Diagnostic Imaging PGCert

Our Diagnostic Imaging course is designed to match both the professional development needs of diagnostic imaging practitioners and the changing needs of patients in the modern healthcare system. It will develop you into a highly competent practitioner who can make a real contribution to healthcare services.

The multi-disciplinary course will appeal to a range of healthcare professionals including:

• radiographers
• mammographers
• sonographers
• midwives
• medical doctors
• nurses

Make an impact

The course offers specialist clinical skills development underpinned by in-depth theoretical education in breast imaging and/or medical ultrasound. You’ll develop into a highly competent practitioner who can make a real contribution to healthcare services.

We have a highly successful record of educating breast imaging and medical ultrasound students at postgraduate level. You will benefit from being part of the School of Medicine, with its world-leading research and expertise.

Study for the Postgraduate Certificate normally takes one year part time.

You can also study this subject at Diploma level (120 credits) or a full MSc (180 credits). Study for the Postgraduate Diploma normally takes one year full time (specific module combinations only) or two years part time and the MSc 3 years part time. (CPD modules are also availible to study individually – please see careers section below).

Students who already have a Postgraduate Diagnostic Imaging qualification may access certain modules on a free-standing basis.

Virtual Postgraduate Open Day

12th – 17th April 2021

Register now for our upcoming postgraduate virtual open day, which will feature a live subject talk and Q&A from our Diagnostic Imaging team.

Accreditation

The PGCert Diagnostic Imaging offered by the University of Leeds was approved by the College for Radiographers for a period of five years, from June 2016 to June 2021 inclusive. The programme is also accredited by the Consortium for the Accreditation of Sonographic Education (CASE).

Exemptions

<p>Students obtaining a Postgraduate Certificate which includes the Mammography Technique module will be eligible to apply for the College of Radiographers’ Postgraduate Award in Mammography.</p>

On the PG Certificate you will study modules totalling 60 credits.

There are two compulsory modules: Professional Issues in Diagnostic Imaging and either Science and Technology of Ultrasound or Science and Technology of Mammography. In addition to these modules, you can tailor your studies to your own professional needs and interests by selecting from a range of optional clinical modules.

Clinical modules include:

• Obstetric Ultrasound

• Gynaecological Ultrasound

• General Medical Ultrasound

• Mammography Technique

• Negotiated Imaging Practice

• Focused Negotiated Imaging Practice

• Image Guided Interventional Procedures

• Interpreting and Reporting of Diagnostic Images

Breast Ultrasound, Musculoskeletal ULtrasound or Vascular Ultrasound may be available to be studied via the Negotiated Imaging Practice module. Alternative areas of clinical practice may be agreed by negotiation.

Clinical modules require you to obtain a clinical placement and to undertake 300 hours of clinical practice for a 30 credit module and 150 clinical hours for a 15 credit module in addition to the taught content. Each 30 credit module requires 8-10 days attendance at the University (3-5 days for 15 credits). This is in addition to the independent learning.

There is also a number of self-directed learning modules available:

• Diagnostic Imaging Evidence Review

• Diagnostic Imaging Clinical Project

• Utilising CPD to Enhance Practice

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.

Modules

Year 1

<p><a href="http://webprod3.leeds.ac.uk/catalogue/dynprogrammes.asp?Y=202021&amp;P=PGC-DI-16PT">For more information and a full list of typical modules available on this course, please read Diagnostic Imaging PGCert in the course catalogue</a></p>

Learning and teaching

Teaching is through lectures, practical sessions, tutorials and seminars. You’ll learn through group work and discussion, individual exercises and practice.

You’ll be able to use University facilities for independent study, such as computing facilities and the Health Sciences library, with its extensive collection of online journals.

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

Modules are assessed by a variety of methods including essays, case reports, technical reports and unseen examinations.

The assessment of your competence to practice takes place via an observed clinical session or by portfolio, depending on the module. Formative assessment will provide support and feedback on your progress and confirm readiness for summative assessment.

Your results for every module contribute to your final degree classification.

Entry requirements

We typically require a 2:1 honours health-related degree from a recognised higher education institution in an appropriate subject, eg BSc (hons) in Radiography, Nursing, Midwifery, Clinical Physiology or Medicine. Applicants with a 2:2 degree and 1 year’s clinical experience also meet the entry criteria.

You must provide documentary evidence of

• A clinical placement with suitably qualified/experienced named clinical mentors who will provide clinical learning support and supervision in the workplace.

• Departmental support for your attendance and study time.

Applicants with a PG Diagnostic Imaging qualification awarded within the last 5 years may qualify for Advanced Standing and complete the programme in a shorter time.

The programme is generally not suitable for students who are from overseas as the entry criteria include a UK clinical placement.

English language requirements

IELTS 7.0 overall, with no less than 7.0 in any component..

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). 

If you need to study for longer than 10 weeks, read more about our postgraduate pre-sessional English course.

How to apply

Apply

This link takes 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.

Selection principles

Every applicant is invited to a recruitment half-day at the University, which may include a personal face-to face interview. You’ll be asked to identify your individual learning needs and your clinical placement site, so the course team can advise you on the most appropriate course/modules and time scale for study.

Admissions policy

School of Medicine Taught Postgraduate Policy 2021

Fees

• UK: £3,750 (total)
• International: £8,250 (total)

Read more about paying fees and charges.

Brexit 
Visit our Brexit page for the latest information on the effect of the UK's exit from the EU on current students and applicants to the University.

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 about additional costs

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.

NHS Yorkshire and Humber employees

A limited number of funded places are available for some NHS staff in the Yorkshire and Humberside region. If you are interested in this possibility, we encourage you to apply early to the course. Please discuss any proposed study with your line manager.

Graduates will use the postgraduate qualification to enable them to be emplyoed as a sonographer or breast imager in the UK or abroad.

Students having completed the PGDip may wish to undertake futher academic study in order to achieve an MSc.

The dedicated careers team at leeds is always available to offer detailed advice on your career opportunities and development and you will be assigned a personal tutor during your time studying with who will be able to provide specialist guidance to help you in your chosen career.

Continuing professional development

Some of our course modules are available to study individually for CPD. Available CPD modules include:

• Focused Negotiated Imaging Practice (MSK/vascular/other) – 15 credits

• Negotiated Imaging Practice (MSK/vascular/Breast/other) – 30 credits

• Gynaecological Ultrasound – 30 credits

• Obstetric Ultrasound – 30 credits

• General Medical Ultrasound – 30 credits

• Image guided Interventional procedures – 30 credits

• Additional new modules planned: Mammography Practice – 30 credits; Preliminary Evaluation of Diagnostic Images – 15 credits; & Evaluation and Reporting Diagnostic Images – 15 credits – please get in contact for more information.

If you are interested in studying one of these modules please email the course team for further details: diagnosticimaging@leeds.ac.uk

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 at the Careers website.