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BSSH - The British Society for Surgery of the Hand
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Diploma Candidates: Information

NEWS

Virtual Tutorials

As of 4th August 2026, there will be a change of policy to allow 100% of diploma tutorials to be undertaken in a virtual format. This change has been made to allow attendance at tutorials to be more accessible. It will however, remain at the discretion of each Diploma tutor to decide which format they would like to conduct their tutorials based on their style and experience.

A minimum of 62.5% of tutorials (20 of the 32) and 62.5% of WBA (12 of19) must be signed off by Diploma tutors who are working in the UK at the time of their delivery/assessment

Dates for the Diary 2026

Derby Booster Day – Organised by the Pulvertaft Hand Centre: 

  • Friday 26th June

Introduction to the diploma: 

  • Tuesday 6th October in Birmingham

The diploma exam in 2026:

  • Intent to sit exam: sent out June 2026
  • Confirmation of entry to exam: 9am Monday 3rd August
  • Deadline for coursework submission: 1pm Monday 5th October
  • Written exam: Tuesday 24th November
  • Oral exam: 3rd-4th December 2026
 

Introduction to the Diploma and Exam Practice Course

Each year a BSSH Diploma Introduction Day is held.

We strongly recommend that you attend this around the time of registering as it provides an excellent overview of the Diploma, gives an insight into the Record of Coursework and Assessments book and what to expect in the written and oral exam elements.

This course is free to attend for all peri-registration Diploma candidates.

It can be attended more than once if required.

 

Derby Booster Day

This is independently run by The Pulvertaft unit in Derby. A booster day occurs approximately once per year, prior to the submission deadline for the Record of Coursework and Assessment book. This day is designed to allow a candidate to sign off some difficult to arrange tutorials and WBAs. Assessments in Children’s Hand or Peripheral Nerve Surgery are particularly appropriate to be undertaken here however, please do consider completing these in a virtual format with a remote approved tutor where possible.

This course is free to attend for all registered Diploma candidates.

A candidate can attend as many booster days as they wish during the period of study for the Diploma. However, they will only be allowed to sign off a total of 5 items from all booster days. “One item” is considered to be either a tutorial, KBA or CBD. For example, if a candidate signs off 3 items on one booster day then they are only able to sign off 2 further items on another booster day making a total of 5. booster days do not qualify as courses eligible for Diploma credit points.

 

Diploma Supervisors

Diploma Supervisors are there to guide candidate along the journey to successful completion of the BSSH Diploma.

 

 

Read more about the role

Diploma Tutors

Diploma Tutors are there to undertake tutorials with diploma candidates. You will need to identify at least 4 tutors to help you complete the diploma 

 

Read more about the role

 

Course Manual

 The course manual is a comprehensive guide to all things diploma. Essential reading it gives information about the diploma journey and important guidance on submission of course work

 

 

Read more

Find a Supervisor/Tutor

The BSSH diploma is supported by a large network of surgeons throughout the UK, Ireland and beyond.

 

 

 

 

Find a tutor or supervisor here

 

Reading Lists

Suggested reading for the diploma

 

 

 

 

 

 

Read more

Videos

Click through to a page with videos relevant to each of the Module topics

 

 

 

 

Access video page

 

Algorithm Example

Often underestimated the algorithm external assessment can be one of the more challenging aspects of the course

 

 

Find a example here

Abbreviations

When it comes to the final exam (and in other contexts) its useful to know the abbreviations used in questions

 

 

Abbreviations of medical terms

 

Candidate Representative

The course has a student representative who is responsible for collecting feedback and communicating it to the committee

They coordinate a peer support network amongst participants via a WhatsApp group for informal communication

You can contact the current rep here

Candidate Forum

There is a diploma forum where we post FAQs and you can ask questions about the diploma

 

 

 

 

You can sign up and access the forum here

 

 

Vivien Lees Medal

This is a physical medal and accolade that can be added to the candidates CV.

It is awarded to the person with the highest combined score of the written and oral exams in one diet.

