Programme Overview
As a sonographer, you will use a range of different techniques and technology in clinical practice in order to undertake high quality ultrasound examinations, which will play a vital role in patient diagnosis and treatment. You will also be at the forefront of emerging and developing technology, such as artificial intelligence and digital imaging, plus specialist techniques such as contrast-enhanced and 3/4D ultrasound. Sonographers work as part of a multidisciplinary team and there are opportunities to specialise and advance in specialist clinical areas as well as teaching, research, leadership and management. In addition to the core skills associated with being a sonographer, you will also learn skills such as team working, communication, clinical reasoning, resilience and adaptability, all of which are essential for practice.
Medical Ultrasound at Leeds offers comprehensive training in technical knowledge and professional skills, with first-class placement opportunities. Our postgraduate programme has an excellent employability record, with 100% of graduates employed as sonographers (many in the placement site where they trained) and/or further study. Key highlights of the programme include:
- You will be introduced to clinical environments from the second semester of your course.
- All students have a clinical placement in the ultrasound department. This will be supplemented by utilisation of the simulation equipment and clinical skills facility.
- The clinical/theory ratio is approximately a 50:50 split, giving you considerable time on clinical placement.
- Clinical placements are undertaken in the simulation suite at the University of Leeds, the clinical skills suite at - Seacroft Hospital (particularly in year 1) and within departments across Yorkshire and Humber region and beyond in both small and large hospitals.
- 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 clinical using portfolio Pebble Pad each year to develop your reflective writing skills and prepare you for continuing professional development (CPD) when you’re a fully qualified sonographer.
- Many of our students have presented their research at conferences or have published in professional journals and are supported in doing so by the teaching team.
- The sonography teaching team are HCPC registered Diagnostic Radiographers who have undertaken further study to become sonographers. All lecturers have decades of combined experience and expertise across a range of specialties and many are Leeds graduates.
Some of the facilities you will be able to experience on the programme include:
- Our clinical skills suite. This state-of-the-art ultrasound room based at a local Leeds hospital allows a unique combination of both simulation and ultrasound imaging of patients in small groups.
- The ultrasound simulation suite based at the University of Leeds includes 6 Bodyworks Eve simulations systems, a Scan Trainer, ultrasound machines and phantoms which expands and enhances your hands-on practical education before being exposed to ‘real’ patients.
- The Sectra table, a large immersive and interactive touch screen device, which is used for small group teaching and study particularly of anatomy, ultrasound science, and image interpretation.
- Access to an online education portal consisting of a library of real clinical cases which can be used to support learning in both the University and clinical environment.
Programme content – introduction
The course was developed to meet the necessary standards required by the Consortium for the Accreditation of Sonographic Education (CASE) to allow you to be eligible to apply to register on the voluntary Register of Clinical Technologists (RCT) as a sonographer (on successful completion of the programme). You will develop the skills and knowledge expected of a graduate sonographe
r to provide excellent patient care through a combination of University and practical clinical learning. Throughout the three years of the programme, several themes are developed during the course to advance your knowledge and skills in order to develop the skills needed to become a sonographer. These themes include:
-Anatomy and deductive reasoning – developing an in-depth knowledge of anatomy which you can then apply to a range of ultrasound areas of practice to be able to identify and communicate normal and abnormal findings.
-Medical Ultrasound Science – understanding the physical principles of ultrasound and applying these in order to produce a diagnostic ultrasound examination
-Evidence-based practice and research – you will develop an understanding of the essential role research has on practice and learn the skills to be able to develop your own evidence-based practice
-Inter-professional education – as a sonographer, you will work with a wide range of other people that make up the interdisciplinary team, including the patient. As part of the course you will learn with, about and from other healthcare professionals and patients. You will develop the core skills required to be a healthcare professional and support the transition to becoming a sonographer.
-Clinical Practice – in a clinical placement you will be able to directly apply these skills and knowledge to real world and simulated environments.
Although these themes are developed throughout the course of the programme, each year has a slightly different emphasis.
Year 1
Year 1 provides an introduction to Medical Ultrasound. The key focus of this year is to gain underpinning medical ultrasound skills including hand-eye coordination, ultrasound technique and medical ultrasound deductive reasoning using the Bodyworks Eve ® simulations systems, ultrasound phantoms, ultrasound equipment and the Scan Trainer ® simulation system. You will also gain an understanding of the underpinning physical principles of medical ultrasound and develop essential skills in team working, communication and patient care.
Year 2
In year 2 you will build on the knowledge and skills you gained in year 1 to further develop your understanding of the medical ultrasound skills. You will undertake a range of obstetric, gynaecological and general medical ultrasound examinations in clinical practice. You will also explore complementary imaging techniques such as projection radiography, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging. You will learn how these methods are used in conjunction with medical ultrasound to aid diagnosis. You will also gain further knowledge related to the physical principles of medical ultrasound and develop essential skills in team working, complex communication and patient care.
