The MSc in Medical Ultrasound programme is both academic and vocational in nature and is the only MSc of this type to offer a clinical attachment as part of the course.
The MSc aims to train students to use research and development skills to develop the field of medical ultrasound. Students can choose one of two sub specialities:
MSc in Medical Ultrasound – Vascular (Course Code: A3A1)
MSc in Medical Ultrasound – Echocardiography (Course Code: A3A2)
You will be placed in a clinical attachment at Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust.
Attending 5 days per week for the duration of the course. (this is included in the fee)
Students should not expect to be scanning every day and hardly at all in the 1st term.
MSc in Medical Ultrasound – Vascular (Course Code: A3A124)
You must already be working in a suitable vascular dept elsewhere. You will have to attend lectures and tutorials one day per week from October – March and any exam dates.
There is only one intake per year, in October. Registration usually opens in November/December the year before and will continue until all places are full.
Places on the course are very limited (25) and we receive 100’s of applications so early application is strongly advised.
Your application will only be reviewed if submitted with all College requirements and has two recent academic references. It will not proceed any further without these.
English Requirements and all IELTS information
Applicants should note that this is an academic course and does not entitle you to become a sonographer. This course is not CASE registered.
Further exams would have to be taken by either the:
Society of Vascular Technologists
Or
The British Society of Echocardiography
The first year of this Consortium for the Accreditation of Sonographic Education (CASE) accredited course enables healthcare professionals from varying clinical backgrounds to become safe, competent ultrasound practitioners. The second year allows you to increase your clinical leadership and research knowledge. The third allows you to become an authentic leader in the field of medical ultrasound by providing you with an opportunity to design and manage a major research project.
The course:
In the first two years of study you have the option of two study routes:
After completing both years of study you are awarded the PgDip Medical Ultrasound. You then have the opportunity to continue your study and complete the MSc Medical Ultrasound.
Course structure
Year 1 core modules - Clinical Route
and one optional module
Year 1 core modules - Point of Care Route
and two optional modules
Year 2 core modules - Clincal Route
and one optional module
Year 2 core modules - Point of Care Route
and two optional modules
Year 3 core module
Modules offered may vary.
How you learn
Teaching is delivered at Teesside University through academic blocks. The clinical route is delivered over five two-week blocks. The point of care route is delivered over five two-day blocks to suit busy clinical workloads.
Both routes are supported through e-learning. You will also develop your practical skills within your clinical placement. It is a fusion which allows you to become an autonomous safe ultrasound practitioner. Teaching methods used during your academic blocks include lectures, seminars, group work, and practical workshops. The state-of-the-art Regional Ultrasound Simulation Centre here on campus is fully incorporated into the teaching.
How you are assessed
You are assessed by written assignment, examinations and practical triggered assessment.
Work placement
Prior to enrolling on the course, you must negotiate a clinical placement, where you can gain your practical skills. You must find this placement, the University cannot help with this.
Career opportunities
After completing your first year of study you can practise in your chosen area of ultrasound.
The first year of this Consortium for the Accreditation of Sonographic Education (CASE) accredited course enables healthcare professionals from varying clinical backgrounds to become safe, competent ultrasound practitioners. The second year allows you to increase your clinical leadership and research knowledge.
The course:
In both years of study you have the option of two study routes:
The pathway you choose will be dictated by your professional background and your chosen area of ultrasound practice.
After completing both years of study you are awarded your PgDip Medical Ultrasound. You then have the opportunity to continue your study on to the next stage and complete your MSc Medical Ultrasound.
Course structure
Year 1 core modules - Clinical Route
and one optional module
Year 1 core modules - Point of Care Route
and two optional modules
Year 2 core modules - Clincal Route
and one optional module
Year 2 core modules Point of Care Route
and two modules
Modules offered may vary.
How you learn
Teaching is delivered at Teesside University during academic study blocks.
The clinical route is delivered over five two-week blocks.
