Ultrasound Imaging
Part-time
Three year
January 2025
In a nutshell
Ultrasound Imaging has made a dramatic impact on patient diagnosis and management and the demand for ultrasound as a medical imaging tool has increased rapidly. An increasing range of professional groups are now using ultrasound; not only imaging departments. As such, the Ultrasound programme at the University of Salford is committed to supporting this increased demand by offering comprehensive training in clinical ultrasound.
The MSc Ultrasound Imaging course is part-time and modular. The programme runs January – January. It includes core mandatory modules, named clinical modules and negotiated modules which allow individual learning needs to be met.
This programme is accredited by the Consortium for the Accreditation of Sonographic Education (CASE) which ensures the highest standards are met and students will be competent and able to practice professionally within their chosen field. We regularly review programme content to ensure it meets students’ requirements and offers a flexible part-time pathway to aid a wide range of healthcare professionals develop their professional ultrasound practice.
Information for managers and applicants
Information for managers and applicants is available below under our requirements section. Please read our requirements carefully and ensure you complete and submit the Verification of Clinical Requirements Form with your application.
Please note: We do not provide clinical placements, you must have independently agreed to a guaranteed clinical placement for a minimum of two days a week with access to an established clinical workload in the area of practice you intend to study. You must also have the support of an appropriate mentor at your place of employment.
You must already hold an undergraduate qualification in a healthcare-related field.
You will:
- Benefit from our close links with NHS Clinical Providers.
- Have the opportunity to gain hands on experience support by virtual simulators.
- Be taught by lecturers of national and international standing.
Course accreditations
This is for you if...
You have excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
You have the ability to work under pressure.
You are hardworking and dedicated to developing your knowledge.
All about the course
The two core modules, Scientific Principles of Diagnostic Ultrasound and Professional Ultrasound Practice, and the named clinical modules General, Gynaecology, Obstetrics and Musculoskeletal Ultrasound (theory and clinical practice) all start in January.
The named clinical areas are covered by two 15-credit modules e.g., General Ultrasound Theory and General Ultrasound Clinical Practice and the delivery is in the same block.
We currently do not accept students to study the theory-only modules, so a student will study the theory and clinical practice modules together to gain 30 credits in the named clinical area. This is under review and may change in the future.
Award outcomes
PgCert: Students can gain a postgraduate certificate in 12 months by studying the following modules:
- Scientific Principles of Diagnostic Ultrasound 15 credits (core module)
- Professional Ultrasound Practice 15 credits (core module)
- 30 credits chosen from named clinical modules
PgDip: A student can gain a postgraduate diploma in 20 months by completing the first year as above and then completing another 60 credits chosen from two named clinical modules in the second year.
MSc: A student can gain an MSc in Ultrasound Imaging by completing as above and then in the third year 60 credits from the dissertation module.
The negotiated ultrasound practice modules start in January and can be part of an award or a single module. These modules allow a wider range of healthcare professionals to gain ultrasound qualifications for example, nurses working in gynaecology/early pregnancy units, focussed clinical areas for physiotherapists, podiatrists, midwives etc., please discuss with the programme leader before applying for a negotiated module.
The main modules within the programme start in January as detailed below.
