many disciplines to address surgical challenges and contribute to solutions in low-resource settings globally. The MGSC includes the option to complete a specialized stream in Canadian Low Resource Settings, focusing on the unique issues affecting surgical care in rural and remote low resource settings in Canada.
Each 3-credit course is delivered completely online over a period of 12 weeks. Courses are designed to bring different and complementary essential aspects that provide depth and breadth to the subject. Students research journal articles, view videos, complete course-specific tasks and assignments as well as engage in facilitated online discussion forums.
By expanding students’ knowledge of conditions, and global circumstances, that shape surgical care globally, graduates will become leaders in this emerging academic discipline and equipped to play an integral part in provision of global surgical care in low resource settings.
This Masters program bridges the gap between the international demand and the health professionals' education to meet the learning needs of this growing cadre of students. Currently, there are no accredited graduate-level degree programs available to this cadre that focus on surgical care issues and this Masters program is unique in the world.
Program Structure
The MGSC is an online two-year, 30-credit specialized program designed to prepare surgical care professionals from many disciplines to address surgical challenges and to contribute to finding solutions in low resource settings globally. The program is designed for graduate students, postgraduate trainees, surgical faculty, or surgery-related allied health care workers across the globe.
A blended model of practicum based learning and on-line teaching methods facilitate the participation of candidates from across Canada and around the world. Students spend four to eight weeks in an underserved location globally, producing practical "on-the-ground" skills.
Students are required to complete 30 credits of SURG courses which include the 6 credit Global Surgical Care Field Practicum.
- SURG 510 (3) Surgical Care in International Health
- SURG 512 (3) Global Disability: A Surgical Care Mandate
- SURG 514 (3) Surgical Care in Humanitarian Disaster Response
- SURG 516 (3) Program Planning and Evaluation in Surgical Care Low Resource Settings
- SURG 517 (3) Clinical Research Methods for Surgical Procedures with Global Surgical Comparisons
- SURG 518 (3) Surgical Care in Canada's Rural and Remote Indigenous Communities with Global Comparisons
- SURG 542 (3) Directed Study in Global Surgical Care
- SURG 560 (6) Global Surgical Care Field Practicum
- Elective (3) Approved by the Graduate Advisor
Quick Facts
Program Enquiries
Admission Information & Requirements
1) Check Eligibility
Minimum Academic Requirements
The Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies establishes the minimum admission requirements common to all applicants, usually a minimum overall average in the B+ range (76% at UBC). The graduate program that you are applying to may have additional requirements. Please review the specific requirements for applicants with credentials from institutions in:
Each program may set higher academic minimum requirements. Please review the program website carefully to understand the program requirements. Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee admission as it is a competitive process.
English Language Test
Applicants from a university outside Canada in which English is not the primary language of instruction must provide results of an English language proficiency examination as part of their application. Tests must have been taken within the last 24 months at the time of submission of your application.
Minimum requirements for the two most common English language proficiency tests to apply to this program are listed below:
TOEFL: Test of English as a Foreign Language - internet-based
Overall score requirement: 90
Reading
22
Writing
21
Speaking
21
Listening
22
IELTS: International English Language Testing System
Overall score requirement: 6.5
Reading
6.0
Writing
6.0
Speaking
6.0
Listening
6.0
Other Test Scores
Some programs require additional test scores such as the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or the Graduate Management Test (GMAT). The requirements for this program are:
The GRE is not required.
Prior degree, course and other requirements
Prior Degree Requirements
Applicants should:
- hold a health-care-related degree such as Doctor of Medicine (MD), Nursing (BSN), Midwifery (BMW), etc.;
- have been involved or specifically plan to be involved in surgical care programs in underserved regions globally, whether clinically, educationally, administratively or in research.
Other Requirements
Applicants who do not meet the academic requirements stated above, but who have had other significant formal training, relevant professional experience, and/or otherwise possess demonstrable knowledge or expertise that would prepare them adequately for successful study in the graduate program, may be granted admission on the recommendation of the Director of the Branch for International Surgical Care and the approval of the Dean of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies.
2) Meet Deadlines
September 2025 Intake
Application Open Date
16 September 2024Canadian Applicants
International Applicants
3) Prepare Application
Transcripts
All applicants have to submit transcripts from all past post-secondary study. Document submission requirements depend on whether your institution of study is within Canada or outside of Canada.