The point of care route is delivered over five two-day blocks to suit busy clinical workloads.
Both routes are supported by e-learning. You will develop your practical skills within your clinical placement. It is a fusion which allows you to become an autonomous, safe ultrasound practitioner.
Teaching methods used during your academic study blocks include lectures, seminars and practical workshops. The Regional Ultrasound Centre here on campus is fully incorporated into teaching.
How you are assessed
You are assessed by a written assignment, examinations and a practical triggered assessment.
Work placement
Prior to enrolling on the course, you must negotiate a clinical placement where you can gain your practical skills. You must find this placement, the University cannot help with this.
Career opportunities
After completing this course you are able to practise in your chosen area of ultrasound.
With flexible study options tailored to your area of practice, GCU’s MSc Medical Ultrasound gives you the theoretical foundation and real-world experience you need to improve not only your own work – but your field at large.
Using state-of-the-art simulation facilities (MedaPhor ScanTrainer) and sonographic equipment (GES8), our multidisciplinary team of academic experts and clinical specialists will coach you in safe and effective medical ultrasound practice. You’ll rehearse your skills in a setting that prepares you for real-world practice and get instant feedback that’s specific to your field.
Accredited by the Consortium for Accreditation of Sonographic Education (CASE), your programme will draw on industry best practice for a curriculum that is both evidence-based and varied – with lectures, workshops, simulations, seminars and case studies to help you learn. And at GCU, you’ll get a world-class education that also contributes to the common good – through critical evaluation of research, professional discussion and debate designed to help promote innovation in the field.
Postgraduate Certificate (60 M credits)
Principles of Practice in Medical Ultrasound. Plus one Ultrasound Clinical Module from the following: General Medical Ultrasound, Obstetric and Gynaecological Ultrasound, Defined Area of Ultrasound Practice 1 or Defined Area of Ultrasound Practice 2.
Postgraduate Diploma (120 M credits)
Advanced Research Methods OR Advanced Leadership. Plus one of the following: General Medical Ultrasound, Obstetric and Gynaecological Ultrasound, Defined Area of Ultrasound Practice 1 or Defined Area of Ultrasound Practice 2.
MSc (180 M credits)
Masters Dissertation.
Accredited by the Consortium for Accreditation of Sonographic Education (CASE), your programme will draw on industry best practice for a curriculum that is both evidence-based and varied with lectures, workshops, simulations, seminars and case studies to help you learn. In conjunction with your practical workplace supervisor on the MSc Medical Ultrasound programme ensures competency to practice.
This programme is accredited by the Consortium for Accreditation of Sonographic Education (CASE).
Whether you’re advancing your current career or starting a new one, your programme will prepare you to help create meaningful change in the practice of medical ultrasound. Graduates have gone on to lead their fields as managers, make a positive impact through research and promote new approaches to practitioner-led ultrasound services.
The MSc degree in Medical Ultrasound, a CASE accredited course has been developed by AECC University College School of Medical Ultrasound, to support professional development for healthcare professions including radiographers, physiotherapists, chiropractors, podiatrists, nurses, midwives and doctors.
The aim being for healthcare professionals to attain the generic skills and attitudes of continuing professional development, experiential learning and reflective practice, and to develop advanced clinical and practical skills in ultrasound practice.
• MSK Upper Limb Ultrasound
• MSK Lower Limb Ultrasound
• MSK Hip/Groin Ultrasound
• Gynaecology Ultrasound
• Obstetrics Ultrasound
• General Ultrasound
• Negotiated Ultrasound Skills (for example: Soft Tissue, Contrast Studies, Guided Injections)
Find out more about the MSc Medical Ultrasound over at the AECC University College website.
The units will be taught using a range of teaching and learning methods including:
• Workshops
• Practical skills classes
• Seminars
• Small group work
• Lectures
Apply for MSc Medical Ultrasound by 31st July 2018 for October 2018 start.
