Medical Ultrasound (Sonography)

Since 1995 the University of Leeds has delivered a well-established postgraduate Diagnostic Imaging (Medical Ultrasound) course with an excellent national reputation. The teaching expertise applied to the delivery of this programme is harnessed when you study our BSc (Hons) Medical Ultrasound (Sonography).

At the heart of modern healthcare, sonography is an essential diagnostic tool. Our research-led Medical Ultrasound (Sonography) course will give you the essential skills required to work as a sonography practitioner (sonographer) in clinical practice. Sonographers are highly skilled professionals whose work spans many medical disciplines, not just obstetrics. Due to a growing demand for ultrasound examinations, existing education models have had to adapt to cover the undergraduate training of sonographers to successfully grow the workforce.

Our BSc (Hons) Medical Ultrasound is the only CASE-accredited, (Consortium for the Accreditation of Sonographic Education) direct entry, undergraduate programme in the UK, from which if successful, you are eligible to voluntarily register as a sonographer with the Register of Clinical Technologists.

The programme duration is three years where you will be allocated to one clinical placement. You’ll receive comprehensive training in both technical knowledge and professional skills, and gain an understanding of medical ultrasound’s scientific, technical and professional concepts. Our course has a strong focus on practical abilities, improving your motor skills and decision-making through simulation activities and clinical placement.

It is an exciting time to join the sonography workforce with excellent employment prospects and a bright future ahead.

Why choose Leeds? The clinical/theory ratio is approximately a 50:50 split, giving you considerable valuable hands-on experience. Set in a fast-paced and dynamic working environment, clinical placements are undertaken within departments across the Yorkshire and Humber region and beyond, in both small and large hospitals. For your placements you will normally be allocated to one clinical department for the duration of the programme to foster a sense of belonging to the team you join.

You will undertake a research project in your final year to develop your evaluation skills and your ability to question practice.

You will complete a portfolio using PebblePad each year to develop your reflective writing skills and prepare you for continuing professional development (CPD) when you are a fully qualified sonographer.

The core Medical Ultrasound teaching team are qualified sonographers with decades of combined experience and expertise across a range of specialties.

Facilities We have a dedicated simulation suite on campus in the Worsley Building as well as other facilities at a local Leeds hospital. Each houses various resources and pieces of ultrasound equipment which our students can use to enhance their learning. These include:

the ScanTrainer® simulation system

six Bodyworks Eve simulation systems

an ultrasound machine

simulated patients

a library of real clinical cases

Accreditation This course is currently awaiting accreditation by the Consortium for the Accreditation for Sonographic Education (CASE). We will update this statement as soon as further information is received.