Dr Charles Cope was Dux of Shore School (SCEGS) in 1981, and graduated with 1st Class Honours at the University of Sydney in 1989. During his time at university he completed a year of full-time research, obtaining a BSc(Med) Pass with Distinction in 1985.
                                                                                                                 
After graduation he entered General Surgery Training in 1993 and completed 4 years of General Surgery Training at Royal North Shore Hospital. In 1996 he commenced Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery training, which included one year of training at both Royal Prince Alfred Hospital and Royal North Shore Hospital, and in May 1999 he passed the Fellowship of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (FRACS) Part II Exam.
                                                                                                                 
Dr Cope then underwent further specialised training in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery including:
- A 6 month Aesthetic (Cosmetic) Fellowship training under prominent Sydney plastic and cosmetic surgeons
- A 6 month Hand Surgery Fellowship at the Hand Surgery Unit at Royal North Shore Hospital and the New Children's Hospital
- A 12 month Microsurgery Fellowship at the MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston,, Texas, USA (ranked No. 1 cancer hospital in USA)