Course details

Study options

Full-time: 2 years, Part-time: 3 to 5 years

Course level

Postgraduate

Qualification

MSc

Start date

September

Location

Kedleston Road, Derby Campus

Course description

Ultrasound is an essential tool in medical diagnosis. In recent years demand has grown beyond all expectations. This has resulted in expansion of the modality both in imaging departments and point of care clinical settings.

To meet this demand we have created our MSc Ultrasound to offer you the opportunity to train in general or very focused ultrasound applications. You’ll be taught in our modern Clinical Skills Suite by some of the area’s leading experts in this field and using state of the art simulation systems.

The course is modular, offering both full-time and part-time enrolment options to help you fit your professional development into your lifestyle. Our part-time pathway is flexible in its design, delivery and assessment to help you meet the demands of work and family commitments. A broad range of negotiated modules allow you to put together a programme of study that meets your individual learning needs, supporting your individual career aspirations.

We welcome applicants from a diverse range of graduate backgrounds. It’s the perfect opportunity for graduates with an interest in ultrasound to train in a field which is in high demand.

You must have access to a clinical ultrasound placement for a minimum of two days per week. For full-time students only, placements are provided with partner NHS Trusts (whilst we will always consider your placement preference, please note that a specific placement location cannot be guaranteed). Please note that if you are a part-time student you will need to source a placement independently.

Professionally accredited

Accredited by the Consortium for the Accreditation of Sonographic Education (CASE), this programme delivers high-quality sonographic education at an appropriate level to ensure trainees are competent and able to practice professionally within the sonographic field. Students undertaking a CASE accredited Medical Ultrasound programme will know that high quality education and training is being delivered against set standards.

94%agreed the course is intellectually stimulating**Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey 2022
94%agreed staff are enthusiastic about what they are teaching**Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey 2022
Multi-Faith Centre, Kedleston Road

Postgraduate Open Event

Join us at an upcoming Postgraduate Open Event, where you will get the opportunity to meet our expert academics and find out more about your course.

Book your Postgraduate Open EventBook your Postgraduate Open Event

What you will study

Stage one

To complete stage one you will study 60 credits. You will complete this 20 credit module:

Principles of Medical Ultrasound
This module introduces the underpinning physics and technology of ultrasound imaging.

And then you will choose two 20 credit option modules. At least one of these must be a clinical ultrasound module.

Stage two

You will study a further 60 credits. At least 20 must be a clinical ultrasound module and the remaining 40 credits can be from the clinical ultrasound or generic modules. 

Stage three

Complete your MSc with a further 60 credits in stage three. You will study the Independent Scholarship (40/60 credits).

Optional modules

Choose from clinical ultrasound modules such as:

  • Obstetric Ultrasound (40 credits)
  • Ultrasound in Early Pregnancy Assessment (20 credits)
  • Gynaecology Ultrasound (20 credits)
  • General Medical Ultrasound (40 credits)
  • Vascular Ultrasound (40 credits)
  • Negotiated Musculoskeletal Ultrasound 1 (20 credits)           
  • Negotiated Musculoskeletal Ultrasound 2 (20 credits)
  • Focused Specialist Ultrasound Practice 1 (20 credits)
  • Focused Specialist Ultrasound Practice 2 (20 credits)
  • Head and Neck Ultrasound (20 credits)
  • Focused Interventional Ultrasound (20 credits)

Choose from generic modules such as:

  • Advancing Practice (20 credits)
  • Advancing Communication Skills (20 credits)
  • Advanced Technology (20 credits)
  • Research Skills for Evidence Based Practice (20 credits)
  • Research Methodologies - Application to Advanced Practice (20 credits)
  • Work Based Learning - Negotiated (20 credits).

Study full-time and complete 120 credits over two years of study from the choices above. The 20 credit research module (Research Skills for Evidence Based Practice) and 40 credit Independent Scholarship module will span across the full two year programme with submission of the final dissertation at the end of the summer semester in year two. This will complete your MSc.

Please note that our modules are subject to change - we review the content of our courses regularly, making changes where necessary to improve your experience and graduate prospects.

How you will learn

You will learn through group activities, lectures, practical work, seminars, self-directed study and simulation activities.

