A medical graduate from the College of Medicine, University of Sulaimani, Iraq with few years of experience as a Dermatology Professional, I am driven to gain advanced level knowledge and skills in the field from scholastic institution and specialise in Clinical Dermatology with a master degree. After exploring my options and researching different study opportunities, I am keen to follow the MSc Clinical Dermatology course offered by Kings College London.

At King’s, this course gives a firm grounding in the fundamentals of clinical and scientific dermatology while trains to provide advanced practical training in laboratory sciences relevant to skin disease. The programme aims to prepare graduates with enhanced knowledge of the scientific basis of clinical dermatology and gives chance to perform critical evaluation of dermatological literature on a specialist subject. These distinct features of the course have motivated my choice for King’s over other universities.

Following my Bachelor’s degree in Medicine and Surgery, I took the opportunity to work as a dermatology intern doctor at Sulaimanyia teaching Center for dermatology and venereology. This experience gave the professional foundation to open my career and grow my interest in the area of dermatology. Consequently, I continuously developed myself professionally by undertaking different roles at clinics, hospitals and medical centres. In most recent role, I have been working as a dermatologist in the Specialist Centre for Dermatology in Kurdestan. In this role, I have practiced diagnosis and treatment of skin disease, performing aesthetic procedures including botox for facial wrinkles, filler injection for face and lips, threads for face lift and rejuvenation, laser treatments for different skin conditions and removal of skin lesion and pigments, PRP and mesotherapy injections and minor dermatological surgical procedures.

I can bring this transferrable practical knowledge and skills to enrich the MSc study and make my learning more meaningful and gain the maximum output from the study. One-third of the King’s MSc has been designed to provide theoretical knowledge in Dermatology – this will be of great benefit to me as I will have the chance to gain dermatology postgraduate level knowledge which I have always missed in my academic knowledge portfolio. In the second phase of this MSc course would facilitate the opportunity learn Clinical Dermatology practised in the UK and other countries that are advanced in the area of dermatology. My knowledge and skills so far have been limited to my native country to local extent. This practice-led MSc study at the world-famous medical focused institution, King’s College would give a real chance to expand my horizon at broader level with global context of dermatology practice. The research project, the final phase of the study, under King’s, 7th for research quality, 6th for research power in the UK and 4th among multi-faculty universities for research impact would give me a chance to transform as unique professional and prove myself as special professional with new and distinctive quality.

The study would, indeed, give me firm grounding in the fundamentals of clinical and scientific dermatology, clinical instruction, the scientific content of dermatology. I will have better understanding of skin disorders, upskill in the diagnostic and management of dermatological disorders, plan and organise a literature review in a coherent and scientific manner on a specific topic in dermatology applied understanding of how established techniques of research and enquiry are used to create and interrupt knowledge in an appropriate clinical setting and above all ‘employability skills’ in international arena. With the advanced knowledge skills, I will have enhanced confidence to practice as competent health professional and conquer medical challenges related to dermatology in my objective to provide expert service in the treatment of patients.

Studying at King’s College London entitles to gain qualification from one of the top 25 universities in the world from the heart of London City capital of the UK that envy unparalleled reputation in contemporary world of medical courses. The college is located within the specialised clinical, teaching and research institute, St John’s Institute of Dermatology within Guy’s and St Thomas’ hospitals and offers opportunities to experience hands on skills from the setting. Weekly and monthly clinical seminars in St Thomas’ and Guys hospitals would give me the chance to develop as a true professional. King’s provides teaching in a diverse range of clinical and laboratory sessions which are practice-led. The faculty includes internationally renowned clinicians and academics with years of experience in field. As per of the course, the college of offers variety of related and relevant short courses and conference attendance to acquire rounded knowledge and develop personally and professionally. It would be truly a great learning experience to become a student of the MSc Clinical Dermatology at King’s.