The Consortium for the Accreditation of Sonographic Education (CASE) recommends a postgraduate certificate (PgCert)in medical ultrasound to be the minimum qualification required to practise ultrasound in the UK. This CASE-accredited course enables healthcare professionals from varying clinical backgrounds to become safe, competent ultrasound practitioners.
The course:
You have the option to study one of two routes:
The pathway you choose will be dictated by your professional background and your chosen area of ultrasound practice.
Following either pathway, you have an opportunity to continue your study on to the next stage and complete a postgraduate diploma in medical ultrasound.
Course structure
Core modules - Clinical Route
and one optional module
Core module - Point of Care Route
and two optional modules
Modules offered may vary.
How you learn
The teaching is delivered at Teesside University through academic blocks.
The clinical route is developed over five two-week blocks.
The point of care route is delivered over five two-day blocks to suit busy clinical workloads.
Both routes are supported through e-learning. You will also develop your practical skills within your clinical placement. It is a fusion which allows you to become an autonomous safe ultrasound practitioner. Teaching methods used during your academic blocks include lectures, seminars and practical workshops. The state-of-the-art Regional Ultrasound Simulation Centre here on campus is full incorporated into the teaching.
How you are assessed
You are assessed by a written assignment, examinations and a practical triggered assessment.
Work placement
Prior to enrolling on the course, you must negotiate a clinical placement, where you can gain your practical skills. You must find this placement; the University cannot help with this.
Career opportunities
After completing this course you are able to practise in your chosen area of ultrasound.
We have designed our Medical Ultrasound course for radiographers, doctors, midwives, scientists and others who want to practice clinical ultrasound in their professional roles. Our lectures are organised in block release, in conjunction with compulsory clinical placements so that you can take the course while still working. In accordance with accepted good practice, the course integrates theory with practice, meaning that you will perform diagnostic ultrasound examinations as you learn.
The programme, accredited by the Consortium for the Accreditation of Sonographic Education (CASE), will teach you how to use ultrasound imaging in clinical practice. You will be taught the principles and practice of ultrasound science, the practical applications of ultrasound and develop an appreciation of the principles of scientific investigation. Throughout the programme, we will assess your clinical practice. This does not just mean technique, but also knowledge, comprehension, communication, analysis and management – in terms of the patient, your technology and your personal qualities. We will also discuss medico-legal, ethical and professional issues.
Through an introduction to the physics, equipment, safety and relevant professional issues alongside clinical modules, you will develop an understanding of current techniques and proficiency in medical ultrasound. You may choose clinical modules in obstetric and gynaecology ultrasound, general medical ultrasound or vascular ultrasound. You can take a work-based module to meet your individual needs within the PG Certificate in Specialist Ultrasound Practice. These options allow you to build a personalised, proficiency-based learning programme.
This Medical Ultrasound programme is ideal for healthcare professionals wanting to develop new skills in ultrasound, experienced sonographers extending proficiency in a specialist area, or clinicians who wish to utilise ultrasound imaging in clinical practice.
You can choose to take the 60-credit PG Certificate, which is only 9 months, the 120-credit PG Diploma, which lasts 18 months, or the 180-credit MSc, which lasts 27 months and involves an extended research project in your final year.
This Ultrasound programme is for radiographers, doctors, midwives, clinical scientists and other professionals wishing to practice clinical ultrasound. The programme provides knowledge to enable integration of theoretical concepts with ultrasound proficiency. Students may exit with the 60 credit PG Certificate, the 120 credit PG Diploma or progress to the MSc.
Teaching
You will have approximately 132 hours of academic teaching on a block release pattern. You will undertake a minimum of 21 hours a week of supervised scanning throughout the course. A member of the programme team will visit you at your workplace to support you and observe your work. We will expect you to undertake around 15 to 20 hours of independent study per week.
Typically, one credit equates to 10 hours of work.
Assessment
You will be assessed through a combination of:
The study time and assessment methods detailed above are typical and give you a good indication of what to expect. However, they are subject to change.
