Clinical Anatomy MSc

Human anatomy is a core component of undergraduate medical degree programs, as well as programs allied to medicine such as radiography and physiotherapy.

However, the relative amount of anatomy taught in these programs is considerably less than in years gone by, and there are limited opportunities across the UK (and further afield) for medical and dental students to gain an in-depth knowledge of human anatomy beyond their core programs.

We have established this program not only to directly address this deficiency but also to offer an opportunity for graduate entry-level medical/dental students to enhance their clinically relevant anatomical knowledge and research skills significantly.

Aims

There are three main aims of the MSc Clinical Anatomy program, providing you with:

• the opportunity to gain a comprehensive knowledge and understanding of clinically related human anatomy by dissection
• a comprehensive understanding of the anatomical basis of clinical subjects, including surgery, radiology, and histology
• experience of undertaking a cutting-edge anatomically/clinically-related research project

The program’s principal educational and clinical aims are specifically to give you thorough knowledge in all aspects of anatomy, including:

• gross anatomy
• embryology
• neuroanatomy
• anatomical imaging

You will also gain knowledge in clinical-related subjects including radiology, histology, and surgery, to the level of being competent to teach these elements to medical students and students in professions allied to medicine.

Why Edinburgh

The unique elements of this program are:

Hands-on cadaveric dissection

You will gain a comprehensive knowledge and understanding of human anatomy by dissection. This strand will involve the dissection of a body in groups of three to five students over two semesters.

A major component of this course involves self-directed learning. When there are no scheduled lectures or tutorials, students are required to spend their time in the lab, fully engaged in the process of dissecting and learning anatomy from their assigned dissected body.

Additionally, there will be regular "surgeries" where teaching staff will be present to offer guidance and support during the dissections.

Bespoke modules covering anatomical aspects of radiology, histology, and surgery

The knowledge gained will enable you to:

• understand and apply basic anatomical principles underpinning surgery, radiology, and histology
• locate and identify key anatomical structures, including major clinical phenotypes, on medical images
• identify and interpret light microscopic histological images of core human tissues

A clinically-orientated research project

This will provide you with an opportunity to gain a more in-depth working knowledge of a particular aspect of clinically relevant anatomy.

Complementing these three strands will be a lecture-based Medical Law and Ethics course.

You will learn:

• the health and safety of embalming procedures and handling bodies
• the legal and historical aspects of anatomy in Scotland and the UK
• an introduction to the ethics of using bodies in medical education

You will also explore clinical techniques used to image the body.

The research project allows you to gain a more in-depth knowledge of a particular aspect of anatomy and to present your findings by writing a dissertation.

We are globally recognised for our research, development and innovation and we’ve provided our students with world-class teaching for more than 425 years.

An Edinburgh degree works for you

The University of Edinburgh is one of the world’s top universities, consistently ranked in the world top 50 and placed 22nd in the 2024 QS World University Rankings.

Our graduates are ranked 26th in the world by employers1.

Excellence in research

The University of Edinburgh has an international reputation for innovative research across a wide range of disciplines.

According to the results of the 2021 Research Excellence Framework (REF2021), the University is ranked fourth in the UK based on the quality and breadth of its research - known as research power - and is Scotland’s top-ranked institution.

The REF2021 results reveal that nearly 90 per cent of the University’s research activity is in the highest categories – 4 star and 3 star – which are classified respectively as ‘ world-leading’ and ‘internationally excellent’, a growth of 10 percentage points since the previous REF in 2014.

Innovation in teaching

The latest report from the Quality Assurance Agency awarded us the highest rating possible for the quality of the student learning experience. We are always working to develop innovative approaches to teaching in order to discover the methods that work best for students, including e-learning techniques and peer-assisted learning.

Experts in online learning

We offer the largest portfolio of postgraduate online degrees in the UK2, welcoming more than 8,000 online students since 2005. Our flexible and supportive programmes are well-established and an increasingly popular choice for students looking to balance further study with professional or family commitments.

Beautiful capital city

Ranked in the world’s top 10 student cities3, Edinburgh is a compact city with excellent transport links, which makes it easy to get around and to travel to other parts of Scotland.

Large enough to offer something for everyone, but small enough to feel like home, Edinburgh is a modern, sophisticated and beautiful European city with a diverse, multicultural community.​

Facilities and support to help you succeed

You will have access to one of the largest and most important academic libraries in the world, housing over 1.8 million printed volumes. You’ll also benefit from 30 open-access computer labs with 24-hour access across key locations, as well as free laptop loans.

We offer a free Student Counselling Service and a University Health Centre, and our Student Disability Service provides a range of support for students with disabilities. We also offer excellent childcare services, making it easier to juggle parenthood and study.

Impressive global community

Our ambitious internationalisation strategy ensures the teaching and research we deliver offers global benefits. We’re ranked in the world's top 20 most international universities4. Students from two-thirds of the world’s countries study here.

We collaborate with a host of world-leading institutions in fields as diverse as e-science, engineering, life and medical sciences, and arts and culture. We’re also a member of the global research network Universitas 21 and the European networks Coimbra Group and LERU.

Leading on social responsibility and sustainability

We are committed to being a world leader in addressing global challenges including poverty, climate change and the growing demand for energy, food and water.

As Scotland’s first Fairtrade University, we have been promoting better conditions for farmers and communities in developing countries since 2004.

We have championed environmental sustainability since the early 1990s and were a founder signatory to the Universities and Colleges Climate Commitment 2009 and to the 10:10 campaign.

The University is host to several Global Academies committed to tackling issues related to health, justice, environment, and agriculture and food security. The Academies cross boundaries in research and teaching, adopting a multi-disciplinary response to challenging global issues.

1QS World University Rankings 2024 2Higher Education Statistics Agency 2017/18 3QS Student Cities 2023 4Times Higher Education, World’s Most International Universities 2022