1. Is there a resident membership opportunity?
At this time we do not offer resident membership to BGSC. Our ‘members’ are in fact seven ‘member’ departments (surgery, anesthesiology, orthopedics, etc.).
However, there are opportunities for residents to become involved by registering in our courses or graduate programs .
2. Are your courses and BGSC Graduate Programs fully online?
Yes, all of our courses, the Graduate Certificate in Global Surgical Care (GCGSC), and the Master of Global Surgical Care (MGSC)* are offered fully online.
*SURG 560: Global Surgical Care Field Practicum is an online course within the MGSC; this course includes a 4-8-week mandatory on-site field practicum that must take place in a low resource setting.
3. Do you offer courses outside of the BGSC Graduate programs?
We currently offer graduate courses as part of the Graduate Certificate in Global Surgical Care (GCGSC) and the Master of Global Surgical Care (MGSC).
SURG 510 – Surgical Care in International Health and SURG 517: Clinical Research Methods for Surgical Procedures with Global Surgical Comparisons may be offered as a stand-alone course. Enrollment into the course requires an application form and is based on seat availability. Please see information on this website for more information on how to apply to take a standalone course. https://globalsurgery.med.ubc.ca/graduate-programs/graduate-courses/
4. How long will it take to complete the GCGSC? How about the MGSC?
Some students who study full-time will complete the GCGSC in one year and the MGSC in two years. Part-time students can take up to five years to complete the program requirements.
Note: Students must complete all course requirements within five years of starting the program.
5. Can you clarify your tuition fees – which are per-course, per-installment and which are one-time
The Graduate Certificate in Global Surgical Care (GCGSC)’s tuition is course-based.
- Tuition for the GCGSC is the sum total of the fees for the 4 required courses, each including both (I) individual course tuition and (ii) a distance education fee.
- There is a one-time health administration fee for incoming students
The Master of Global Surgical Care (MGSC)’s tuition is installment-based.
- There are 3 installments per academic year and the minimum number of installments for the program is 6.
- After the first 6 installments, a ‘continuing fee’ is assessed.
6. Do you offer financial support to international applicants from developing countries?
There may be limited Departmental financial support available for qualified students who are approved for the Master of Global Surgical Care. Candidates must demonstrate academic excellence and experience in global surgical care, reside and work in a Low or Middle Income Country and/or in an undeserved area and will remain in country to practice and apply the skills and knowledge gained in the MGSC to further enhance surgical care in an LMIC and/or underserved area. If you are an applicant that qualifies for these eligibility criteria please indicate this in the Funding section of your MGSC online application.
7. When are applications accepted?
Our graduate programs start in September. There is only one intake per year.
8. When is an English proficiency test (TOEFL/IELTS) required?
Information about English Proficiency Requirements can be found on the UBC Graduate Studies website.
9. As an international student, do I need a study visa?
No – BGSC Graduate Programs are offered entirely online and can be completed virtually from anywhere in the world.
For information about study permits and/or student visas, visit UBC Study Permit page and/or talk to an International Student Advisor.
10. I’ve studied at UBC in the past. Do I need to submit my UBC transcripts to apply?
No. The BGSC has viewing access to past UBC transcripts.
11. I’ve taken one of your courses before and am now interested in pursuing the GCGSC / MGSC. Do I have to submit all application documents again?
Yes, you will need to submit a full new application to the program you are pursuing.
12. I’ve completed the GCGSC and am now interested in pursuing the MGSC. Do I have to submit all application documents again?
Maybe not. Please contact the BGSC program office at global.surgery@ubc.ca