Abdelrahman Mohamed

When Abdelrahman Mohamed stepped off the plane from Egypt and into his new life in the UK, he didn’t just bring a suitcase - he brought ambition, drive, and a deep love for learning. Now a graduate of the Postgraduate Diploma in Neurosurgery, Abdelrahman has done more than just settle into a new country. He’s taken major strides toward his dream of becoming a specialist in a field that sits at the very edge of medical science.

And he’s done it all while navigating the challenges of a new healthcare system, a demanding surgical role, and a course renowned for its academic rigour.

Juggling Surgery and Study

“I had just moved to the UK to start a new role in the NHS as a Head and Neck Surgeon,” Abdelrahman explains. “Balancing surgery with academic commitments was demanding.” The course, delivered entirely online, was far from passive. It called for deep engagement - weekly discussions, research-intensive assignments, and active participation in academic forums. But for Abdelrahman, who already held a Master’s in Surgical Oncology, this was part of the appeal. “I’ve always enjoyed studying,” he says. “Continuous learning is part of who I am.”

And yet, even for someone with a strong academic background, this course posed a unique challenge. It required not just intellectual focus, but masterful time management. “I had to be very organised. I’d read new materials in the morning before work, reflect during the day, and do research and writing in the evening,” he shares. “It took time, but it helped consolidate the knowledge.”

From Hesitation to Achievement

Despite his academic mindset, Abdelrahman admits he was initially hesitant. “I was unsure whether I’d manage it all,” he says. “But once I committed and got started, I found the time. Hesitation often delays progress - taking that first step is the hardest part.”
And he took it in style. Graduating with distinction, Abdelrahman completed the diploma while simultaneously adapting to a new country, starting a demanding NHS role, and preparing for the Membership of the Royal College exams. “I’m incredibly proud,” he says. “Managing all of that required a lot of dedication.”

Why Neurosurgery?

Abdelrahman’s journey into neurosurgery wasn’t a sudden pivot. It was the natural next step for someone already deeply embedded in surgical oncology.
“There’s a significant overlap between head and neck surgery and neurosurgery in the operating theatre,” he explains. “Having a solid understanding of the basics of neurosurgery really helps. This diploma gave me that foundation.”
He researched the program thoroughly before enrolling and was especially drawn to its online format, which allowed him to continue working full-time. “There aren’t many online diplomas in neurosurgery,” he says. “This was a great opportunity.”

Learning That Sticks

One of the most enduring lessons Abdelrahman takes from the course is not just the clinical knowledge - but the skill of time management.
“I haven’t had the chance to apply the neurosurgery knowledge directly yet,” he admits, “but I know I will. What I’ve already applied every day is the discipline and structure I developed through the course. That’s been transformative.”
He also took great care in how he engaged with his peers. His forum posts weren’t just well-referenced, they were written with clarity and structure, using bullet points to help others learn as they went.

Advice for Future Students

For anyone considering the same leap, Abdelrahman offers this advice: “If you’re unsure, that’s normal. But once you start, you’ll find a way. You’ll surprise yourself with what you’re capable of.” His journey is proof of just that. Starting a new life in a new country is no small feat, let alone doing it while studying for a demanding postgraduate qualification. But for Abdelrahman, it was a challenge worth taking.

What’s Next?

Now that he’s graduated, Abdelrahman is looking forward to focusing on his NHS role and ongoing research. “I plan to pursue more qualifications in the future,” he says. “But not immediately. I need a bit of a break.” Still, he remains driven by curiosity and the sense that learning is never truly finished. “The more you learn, the more you realise how much there is still to learn,” he reflects. “Each step feels like the beginning of a bigger journey.”

And that journey is already well underway. For Abdelrahman Mohamed, arriving in the UK wasn’t the end of something - it was just the beginning. A new country, a new career, and a new chapter in a life dedicated to medicine, learning, and pushing boundaries.