BSc Manch 1940, MB ChB 1943; FRCS Eng 1949.
Cowpe studied at Manchester and held house positions at MRI and Salford Royal Hospital. Cowpe was senior registrar at Salford Royal Hospital and MRI before being appointed consultant orthopaedic surgeon at the University Hospital of South Manchester and Altrincham General Hospital. Cowpe was a member of Manchester Medical Society .