Echocardiography PGCert

Course overview

Demand for cardiac sonographers currently outweighs supply, meaning you’ll be in a strong position in your future career. Echocardiographers work in a challenging and stimulating hospital environment, combining patient care with analytical problem solving to ensure excellent healthcare and patient support.

Echocardiographers use ultrasound to image a patient’s heart. This is done using a transducer that sends ultrasound waves through the patient's chest to view structures in the heart, such as its valves, chambers and other vessels. The readings are sent to a machine that translates them into a live image, which can be recorded and used to diagnose a variety of conditions.

Make an impact

Our PG Cert Echocardiography course is designed to match the professional development needs of healthcare professionals working with patients with conditions such as ischaemic heart disease, heart failure, adult congenital heart disease, cardiomyopathies and pericardial disease. It develops highly competent practitioners/ advanced practitioners who will make a real contribution to modern healthcare services.

Course highlights

• Develop specialist clinical expertise underpinned by in-depth theoretical knowledge, including the opportunity to apply learning to real-life scenarios in echocardiography and echocardiography pathology.
• Acquire in-depth theoretical knowledge and understanding of the underlying scientific and technological principles of diagnostic ultrasound and a critical understanding of current and emergent diagnostic imaging equipment and technology.
• Learn the skills and knowledge required to perform a range of clinical examinations to high standards of diagnostic accuracy and safety.
• Develop an understanding of the discipline's evidence and research base.
• Tap into the expertise of our research cardiologists who specifically research cardiac ultrasound.

This specialist course will appeal to a range of healthcare professionals including Cardiac Physiologists, GPs, Cardiac Nurse Specialists, Physician Associates and Radiographers.

Course details

To gain the PG Cert qualification you will complete two modules:

The Fundamentals of Echocardiography module provides the opportunity to apply scientific and technical learning to work based issues in echocardiography. This module will provide a basis of theoretical knowledge and practical skill development which will be vital to investigative imaging and the treatment of diseases and conditions.

Topics covered include:

• critical evaluation of the clinical role of echocardiography & Doppler
• evaluation and critical appraisal of service provision/relationship with patients/reporting and documentation
• critical evaluation of the importance of imaging physics & instrumentation
• the evaluation and appraisal of Doppler physics and instrumentation
• critical evaluation of recording methods
• recognition of cardiac anatomy and physiology
• cardiac functional parameters

The Echocardiography Pathology module covers areas of echocardiography pathology essentials required in a clinical setting. This module is particularly relevant if you are a practising cardiac physiologist or allied health professional who works within, and are involved with, cardiac patients requiring cardiac ultrasound.

Aspects covered include: mitral, aortic, tricuspid and pulmonary valve disease plus pericardial disease; cardiomyopathies; coronary artery disease associated with systolic LV function; MI and its complications; pulmonary hypertension and RV functional assessment and diseases of the aorta plus adult congenital heart disease.

This is a nine month course with teaching during two x one week long intensive study weeks in Leeds, one in semester 1 and the other in semester 2. International students will require just one short-term study visa because both study weeks are within a six-month period. You will complete the rest of your study from your home country and submit your assessment online.

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 Echocardiography PGCert in the course catalogue

Year 1 compulsory modules

Learning and teaching

The course content is specifically designed to meet the learning outcomes set by accredited professional bodies, supporting the requirement to attain both postgraduate and professional body exams. The curriculum content is designed to fit the British Society of Echocardiography (BSE) curriculum.

On completion of the course, you will be able to:

• critically evaluate and apply detailed subject knowledge and professional competencies which are underpinned by relevant research and evidence-based practice
• develop effective and appropriate management plans for service users with chronic cardiac conditions and critically analyse the impact of echocardiography in adults
• work at an advanced level within a multi-professional team to improve the outcomes of service users undergoing echocardiograms
• provide advanced practice within your professional boundaries and professional body, recognising the need for lifelong learning

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

You will be assessed in a range of different ways. Some of these include:

• Identifying case studies that highlight current practice, critically evaluating these in both an essay and presentation. This will demonstrate the application of theory to advanced practice.
• The preparation of essays/presentations will allow students from differing professional backgrounds to choose a case study. This will support you to apply your own professional knowledge and experience.
• Given the role of cardiac physiologists is expanding, it’s important you apply these changes to the cases discussed within your practice and apply your advancing knowledge to the changing clinical environment.
• Essays for the Echocardiography Pathology modules will be 3,500 words in the format of a journal, and you will be actively encouraged to submit for publication in subject-specific journals.
• Presentations will be 15 minutes with five minutes questioning.
• Your knowledge will be assessed by a marked workbook and essay focused on the science and technology for the Fundamentals of Echocardiography module.

Applying

Entry requirements

GCSE English language and Maths grade C/4 or above or equivalent

Relevant undergraduate degree in a related field including BSc (Hons) Clinical Physiology (Cardiology) or BSc (Hons) Healthcare Science (Cardiac Physiology) or equivalent e.g. HNC/D Medical Physics & Physiological Measurement (MPPM). Degree at 2:2 or greater.

Applicants would normally be from within a clinically related area but applications are welcomed from people without this type of experience. For those without experience it is advised that you contact the team for further advice prior to application.

English language requirements

IELTS 7.0 overall, with no less than 6.5. 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

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.

Deadline for applications:

• 31 July 2024 for international applicants
• 26 August 2024 for UK applicants.

You will need a reference indicating managerial consent in support of your application including indication that you have experience in a suitably related clinical role. The reference should be provided on a headed document with either a stamp from the institution or an electronic signature.

You should demonstrate through the supporting statement how the course will be of direct benefit to your personal and professional development.

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.

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: £4,500 (Total)

International: £10,333 (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

Cardiac disease poses a major thereat to the health of the Western world. In the UK demand for cardiac physiologists is greater than physicians available.

The NHS employs the majority of cardiac physiologists. Some cardiac specialists work in the private sector and in GP surgeries. Opportunities arise for cardiac physiologists to work in industry as application specialists, supporting clients in using and troubleshooting equipment.

Cardiac physiologists work largely autonomously, making clinical decisions and providing clinical reports. As well as conducting diagnostic assessments and providing treatment, cardiac physiologists also encompass the role of a consultant, counsellor, advisor, educator, facilitator, researcher and therapist.

Careers support

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.