Medical Imaging MSc

Course overview

Medical imaging plays an essential role in modern medicine, supporting the diagnosis, treatment and monitoring of disease. At Leeds, we will build your understanding of the physics involved in different imaging techniques and enhance your imaging knowledge in preparation for your career.

Whether you are a recent graduate, a medical student wishing to intercalate, or a healthcare professional, our course will introduce you to:

• Scientific principles involved in the different imaging techniques and image formation.
• Applications in the field of radiology.
• The different modalities used in clinical settings including recent technological advances.
• Current issues in a modern radiology department.

Develop and connect

Whilst not a clinical skills course, the teaching of technical aspects of imaging techniques is firmly grounded in their clinical use. Many of our lecturers are at the forefront of research in their field and you’ll benefit from their expertise in the latest techniques and understanding.

Course highlights

• Tailor our course to your own professional interests with optional modules covering MRI, Ultrasound, X-ray, CT, paediatric radiography and forensic imaging.
• Benefit from Leeds' long-standing internationally recognised expertise in Medical Imaging teaching and research.
• Learn from academics who have played pivotal roles in ground-breaking research involving companies such as GlaxoSmithKline, Siemens, Philips Healthcare, Thales Angenieux, Kidney Research UK and Breast Cancer Now.

This course is also available to study as a postgraduate certificate or diploma. You may transfer from your original programme to an alternative, providing you do this before you have completed the programme and before an award has been made. Part-time study is also an option.

Should you already have a postgraduate certificate in this field, some of your completed modules may be approved as credit toward completion of this MSc. Please get in touch with Admissions if you are interested in using this APEL process.

This course is also available as an intercalated MSc course for MBChB students, designed to provide a solid grounding in the physics involved in different imaging techniques. This will enhance your imaging knowledge in preparation for your career in medicine. Students wanting to intercalate after year 3 of the MBChB in Leeds should undertake their medical elective in the summer before starting the MSc to avoid clashes with the MSc research project and their elective.

Course details

Design your own pathway to suit your personal interests and professional ambitions. Choose your modules and build a bespoke degree.

You'll study modules worth a total of 180 credits. If you study this programme part time you will study fewer modules across each year.

Through the course you’ll become familiar with a range of medical imaging techniques. By the end of it you will:

• Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the physical and mathematical aspects of image formation across a range of medical imaging techniques
• Describe how image formation occurs and how contrast is produced for several imaging techniques in relation to the anatomical and physiological properties of tissue
• Understand the health and safety considerations for selected imaging techniques
• Demonstrate an understanding of a range of clinical imaging and other applications of medical imaging including the most recent technological advances
• Demonstrate enhancement of professional skills in communication, problem-solving, effective learning and self-management
• Apply general and, where relevant, specialist information technology in literature searching, analysis and display of data
• Produce written work, conveying technical information suitable for the intended academic or professional audience in English
• Critically evaluate relevant published work, demonstrating an understanding of the underpinning principles of statistics, project design and data analysis
• Develop research questions and undertake research directly or indirectly related to the discipline of Medical Imaging. Part of this includes the development of a research question/hypothesis, its critical review, the choice and application of an appropriate investigative method, presentation of results and finally a critical discussion of the findings with a conclusion.

As an MSc student, you'll undertake a research project in the field of medical imaging. New research topics are available each year and typically include projects in MRI, Ultrasound, and various X-ray technologies and their clinical application. You'll be asked to state your preferred research project. Before projects are allocated, you are encouraged to meet potential supervisors and discuss the research work.

Course structure

The list shown below represents typical modules/components studied and may change from time to time. Read more in our terms and conditions.

For more information and a full list of typical modules available on this course, please read Medical Imaging MSc Full Time in the course catalogue

Year 1 compulsory modules

Learning and teaching

You can study flexibly to suit your own learning style and circumstances. Attend teaching sessions entirely on campus or join classroom sessions online through our virtual classroom environment. Practical sessions, tutorials and assessments require in-person attendance.

Please note if you are an international student in the UK on a student visa you must ensure that you comply with the conditions of your visa, which may include a specific level of attendance in person. Similarly, if you are sponsored, your sponsor may also have requirements as to your mode of attendance.

Our libraries have a vast selection of material available online, including access to leading scientific journals which will support you to successfully study off-campus away from Leeds. All applications will be processed to allow you to study in the UK, offering you the greatest flexibility.

All modules (except for your research project) are taught through lectures, tutorials, practicals and computer-based sessions. We use a blended learning approach; for example, we make use of X-ray computer simulations that have been developed in Leeds.

You’ll be taught about the underpinning science of the various imaging modalities. We cover a range of clinical applications demonstrating the use of medical imaging in modern medicine. Many lecturers are at the forefront of research in their particular field and will provide their insights from current clinical imaging practice and developments of new and emerging imaging techniques.

