This course is for radiographers who are currently working in a clinical environment offering mammography experience. The course will focus on the evaluation of healthcare provision enabling both skills and theory to be integrated within clinical practice while strengthening the ability to contribute effectively as a member of a multidisciplinary team. Issues at the cutting edge of theory and research in mammography will be critically examined to enable you to focus, extend, develop and strengthen skills in mammography to a level of advanced professional competence.
Radiographers who already possess ‘The Certificate of Competence’ can apply for an exemption from the work-based learning modules. The work-based learning element is structured to promote the development of advanced-level operational skills and critical and reflective thinking in clinical practice. It will focus on the ability to undertake independent learning and to become a critically reflective practitioner.
Depending on your modules choice, you are able to follow a pathway within mammography that will lead to either advancement in specialist clinical skills, education and training or healthcare management.
As this course places the student at the heart of the learning process, you will be expected to take overall responsibility for your learning. The teaching and learning strategies are designed to enable independent progress within a supportive framework. Your performance on the course will be assessed by a case study, reports, seminar presentations, a clinical assessment, essays, portfolio and a research project. Class sizes are variable and can range from 8 -25 approximately.
If completing the course part-time over three years, it is likely that you will attend classes at the beginning of each module at the West of Scotland Breast Screening Centre in Glasgow and then carry out further independent work. The Research Methods module is taught electronically, so no attendance is required.
Membership of the College of Radiographers.
15 credits: Mammography 1/ Mammography 2/ Mammography 3/ Mammography 4
30 credits: PgDip Research Methods
You will also study a further 30 credit module from: X-ray Guided Breast Biopsy/ Stereotactic Wire Localisation for Breast/ Mammographic Image Interpretation/ Breast Ultrasound
If studying for the MSc, you will also complete a dissertation (60 credits).
This course is part of continuing professional development and is designed to improve the delivery of the breast care service. Gaining this qualification may enhance your career prospects within the profession of radiography.
The Diagnostic Imaging MSc is designed to match the professional development needs of the diagnostic imaging practitioner and the changing needs of patients in the modern healthcare system. It aims to develop highly competent practitioners who can make a real contribution to healthcare services.
This multi-disciplinary programme will appeal to a range of healthcare professionals including radiographers, clinical physiologists, mammographers, sonographers, medical doctors, nurses, clinical scientists. It offers:
We have a highly successful record of teaching breast imaging and medical ultrasound at postgraduate level. You’ll benefit from being part of the School of Medicine, with its world-leading research and expertise.
More information
You can also study this subject at Postgraduate Diploma (120 credits) and Certificate (60 or 75 credits) levels. Study for the Postgraduate Diploma normally takes one year full time (specific module combinations only) or two years part time. Study for the Postgraduate Certificate normally takes one year part time.
The MSc Diagnostic Imaging offered by the University of Leeds was approved by the College of Radiographers for a period of five years, from June 2016 to June 2021 inclusive. The programme is also accredited by the Consortium for the Accreditation of Sonographic Education (CASE).
Students obtaining an MSc which includes the Mammography Technique module will be eligible to apply for the College of Radiographers’ Postgraduate Award in Mammography.
The programme content reflects the increasing demand for focused and in-depth training in specialist areas of diagnostic imaging. It is both research-led and evidence based.
On the PGCert programme you study modules worth 60 or 75 credits. On the PGDip programme you study modules worth 120 credits. If you study part time you will study fewer modules in each year. On the MSc programme you study modules worth 180 credits. All students study a combination of Science and Technology, Professional Issues and Imaging Practice modules. A wide range of optional modules allow you to tailor your studies to your professional interests.
Some modules listed below contain a number of options. The Professional Work Based Learning module enables you to undertake a work-based project. The Negotiated Imaging Practice module offers a range of options, including: Breast Ultrasound, Cardiac Ultrasound, Musculoskeletal Ultrasound or Vascular Ultrasound.
In addition, we may support alternative areas of clinical practice by negotiation. Each module (15 credit equivalent) requires 3 to 5 days attendance at the University (for 30 credits this is 6-10 days), in addition to independent learning and practical skill development in order to achieve success in assessment and be of value to the student and their workplace. Students who already have a Postgraduate Diagnostic Imaging qualification may access certain 30-credit modules on a free-standing basis.
