Graduate Diploma in Surgical Anatomy (GDSA)
Learn from world-leading experts and gain the perfect preparation for the Generic Surgical Sciences Exam (GSSE) and Surgical Education Training (SET) applications.
Welcome to the Graduate Diploma in Surgical Anatomy (GDSA)
Updated for 2026 - New Course Structure, now over 2 Semesters
Same great course, same in-depth dissection, greater flexibility.
We are running the GDSA in 2026 – Enrol now to kickstart your surgical career.
Graduate Diploma in Surgical Anatomy
Looking to further your career in surgery or radiology?
Learn from world-leading experts and gain the perfect preparation for the Generic Surgical Sciences Exam (GSSE) and Surgical Education Training (SET) applications.
- 12 months (2 Semesters)
- Taught by Australia’s leading senior surgeons and anatomists
- Build confidence in anatomical knowledge
- Strengthen your portfolio with targeted approaches in teamwork, communication and technical ability
Develop an edge with your next stage of training and practice
What’s new about the GDSA?
For more than 20 years, our Graduate Diploma in Surgical Anatomy (GD-SURGANT) has been renowned as an industry-leading, full-body anatomy course, with detailed dissection of specialty areas.
Now, you also receive:
- More independent dissection hours than any other course
- Specific skill development aimed towards improving SET applications and making better pre-SET and SET 1 clinicians
- Skill development, including independent dissection, oral communication - directed towards oral exams and the SET interview - and radiologic anatomy
- More structured time with instruments, looking at and formally talking about surgically-relevant anatomy
- Support from one of the country’s largest body donor programs
“We were not only able to learn on the real-life 3D specimen but go one step further and dissect it yourself, and that’s a priceless experience. Then, you can apply that back at work, which makes you feel more confident handling instruments and describing things.”
Dr Arthur Yim, Alfred Hospital resident, Urology Specialty 2020 graduate, School of Biomedical Sciences Alumni
Running the numbers
There are 6300 surgeons in Australia, practising in nine surgical specialities. Here are some of the reasons why you should join them.
Royal Australasian College of Surgeons modelling indicates that unless there is a substantial increase in the number of graduating surgeons, Australia faces a surgical workforce crisis in the next 15 years. To avoid this, it is conservatively estimated that in addition to the 184 new surgeons currently graduating each year, a further 80 will need to graduate alongside them.
- If Australians are to continue receiving today’s standard of surgical care, additional expenditure of at least $72 million per annum is needed for surgical training alone.
- In 2019, more than 1100 surgeons attended Professional Development programs.
- The number of female surgeons in active practice increased by almost 8% in 2019.
- 1 in 4 (24%) hospitalisations involved surgery (2.7 million) and there were 352,000 admissions involving emergency surgery in Australian hospitals in 2017-18.
Why choose a GDSA at the University of Melbourne
Since 1853 this University has been contributing to the health and wellbeing of our society. We train the very best clinicians, work on internationally competitive research and graduate the brightest students in surgical anatomy.
Featured content
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School of Biomedical Sciences
Melbourne has been teaching and researching biomedical sciences for almost 160 years. In 2020, we celebrate five years since the School’s inception – now, the largest of its kind in Australia.
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Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences
The Faculty is renowned for global leadership in health research, policy and practice. Our six Schools recognise the strength of partnerships and collaboration.
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Body Donor Program
The University has one of the longest running donor programs in the country, established over 100 years ago. Its important purpose is anatomical examination and the teaching and study of anatomy.
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Melbourne Biomedical Precinct
Be part of the largest biomedical precinct in the southern hemisphere: a hub of innovation, exceptional collaboration opportunities and cutting-edge facilities.
“I did the course myself 20 years ago and it was really valuable to start me on my surgical career in terms of understanding anatomy very well, which is extremely important. I recommend this course to any future surgical candidates.”
Dr Salena Ward, Oesophago-Gastric, Bariatric and General Surgeon, Alumni, School of Biomedical Sciences Alumni
“From day one when we had the demonstrators showing us the ProSections and doing my own dissections, I learned so much more quickly than I ever did when I was studying from a text book alone. I’ve gotten so much out of the course and I would highly recommend it.”
Dr Sarah Adamson, The Royal Children’s Hospital, Plastic & Maxillofacial Surgery Resident, Plastic Surgery Specialty 2020 graduate, School of Biomedical Sciences Alumni
What they say
"I examine plastic surgery candidates, and I was extremely impressed with their fluency and being able to demonstrate the anatomy. These graduates go out into clinical practice having a real edge over students who just don’t know the anatomy confidently."
"The Graduate Diploma of Surgical Anatomy offers you the unique and unparalleled opportunity to take your anatomical knowledge, dissection ability and communication skills to the next level.”
Contact us
Course Coordinator:
A/Prof Simon Murray
GDSA Course Coordinator
ssmurray@unimelb.edu.au
Course Administrator:
BiomedSci-AcademicServices@unimelb.edu.au