An oncoplastic breast surgeon is at work in an operating theatre

Principles of Breast Oncoplasty MCh

Online postgraduate degree

Advance your expertise in one of the fastest-evolving areas of breast surgery with our 100% online MCh Principles of Breast Oncoplasty.

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Key facts about your online degree

How you'll study

This course is studied 100% online

Course length

Study this course over 2 years

Start dates

Start in September, January or May

Application deadline

Our next deadline is 27th August 2026

Fees: £11,000

Payment plans available

Course overview

Designed for breast surgeons at ST5 level and above (or international equivalent), this online master's in breast oncoplasty course will help you develop the advanced clinical knowledge, decision-making and leadership skills needed to deliver high-quality, patient-centred oncoplastic breast care.

Over two years, you'll explore the management of benign and malignant breast disease, breast-conserving surgery, mastectomy and breast reconstruction. Through the critical evaluation of current evidence, clinical guidelines and complex case discussions, you'll apply your learning directly to your own clinical practice.

Delivered entirely online through flexible, asynchronous learning, the online breast surgery course allows you to study wherever you are in the world without interrupting your career. With no scheduled lectures or campus attendance, you can fit your studies around your clinical commitments while learning alongside an international community of specialist surgeons.

You'll also choose to develop your expertise in either Clinical Leadership and Management or Applied Clinical Research, before completing a supervised major project within your own clinical setting. This enables you to investigate an area of practice, lead service improvement or undertake research that can positively influence patient care.

By the time you graduate, you'll have gained a master's-level understanding of contemporary oncoplastic breast surgery, enhanced your ability to manage complex clinical cases and developed valuable leadership, research and quality improvement skills that support your future career progression.

Why choose this course?

Study 100% online with no campus attendance required
Fit your studies around clinical practice through flexible, asynchronous learning
Learn from complex, real-world clinical cases that reflect contemporary oncoplastic practice
Develop specialist expertise aligned to the current breast surgery curriculum
Join a global community of experienced breast surgeons and healthcare professionals
Choose a pathway in Clinical Leadership and Management or Applied Clinical Research
Complete a supervised major project within your own clinical setting
Gain a prestigious Master of Surgery (MCh) qualification from Anglia Ruskin University

What you’ll gain

Advanced knowledge of benign and malignant breast disease
A critical understanding of breast-conserving surgery, mastectomy and breast reconstruction techniques
Greater confidence in evidence-based clinical decision-making for complex cases
Enhanced skills in patient communication, informed consent and multidisciplinary working
Experience applying the latest research, clinical guidelines and best practice to your own practice
Leadership, quality improvement and research skills that support service development
The ability to critically evaluate and improve patient outcomes within your organisation
An internationally recognised postgraduate qualification that demonstrates advanced specialist expertise

Next application deadline: 27th August 2026

Apply now

Course modules and assessments

Modules

Benign and Malignant Breast Disease

During this module you'll analyse and critically discuss breast physiology, anatomy and function in relation to normal variation, benign conditions and malignant breast disease. You’ll explore complex cases, evaluating the latest guidelines and evidence to examine key areas of clinical practice, including case selection, patient communication, multidisciplinary working and optimal management. You’ll also work alongside global peers within an online learning community, sharing insights and experiences to support your development.

Oncoplastic Breast Conservation

You’ll critically evaluate the indications, applications and limitations of current breast-conserving surgery techniques within an online learning community. Through online case discussions, you’ll explore key principles such as communication, informed consent, patient selection, pre operative planning, technical approaches and post-operative management. This includes both volume displacement and volume replacement techniques used in breast conservation surgery. You’ll also analyse the impact of adjuvant therapies and patient factors, helping you optimise outcomes and apply your learning to your own clinical practice.

Mastectomy and Breast Reconstruction

During this module you’ll explore and critically discuss the indications for mastectomy in therapeutic, risk-reducing and symmetrisation scenarios. You’ll review the roles of both immediate and delayed breast reconstruction in maintaining or recreating breast aesthetics, and consider the impact on patients’ quality of life. You’ll examine current reconstruction options, including implant-based and autologous techniques, with a focus on selecting appropriate patients, counselling and consent, and managing complications and medicolegal issues. Learning is supported through online forums where you’ll explore complex clinical cases linked to each topic, helping you apply your knowledge to your own clinical practice.

