University of Exeter Surgical Society

Inspiring the surgeons of tomorrow.

The University of Exeter Surgical Society (ExeSS) is one of the leading academic societies at the University of Exeter Medical School, dedicated to inspiring students and making surgical education accessible to all.

Our aim is simple: to inspire the surgeons of tomorrow by providing opportunities to explore surgery beyond the undergraduate curriculum through surgeon-led teaching, practical skills workshops, surgical placements, careers events, research opportunities and conferences.

We believe that surgery should be accessible to everyone. Whether you have always dreamed of becoming a surgeon or have never considered it before, ExeSS provides a supportive environment where students of all backgrounds, experience levels and stages of training can explore surgery, develop practical skills and discover what a career in surgery could look like.

Our Aims & Objectives

• Enhance undergraduate surgical education for students at the University of Exeter and across the South West.
• Inspire students to explore a career in surgery through high-quality teaching, practical workshops, placements and conferences.
• Make surgical education inclusive, approachable and accessible to all, regardless of prior experience or career aspirations.
• Develop practical skills through hands-on suturing, knot-tying, anatomy and simulated surgical sessions.
• Connect students with surgeons, trainees and healthcare professionals to support networking, mentorship and career development.
• Encourage engagement with surgical research and academic medicine.
• Build strong links with the local, regional and national surgical community.

What We Offer

• 🩺 Surgeon-led teaching across a range of surgical specialties
• 🔪 Hands-on surgical skills workshops, including suturing and interesting surgical techniques!
• 🏥 ExeSS Surgical Placement Scheme
• 🎓 Surgical conferences with expert teaching and practical stations
• 👨‍⚕️ Careers events and specialty-focused talks
• 🧠 Anatomy and clinical workshops
• 🔬 Research and academic surgery opportunities
• 🌟 Inspirational talks from surgeons and healthcare professionals
• 🤝 Networking and mentorship opportunities
• 🎁 Exclusive member opportunities and sponsor offers

Join ExeSS

For just £6, become a member of the University of Exeter Surgical Society and gain access to our programme of teaching, practical workshops, placements, conferences, careers events and exclusive opportunities.

You don't need prior experience. You don't need to already know you want to be a surgeon. You just need an interest in learning.

ExeSS - Inspiring the surgeons of tomorrow. Follow us on Instagram: @exetersurgicalsociety