Letters of Reference
A minimum of three references are required for application to graduate programs at UBC. References should be requested from individuals who are prepared to provide a report on your academic ability and qualifications.
Statement of Interest
Many programs require a statement of interest, sometimes called a "statement of intent", "description of research interests" or something similar.
Supervision
Course-based programs do not have a thesis component. While they may assign academic advisors to students, they do not require applicants to reach out to individual professors / faculty members to seek commitment as their thesis supervisor. Please do not contact faculty members for the purposes of thesis supervision if you are applying to this program.
Citizenship Verification
Permanent Residents of Canada must provide a clear photocopy of both sides of the Permanent Resident card.
4) Apply Online
All applicants must complete an online application form and pay the application fee to be considered for admission to UBC.
Tuition & Financial Support
Tuition
| Fees | Canadian Citizen / Permanent Resident / Refugee / Diplomat | International |
|---|---|---|
| Application Fee | $116.25 | $168.25 |
| Tuition * | ||
| Installments per year | 3 | 3 |
| Tuition per installment | $5,169.05 | $9,963.45 |
| Tuition per year (plus annual increase, usually 2%-5%) | $15,507.15 | $29,890.35 |
| Int. Tuition Award (ITA) per year (if eligible) | Not applicable | |
| Other Fees and Costs | ||
| Student Fees | Vary | |
| Deposit to accept offer (if admitted) | ||
| Deposit requirement | $1000.00 | $1000.00 |
All fees for the year are subject to adjustment and UBC reserves the right to change any fees without notice at any time, including tuition and student fees. Tuition fees are reviewed annually by the UBC Board of Governors. In recent years, tuition increases have been 2% for continuing domestic students and between 2% and 5% for continuing international students. New students may see higher increases in tuition. Admitted students who defer their admission are subject to the potentially higher tuition fees for incoming students effective at the later program start date. In case of a discrepancy between this webpage and the UBC Calendar, the UBC Calendar entry will be held to be correct.
Financial Support
Applicants to UBC have access to a variety of funding options.
Employer support
Organizations may provide their employees with tuition benefits as part of an employment package to support lifelong learning of their workforce.
Scholarships & awards (merit-based funding)
Professional / course-based programs usually do not provide merit-based funding. Some programs may offer bursaries.
Financial aid (need-based funding)
Canadian and US applicants may qualify for governmental loans to finance their studies. Please review eligibility and types of loans.
All students may be able to access private sector or bank loans.
Foreign government scholarships
Many foreign governments provide support to their citizens in pursuing education abroad. International applicants should check the various governmental resources in their home country, such as the Department of Education, for available scholarships.
Working while studying
The possibility to pursue work to supplement income may depend on the demands the program has on students. It should be carefully weighed if work leads to prolonged program durations or whether work placements can be meaningfully embedded into a program.
International students enrolled as full-time students with a valid study permit can work on campus for unlimited hours and work off-campus for no more than 20 hours a week.
A good starting point to explore student jobs is the UBC Work Learn program or a Co-Op placement.
Tax credits and RRSP withdrawals
Students with taxable income in Canada may be able to claim federal or provincial tax credits.
Canadian residents with RRSP accounts may be able to use the Lifelong Learning Plan (LLP) which allows students to withdraw amounts from their registered retirement savings plan (RRSPs) to finance full-time training or education for themselves or their partner.
Please review Filing taxes in Canada on the student services website for more information.
Cost Estimator
Applicants have access to the cost estimator to develop a financial plan that takes into account various income sources and expenses.
Career Options
Enrolment, Duration & Other Stats
These statistics show data for the Master of Global Surgical Care (MGSC). Data are separated for each degree program combination. You may view data for other degree options in the respective program profile.
ENROLMENT DATA
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Applications | 12 | 17 | 14 | 14 | 9 |
| Offers | 10 | 14 | 12 | 10 | 6 |
| New Registrations | 6 | 11 | 9 | 7 | 6 |
| Total Enrolment | 24 | 25 | 24 | 24 | 16 |
Completion Rates & Times
Disclaimer
Open Research Positions
Further Information
Specialization
This program is designed to prepare surgical care professionals from many disciplines to address surgical challenges and contribute to finding solutions in low resource settings globally.
Program Website
Faculty Overview
Academic Unit
Program Identifier
Classification
September 2025 Intake
Program Enquiries
Departments/Programs may update graduate degree program details through the Faculty & Staff portal. To update contact details for application inquiries, please use this form.
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