Practical ‘hands-on’ skills development will be supported by access to a state of the art ultrasound simulation suite and a fully equipped ultrasound room in our Clinical Skills Suite.

Have a look at the specialist facilities you’ll use throughout the course.

Work placement

If you are studying part-time, you must have access to a clinical ultrasound placement for a minimum of two days per week. Please note that if you are a part-time student you will need to source a placement independently.

For full-time students only, placements are provided with partner NHS Trusts. (Whilst we will always consider your placement preference, please note that a specific placement location cannot be guaranteed). 

Placement hours are subject to change.

How you'll be assessed

A range of assessment methods are used to ensure that all intended learning outcomes are met. These include written assignments, unseen examinations, computer-based assessments, formative and summative clinical assessment and image viewing examinations. All assessments are linked explicitly with real-world tasks that would be expected of an autonomous ultrasound practitioner.

Entry requirements

Normally, you must:

However, if you don’t hold a 2:1 degree, but you do possess relevant experience, are highly motivated and possess the attributes and values we look for in a health care professional such as care, compassion, competence, communication, courage, commitment, respect, empathy, honesty, self-awareness, integrity and cultural awareness, please get in touch.

The selection process (for full time applicants only) is likely to include:

Interview information 

Students chatting to each other

International student scholarships

We have a range of scholarships and discounts available to international students which can be used together to offer a reduction in your tuition fees.

Find out if you're eligible for an international scholarship Find out if you're eligible for an international scholarship

How to apply

Please look at our application deadlines before you apply.


UK students

Due to the popularity of this course, and to ensure that each applicant is treated fairly, admissions to the MSc Medical Ultrasound course will be assessed via a gathered field approach. This means that we will let successful candidates know if they have been successful after all interviews have taken place.

Learn more about our Gathered Field Policy

The deadline for applications is Friday 29 March 2024.

Students should Apply directly to the University.

Apply directly to the University

 

Additional information

International students applying for the part-time route are subject to appraisal of the applicants previous Ultrasound qualifications. International students can only study this course via our distance learning modules.

English language entry requirements must be achieved and evidenced as part of an application and before an interview can be offered for this programme.

Careers

On successful completion of all core and mandatory elements, you will be able to provide evidence of preparation for practice to the standards required for a first post-qualification sonographer post. We’ve consulted with key service partners who have confirmed that this would allow appointment 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.

At present, sonography is not a registerable health care profession. On successful completion of the full MSc in Medical Ultrasound, graduate entrants (who do not hold an existing registerable qualification) will not be eligible for HCPC registration. However, in collaboration with CASE and the Society and College of Radiographers, this course has been mapped closely against existing HCPC standards of proficiency for diagnostic imaging.

On completion of the MSc you will be able to apply for registration through the Professional Standards Authority with The Register of Clinical Technologists. Details of the application process can be found on their website

UK CASE accredited ultrasound awards are recognised both nationally and internationally. Whilst developing the course we have worked closely with regional and national stakeholders to ensure that when you graduate you will be well prepared to work as an autonomous ultrasound practitioner within your speciality.

Contact us

If you need any more information from us, eg on courses, accommodation, applying, car parking, fees or funding, please contact us and we will do everything we can to help you.

Contact us Contact us

† Additional information about your studies

September (MSc Ultrasound)

April and January for some CPD modules. Individuals must hold a recognised Ultrasound qualification.

 

Download programme specification

Teaching hours

Like most universities, we operate extended teaching hours at the University of Derby, so contact time with your lecturers and tutors could be anytime between 9am and 9pm. Your timetable will usually be available on the website 24 hours after enrolment on to your course.

Additional costs and optional extras

We’re committed to providing you with an outstanding learning experience. Our expert teaching, excellent facilities and great employability prepare you for your future career. As part of our commitment to you we aim to keep any additional study costs to a minimum. However, there are occasions where students may incur some additional costs.

The information provided on this page is correct at the time of publication but course content, costs and other individual course details do change from time to time and are updated as often as possible, so please do check these pages again when making your final decision to apply for a course. Any updated course details will also be confirmed to you at application, enrolment and in your offer letter.

Included in your fees

Available for full-time students only:

Mandatory costs not included in your fees
Optional costs not included in your fees

Minimum numbers

Please note that this course is subject to minimum numbers in order to run.