This is a flexible part‐time (PT) award that will appeal to a wide range of healthcare professionals who wish to develop focused ultrasound skills as an extension of their scope of practice. The award aligns with the MSc Medical Imaging (Ultrasound) programme and is aimed at those employed within a suitable clinical environment. This course is available to registered health care professionals, or scientists, who wish to undertake ultrasound training as career development or as an extension of their existing clinical role.
You must have the support of a suitable clinical placement prior to being accepted onto the course, and this must remain in place for the duration of the course. The course allows you to develop the knowledge and skills required to become a competent sonographer in third trimester ultrasound and is accredited by the Consortium for the Accreditation of Sonographic Education (CASE) ensuring it meets national standards commensurate with similar/equivalent courses across the United Kingdom.
Course options
First Trimester Ultrasound is also available.
Resources and facilities
The academic components for this course share one core module and some joint learning with the medical imaging (ultrasound) programme. The medical imaging (ultrasound) programme is taught by a team of experienced ultrasound practitioners both in the university and clinical setting.
Top of the range ultrasound equipment and test phantoms, as well as simulated practice facilities (Medaphor Scan Trainer), are available at the university to prepare students for their time on clinical placement. We currently have one of the largest Medaphor ultrasound simulation labs in the world, which is an excellent advantage. Some of the formative clinical assessments may be performed using the Scan Trainer technology, ensuring students are confident in a range of basic skills before even attempting to scan a real patient.
It is envisaged that the use of simulated practice will be developed further, with possible opportunities to develop ‘cloud based’ shared/distance learning activity with other universities and practitioners. The ultrasound machines and practice simulators are housed in a purpose built skills hub, where students will be able to consolidate their theoretical knowledge and practical skills during the academic blocks at university, ensuring they are adequately prepared with the appropriate skills, prior to each placement block.
Course outline
Course summary
The academic components for this course shares one module and in addition some shared learning with the medical imaging (ultrasound) programme. The medical imaging (ultrasound) programme is taught by a team of experienced ultrasound practitioners both in the university and clinical setting.
Top of the range ultrasound equipment and test phantoms, as well as simulated practice facilities (Medaphor Scan Trainer), are available at the university to prepare you for your time on clinical placement. We currently have one of the largest Medaphor ultrasound simulation labs in the world, which is an excellent advantage. Some of the formative clinical assessments will be performed using the Scan Trainer technology, ensuring you are confident in a range of basic skills. It is envisaged that the use of simulated practice will be developed further, with possible opportunities to develop ‘cloud based’ shared/distance learning activity with other universities and practitioners. The ultrasound machines and practice simulators are housed in a purpose built skills hub, where you will be able to consolidate your theoretical knowledge and practical skills during the academic blocks at university, ensuring you are adequately prepared with the appropriate skills.
You will be supported in developing your skills to become an autonomous practitioner, who is able to undertake advanced practice safely, by ensuring clinical competencies achieved meet national standards in your area of practice. You will have the opportunity for inter‐professional learning, during clinical placement through the sharing of best clinical practice. The development of critical, analytical and evaluative skills and incorporating these into the clinical environment, encouraging evidence based practice will be a fundamental part of the course.
Many clinical placement sites have been working with the university for several years, supporting students through the traditional part‐time route for sonographers, and have friendly, supportive and experienced staff to help you develop your clinical skills whilst maintaining strong links with the university. The principal academic staff members on the programme team are university lecturers as well as still practicing ultrasound clinically in the NHS or private sectors.
The programme is also supported by colleagues from the wider medical science programmes at the University of Cumbria. The programme is supported by a wide range of locally and nationally respected ultrasound professionals and physicists who act as honorary lecturers of the University of Cumbria and provide advice on the programme content and contribute to the programme delivery. The programme team are respected nationally in their field and are currently research active. The team are actively involved in the development and maintenance of ultrasound education at a national level.
Modules
Programme Specification
For a detailed summary of all course content please read our programme specification for this course.
Assessment, Feedback, and Teaching and Learning methods
Full details are available in the programme specification.
Entry requirements
Have a question about our entry requirements?
Entry Requirements
1st or 2nd class honours degree.
Students with other qualifications may be admitted to the course, please contact the Enquiry Centre for further details.
Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL) may be considered for relevant prior learning at the same academic level.
More information about levels and credits.
Selection Criteria
You will need to have at least 12 months’ equivalent full‐time post registration clinical experience, and you will need support from a clinical ultrasound department and access to a suitable clinical placement in such a department for the duration of the course. It is your responsibility to ensure a suitable clinical placement is organised, prior to, and for the duration of this award, and the university regretfully cannot assist you in finding or securing a clinical placement for this award, at any time during your time on the course.
You must have access to a suitable clinical mentor and suitable patient case load for a minimum of 15 hours per week. If a student placement is terminated for any reason, the university cannot assist you in finding or securing another placement. If a suitable clinical placement cannot be found in these circumstances, you will be required to withdraw from the course. Applicants should be eligible for registration by their respective UK professional or regulatory body e.g. Health & Care Professions Council
(HCPC), General Medical Council (GMC), Nursing & Midwifery Council (NMC), Society of Vascular Technologist (SVT). You will also need to provide one reference in support of your application, from the department offering a clinical placement.
You will be required to pass an element of pre‐course assessment in the department sponsoring you. It is the sponsoring department’s responsibility to facilitate this assessment and this will be carried out to ensure that you show an aptitude for Ultrasonography. You will need to undertake a preliminary practical assessment to demonstrate the relevant psychomotor skills such as hand‐eye co‐ordination, pattern recognition and spatial awareness. The assessment will be of an informal nature, carried out by experienced practitioners in your clinical placement, who will then provide a written reference of your suitability.
Before being accepted onto the course, you will be interviewed, usually by telephone. Interviewers from the course team will, amongst other attributes, be looking for a commitment to further study, an understanding of content and standard of the course and interpersonal skills. As part of the recruitment process, you may be assessed on your values using the core requirements set out in the Value Based Recruitment (VBR) Behaviour Framework as outlined in the NHS Constitution.
Application information
Applications should be made online directly to the university via the apply button above. If you need more details or guidance, please contact enquirycentre@cumbria.ac.uk. There is no official closing date but we would encourage you to apply as early as possible, as many courses are competitive.
Please note that the direct entry application system will not recognise your current Student IT Network login. Please select the New User option from the Apply Now button.
We like all our applicants to demonstrate an understanding of what the role of a sonographer involves and a clear rationale for applying for this award. Applications cannot be considered without a suitable clinical placement being secured. This must be in place before commencing the course.
Please email a completed copy of the pre-course checks document to accompany your application to PGAdmissions@cumbria.ac.uk.