| Module | Core/Choice | Credits | Duration |
| Scientific principles of Diagnostic Ultrasound (SPDU) | Core | 15 |
Jan - June June – Dec (third trimester students) |
| Professional Ultrasound Practice (PUP) | Core | 15 | Jan – Dec |
| General Ultrasound Imaging Theory (GENT) | Choice | 15 | Jan - August |
| General Ultrasound Imaging Clinical practice (GENCP) | Choice | 15 | Jan - August |
| Gynaecology Ultrasound Imaging Theory (GYNT) | Choice | 15 | Jan - August |
| Gynaecology Ultrasound Imaging Clinical practice (GYNCP) | Choice | 15 | Jan - August |
| Obstetric Ultrasound Imaging Theory (OBST) | Choice | 15 | Jan - August |
| Obstetric Ultrasound Imaging Clinical practice (OBSCP) | Choice | 15 | Jan - August |
| Musculoskeletal Ultrasound Imaging Theory (MSKT) | Choice | 15 | Jan - August |
| Musculoskeletal Ultrasound Imaging Clinical practice (MSKCP) | Choice | 15 | Jan - August |
| Negotiated Ultrasound practice 1 (NUP1) | Choice | 15 | Jan - August |
| Negotiated Ultrasound practice 2 (NUP2) | Choice | 15 | Jan - August |
| Third Trimester Ultrasound | Choice | 15 |
Jan – August June – Dec |
| Module | Core/Choice | Credits | Duration |
| Masters Dissertation | 60 | January or September start for 12 months | |
| Research Methods Applied to Public Health | 30 | Sept – Jan | |
| Principles of Advanced Practice (PACP) | 15 | Sept – Jan | |
| Leading Education in Practice | 30 | Jan |
If you are a qualified healthcare professional (e.g., midwives) with an appropriate clinical placement and mentor wanting to develop professionally and study Third Trimester Ultrasound, we offer two start dates (numbers permitting) of January and June, and you will gain 30 credits. Please discuss this with the programme leader before applying.
Please note that it may not be possible to deliver the full list of chosen options every year as this will depend on factors such as how many students choose a particular option. All our workstreams are dependent on student numbers so please apply as soon as possible to secure your place for this year. Whilst the University tries to ensure that you are able to undertake your preferred options, it cannot guarantee this.
The School of Health and Society
The School of Health and Society is a forward-thinking, dynamic school with a commitment to lifelong learning and real world impact.
We live in a rapidly changing world, and we’re keen to leave a productive legacy of helping people at all stages of their lives, improving their physical, psychological and social wellbeing.
The school is home to a dedicated Centre for Medical Imaging.
Medical Imaging Facilities
The Advanced Medical Imaging programme has access to the Directorate’s medical imaging suites.
https://vimeo.com/811243660/c8291eb78f
This includes an Ultrasound skills lab with 5 state of the art diagnostic ultrasound machines and modern phantoms and simulators. There is also access to two clinical ultrasound rooms within the new imaging suite.
We also have purchased clinical-quality high-resolution digital viewing systems.
Wider imaging facilities include a CT scanner, Mammography machine, 2 x ray systems and a mobile machine and dental equipment.
Our extensive imaging facilities are used in skills labs and self-directed study by both undergraduate and postgraduate students.
Use of equipment and volunteers is compliant with the appropriate UK legislation and guidance.
Staff Profile
Programme leader – Angela Booth
“This programme with the facilities available offers a massive potential to train and increase the numbers of competent ultrasound practitioners. The involvement of a multidisciplinary team of educators and clinical specialists who are at the cutting edge of their field gives an opportunity to learn from the best. Students are offered a flexible pathway tailored to their individual training requirements and they develop professional, evidence-based and patient centred skills.”
Specialist lecturers and support
Teaching is delivered by clinical and academic experts, many of whom are Advanced and Consultation practitioners themselves, and are considered national experts in their field. All students have access to clinical specialists, module leaders and the programme leader who will help them with their learning to ensure they are evidence based and appropriate for developing clinical competence.
What about after uni?
On successful completion of an award or single module, you will have evidence of clinical competency. This should allow successful employment however applicants from a non-healthcare background should note that, at present, employment in some NHS Trusts and some private organisations may not be possible due to the requirement for professional registration although many organisations already employ sonographers from non-traditional backgrounds.
At present, sonography is not a registered health care profession and sonography is not a protected title.
Currently, on successful completion of an award in Medical Ultrasound, students (who do not hold an existing registerable qualification) will not be eligible for HCPC registration. However, this course has been mapped closely against existing HCPC standards of proficiency for diagnostic imaging and CASE standards and the Society and College of Radiographers.
