MSc Medical Ultrasound
See more with an MSc in Medical Ultrasound.
Course overview
Are you ready for a new and exciting career path? Perhaps you want to work in a different area of the medical profession? Well, have you considered the rewarding and challenging field of Medical Ultrasound? It’s rapidly become an essential part of investigative healthcare and is used to support a variety of medical professionals including radiographers, physiotherapists, chiropractors, podiatrists, nurses, midwives, and doctors.
Our Masters in Medical Ultrasound, developed by experts from the University College's School of Medical Ultrasound and accredited by CASE, will give you the specialist knowledge, plus all the advanced clinical and practical skills needed for ultrasound practice. In your first and second years of the degree, you’ll get the chance to select the units that are right for you, choosing between a series of clinical application and non-skills based units to build up your range of abilities.
What’s more, as we know not everyone is available to study on a full-time basis, we’ve made the course part-time so you gain your qualification while you work. The degree is made up of three progressive levels - the Postgraduate Certificate, the Postgraduate Diploma and the Masters - meaning that if you want to finish early you can get an exit qualification at the end of each stage, allowing you to tailor a learning experience that’s right for you.
You’ll be taught by actively practising practitioners and highly-qualified academic staff, who will guide you on your educational journey through professional development, experiential learning and reflective practice, tutorials, workshops, practical clinical skills classes, seminars, group work, and lectures. All of this happens at our renowned campus, considered one of the largest, established, and most prolific treatment and teaching facilities in the world. In fact over 50% of our students are drawn here from overseas.
So, if you can see yourself working, learning, and earning a Master’s degree in our Medical Ultrasound course, come along to one of our open days or speak with us to find out how we can keep you going on your journey.
Key Information
- Course title:
- MSc Medical Ultrasound
- UCAS Code:
- A65
- Qualification:
- Masters Degree
- Duration:
- 4 years
Course leader
Warren Foster
BSc (Hons), PgCert, PgDip - Deputy Director School of Medical Ultrasound
Warren Foster graduated from Portsmouth University with a BSc (Hons) Degree in diagnostic radiography and subsequently worked in the NHS with in diagnostic imaging. During his 17 years in the NHS he has worked in angiography, CT, MRI, and trauma both in this country and abroad in Africa. Discovering a passion for medical ultrasound, Warren completed a PGdip at The University of the West of England and additional professional competencies with the NHS and the University of the South West of Australia before achieving an MSc in Medical Ultrasound at the University of Bournemouth/AECC University College. Developing a wide range of skills over the years, Warren holds a complete range of ultrasound specialities. While enjoying the rewards of excellent clinical practice, he was able to expand into the management of NHS services holding departmental and divisional management roles over a number NHS Trusts. Using this business management background Warren owns and operates private businesses in the Imaging, Business consultancy and Chiropractic sectors of the market. Always with a keen interest in education, Warren has interlaced his responsibility in the NHS with lecturing commitments at Exeter University, The University of the West of England and AECC University College. The Co-author of online training modules with the Society of Radiographers and College of Radiologists he has had a role in the development of hundreds of medical doctors and sonographers.
Course details
To earn your degree in MSc Medical Ultrasound, you’ll need a total of 180 Master’s level credits. Usually, you’ll aim to gain 60 credits a year - at the end of stage one, you’ll qualify for a PgCert (60 M credits), at stage two you’ll qualify for a PgDip (120 M credits), and finally an MSc at the end of stage three (180 M credits). Don’t be put off if you think this is too much or too little, as you’re encouraged to go at your own pace so you can do more or less than this in one year, depending on what suits you.
We recommend that you don’t take on more than 40 credits a year in one of our clinical application units due to the practical-skills workload involved. We want to make sure that you are comfortable and able to complete the workload that you take on at a reasonable pace.
To get a picture of the curriculum check out a list of units below, or should you need more information about each module’s aims, content and assessment structure, just take a look at our Course Specification.
Unit breakdown
You have control over what units you want to take. All units have M Level Credits assigned to them. You’ll need to pick units that total 60 M Level Credits for the PgDip. Along with completing the core unit in Science and Instrumentation of Ultrasound (20 credits), you’ll be able to select between a series of clinical application and non-skills based units to make up the remaining 40 credits. One of the units selected must be from the clinical application unit selection.
Units
- Science and Instrumentation of Ultrasound (20 credits) core mandatory unit
- With an emphasis on safety and quality, the unit sheds light on the science and technique behind ultrasound.
- Assessment: Evidence-based critical written account, 4,000 words, worth 100% and an OSE (Objective Structured Examination) (P/F).
- Clinical Application Unit: Gynaecology Ultrasound (20 credits)
- You’ll explore the interventional and non-interventional techniques and procedures of obtaining diagnostic ultrasound images.