The majority of graduates take up posts in the NHS or the Independent Sector and move on to become advanced and consultant practitioners. Others use ultrasound scanning proficiency as part of their clinical examination of patients.
Please note: this course is open to part-time entry only in 2017/18
Develop your knowledge and skills as sonographer on a course that is validated by the Consortium for the Accreditation of Sonographic Education (CASE).
The course is designed to meet the continuous professional development needs for people that complete medical ultrasound examinations. It develops the ultrasound scanning skills for a range of professionals including allied health professionals, midwives, nurses, GPs and medics, and can be tailored to meet your individual training needs.
On this course, you
The course leads to one of the following awards
Studying individual modules
You can study the ultrasound scanning short course which provides the theoretical underpinning and clinical competencies in a narrow area of ultrasound. This module can be tailored to a range of ultrasound practice and is suitable for a range of practitioners. Examples include first trimester ultrasound scanning, deep vein thrombosis scanning, head and neck ultrasound and musculoskeletal ultrasound. You are assessed by the course team.
Visit our continuing professional development website for more information.
Professional recognition
The ultrasound route is accredited by the Consortium for the Accreditation of Sonographic Education (CASE).
Please note: this course is open to part-time entry only in 2017/18
This course is only open to home or EU students. We are currently not accepting applications from international students.
Part-time – typically 12-24 months for each award stage, plus a dissertation for masters
For the part time postgraduate certificate and diploma routes, you attend on a day release basis, normally a Tuesday. The stand alone modules have a mixture of taught sessions and distance learning.
The postgraduate certificate (PgCert) is achieved by successfully completing 60 credits.
The postgraduate diploma (PgDip) is achieved by successfully completing 120 credits.
The masters (MSc) award is achieved by successfully completing 180 credits.
PgCert
Plus a further 30 credits from the optional module list below.
PgDip
60 credits from the optional module list below
Optional modules
Further information about all modules is available on our Continuing Professional Development (CPD) website.
Masters dissertation
This module provides an opportunity to conduct a project that is of importance to your professional practice and of relevance to your own workplace or organisation, with the ultimate aim of influencing and impacting on the care provided to those using this service.
The course is designed to support the development of advanced clinical practice for all healthcare practitioners who use ultrasound in diagnosis.
This course is suitable for a range of health care professionals who have experience in radiography, nursing, midwifery or other related professions.
The course enables students to achieve the academic qualifications and clinical skills needed to pursue a career in ultrasound or to develop current skills further.
Students need a clinical placement in a recognised department, to engage in a wide range of ultrasound examinations for the duration of the course.
City’s Medical Ultrasound course offers flexible study options for healthcare professionals undertaking obstetrics, gynaecology and / or abdominal ultrasound training and for those wishing to develop their skills further using work based learning options.
Our expert staff provide a supportive environment, encouraging students to develop their academic abilities and clinical skills in preparation for working as a sonographer. Students learn a range of subjects to enable them to explore the underpinning knowledge of safe, effective and evidence-based ultrasound practice, with which to help them develop clinical skills in their own department. Teaching is also supported by specialist guest speakers who provide current, relevant course material.
Students can achieve competency to practice if they successfully complete both academic and clinical components of the programme to PgC level or above.
The course is accredited by CASE (Consortium for the Accreditation of Sonographic Education), allowing you to practice ultrasound in the UK and some overseas countries, on successful completion of the programme. http://www.case-uk.org
A clinical placement is required in a recognised ultrasound department, to provide a wide range of clinical experience and supervision. Students should have their own clinical placement arranged prior to application, with supervised training arranged for an average of three days per week.
The placement needs to provide support for a wide range of clinical examinations. In addition to hands-on clinical experience you need a named clinical supervisor/assessor to provide support during the course. The supervisor must attend supervisor training and provide regular updates on your clinical progress to the clinical co-ordinator.