Professional Engagement and Reflective Practice 1 and 2

The success of each online module relies on your regular participation in forum discussions, where you’ll research and analyse the latest evidence and guidelines to support your clinical decision-making in a range of scenarios. Formative tasks will help you monitor your progress and compare your understanding with that of an expert panel, highlighting areas for further development. To complete each specialist clinical module, you’ll need to show evidence of your engagement in online learning activities and submit a short reflection on how the learning has supported your clinical practice. This runs alongside each clinical module and is a compulsory element to support your engagement and progression.

Major Project in Breast Oncoplasty

You’ll undertake a supervised research or quality improvement project within your clinical specialty. Building on your earlier Applied Clinical Research or Clinical Leadership and Management learning, you’ll apply key principles of research, ethics and project design. Your project will take place in your local clinical setting, giving you the opportunity to investigate or improve current practice and make a positive impact on patient and colleague experience. You’ll be supported by a named academic supervisor throughout, with opportunities to present your work and receive feedback at key stages as you develop your project.

Optional Modules

You will need to select one optional module. You’ll choose between a Clinical Leadership or Applied Clinical Research module to prepare for your final dissertation.

Applied Clinical Research (Optional)

You’ll develop your ability to analyse and critically evaluate research methods in the context of service improvement and evaluation. You’ll explore key topics such as research and ethics, before looking in more detail at the principles and practice of clinical research. This will support you in developing a research project within your own specialty, forming the foundation for your dissertation.

Clinical Leadership and Management (Optional)

You’ll develop the tools and confidence to become an effective leader within your clinical specialty. You'll explore key topics such as research and ethics, alongside specialist areas in clinical leadership and management. This includes understanding your own leadership style, building team leadership skills, assessing patient safety and risk, and contributing to service evaluation and quality improvement.

Modules are subject to change and availability.

How you’ll be assessed

You’ll be assessed, on the MCh Principles of Breast Oncoplasty, through a range of methods, including: written reflective assessments, an online portfolio and narrated presentations plus a final dissertation project.

How you'll study

100% Online study

Dedicated support

Study online and graduate on campus

Our online breast oncoplasty masters is studied 100% online.

You’ll study through Canvas, our world-class online Learning Management System (LMS), which can be accessed from your phone, PC or tablet, at home or on the move. Canvas provides instant access to study materials, forums, and support from tutors and classmates, as well as enabling easy submission of your assignments.

On successful completion of your studies, you’ll be invited to attend a graduation ceremony on campus. If attending the ceremony in person is not possible then we’ll arrange to have your certificate sent to you.

Entry requirements

What you’ll need to start this course

You’ll need a MBBS medical undergraduate degree (Pass or Merit) or equivalent .

You must have successfully completed parts A and B of the MRCS (Membership of the Royal College of Surgeons) examination , or equivalent.

If English is not your first language you will be expected to demonstrate a certificated level of proficiency of at least IELTS 6 (Academic level- with no individual score being lower than 5.5) or equivalent English Language qualification, as recognised by Anglia Ruskin University.

As a distance learner, you’ll also need a suitable computer with internet connection, together with sufficient IT competence to make effective use of word processing, internet, and email.

Please note: Our published entry requirements are a guide only and our decision will be based on your overall suitability for the course as well as whether you meet the minimum entry requirements. Other equivalent qualifications or relevant experience may be accepted for entry to this course, please contact us for further information.

Fees and Funding

Fees

The full tuition fee for this MCh Principles of Breast Oncoplasty is £11,000.

The tuition fees you pay each year for the full breast oncoplasty masters will be £5,500. The course is studied over 2 years.

Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL) may reduce the tuition fees. This will be confirmed once your application has been submitted. Please note that APL may affect your eligibility for a postgraduate loan.

Funding

Your online masters in breast oncoplasty can be fully funded by the Postgraduate Student Loans now available (subject to eligibility).