- Assessment: Evidence-based critical written account; 2,000 words, worth 60%; case study; 1,500 words, worth 40%; logbook (min 75 cases) (P/F) and a competency assessment of 3 cases (P/F).
- Clinical Application Unit: First Trimester Ultrasound (20 credits)
- Delving into first trimester ultrasound, you’ll explore the interventional and non-interventional techniques and procedures of getting diagnostic ultrasound images.
- Assessment: Evidence-based critical written account 2,000 words, worth 60%; case study 1,500 words, worth 40%; logbook (min 50 cases) (P/F) and a competency assessment of three cases (P/F).
- Clinical Application Unit: Second & Third Trimester Ultrasound (20 credits)
- This unit aims to develop the knowledge and understanding in 2nd and 3rd trimester obstetrics ultrasound anatomy and pathology.
- Assessment: Two evidence-based critical written accounts, 1,000 words, worth 60%; two case studies, 750 words each, worth 40%; logbook (min 75 cases) (P/F), and a competency assessment of three cases (P/F).
- Clinical Application Unit: General Ultrasound (40 credits)
- This wider focus unit looks at using ultrasound and pathology in relation to abdominal and superficial structures, such as scrotum, breast and thyroid.
- Assessment: Two evidence-based critical written account, 2,000 words, worth 60%; two case studies, 1500 words, worth 40%; logbook (min 125 cases) (P/F), and a competency assessment of six cases (P/F).
- Clinical Application Unit: Musculoskeletal Ultrasound (Upper Limb) (20 credits)
- Here you’ll jump into upper limb musculoskeletal ultrasound anatomy and pathology of the upper limbs.
- Assessment: Evidence-based critical written account, 2,000 words, worth 60%; case study, 1500 words, worth 40%; logbook (min 50 cases) (P/F), and a competency assessment of three cases (P/F).
- Clinical Application Unit: Musculoskeletal Ultrasound (Lower Limb) (20 credits)
- You’ll discover the exciting subjects of lower limb musculoskeletal ultrasound anatomy and pathology of the lower limbs.
- Assessment: Evidence-based critical written account, 2,000 words, worth 60%; case study, 1500 words, worth 40%; logbook (min 50 cases) (P/F), and a competency assessment of three cases (P/F).
- Clinical Application Unit: Musculoskeletal Ultrasound (Hip and Groin) (20 credits)
- This compelling unit focuses on hip and groin musculoskeletal ultrasound anatomy and pathology.
- Assessment: Evidence-based critical written account, 2,000 words, worth 60%; case study, 1500 words, worth 40%; logbook (min 50 cases) (P/F), and a competency assessment of three cases (P/F).
- Clinical Application Unit: Negotiated Skills Ultrasound (20 credits)
- You can complete this unit, which features tutorials and practical demonstrations, up to five times! Each time basing it on a different clinical skill, for example: Vascular, Soft Tissue, Breast, Vascular screening (Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA) or DVT or Carotids), Nuchal Translucency (NT) Screening, Gynaecology Contrast Ultrasound, and Guided Injection.
- Evidence-based critical written account, 2,000 words, worth 60%; case study, 1500 words, worth 40%; logbook (25 - 50 cases) (P/F), and a competency assessment of three cases (P/F).
- Non-skills Based Unit: Work-based Portfolio (20 credits)
- This is your chance to show off, as you’ll put together a portfolio of your work in clinical practice.
- Assessment: Evidence-based critical written account, 2,000 words, worth 60%; case study, 1500 words, 40%; logbook (25 - 50 cases) (P/F), and a competency assessment of three cases (P/F).
- Non-skills Based Unit: Structured Learning Event (20 credits)
- You’ll get the opportunity to attend a seminar of your choice (which needs to be approved by your Pathway Leader), and write a report reflecting on the things you’ve learnt and experienced whilst in practice.
- Assessment: Evidence-based critical written account, 5,000 words
- Non-skills Based Unit: Current Advances in Practice (20 credits)
- You’ll hunt out relevant and interesting developments in the medical world, and use your findings to support your learning.
- Assessment: Evidence-based critical written account, 5,000 words
- Non-skills Based Unit: Evidence-based Practice (20 credits)
- In today’s healthcare environment, practitioners must not only keep abreast of current research evidence, but also incorporate it where appropriate into clinical practice, which is where this unit comes in.
- Assessment: Evidence-based critical written account, 2,500 words, worth 50%, and a critical appraisal, 2,500, worth 50%
For the PgDip Stage of your degree, you get to choose from any of the units that you did not complete during the previous PgCert Stage (Year 1). All units have M Level Credits assigned to them. You’ll need to pick units that total 60 M Level Credits for the PgDip.
For your final stage in MSc APP Clinical Sciences, you can pick between two unit groups.