The ultrasound clinical skills suite is equipped with a real-time ultrasound machine and simulators. The facilities are used for tutorials, self-directed study and formative monitoring of clinical skills.
Students have access to the MedaPhor simulator during the working week and remote cloud based access to tutorials and resources.
Using a flipped classroom approach to teaching and learning ensure that a range of online lectures are available for learning and revision.
A blended learning approach is used: linking academic theory to clinical practice via work-based learning; formal key note lectures; seminars; film viewing tutorials; demonstrations/workshops; e-learning; shared learning; self-directed study and online case discussions. Participation in the learning is an essential component of the course.
The programme team consists of academic staff, many of whom are still practicing clinically. Guest lecturers are invited to share expert knowledge on a range of topics, such as fetal cardiology, fetal medicine and contrast ultrasound.
The department’s academic staff are highly regarded across the institution, with our current programme director, Gill Harrison, winning the institution's prestigious Vice-Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching and Learning.
Activities include online lectures and quizzes, lectures, tutorials, workshops and skills suite activities, group activities and group work, games and online case discussions.
A variety of assessment methods are used to cater for a range of learning styles and provide a link between theory and practice.
Assessment methods include
As a student on the Medical Ultrasound course you will learn the underpinning theory of ultrasound production, safe and effective practice, normal and abnormal ultrasound appearances and associated imaging pathways.
You will be able to select from a number of clinical options including obstetrics, gynaecology and / or abdominal ultrasound. Additional clinical areas can be studied via work-based learning modules, if appropriate clinical support is available within the students' clinical department. The course is also designed to develop transferable skills to support clinical practice development.
Modules will take place over one or two days per week, depending on the selected module options. The time in lectures varies, dependent on the nature of the module.
Core modules
Core modules and specific named clinical modules have a blended learning approach, with online lectures, online quizzes and discussions supported by lectures, tutorials and workshops. The average contact time per module is approximately 30 to 35 hours.
Students progressing to MSc must undertake:
On completion of a postgraduate certificate or diploma you can apply for jobs as an autonomous practitioner, working in the NHS or private practice. Many of our graduates have become advanced practitioners, developing additional skills during their career, whilst others have travelled to overseas to enhance their careers.
MSc graduates have also become managers of ultrasound departments, leading service change and developing services to improve patient care. A number of graduates have developed their role in specialist areas, where they undertake research and training and engage in dissemination of their work at national and international conferences and in peer review publications. Some of our graduates return to provide keynote lectures to future generations of ultrasound students or even take on the role of Programme Director running ultrasound programmes.
You can also become an independent practitioner, setting up your own company, providing services to local populations or travel the world and experience different ways of working. Most sonographers are employed at band seven in the NHS.
The Specialist Ultrasound Practice PG Cert will appeal to a wide range of healthcare professionals who wish to develop focused ultrasound skills as an extension of their clinical practice. This course offers a personalised combination of work-based learning and lectures that cover the underlying theoretical concepts of ultrasound scanning including Gynaecology & Early Pregnancy Ultrasound and Carotid Artery Ultrasound.
The Specialist Ultrasound Practice PG Cert is a part-time study programme that consists of two required modules. You will complete the course within nine months, studying January to September. You will study Fundamentals of Ultrasound as well as Negotiated Learning with Clinical Proficiency in Medical Ultrasound modules.
It is possible to study The Negotiated Learning module as a standalone module if you are a qualified sonographer and wish to gain academic credits in a proficiency-based topic that will advance your practice. Alternatively, you may study the Negotiated Learning with Clinical Proficiency and Fundamentals of Ultrasound modules to gain a CASE accredited PG Certificate and subsequently, add further modules to achieve the PG Diploma or MSc in Medical Ultrasound.
For health professionals, this programme is designed to award academic credit for a specialist student-negotiated area of ultrasound practice to meet individual professional needs.
You are assessed through a combination of:
The study time and assessment methods detailed above are typical and give you a good indication of what to expect. However, they are subject to change.