In the case of a dead heat, the candidate who scored highest in the oral aspect of the exam will be awarded the medal

 

ASSH Fellowship

From 2024 the BSSH nominated ASSH Fellowship has been awarded to a diplomate

This fellowship is awarded to the person with the highest combined score of the written and oral exams in one diet and the externally marked coursework. This is the combined score of the coursework, the written exam and the oral exam

 

To be eligible for this award, all coursework must be submitted prior to sitting the exam and only the first passing mark of the coursework will be counted towards the total score.

The exams account for 60% of the mark and the external coursework 40% (Algorithm 10%, Video 10%, Review article 20%).

Coursework resubmissions received AFTER the date of the oral exam will not be eligible for this Fellowship

Further details of the fellowship can be found at on the ASSH website

The fellowship award will be announced within 1 month of the oral exam.

The fellowship will take place in the Autumn the year following the exam e.g. successful candidate at the November exam will expect to be on their travelling fellowship in Sept/Oct

In the case of a candidate not wanting to take up the offer of the Fellowship, it will be offered to the next highest scoring candidate as above.

 

You can read reports from past recipient here

 

Exam candidate access to Orthoracle

OrthOracle and the British Society for the Surgery of Hand (BSSH) are delighted to announce their collaboration in orthopaedic education.

Starting in 2024, all candidates who register to sit the exam will be provided FREE access to Orthoracle for 12 months.

There are 125 detailed hand and upper limb techniques on the site, including peripheral nerve, plastic surgical techniques for the upper limb and a vast array of elective and trauma cases that a hand surgeons can expect to encounter.

BSSH is sure that OrthOracles’ detailed operative techniques, full-text papers, 3D anatomy and RCS accredited CPD modules, will significantly support candidates learning and revision for the exam.

 

 

           If you still have any questions do not hesitate to contact the cource co-ordinator

 

 

 

Diploma Supervisors

Each person taking the diploma will have a Diploma supervisor to help them achieve the qualification.

The diploma supervisor is expected to facilitate the smooth undertaking of the Candidate’s Diploma journey by:

  • Attending regular meetings to outline how the Diploma work may be tackled, including discussion of realistic time frames for completion of work.
  • Facilitate its undertaking by recommending locally registered Diploma tutors for each module or offering advice regarding how to contact virtual tutors via the secretariat.
  • Be the first point of contact for the candidate regarding any concerns or queries relating to the Diploma and in particular its support in the local area.
  • Act as a mentor.
  • Act as a Diploma tutor for up to 2 modules.
  • Support marking of ‘Rehabilitation lecture’, ‘Meeting Critique coursework’ and pre- submission review of the ‘Algorithm’ coursework
  • Vet new local Diploma tutors to assure they can deliver the standard of teaching required and are formally registered with the BSSH/UoM

Anyone not already undertaking supervision of Diploma candidates can apply to do so.

See Diploma Supervisor resources page

 

Diploma Tutors

Who are diploma tutors?

  • There is a large network of diploma tutors that are involved in helping candidates complete their diploma.
  • They are consultants who have been through an approval process with the BSSH and Unverisity of Manchester to check they are qualified to take tutorials for the BSSH diploma. 
  • All the diploma tutors are committed to teaching for the diploma, many have completed the diploma themselves.
  • You may contact tutors ahead of starting your placement/fellowship 
  • If you need help to contact people who can take tutorials your diploma supervisor or current fellow/junior in your future post should be able to help.
  • If you need someone to apply to be an approved tutor information about applying can be found HERE

Why do you need approved diploma tutors?

  • Modules 1-8 of the course include a series of tutorials and work-place based assessments (WBAs) that are conducted by the local diploma supervisor and diploma tutors.
  • In order to satisfy quality assurance procedures within Higher Education, the University require all tutors to be approved.
  • This is achieved by the tutors completing a proforma CV and signing an agreement form.

Any tutorials or WBAs for the modules undertaken must be completed with an approved tutor Any undertaken with an unapproved tutor will not be accepted.

See Section 8 of course manual for more information.

 

Diploma Supervisor Resources

Information for people acting as Diploma Supervisors

Including whats expected of the role and how to apply to be a supervisor 

 

Read more

Diploma Tutor Rules & Resources

Information for people acting as Diploma Tutors

Including whats expected of the role and how to apply to be a supervisor 

Read more

 

 

 

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