Medical Imaging (Ultrasound)

Entry requirements

1st or upper 2nd class honours degree, however those with a 2:2 will also be considered on a case-by-case basis. Minimum of 5 GCSE passes, grade ‘C’ or above to include Maths, English and Science (grade B or above for Science). Preference will be given to those with at least one science subject at A-level (or equivalent) at grade C or above. Students with other qualifications may be admitted to the course, please contact the Enquiry Centre for further details. Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL) may be considered for relevant prior learning at the same academic level.

Months of entry

January

Course content

With a UK-wide shortage of sonographers, there has never been a better time to study a Master's in Medical Imaging: Ultrasound.

Our intensive two-year MSc programme – accredited by the Consortium for the Accreditation of Sonographic Education (CASE) – is the perfect accelerated pathway of study to launch your career as a sonographer.

The ultrasound awards are currently undergoing periodic review (re-approval), and CASE re-accreditation, and some minor changes are proposed to some of the modules, starting September 2023. As this is a professional programme, all proposed changes are intended to ensure the programme remains in line with current UK standards.

COURSE OVERVIEW
On this 2-year programme, you will learn all of the academic knowledge required to work in this field and, importantly, have plenty of hands-on training in our skills hub. The skills hub is equipped with the latest imaging workstations and houses one of the largest MedaPhor ultrasound simulation labs in the world.

This programme gives you exposure to the full range of sonography in clinical areas, such as obstetrics, gynaecology, general medical (abdominal and small parts), vascular, breast and musculoskeletal ultrasound training. Approximately 75% of your studies will be practical, so you will develop the work-based skills required to step into a job after graduation. The module delivery will be an online ‘blended’ learning approach and most modules will have an element of live virtual tutorial type sessions.

ON THIS COURSE YOU WILL...

• Learn the academic knowledge and the clinical skills required to work in the field of medical ultrasound. This will ensure you become a confident and competent ultrasound practitioner.

• Working with a placement hospital, you will gain exposure to the full range of sonography specialisms, such as obstetrics, gynaecology, general medical (abdominal and small parts) and vascular.

• Be welcomed from a range of healthcare and non-healthcare backgrounds. A healthcare background or degree is not required.

• Engage in practical training to gain work-based skills. You will have access to our state of the art ultrasound training hub, equipped with the latest ultrasound machines and an extensive ultrasound simulation facility.

COURSE STRUCTURE

WHAT YOU WILL LEARN

At the beginning of the course, you will be introduced to the expectations of the whole pathway, including the two core modules and one clinical option, usually HMSU7066 (General Medical Ultrasound). Further in the course, two more clinical option modules are usually introduced: HMSU7064 (Obstetric Ultrasound) and HMSU7065 (Gynaecological Ultrasound). The Research Methods and Dissertation modules are usually completed in the second calendar year (of the 2-year full-time degree).

Each module is credit rated. You may be assessed in various ways including coursework, presentations, reflective writing, verbal assessments, exams and reports. Assessment of clinical placements is a requirement of the qualification and students will be assessed to ensure they are clinically competent before they can receive the award.

Placements are provided with partner NHS Trusts in our region (whilst we will always consider your placement preference, please note that a specific placement location cannot be guaranteed). The clinical placement sites have been working with the university for many years, supporting students through the traditional part-time route for sonographers, and have friendly, supportive and experienced staff to help them develop their clinical skills whilst maintaining strong links with the university.

In certain circumstances, depending on placement capacity and your prior academic achievements/experiences, the clinical options may be subject to change and a further clinical option may be taken alongside a smaller dissertation.

Note: 'Sonographer' is not currently a protected title in the UK and at this present time graduates will NOT be eligible to be registered with the HCPC, although it is hoped that this will become a possibility in the future. For this reason, employment may not be possible in certain NHS trusts and some private sector organisations, although many organisations already employ sonographers from non-traditional backgrounds. Graduates from this programme/course will be eligible to join the Register of Clinical Technologists (RCT) accredited by the Professional Standards Authority (PSA).

Compulsory modules

• Physical Principles & Technology in Ultrasound

• Professional, Legal & Ethical Issues in Ultrasound

Optional modules

The optional modules on this pathway are chosen by the university and allocated placement provider and not the student. This may vary from placement to placement and year to year depending on the needs of the local service and availability of suitable patient caseload and mentor.

• Breast Ultrasound
• Breast Ultrasound (Clinical Practice)
• General Medical Ultrasound (Theory)
• General Medical Ultrasound (Clinical Practice)
• Gynaecological Ultrasound (Theory)
• Gynaecological Ultrasound (Clinical Practice)
• Negotiated Ultrasound Practice 1
• Negotiated Ultrasound Practice 1 (Clinical Practice)
• Musculoskeletal Ultrasound (Theory)
• Musculoskeletal Ultrasound (Clinical Practice)
• Independent Study in Ultrasound (non-Clinical Practice)
• Negotiated Ultrasound Practice 2
• Negotiated Ultrasound Practice 2 (Clinical Practice)
• Negotiated Ultrasound Practice 3
• Negotiated Ultrasound Practice 3 (Clinical Practice)
• Obstetric Ultrasound (Theory)
• Obstetric Ultrasound (Clinical Practice)
• Vascular Ultrasound (Theory)
• Vascular Ultrasound (Clinical Practice)
• Research methods
• Dissertation (40 credit)
• Dissertation (60 credit)