Group 1
- Research Methods (20 credits)
- This attendance-based unit presents different types of clinical research designs for you to decide which are best at answering particular clinical questions. You’ll not only develop skills in clinical research designs, data collection, and data analysis, but this unit prepares you to identify potential areas for research and plan a research investigation.
- Assessment: Reflective Research Protocol, approximately 5,000 words, worth 100%.
- Dissertation (40 credits)
- You’ll complete a research investigation in an area that applies to your professional practice. You’re likely to carry out the investigation in your workplace, collecting and analysing real-time clinical data, but facilities at the AECC UC may also be available. You’ll be supported by expert research supervision, institutional research facilities, and ethics approval boards.
- Assessment: Research Dissertation, approximately 10,000 words, worth 100%.
Group 2
- Audit Methods (20 credits)
- This attendance-based unit will develop your skills in data collection and data analysis based on audit findings, and ways to improve clinical practice.
- Assessment: Reflective audit protocol, approximately 5,000 words, worth 100%.
- Clinical Audit (40 credits)
- A clinical audit is very relevant to professional practice, as it allows recommendations to be made to improve both your practice and how you approach your work. You’ll complete a Clinical Audit as part of your Masters.
- Assessment: Clinical Audit, approximately 10,000 words, worth 100%.
Entry Requirements
How do I apply?
You can apply through our online application portal here.
What grades do I need?
To join us you’ll need a recognised professional qualification or a first degree in a relevant subject in line with the admissions regulations, but don’t let that put you off if you’re lacking, as credit for prior learning is possible on approval by the Course Leader. So we know you’ll have no problem studying at this level, you’ll also need a UK bachelors degree or overseas equivalent in a relevant subject.
When you apply you should also include a Clinical Workplace Agreement (completed by the work-place supervisor/mentor), just to make sure you can meet all the clinical requirements of the course. A limited number of placements are available at the School of Medical Ultrasound should you be interested; assigned and reviewed by the Course Leader. Please note that this is charged at an additional cost to the course fee. Speak with our School of Medical Ultrasound team for prices, dates, and further details.
If you’re applying from outside of the UK
We welcome students from all over the globe! Take a glance at our handy qualification tool to see what qualification equivalents we accept, but don’t panic if your qualification isn’t on the list! Just give us a call or drop us an email to talk about it, as we may still be able to consider it.
We’ll need scanned copies of all transcripts and certificates listed on your UCAS application. If these are not in English, we’ll need a verified translation as well as the originals. You can send all of these to admissions after you’ve submitted your UCAS application.
It would be a shame for language to be a barrier, so if English is not your first language we’d be looking for a qualification in one of the following:
- IELTS overall score of 7.0
- TOEFL overall score of 100 with minimum scores of 19 in reading, writing and listening and 20 in speaking.
- Grade 185 minimum in Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English
We may be able to consider other English language qualifications, so call or email our Admissions team to find out. Try to book your language tests as early in the year as you can, just in case you need to re-sit. We won’t be able to give you an unconditional offer unless all conditions are met.
HAVE MORE QUESTIONS? LET US ANSWER THEM IN OUR APPLICATION FAQS
Course Fees
One of the most important things you’ll need to consider before applying for this course are the tuition fees. Our current course costs for the MSc Medical Ultrasound (2017/2018) entry are shown below.
- Home/EU
- If you don’t hold any Masters or other level 7 degree (PgCert/PgDip) or higher: £2973 per annum
- If you do hold any Masters or other level 7 degree (PgCert/PgDip) or higher: £3613 per annum
- EEA (non-EU) or Swiss Nationals: £3613 per annum
- All other applicants: £4766 per annum
The prices listed are if the fees are paid in full by 31st October, but if you have any queries or concerns, feel free to get in touch or take a look at our Fees and Funding page to find out more.
If the course detail isn’t incentive enough, we also offer all new MSc Ultrasound enrolments that are starting in 2017 a 10% discount to AECC UC alumni on the annual tuition fee for the duration of your part-time MSc programme. What’s more, those starting a postgraduate course for the first time, who are under 60 and living in the UK, could qualify for a Postgraduate Loan of up to £10,000 to help with study costs.
This is being offered to people starting a postgraduate course from 1st September 2017. Find out more about postgraduate loans and if you qualify on the gov.uk website.
As we don’t want you to have any nasty surprises during your time with us, please take a few minutes to read through the following information. To stay on the course your fees are due annually, and may be subject to change. Decisions about changes to course fees, arrangements, and dates for teaching sessions are the right of the course organisers - they’ll let you know if anything is due to change. Bear in mind that the fees currently advertised by the AECC University College are for the first year of the programme only. We advise you to budget for an increase of up to 5% for each following year, and all increased fees will be posted to the AECC University College website, so don’t worry if you forget. Three termly instalments can be arranged with the Finance Department, but please note a surcharge of 5% is made for termly instalments.
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