Announcing the official launch of the British College of Cosmetic Surgery, an important new initiative dedicated to strengthening education, collaboration and professional standards within cosmetic surgery.
The launch of the British College of Cosmetic Surgery marks a significant milestone in raising standards, governance and excellence across the UK cosmetic surgery sector.
The College has been established to create an official, profession-led standard for cosmetic surgery practice in the UK. Through a structured and rigorous Fellowship pathway, it aims to ensure surgeons demonstrate measurable competence, transparency and commitment to patient safety.
The College supports continued professional development, responsible clinical innovation, and the advancement of patient-centred excellence across the specialty.
The Founding board includes Dr Ashish Dutta, Dr Ian Morgan, Dr Alexandra Chambers, Dr Marboor Bhatty and Dr Sayani Sainudeen.
Together, the founding board brings extensive expertise across plastic surgery, aesthetic surgery and surgical education, united by a shared goal of strengthening professional standards within cosmetic surgery.
Dr Sayani Sainudeen, Co-Founder and Board Member of the British College of Cosmetic Surgery, said: “Cosmetic surgery continues to evolve rapidly, and with that evolution must come clear, measurable standards.
“Our aim is to provide patients with confidence and surgeons with a framework that reflects true excellence.
“This Fellowship is about accountability, transparency and raising the bar for our entire specialty across the UK.”The Fellowship
The Fellowship is built on rigour and accountability and is open to UK surgeons including plastic surgeons, general surgeons, breast surgeons and doctors practising cosmetic surgery.
It provides a structured pathway for surgeons who may not be on the GMC specialist register in plastic surgery to demonstrate competency through independent assessment.
While there is already a voluntary certification scheme run via the Royal Colleges, the British College of Cosmetic Surgery provides a dedicated body focused exclusively on cosmetic surgery standards across specialties — with the ambition of becoming the recognised benchmark for excellence across the UK.
The pathway includes:
Structured Educational Programme
Candidates undertake directed reading and attend lectures at the Royal Society of Medicine (RSM), ensuring strong academic and theoretical foundations.
Part 1 – MSQ Examination
Surgeons must pass a Multiple Structured Question (MSQ) examination to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of cosmetic surgical principles, safety and ethics.
Logbook and Case Evidence
Applicants are required to submit documented evidence of a specified number of cosmetic surgery cases, demonstrating breadth of experience, outcomes and safe practice.
Part 2 – Clinical Practice Assessment
An examiner – drawn from leading cosmetic surgeons in their field – visits the candidate’s practice to observe live surgery, review clinical governance processes and assess patient follow-up care.
Oral Examination (Viva)
A final oral examination assesses clinical judgement, complication management, ethical practice and decision-making.
Successful candidates are awarded Fellowship status and formal accreditation by the College.
As the College begins accepting Fellowship applications, its founders hope it will become the defining accreditation for cosmetic surgery practice in the UK.
By combining written examination, case scrutiny, observed surgery, oral assessment and peer review, the British College of Cosmetic Surgery introduces one of the most comprehensive cosmetic surgery accreditation processes currently available.
For more information, visit britishcollegeofcosmeticsurgery.com
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