We offer payment by instalments, so you can spread the cost of studying with us.

For military students: You can use your ELCs towards this course. Anglia Ruskin University is a recognised ELCAS provider (number 1007). Please contact your Learning Centre for details of ELC, eligibility and how to apply.

For more information on how you fund your studies please see our funding page.

What our students say

of our Alumni would recommend studying with ARU Distance Learning

found studying via distance learning either ‘very accessible’ or ‘quite accessible’

felt ‘much more confident’ or 'more confident’ at work

2026 Alumni survey with 268 respondents

I would recommend ARU in a heartbeat. The material is at the cutting edge, the tutors are at the top of their game, and the support is second to none.

Professor Slater, MBA Alumni

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I'm gaining an in-depth knowledge of project management that will enable me to progress my career to a level I never thought possible a few years ago.

Mark, Project Management Alumni

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ARU was a great choice that allowed me to achieve my personal and professional ambitions. I felt supported, empowered, and accomplished.

Dio, Education Alumni

As an international student I feel lucky to have chosen ARU. The lecturers have been very supportive and the content of the modules were extremely interesting.

Mari, Healthcare Alumni

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Awards and recognition

Be part of the University of the Year

We're proud to be the Times Higher Education (THE) University of the Year 2023. The prestigious THE awards honour ’exceptional performance during the 2021-22 academic year, and reflect ARU’s success in delivering high-impact projects during this period, despite the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The award recognises the difference we make in the region and our communities – while also acknowledging the broader impact of our world-leading research, and the contributions our students and graduates make to society.

Supported distance learning

We understand that distance learning is different to traditional campus study and if you’re new to online study you may have concerns or apprehensions about studying your breast oncoplasty masters remotely, and that’s natural.

To help put your mind at ease we have a dedicated Distance Learning Support Team to help and support you throughout your time at ARU, starting with your first online induction and staying with you right through to graduation. In addition, you’ll also be supported by specialist module tutors, well experienced in supporting distance learning students.

Once you start your MCh Principles of Breast Oncology course, we encourage the creation of online communities and many of our learners find these connections with others invaluable, helping them to stay motivated, share concerns or make new friendships.

Visit our support page to learn more about our support services.

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Careers

Everything you need to know about building your career in breast oncoplasty

What could a MCh Principles of Breast Oncoplasty course do for my career?

The MCh Principles of Breast Oncoplasty will help you develop the advanced knowledge needed to progress as a specialist breast surgeon. Designed for surgeons at ST5 level and above, the course strengthens your understanding of breast disease, oncoplastic breast cancer surgery and breast reconstruction. You'll build the expertise to make evidence-based clinical decisions, plan complex surgery, manage complications and work effectively within multidisciplinary teams, giving you greater confidence in delivering high-quality patient care.

As demand grows worldwide for surgeons who can combine oncological and reconstructive techniques, this qualification can strengthen your professional profile and demonstrate specialist master's-level expertise to employers internationally.

What skills will I get from a MCh Principles of Breast Oncoplasty course to help my career?

Choosing to study a MCh Principles of Breast Oncoplasty degree will give you many transferable skills. Here are some of them:

Evaluate complex cases and select appropriate treatment options
Communicate effectively with patients and multidisciplinary teams
Review and improve clinical practice and service delivery
Apply ethical, governance and quality improvement principles
Lead change to enhance patient outcomes
Strengthen reflective practice and professional collaboration
Plan, manage and deliver independent research projects
Present research findings to clinical and academic audiences
Develop the leadership and project management skills needed for senior clinical roles

Careers Advice Service

Once you become an ARU student you will be able to access our Employability service to help you whatever stage of your career, whether that’s landing your dream job or the next progression step.

We offer:

careers advice, including one-to-one online and telephone appointments with our experienced advisers
help with your CV, job searches, applications, and interview preparation
an online portal packed with useful careers resources
our Employability Programme, which helps you hone the skills employers say they want in graduates.

Take the next step, apply today

Next application deadline: 27th August 2026

Your future, on your terms. Apply now before the application deadline.

Apply now