The Association was originally established in 1976 and is one of the largest surgical associations in the UK with around 3,500 members from all ten surgical specialities. ASiT membership costs just £40 for medical students and £60 otherwise, serving the needs of trainees through training courses, grants, prizes and fellowships.

A membership highlight is the ASiT Annual Conference, with around 1,500 delegates attending a weekend of educational courses, lectures and topical debate on all aspects of surgery and surgical training.

The Association represents the views of surgical trainees through representation on the councils of the four Royal Colleges of Surgeons, Speciality Advisory Committees and the Joint Committee on Surgical Training as well as numerous other working parties. Unlike many other junior doctor trainee groups, ASiT remains independent of other professional medical organisations and is run by trainees, for trainees, to promote excellence in training.