On completion of an award, you are eligible and can 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.
What you need to know
For the academic year January 2025 – December 2025, the application deadline is 25 November 2024 by 23:59 to allow students to be registered for the January start. Late applicants may be considered for the next intake.
Please note: This course is not suitable for international applicants.
For all enquiries, please contact the admissions team ultrasound-enquiries@salford.ac.uk
Information for managers
If you are applying for funding, please contact the programme lead as soon as possible to discuss your student profile and training requirements. We will help you identify the specific modules and full fee. We cannot hold places on our course and must process individual student applications, so it is essential to discuss eligibility early. Do not wait until funding is in place, as this may delay registration or defer the applicant to the next academic year.
Applicant profile
Entrants must be appropriately qualified practitioners: graduate healthcare professionals with a first- or second-class honours degree in a relevant healthcare or science-related subject.
Applicants holding a nonstandard qualification must provide evidence of suitability for postgraduate study by submitting an academic piece of work set by the University, a satisfactory personal statement, and references.
Students whose first language is not English must demonstrate proficiency in English with an IELTS minimum overall score of 7.0 (no element below 6.5).
If you do not meet our standard requirements, please contact the programme lead to discuss accreditation for prior learning and module options.
Applicants must:
- Have a previous degree in a relevant healthcare subject.
- Provide two satisfactory references (they can be uploaded with your application).
- Have an appropriate clinical placement with a signed agreement for sufficient scanning experience from a clinical manager and a mentor for clinical modules. Please complete the verification form electronically and ensure you upload it with your application form. Applications will not be accepted without a completed verification form: Verification of Clinical Placement Form January 2025 (Word Document)
English language requirements
Please note, we can only accept international applicants who hold a tier 2 visa and UK/EU health professionals. This course is not suitable for applicants who require a tier 4 visa. International applicants will be required to show proficiency in English. An IELTS score of 7.0 (with no element below this) is proof of this.
Undergraduate degree
You will hold a BSc (Hons) in Diagnostic Radiography or another healthcare professional qualification with a 2:1 or above. For the clinically related modules, you must also have access to a relevant imaging caseload and the support of a clinical mentor. The University cannot find a clinical placement for you.
If you do not have a 2:1 degree and wish to apply, the programme lead will decide whether Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning (APEL) is required. This may delay your offer, so please apply as soon as possible.
English language requirements
Please note, we can only accept international applicants who hold a tier 2 visa and UK/EU health professionals. This course is not suitable for applicants who require a tier 4 visa. International applicants will be required to show proficiency in English. An IELTS score of 7.0 (with no element below this) is proof of this.
Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL)
We welcome applications from students who may not have formal/traditional entry criteria but who have relevant experience or the ability to pursue the course successfully.
The Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL) process could help you to make your work and life experience count. The APL process can be used for entry onto courses or to give you exemptions from parts of your course.
Two forms of APL may be used for entry: the Accreditation of Prior Certificated Learning (APCL) or the Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning (APEL).
How much?
Your annual fee will be calculated pro rata to the full-time fee according to the number of credits you are studying.
Prospective students with Tier 2 visa that covers the duration of your study are eligible to apply.
| Type of study | Year | Fees |
|---|---|---|
| Part-time | 2025/26 | £1,540 per 30 credit module |
Additional costs
You should also consider further costs which may include books, stationery, printing, binding and general subsistence on trips and visits to associated clinical sites/ hospitals during your course.
All set? Let's apply
Complete the online application using the big red button at the top of this page. Ensure the following are included with your application:
- - Verification of Clinical Placement Form January 2025 (Word Document)
- - Evidence of all previous qualifications
For the academic year January 2025 – December 2025, the deadline for applicants is 25 November 2024 by 11.59pm to allow students to be registered for the January start.
Still have some questions? Contact Angela Booth, Programme Leader or course enquiries team for more information:
By email: enquiries@salford.ac.uk
By phone: +44 (0)161 295 4545