On the MSc programme you study a Research Methods module and submit a dissertation.
For more information on typical modules, read Diagnostic Imaging MSc in the course catalogue
The programme is designed to allow you as much choice as possible in the way that you study. Methods of training are highly participative with a combination of tutor-led input and support, learning through group work and discussion, and individual exercises and practice.
Our assessment methods have been carefully chosen to develop the skills that imaging students will use in specialist and advanced clinical practice. The assessment of your competence to practice takes place via an observed clinical session or by portfolio, depending on the module. Other assessments include case reports, essays and Objective Structured Examinations.
Graduates will use the postgraduate qualification to enable them to be employed as a sonographer in the UK or abroad.
We encourage you to prepare for your career from day one. That’s one of the reasons Leeds graduates are so sought after by employers.
The Careers Centre and staff in your faculty provide a range of help and advice to help you plan your career and make well-informed decisions along the way, even after you graduate. Find out more at the Careers website.
The novelty of this Advanced medical imaging programme is that there is no single standard pathway. Module choices will depend on your own practice area and more complex requirements can be discussed with the course team prior to commencement.
This programme will allow you to meet the challenge of specialist, advanced and consultant practitioner status in the field of advanced medical imaging within a rapidly evolving health service.
Modules will equip you with problem solving skills and enable you to be critically aware of yourself and your practice. You will be enabled to develop, evaluate and implement evidence based practice and able to apply that comprehensive knowledge in the context of your specialist Advanced Medical Imaging field.
Postgraduate Certificate: 60 graduate credits in your chosen pathway of study
Postgraduate Diploma: 120 graduate credits in your chosen pathway of study
MSc: 180 graduate credits in your chosen pathway of study to include the Dissertation module
Module Choices:
Your module choice will depend on your practice area and the profile of your award which should be discussed with the course team prior to commencement to establish a Negotiated Learning Agreement. This means your course is tailor-made to meet your exact learning requirements.
See modules here.
The programme employs a diverse range of teaching and learning strategies in order to meet the outcomes of the programme and the modules studied. Equality and diversity issues are addressed within the range of learning options available, and also in terms of the module content, which aims to address the needs of a range of service users.
Students on clinically related modules are expected to complete required clinical experience to meet the learning outcomes and prepare them for assessment of competence. The nature of this experience has been determined wherever possible through an evidence base, and by the guidance of professional and accrediting bodies, and external benchmarks.
In order to meet the pressure of service demands, part-time students may study up to 60 credits in one semester of an award. Students are counselled carefully and offered support both in the University and at the workplace, as the employing trusts agree to allow students the extra time needed for study in that semester. This has proved successful in previous cohorts of students.
The assessment strategy encompasses both formative and summative approaches to enable students to meet the aims of the modules studied.
Formative assessment supports students in developing new skills or applying transferable skills to new areas. Formative clinical assessments in clinically related modules are performed by mentors, who are offered training in their role and are supported by the programme team.
The assessment strategies for all modules have been designed to reflect current best practice, and aim to provide an integrated approach across all the pathways of study within this award. The use of portfolios where appropriate allows students with diverse needs and differing learning styles to evidence their knowledge and skills in a way that is best suited to their individual needs.
Assessment methods are designed to suit a variety of learning styles and include, for example;
The percentage and mode of assessment depends on the individual modules.
Most students have been seconded from and return to their work in the National Health Service with advanced practitioner status, and a number have gone on to become Consultant Practitioners. Students will also be supported to apply for Advanced Practitioner Accreditation with the College of Radiographers.
The radiography directorate has a very successful history of developing advanced practice, and this course has strong links with imaging departments, mostly within the UK National Health Service. It is also supported by the North West Medical Physics Department. This means that all your learning will be relevant to current practice and will ultimately benefit your patients through development of your clinical skills and enhanced knowledge.
Our research (find out more here) is conducted in multi-disciplinary teams with notable collaboration and professional input from computer science, medical physics, medicine, radiology, psychology, and engineering. This input emanates from within the University of Salford and a range of other universities and hospitals throughout the world.
We have a thriving and friendly PhD community, comprising full time and part time students. The majority of our PhD research focuses on one of our research themes:
