The MS in Clinical Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery at Universal College of Medical Sciences and Teaching Hospital (UCMS), Rupandehi is a three-year postgraduate surgical residency affiliated with Tribhuvan University (TU).
The program follows the postgraduate medical education requirements of the Institute of Medicine, Tribhuvan University (TU-IOM). It prepares doctors to diagnose and manage Otorhinolaryngology (ORL/ENT) and Head and Neck diseases, perform common surgical procedures, manage emergencies, undertake clinical research, participate in preventive and community services, and work effectively with multidisciplinary medical teams.
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Course | MS in Clinical Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery |
| College | Universal College of Medical Sciences (UCMS) |
| Location | Bhairahawa, Rupandehi, Nepal |
| Affiliation | Tribhuvan University |
| Academic Unit | Institute of Medicine |
| Degree | Master of Surgery (MS) |
| Level | Postgraduate |
| Duration | 3 years |
| Training | Full-time residential |
| Entrance | MECEE-PG |
| Admission Authority | Medical Education Commission |
| Prior Qualification | MBBS or equivalent |
| Experience | One year |
| Professional Registration | Nepal Medical Council for Nepalese candidates |
Successful candidates receive the Master of Surgery degree in Clinical Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery from Tribhuvan University after completing the prescribed training and final examination.
The program is designed to train specialist doctors with the knowledge, clinical skills, surgical ability, and professional attitude required for the management and prevention of ORL and Head and Neck diseases.
Residents study relevant basic sciences, pathology, and allied medical subjects while developing clinical and operative skills.
The course aims to prepare specialists who can:
Residents are also expected to understand the limits of their own skills, available equipment, and support services and make appropriate referrals when required.
Applicants must already hold a recognized primary medical qualification.
Eligibility:
MS Clinical Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery falls within the postgraduate clinical programs for which the stated one-year experience requirement applies.
Admission is conducted through the Medical Education Common Entrance Examination for Postgraduate Level (MECEE-PG).
The Medical Education Commission (MEC) manages postgraduate entrance, merit, matching, seat allocation, fees, and admission procedures.
The admission process includes:
Nepalese and foreign applicants appear in the common entrance examination, with separate merit lists prepared under the postgraduate admission provisions.
The entrance examination consists of 200 single-best-response multiple-choice questions.
| Entrance Detail | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Question Type | Single best response MCQ |
| Options | Four: A, B, C, D |
| Number of Questions | 200 |
| Duration | 3 hours |
| Cognitive Distribution | Recall : Understanding : Application = 30 : 50 : 20 |
| Merit Requirement | Minimum 50% |
Otorhinolaryngology carries 10 marks within the clinical section of the postgraduate entrance examination.
The complete entrance distribution includes 115 marks from clinical subjects, 60 from basic medical sciences, 10 from Community Medicine and Research Methodology, 5 from Forensic Medicine, and 10 from mandatory professional-development areas.
The basic medical sciences are Anatomy, Physiology, Pathology, Pharmacology, Biochemistry, and Microbiology.
Residents complete three years of full-time residential postgraduate training.
During the residency, students must remain regular in their assigned duties and are not permitted to engage in private practice.
A minimum attendance of 80% is required to become eligible for the final examination.
The full-time residency combines clinical care, supervised surgical training, case discussion, academic study, research, logbook work, and assessment throughout the program.
Clinical training develops the ability to assess patients, recognize disease, reach a diagnosis, plan management, and respond to emergencies involving the ear, nose, throat, and Head and Neck specialty.
Surgical skills are developed under supervision in hospital-based training and during mobile camps.
The course emphasizes common ORL and Head and Neck surgical procedures while also training residents to recognize situations that require additional specialist guidance or referral.
Clinical learning includes:
This approach requires residents to connect theoretical knowledge with clinical decision-making and operative responsibilities.
Prevention is included among the course objectives.
Residents are expected to recognize preventable ORL and Head and Neck diseases and contribute to awareness of preventive measures.
Training also includes community participation and mobile camps. These activities support the program objective of organizing and contributing to ORL and Head and Neck services beyond routine hospital-based patient care.
Clinical MD/MS programs also include three months of community-based teaching and learning under the applicable postgraduate requirements.
The postgraduate course uses several methods to develop theoretical knowledge, clinical judgment, surgical skills, communication, and independent study.
Learning activities include:
Journal clubs and seminars also encourage residents to remain familiar with developments in Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery.
Clinical research is an explicit objective of the program.
Residents are expected to develop the ability to conduct and supervise research in Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery.
Thesis or dissertation work forms a separate part of the postgraduate examination structure, while thesis review is included among the methods used to monitor academic progress.
Research training supports the resident's ability to examine clinical questions systematically and contribute to scientific work within the specialty.
Resident progress is monitored regularly by the subject committee.
Assessment methods include:
The combination of written, clinical, practical, and research assessment is intended to examine both knowledge and professional performance.
The postgraduate examination is divided into three parts:
The Part I examination is conducted by the end of the first year. A maximum of three attempts is allowed for this stage under the prescribed academic regulations.
The final assessment includes theory in Clinical Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, recent advances in the specialty, clinical assessment, and oral examination.
Clinical assessment includes one long case and three short cases.
The course places specific emphasis on communication.
Graduates are expected to communicate effectively with medical colleagues and develop productive interdisciplinary working relationships.
They must also communicate with patients, relatives, and attendants, provide counseling, and explain the prognosis of disease.
Teamwork is equally important because ORL and Head and Neck Surgery can involve cooperation with other medical and diagnostic services. Residents are trained to function as members of specialist teams and contribute to the organization of ORL and Head and Neck services in hospitals.
UCMS has an associated teaching hospital used for clinical education and training of doctors and other health professionals.
ENT Surgery is included among the hospital's clinical services. Other services include General Medicine, General Surgery, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Pediatrics with Neonatology, Ophthalmology, Orthopedics, Dermatology/Venereology, Psychiatry, and Dental Surgery.
Diagnostic services include radiology and laboratory services, while emergency care is also available through the teaching hospital.
For residents in Clinical Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, this provides hospital-based exposure alongside the academic and residency requirements prescribed for postgraduate medical education.
Postgraduate specialty seats at UCMS are determined through the applicable MEC admission cycle.
UCMS has included Otorhinolaryngology (ENT) among its MD/MS specialties requiring professional experience, but seat numbers should be treated as intake-specific rather than permanent.
The same applies to:
The program has a duration of three years.
Applicants must hold MBBS or an equivalent qualification recognized by the Government of Nepal.
Yes. The stated eligibility includes one year of professional experience.
Yes. Nepalese candidates must hold Nepal Medical Council registration. Foreign candidates must have registration with the appropriate medical council in their country.
Yes. Admission is conducted through the postgraduate common entrance examination administered by the Medical Education Commission.
Candidates must secure at least 50% in the entrance examination to become eligible for the merit list.
Yes. It is conducted as three years of full-time residential training.
No. Residents are not permitted to engage in private practice during the training period.
A minimum of 80% attendance is required for eligibility to appear in the final examination.
Yes. Residents develop surgical skills under supervision and are trained to perform common procedures in ORL and Head and Neck Surgery.
Yes. Clinical research and thesis/dissertation work form part of postgraduate training and assessment.
Assessment includes written examinations, long and short clinical cases, OSCE, viva, logbook review, medical audit, patient-management questions, technical skills, and thesis review.