On this course, you’ll be taught by our expert academics, from lecturers through to professors. You may also be taught by industry professionals with years of experience, as well as trained postgraduate researchers, connecting you to some of the brightest minds on campus.

Assessment

Taught modules are assessed by using a range of assessments. In addition to exams, we use a range of coursework that will develop your academic skills and support your future career. These include presentation and oral communication skills, academic poster presentations and abstract creation. Examinations are held during the University exam periods in January and May. For the research project you will write up your research as a journal style article. Excitingly, a number of our students have gone on to publish work that has been carried out as part of their medical imaging research project.

Applying

Entry requirements

A bachelor degree with a 2:2 (hons) in a biological/physical science or radiography, or medicine or dentistry equivalent.

This course is also available as an intercalated programme to students who have completed three years of a UK medical degree and are normally ranked in the top 50% of their year of study. Read more at Intercalation.

The part-time variant of this programme is not suitable for international applicants who require a student visa. International applicants who do not require a student visa may be able to access the part-time variant of this programme by special arrangement. Please contact admissions for further information.

English language requirements

IELTS 7.0 overall, with no less than 6.5 in any component. For other English qualifications, read English language equivalent qualifications.

Improve your English

International students who do not meet the English language requirements for this programme may be able to study our postgraduate pre-sessional English course, to help improve your English language level.

This pre-sessional course is designed with a progression route to your degree programme and you’ll learn academic English in the context of your subject area. To find out more, read Language for Science (6 weeks) and Language for Science: General Science (10 weeks). 

We also offer online pre-sessionals alongside our on-campus pre-sessionals. Find out more about our six week online pre-sessional.

You can also study pre-sessionals for longer periods – read about our postgraduate pre-sessional English courses.

How to apply

Application deadlines:

• 31 July 2025 (international applicants).
• 29 August 2025 (UK applicants).

Applications are considered on the basis of the applicant’s qualifications and experience. Applications may close before the deadline date if numbers accepted reach capacity.

Application information:

• It should be noted that this is not a practical or clinical-based programme and your supporting statement must confirm understanding of this.
• No references are required for this programme.

The ‘Apply’ link at the top of this page will take you to information on applying for taught programmes and to the University's online application system.

If you're unsure about the application process, contact the admissions team for help.

In addition to your CV and evidence of qualifications, please provide a supporting statement . Please limit length to 500 words or one side of A4 (8.5” x 11”) paper. You must answer the following 3 questions, as well as a statement that you confirm you understand the course content (see below):

1) How have your previous studies and/or work experience prepared you for this course?

2) What knowledge/skills do you expect to acquire from this course?

3) What are your expectations from this course in relation to your future career?

Read about visas, immigration and other information in International students. We recommend that international students apply as early as possible to ensure that they have time to apply for their visa.

Admissions policy

School of Medicine Taught Postgraduate Policy 2025

This course is taught by

School of Medicine

Contact us

School of Medicine Postgraduate Admissions

Email: pgmed-admissions@leeds.ac.uk
Telephone:

Fees

UK: £13,500 (Total)

International: £33,000 (Total)

Read more about paying fees and charges.

For fees information for international taught postgraduate students, read Masters fees.

Part-time fees
Fees for part-time courses are normally calculated based on the number of credits you study in a year compared to the equivalent full-time course. For example, if you study half the course credits in a year, you will pay half the full-time course fees for that year.

Additional cost information

There may be additional costs related to your course or programme of study, or related to being a student at the University of Leeds. Read more on our living costs and budgeting page.

Scholarships and financial support

If you have the talent and drive, we want you to be able to study with us, whatever your financial circumstances. There may be help for students in the form of loans and non-repayable grants from the University and from the government.  Find out more at Masters funding overview.

Studying in the School of Medicine at Leeds is an amazing opportunity, but we know that the cost can be difficult for many people to meet. If you are keen to join us, a range of funding opportunities are available.

Career opportunities

Our graduates have gone on to careers in medical imaging or related disciplines, such as radiology and radiography. Often students are already working in the area, and use the skills and knowledge gained across the programme to enhance their careers. Students have also gone on to become lecturers or work in research, or have chosen to pursue postgraduate research degrees (such as a PhD in Cardiovascular Imaging or within our International PhD Academy in Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disease).

As an intercalated degree for medical students the programme is useful for students considering radiology or another medical specialty.

Careers support

We encourage you to prepare for your career from day one. That’s one of the reasons Leeds graduates are so sought after by employers.

The Careers Centre and staff in your faculty provide a range of help and advice to help you plan your career and make well-informed decisions along the way, even after you graduate. Find out more about Careers support.