Program Overview

Clinical Ultrasound MSc/PGDip/PGCert

Key Information

• Delivery mode: In person
• Study mode: Part time
• Duration: PG Cert 1 year, PG Dip 1 year (with 60 credits RPL), MSc 1 year (with 120 credits RPL)
• Application status: Open
• Start date: September 2025

Programme Overview

The MSc in Clinical Ultrasound provides a contemporary research-enhanced curriculum with a minimum of 800 hours of professional practice experience and an accelerated route into the profession. It is an ideal study pathway for trainee sonographers and existing Healthcare Professionals wishing to achieve excellence in all aspects of clinical ultrasound practice.

Key Benefits

• King's Health Partners is one of only eight UK Academic Health Science Centres, where world-class research, education and clinical practice are brought together for the benefit of patients by translating cutting-edge research and existing best practice into excellent patient care.
• This is an established course, which has been accredited by the Consortium for the Accreditation of Sonographic Education (CASE) since 1993. Successful reaccreditation was granted most recently in January 2023.
• High quality partnership working with professional practice partners and other stakeholders ensures graduates have the knowledge, skills and personal attributes required for working in the NHS. Clinical placement providers are currently eligible to receive NHS England funding to cover tuition fees and salary costs.
• Our Simulation and Interactive Learning (SaIL) Centre provides ultrasound scanners, simulators, and a simulated clinical environment.
• Innovative teaching partnerships with Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust and King’s College Hospital
• Taught by leading experts in a range of specialist areas, including Ultrasound Physics, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, General Medical Ultrasound, and Musculoskeletal Ultrasound
• Clinical proficiency gained through extensive one-to-one scanning experience: you will develop and apply diagnostic ultrasound imaging skills through a supervised clinical placement.

Entry Requirements

UK Applicants

• Standard requirements: A minimum 2:2 undergraduate Bachelor’s (honours) degree. Candidates for the MSc need to have completed a CASE accredited PGDip.
• Non-standard requirements: In the interests of widening participation, an exemption to academic regulations may be sought to admit excellent candidates with non-standard academic qualifications.
• Programme-Specific Requirements: All Pg Cert candidates need to have secured a suitable Clinical placement offering a minimum of 21 hours per week of supervised scanning. Pg Dip candidates require a placement involving a minimum of 14 hours per week.

International Applicants

• Equivalent International qualifications: Select a country to view equivalent qualifications.
• English language requirements: English language band: B. To study at King's, it is essential that you can communicate in English effectively in an academic environment.

Teaching and Structure

• Teaching methods: Lectures, seminars, workshops, and independent study.
• Postgraduate Certificate: Students complete 21 hours per week of one-to-one supervised scanning and gain key professional skills relating to their area of practice as a core component of their PgCert training.
• Postgraduate Diploma: The PgDip year focuses on broadening and consolidating professional and clinical skills towards advanced clinical practice through a further 14 hours per week of clinical placement.
• Masters in Clinical Ultrasound: The MSc year provides an opportunity for students to undertake their own research or service innovation project, gaining training and experience in applied statistics, writing for publication, and dissemination of findings.

Assessment

• Portfolio of Clinical Ultrasound Practice (PGCert/PGDip)
• Work-based assessment of clinical practical skills and Viva Voce (PGCert/PGDip)
• Physics and Equipment workbook (PGCert)
• Peer teaching presentation (PGCert/PGDip)
• Poster presentation (PGCert)
• Case report (PGDip)
• Computer-based exam (PGCert/PGDip)
• Systematic Scoping review (PGDip)
• Educational Resource (PgCert/PgDip, only if applicable)
• MSc project proposal (PGDip)
• Dissertation (Journal article format) (MSc)

Structure

• Required modules:
  • Ultrasound Physics and Equipment (15 credits) (PGCert)
  • Clinical Ultrasound Practice (30 credits) (PGCert)
  • Advancing Clinical Ultrasound Practice (30 credits) (PGDip)
  • Research and Service Innovation (15 credits) (PGDip)
  • Clinical Ultrasound Dissertation (60 credits) (MSc)
• Optional modules:
  • Obstetrics and Gynaecology (15 credits) (PGCert/ PGDip)
  • General Medical Ultrasound (15 credits) (PGCert/ PGDip)
  • Musculoskeletal Ultrasound (15 credits) (PGCert/ PGDip)
  • Specialist Ultrasound Practice (Directed Reading) (15 credits) (PGCert /PGDip)

Employability

• Our graduates work in various roles in healthcare, usually at NHS Band 7 or above.

Tuition Fees

• UK: Part time: £5,650 (MSc 2025/26); £5,650 (PG Dip 2025/26); £5,650 (PG Cert 2025/26)
• International: Part time: £11,933 (MSc 2025/26); £11,934 (PG Dip 2025/26); £11,933 (PG Cert 2025/26)

Additional Costs

• Books if you choose to buy your own copies
• Any library fees and fines incurred
• A laptop or personal device to enable you to access digital course materials
• Photocopies and printing course handouts (if you opt to do this)
• Society membership fees (if you wish to join these)
• Stationery
• Travel costs for travel to campus and for project placements
• Graduation costs

Funding

• To find out more about bursaries, scholarships, grants, tuition fees, living expenses, student loans, and other financial help available at King's please visit the Fees and Funding section.