MSc/PgDip/PgCert Advanced Medical Imaging

Program Overview

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Advanced Medical Imaging

Overview

The Advanced Medical Imaging program is designed to enable qualified medical imaging practitioners to meet the challenge of specialist, advanced, and consultant practitioner status in a rapidly evolving health service.

Attendance

The program employs a blended approach to attendance with on-campus activity at key points and regular online attendance between these dates. Students are required on campus for mock and summative assessments.

Course Details

What will you study?

Module choice will depend on your clinical background, prior education/experience, and your intended scope of practice upon completion. The program is flexible, and you may study a single module or work toward an award.

• Breast Intervention
• Breast Ultrasound
• Cardiac Stress Leader
• Chest Reporting
• Defecating Proctogram (subject to numbers)
• Hysterosalpingogram Practice and Reporting (subject to numbers)
• Mammography Reporting
• MSK Reporting and extended MSK Reporting
• Upper GI/VF Practice and Reporting

Some clinical workstreams can be adapted for specialist pediatric radiographers. Please contact the program lead for more information.

You can also study the following 30-credit modules as part of your MSc master's journey:

• Leading Change for Service and Patient Improvement
• Education Principles and Practice
• Research Methods Applied to Public Health

Modules

Modules are intended to equip you with problem-solving skills and enable you to be critically aware of yourself and your practice.

• You will be supported to evaluate and implement evidence-based practice and develop comprehensive knowledge in the context of your specialist field.
• For your first reporting qualification, you must complete a postgraduate certificate as a minimum.
• You will be encouraged to develop yourself in the 4 pillars of advanced practice to assist you with an application for advanced practitioner accreditation.

More information about our modules:

• Postgraduate certificate: 60 graduate credits in your chosen pathway of study
• Postgraduate diploma: 120 graduate credits in your chosen pathway of study
• MSc: 180 graduate credits in your chosen pathway of study to include the Dissertation module

Year one and two options are the same.

Year one and two options

• Dynamic Studies
• Principles of Advanced Practice
• Core Skills for Radiological Reporting CSRR
• Radiology Image Interpretation RII
• Advanced Procedures AP
• Extending Advanced Practice EAP
• Adult Chest Reporting (ACR)
• Scientific Principles of Diagnostic Ultrasound
• Scientific Principles of Hybrid Imaging

Year three

• Dissertation

Following successful completion of 120 postgraduate credits, you can progress onto the dissertation module to further develop your skills and knowledge.

Teaching

The program employs a diverse range of teaching and learning strategies in order to meet the outcomes of the program and the modules studied.

• Lectures, Tutorials, and Seminars
• Practical image viewing/examination
• Hands-on workshops utilizing our skills labs
• Blackboard online learning - directed study
• Self-directed study
• Clinical experience and learning supported by your mentor

Assessment

Students on clinically related modules are expected to complete the required clinical experience to meet the learning outcomes and prepare them for assessment of competence.

• Assignment
• OSCE
• Viva with case log presentation
• Reflective portfolio (to include a log of cases)
• Viva Portfolio

Facilities

The Advanced Medical Imaging program has access to the Directorate's imaging suites, including the Susan Hall Imaging Facility.

• Toshiba Aquilion 16 slice CT scanner with full supporting software
• Two ceiling-suspended x-ray tubes with digital image capture and display
• Ultrasound skills lab suite of 4 diagnostic ultrasound machines
• Clinical-quality high-resolution digital viewing systems

Teaching Staff

Joanne Ashworth

Programme leader

Joanne qualified in 1997 from the University of Teesside and has worked across various NHS sites in the North West of England.

• Specialist lecturers and support
• You will also receive guidance and tuition from respected academics, nuclear medicine professionals, and other health professionals who are experts in their field.

Employment and Stats

Most students have been seconded from and returned to their work in the National Health Service with advanced practitioner status, and a number have gone on to become Consultant Practitioners.

Career Links

The radiography directorate has a very successful history of developing advanced practice, and this course has strong links with imaging departments, mostly within the UK National Health Service.

Requirements

Applicant Profile

Our standard entry requirement is a bachelor's degree or equivalent in Diagnostic Radiography, and this should be a 2:1 or equivalent.