This programme has been taken by healthcare graduates in various fields, e.g. stroke, early pregnancy and emergency medicine, to develop the use of ultrasound in their professional roles.
Diagnostic radiography and medical imaging are core components of modern healthcare and rely on rapidly changing diagnostic modalities. It is widely accepted that medical imaging will remain an essential component of diagnostic services for many years to come and that the demand for imaging services will continue to rise.
Recent modernisation within the NHS has raised the profile and extended the scope of practice for allied health professionals (AHPs). Diagnostic radiographers, as one of the sixteen registered AHP groups, are now required to build and extend their scope of professional expertise within a multi-professional setting. Continuing professional development (CPD) is a requirement for all AHPs in the UK in order to secure re-registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and to retain the right to practise within the UK. Radiographers are therefore required to evidence their learning and to demonstrate how this learning has informed practice.
Diagnostic radiography is a profession which is both intellectually and scientifically demanding. Professional responsibility includes a need to be able to formulate imaging standards and strategies as well as assume a greater degree of autonomy within different imaging modalities. To practise effectively the radiographer needs to be able to analyse and evaluate the requirements of healthcare delivery and to be aware of the roles and skills of other healthcare professionals. To optimise patient care the diagnostic radiographer must adopt a critical approach to decision-making in the context of current practice.
This MSc provides CPD opportunities for diagnostic radiographers and other healthcare professionals, but does not lead to UK registration with the HCPC or the right to practice within the UK. Therefore, this course aims to foster an intellectual approach to personal and professional development, encouraging diagnostic radiographers to challenge and progress radiography practice in response to evolutionary change. The course aims to provide flexibility in learning with the opportunity for learners to select modules in order to support individual practice development.
This course uses a wide range of learning and teaching methods, based on a problem based learning approach with students working independently and collaboratively. The teaching and learning strategies are designed to enable independent progress within a supportive framework.
The course is modular and offers a variety of attendance pathways for study: work-based learning; online and block attendance. A range of modules related to the development and progression of the Radiography profession can be used to form the course content.
To obtain a PgCert in any route, you will study 60 credits from the profession specific modules outlined below. To obtain a PgDip, you will study a further 60 credits taken from either profession specific modules or elective modules from the QMU Postgraduate Module Catalogue.
Ultrasound
15 credits: Physics and Instrumentation of Ultrasound+/ Professional Issues Relating to Medical Imaging+
30 credits: General Medical Ultrasound in Clinical Practice*/ Obstetric Ultrasound in Clinical Practice*/ Breast Ultrasound in Clinical Practice*/ Musculoskeletal Ultrasound in Clinical Practice*/ Musculoskeletal Ultrasound in Clinical Practice for AHPs*
MRI
15 credits: Principles of Magnetic Resonance Imaging+/ Principles of Image Evaluation+
30 credits: Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Practice*/ Advanced Practice in Magnetic Resonance Imaging (negotiated study)
CT
15 credits: Principles of Computed Tomography+ / Principles of Image Evaluation+ 30 credits: Advanced Practice in Computed Tomography of the Head*/ Computed Tomography in Practice (Head, Chest, Abdomen and Pelvis)*/ Advanced Practice in Computed Tomography Colonography*
Clinical Reporting
15 credits: Pathophysiology for Musculoskeletal Image Evaluation+/ Principles of Image Evaluation+
30 credits: Clinical Reporting of the Axial and Appendicular Musculoskeletal System* A sample of relevant elective modules are:
15 credits: Epidemiology (distance)/ Developing Professional Practice*/ Leading Professional Practice+/ Practice Development for Person-centred Cultures+
30 credits: Current Developments (distance)/ Developing Professional Practice*
45 credits: Developing Professional Practice*
To obtain an MSc, you require:
30 credits: Research Methods (distance/ contact)
60 credits: Research Project (in an area relevant to medical imaging) (distance) Key: * attendance and work-based + Block/ day release
This qualification may enhance your career prospects within the allied health professions.
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