Year 3
Year 3 covers the more challenging and specialist aspects of medical ultrasound practice, where the sonographer evaluates and adapts the ultrasound examination/technique to aid diagnosis. You will develop a level of independence and professional responsibility in preparation for graduation and voluntary registration.
Key themes run through each year of the programme, developing your knowledge, skills and understanding. These include:
-Medical Ultrasound Science (physics and technology related to Medical Ultrasound)
-Anatomy, Physiology and Pathophysiology
-Deductive reasoning (students develop preliminary image evaluation and reporting skills)
-Clinical Practice (practical “hands-on” experience, gained from working with the simulation equipment and in clinical placements)
-Interdisciplinary learning (learning with other students to develop multidisciplinary team working and explore the sonographer’s role)
-Medical Ultrasound Technique (underpinning knowledge and theory in a wide range of medical ultrasound examinations)
-Research
All modules are compulsory and are mapped to the Standards of Proficiency for a Sonographer. For a student t
d. For a student to progress from year 2 into year 3, a total of 240 credits (120 level one credits plus 120 level two credits) are required. For a student to be awarded the degree of BSc (Hons) Medical Ultrasound (Sonography) a total of 360 credits must be successfully completed (120 credits at level one, 120 credits at level two and 120 credits at level three). Students are required to successfully complete 120 credits in each of the three levels of study to demonstrate attainment of all aspects necessary for eligibility to apply to the RCT for registration.The Classified Undergraduate Examination Board will consider the performance of all students registered to undertake the programme at end of year 1, year 2 and year 3.
[Learning Outcomes, Transferable (Key) Skills, Assessment]
View Timetable
Level 1 to Level 2
In order to progress from level 1 to level 2, students will normally be required to have obtained 120 credits at Level 1 and pass all clinical competence components.
Students who cannot progress would therefore be required to take temporary or permanent leave. They will be required to complete any outstanding assessment work as an external student at the next available opportunity. On successful completion of outstanding work, they re-join the programme at the point of exit the following year.
| Code | Title | Credits | Semester | Pass for Progression |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ARCS1121 | Professional Practice for Healthcare | 20 | Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) | PFP |
| ARCS1150 | Introduction to Biological Principles of Healthcare | 20 | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | PFP |
| ARCS1151 | Medical Ultrasound Science 1 | 20 | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | PFP |
| ARCS1152 | Medical Ultrasound Clinical Practice 1 | 20 | Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) | PFP |
| ARCS1153 | Medical Ultrasound communication | 20 | Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) | PFP |
| ARCS1154 | Sono-embryology | 20 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | PFP |
[Learning Outcomes, Transferable (Key) Skills, Assessment]
View Timetable
In order to progress from level 2 to level 3, students will normally be required to have obtained 120 credits at Level 1 and pass all clinical competence components.
Students who cannot progress would therefore be required to take temporary or permanent leave. They will be required to complete any outstanding assessment work as an external student at the next available opportunity. On successful completion of outstanding work, they re-join the programme at the point of exit the following year.
Candidates will be required to study the following compulsory modules
| Code | Title | Credits | Semester | Pass for Progression |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ARCS2211 | Research Methods and Evaluation | 20 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | PFP |
| ARCS2225 | Medical Ultrasound Science 2 | 20 | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | PFP |
| ARCS2226 | Medical Ultrasound Clinical Practice 2 | 40 | Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) | PFP |
| ARCS2227 | Medical Ultrasound Deductive Reasoning | 20 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | PFP |
| ARCS2228 | Pathophysiology and Genetics | 20 | Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) | PFP |
[Learning Outcomes, Transferable (Key) Skills, Assessment]
View Timetable
Successful completion of 120 level 1 credits, 120 level 2 credits and 120 level 3 credits. The classification of degree awarded is as per University Policy.
This will allow graduates to satisfy the requirements of the Standards of Proficiency for a Sonographer and to be eligible to apply for RCT registration.
Students who do not achieve all elements of the programme will be awarded credit for the modules successfully passed.
Candidates will be required to study the following compulsory modules
| Code | Title | Credits | Semester | Pass for Progression |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ARCS3213 | Research Project | 40 | Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) | PFP |
| ARCS3225 | Medical Ultrasound Clinical Practice 3 | 40 | Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) | PFP |
| ARCS3226 | Medical Ultrasound Science 3 | 20 | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | PFP |
| ARCS3227 | Sono-pathology | 20 | Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) | PFP |
Last updated: 30/04/2026 16:02:41
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