Medical Ultrasound

• This is a challenging, yet rewarding programme of study offering you the opportunity to develop the high level skills required of an autonomous ultrasound practitioner
• We offer a highly flexible part-time pathway that will appeal to a wide range of health care professionals who wish to develop ultrasound skills as an extension of their scope of practice
• You can choose to study our innovative full-time, fast-track pathway designed for science and health related graduates wishing to explore a career in this exciting and rapidly expanding area of diagnostic imaging. Our fast track students will gain an MSc in just two years
• You’ll receive high quality teaching from friendly, supportive and enthusiastic staff, who are clinically and research active
• You’ll engage in practice based learning in a clinical environment with expert mentor support

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.

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.

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.

Normally, you must:

• hold a science OR health related degree at 2:1 or above
• have English language skills equivalent to IELTS level 6.5 (with at least 6.0 in each skill area)

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:

• An individual interview
• A presentation by academics about the course

Interview information 

2024/25 (August 2024 - July 2025)

Please note fees normally increase in line with inflation and the University's strategic approach to fees, which is reviewed on an annual basis. The total fee you pay may therefore increase after one year of study.

* UK full-time fees paid within one academic year are rounded down to the nearest £50 if applicable

Additional costs and optional extras

About postgraduate awards

Please note at postgraduate level, you’ll need to gain the following number of credits in total to obtain the respective awards. If you have any questions please contact us.

This means you will gain 180 credits in total to complete the full MA or MSc. If you are studying part time you will normally complete your studies over two or three years, depending on the course structure.

Funding your studies

Find out more about fees, postgraduate loans and support you may be entitled to.

Find out about funding your studiesFind out about funding your studies

Alumni discount for Derby graduates

We offer a discount on postgraduate course fees for all Derby alumni.

Find out about the Alumni discountFind out about the Alumni discount

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.

† 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.

Minimum numbers

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