MSc Medical Imaging (Ultrasound) (full-time)

Course overview

With a UK-wide shortage of sonographers in an increasingly pressured health care system, there has never been a better time to study MSc Medical Imaging: Ultrasound.

Our intensive full 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, whether you have a science or non-clinical health background.

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, which is equipped with the latest imaging workstations and houses one of the largest MedaPhor ultrasound simulation labs in the world.

Course summary

This course starts in January and runs in calendar years, not standard academic years.

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). In September, 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.

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.

For full-time students only: 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.

Graduate destinations

On successful completion of the course, you will be able to provide evidence of preparation for practice to the standards required for a first post-qualification sonographer post. We have consulted with local ultrasound service partners who have confirmed that this would allow employment of graduates in most regional NHS contexts. However, applicants from a non-health care background should note that, at present, employment in some NHS Trusts would not be possible due to the requirement for professional registration. These potential restrictions on employment will be discussed with you during the application process and you will be asked to sign a memorandum of agreement confirming your understanding and acceptance.

On completion of the MSc you will be able to apply for registration with the Society and College of Radiographers (SCoR) Public Voluntary Register of Sonographers.