Applications are invited from suitably qualified candidates for admission into the COSECSA surgery training programme (Membership and Fellowship). COSECSA offers Membership level and Fellowship level accredited training in Cardiothoracic Surgery, General Surgery, Neurosurgery, Otorhinolaryngology, Orthopaedic Surgery, Paediatric Orthopaedic surgery, Paediatric Surgery, Plastic Surgery, and Urology.
COSECSA has 142 accredited hospitals across its 14 Member Countries (Botswana, Burundi, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Rwanda, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe) and 8 external Training sites (Cameroon, DRC, Eswatini, Gabon, Lesotho, Madagascar, Niger, and Somalia). Seven hundred and fifty eight specialist surgeons have already graduated from the COSECSA program so far. We have 1100+ trainees and 630+ Accredited Trainers distributed across the region, providing access to training in urban and rural locations. COSECSA, therefore, envisions a dynamic and professional Education and Training Programme consistent with global standards.
COSECSA invites online applications for the year 2025 from suitable candidates to be enrolled in accredited training sites throughout the COSECSA region.
| PROGRAMMES OFFERED | SPECIALITY | DURATION |
| MEMBERSHIP COLLEGE OF SURGEONS (MCS) | Basic Surgery | 2 Years |
| FELLOWSHIP COLLEGE OF SURGEONS | ||
| Cardiothoracic Surgery | 3 years | |
| General Surgery | 3 Years | |
| Neurosurgery | 4 Years | |
| Otorhinolaryngology | 3 Years | |
| Orthopaedic Surgery | 3 Years | |
| Paediatric Surgery | 3 Years | |
| Plastic Surgery | 3 Years | |
| Urology | 3 Years | |
| Sub-specialty Fellowship | Paediatric Orthopaedic Surgery | 2 Years |
General Information
- You are required to contact the COSECSA Country Representative (CR) in your country before applying for COSECSA training. contact details are found on; COSECSA Council
- Carefully read the appropriate regulations for MCS / FCS and understand them. Make sure that you meet the requirements laid out, and agree to these regulations: These regulations are available at: MCS Regulations and FCS Regulations respectively.
- You must have the following ready to be uploaded:
- a passport photo (in .jpg or .png format).
- a scanned image of your medical degree (in .jpg .png or .pdf format). (Certified).
- a scanned image of your medical registration certificate (in .jpg .png or .pdf format). (Certified).
- If applicable, you must have a scanned image of any surgical qualification that you have such as MCS or MMED (in pdf format).
- a copy of the Birth Certificate/National Identity (Certified).
- Your application will not be considered if you do not have/submit the above requirements
Membership of College of Surgeons (MCS):
For those enrolling on MCS please follow the general instructions above
Birth Certificate and Academic certificates must be notarised
Fellowship of College of Surgeons (FCS)
- For those who are progressing from MCS to FCS: Applicants for the FCS programmes should be able to show that they have passed the MCS examination not more than 3 years before applying to the FCS Programme.
- For those who possess the MMED in Surgery and would like to enroll for FCS in the same specialty (example MMED in General Surgery and want to apply for FCS General Surgery) may apply to sit the FCS examination in the year following their completion of MMed training. On condition that this year is spent in an accredited COSECSA training programme in that specialty. A Notarised copy of the MMEd Certificate must accompany the application
- Those who possess the MMED in Surgery and would like to enroll for training in a different specialty (example MMED in General Surgery but wish to specialize in Orthopaedics) must enroll for the full FCS training course
- For the FCS Paediatric Orthopaedic Surgery programme, an applicant MUST have FCS Orthopaedics/MMed-Orthopaedics or equivalent qualifications.
| Categories for FCS | Fee (US$) |
|---|---|
Programme Entry Fee (Deadline is 31/12/2024) | 600 |
Course Fees 200 x 3 (Payable at the course) | 600 |
Examination Fee (Deadline is 31/03/2025) | 800 |
Repeat Examination Fee (Deadline is 31/03/2025) | 300 |
| Categories for MCS | Fee (US$) |
|---|---|
Programme Entry Fee (Deadline is 31/12/2024) | 500 |
Course Fees 150 x 3 (Payable at the course) | 450 |
Examination Fee (Deadline is 31/03/2025) | 600 |
Repeat Examination Fee (Deadline is 31/03/2025) | 200 |
All Applicants
- Shall submit applications online at Application Form. Remember to include copies of your transcripts, certificates (notarised) and a passport size photograph. Other relevant information can be obtained from COSECSA website; Programme Entry Instructions
- A non-refundable Programme Entry fee of USD 500 (five hundred US dollars only) for MCS and USD 600 (six hundred US dollars) for FCS to be paid to COSECSA through any of the following:
- Online Payment Portal
- Direct Bank transfer to COSECSA Arusha-Tanzania Account
Details of payment can be obtained from the secretariat upon approval of your application by the Country representative.
NOTE
- Only applicants who attach their academic certificates will be considered for admission.
- Applicants who find difficulties filling the online form can receive help at applications@cosecsa.org
The closing dates for online applications for 2025 Intake are as follows:
- MCS 31st October 2024.
- FCS 31st December 2024.