• Students whose first language is not English will be required to demonstrate proficiency in English - IELTS - a minimum overall score of 7.0 (with no element below 6.5) is proof of this.

Application Checklist

Complete the online application using the big red button at the top of this page. Ensure the following are included with your application:

• Evidence of all previous qualifications and postgraduate credits
• Learning Contract (2025/26)

Standard Entry Requirements

• Undergraduate degree
• You will hold an undergraduate BSc (Hons) degree in Diagnostic Radiography or other health care professional qualification, 2:1 or above.

Alternative Entry Requirements

• Salford Alternative Entry Scheme (SAES)
• We welcome applications from students who may not meet the stated entry criteria but who can demonstrate their ability to pursue the course successfully.

Fees

Standard Programme Fees

Your annual fee will be calculated pro rata to the number of credits you study.

• For 2025/26, these will be:
  • 15 credits, £765
  • 30 credits, £1,530
  • 45 credits, £2,295
  • 60 credits, £3,060

International Students

Prospective students with a Skilled Worker (Tier 2) visa and employed in the UK are eligible to apply.

• For 2025/26, fees are calculated at £765 per 15 credits.

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 and other associated hospitals during your course.

Program Outline

• Overview:
MSc in Advanced Medical Imaging.
• Objectives:
To enable qualified medical imaging practitioners to meet the challenge of specialist, advanced and consultant practitioner status in a rapidly evolving health service.
• Description:
The program is designed for professionals already holding an undergraduate qualification in a related field and with an established clinical workload in their chosen area of practice. It offers flexible study options, allowing students to choose individual modules or work towards an award. The program focuses on equipping students with problem-solving skills, critical thinking, and evidence-based practice.
• Emphasis on professional development and career progression.
• Tailored learning to meet individual needs and career aspirations.
• Focus on acquiring clinical competencies and advanced practice skills.
• Available workstreams include MSK Reporting, Chest Reporting, Mammography Reporting, Breast Ultrasound, Breast Intervention, Upper GI/VF Practice and Reporting, Cardiac Stress Leader, Breast MR Reporting, and Defecating Proctogram.
• Additional modules available in Research Methods Applied to Public Health, Leading Education in Practice, and Leading Change for Patient and Service Improvement.
• Course duration
• Total cost of the program
• Number of credits required for each award (certificate, diploma, MSc)
• Program Content:
Covers various advanced medical imaging techniques and clinical practices.
• Structure:
Part-time, with online and on-campus components.
• Course Schedule:
Available upon enrollment.
• Individual Modules:
• Dynamic Studies:
Focuses on fluoroscopy procedures.
• Principles of Advanced Practice:
Introduces core skills for advanced practitioners.
• Core Skills for Radiological Reporting (CSRR):
Develops skills in image appraisal, decision making, and communication.
• Radiology Image Interpretation (RII):
Focuses on pattern recognition and image interpretation specific to chosen area of practice.
• Advanced Procedures (AP):
Enhances scope of practice and develops critical reflection skills.
• Extending Advanced Practice (EAP):
Allows acquisition of another clinical competency and development of advanced practice skills.
• Adult Chest Reporting (ACR):
Focuses on chest imaging interpretation.
• Scientific Principles of Diagnostic Ultrasound:
Covers the science and technology of diagnostic ultrasound.
• Scientific Principles of Hybrid Imaging:
Explores SPECT-CT and PET-CT imaging and emerging modalities like PET-MR.
• Research Methods Applied to Public Health:
Develops research skills and knowledge in public health.
• Specific assessment methods for each module
• Weighting of different assessment components
• Teaching methods:
Include lectures, tutorials, practical image viewing/examination, hands-on workshops, seminars, Blackboard online learning, self-directed study, and clinical experience.
• Class size
• Student-to-faculty ratio
• Career paths:
Many graduates progress to advanced practitioner and consultant practitioner roles within the NHS.
• Specific job titles and responsibilities
• Employment statistics for graduates
• The program emphasizes ethical practice and compliance with UK legislation and guidance.
• Students can benefit from strong links with the NHS and access to advanced imaging equipment and facilities.
• Some postgraduate assessments are linked to projects using clinical equipment.
• The program has a successful history of developing advanced practice and provides student support throughout their studies.
• Details about specific projects and partnerships