The Association was originally established in 1976 as a forum for senior registrars to meet socially and discuss training matters. ASiT now counts numerous professional leaders and Royal College Presidents amongst its' alumni.

The Association is the second largest surgical specialty association in the UK with over 2,700 members.

ASiT’s members come from all ten surgical specialties. ASiT is the only body in the UK to represent trainees at both Core and Higher Surgical Training levels, with orthopaedic registrars also represented by BOTA.

ASiT functions through the input of its elected specialty and regional representatives, and serves the needs of trainees beyond its formal membership through training courses, and trainee grants, prizes and fellowships.

ASiT membership costs just £40 when a medical student or £60 otherwise. This fee has remained as low as possible whilst aiming to maximise return to trainees. The highlight of this is the ASiT Annual Surgical Conference, with over 700 delegates attending a weekend of educational courses, lectures and topical debate on all aspects of surgery and surgical training.

ASiT represents the views of surgical trainees through representation on the councils of the Surgical Royal Colleges, ISCP, JCST, and numerous other working parties and committees.

Unlike many other junior doctor trainee groups, ASiT remains independent of the Surgical Royal Colleges and other professional medical organisations, and is run by trainees, for trainees.