Postgraduate Course

Postgraduate Diploma Musculoskeletal Ultrasound Imaging

How to apply

Overview

The details

Course: Musculoskeletal Ultrasound Imaging

Start date: October 2025

Study mode: Part-time

Duration: 2 - 5 years

Location: Colchester Campus

Based in: Sport, Rehabilitation and Exercise Sciences (School of)

We understand that you may not have the time to do a full-time degree, so our CPD pathways allow you to study flexibly, in the way that best suits you. The structure, mode of delivery and level of support allow you to progress towards a qualification at postgraduate certificate, postgraduate diploma or Masters level.

This pathway supports clinicians from a range of professional backgrounds to access musculoskeletal ultrasound imaging. You'll engage with the technical considerations that underpin this imaging modality prior to musculoskeletal scanning protocols. Face-to-face teaching takes place at weekends at our Colchester Campus. You'll require a mentor to complete the clinical learning components of the PGDip. The pathway includes optional modules covering ultrasound guided injections or service evaluation. We will:

Provide you with critical understanding of the key concepts underlying musculoskeletal ultrasound imaging
Provide you with the opportunity to acquire practical musculoskeletal ultrasound imaging skills
Ensure that you acquire a range of transferable employment related skills
Enable you to evaluate and respond to professional considerations related to musculoskeletal ultrasound imaging
Provide you with skills to access, and critically appraise, research findings to develop your own evidence-based practice
Enhance your understanding of the essential principles of research design and to conduct an extensive piece of independent research including: planning, formulating, designing, choosing research methods, collecting data, analysing, interpreting and writing-up

This course sits within our School of Sport, Rehabilitation and Exercise Sciences. This provides an exciting opportunity to join a community specifically focused on sports and exercise science, sports therapy and physiotherapy. This will allow us to bring together our internationally recognised research, share knowledge, and enhance placement and vocational opportunities for our students and graduates.

Professional accreditation

Accredited by the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP).

Accredited by the Consortium for the Accreditation of Sonographic Education. Pathway assessment includes verification of clinical competency to support employability in musculoskeletal environments e.g. radiology or POCUS for physiotherapists.

Why we're great.

Study flexibly with a part-time CPD pathway.
Expand your musculoskeletal knowledge with a focus on imaging, including ultrasonography, or patient management including injection therapy.
Work with leading experts from a range of fields, including consultant physiotherapists and sonographers.

Our expert staff

We have a range of university staff and external expert specialists who work with us. Our priority is to ensure the professional diversity of musculoskeletal ultrasound is represented so clinicians who scan lists in radiology and point of care practitioners are used to support the course teaching.

Your future

Sport scholarships

Our Performance Sport Scholarship programme has been created for talented athletes playing at regional, national or international level, and offers a range of benefits. We want students competing in our focus sports (basketball, volleyball, tennis and football), as well as other team sports and individual athletes, to contribute to our performance sport programme. Our scholarships can include fee discounts of up to 100%, offered to athletes who demonstrate sporting excellence. Athletes who are awarded the scholarship may also receive a host of other benefits, including free kit, access to state-of-the-art facilities, performance coaching, the option to live in our Athlete Village (accommodation fees may vary) and a support package valued up to £1,500. These benefits are designed to help athletes focus on their training, and development, and to enable them to reach their full potential alongside their studies.

Entry requirements

UK entry requirements

A relevant first degree OR a relevant professional experience or qualifications that demonstrates ability to study at Level 7.
A minimum of 1 year post-registration experience and relevant musculoskeletal experience.
Current Registration with the relevant UK or equivalent professional body.
HCPC or equivalent registration e.g. in case of doctors (GMC) and Nurses (NMC), non-radiographer sonographers must evidence their qualification.
Access to support in the work place, (or mentor’s workplace) to enable completion clinical learning requirements. To register on Musculoskeletal Ultrasound in Professional Practice, (SE709) students must provide a completed Practice Mentorship Agreement, (see module guide for SE709).

International & EU entry requirements

We accept a wide range of qualifications from applicants studying in the EU and other countries. Get in touch with any questions you may have about the qualifications we accept. Remember to tell us about the qualifications you have already completed or are currently taking.

Sorry, the entry requirements for the country that you have selected are not available here. Please contact our Graduate Admissions team at pgquery@essex.ac.uk to request the entry requirements for this country.

Structure

Course structure

Total credits: 120

Plus:

SE747: Postgraduate Research Methods (Distance Learning)

Plus one from the following:

Summary of module assessment and award structure (.docx)

We understand that deciding where and what to study is a very important decision for you. We'll make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the courses, services and facilities as described on our website and in line with your contract with us. However, if we need to make material changes, for example due to significant disruption, we'll let our applicants and students know as soon as possible.

Components and modules explained

Components

Components are the blocks of study that make up your course. A component may have a set module which you must study, or a number of modules from which you can choose.

Each component has a status and carries a certain number of credits towards your qualification.

Status	What this means
Core	You must take the set module for this component and you must pass. No failure can be permitted.
Core with Options	You can choose which module to study from the available options for this component but you must pass. No failure can be permitted.
Compulsory	You must take the set module for this component. There may be limited opportunities to continue on the course/be eligible for the qualification if you fail.
Compulsory with Options	You can choose which module to study from the available options for this component. There may be limited opportunities to continue on the course/be eligible for the qualification if you fail.
Optional	You can choose which module to study from the available options for this component. There may be limited opportunities to continue on the course/be eligible for the qualification if you fail.

The modules that are available for you to choose for each component will depend on several factors, including which modules you have chosen for other components, which modules you have completed in previous years of your course, and which term the module is taught in.

Modules

Modules are the individual units of study for your course. Each module has its own set of learning outcomes and assessment criteria and also carries a certain number of credits.

In most cases you will study one module per component, but in some cases you may need to study more than one module. For example, a 30-credit component may comprise of either one 30-credit module, or two 15-credit modules, depending on the options available.

Modules may be taught at different times of the year and by a different department or school to the one your course is primarily based in. You can find this information from the module code. For example, the module code HR100-4-FY means:

100

The department or school the module will be taught by.

In this example, the module would be taught by the Department of History.

The module number.

The UK academic level of the module.

A standard undergraduate course will comprise of level 4, 5 and 6 modules - increasing as you progress through the course.

A standard postgraduate taught course will comprise of level 7 modules.

A postgraduate research degree is a level 8 qualification.

The term the module will be taught in.

AU: Autumn term
SP: Spring term
SU: Summer term
FY: Full year
AP: Autumn and Spring terms
PS: Spring and Summer terms
AS: Autumn and Summer terms

COMPONENT 01: CORE

Introduction to Musculoskeletal Ultrasound

(15 CREDITS)

This module is an essential component of all the Postgraduate Musculoskeletal Ultrasound Imaging awards. It introduces students to the practical skill of musculoskeletal ultrasound imaging including the ESSR protocols. The role of imaging for different professional groups is acknowledged including the varied documentation and communication requirements.

View Introduction to Musculoskeletal Ultrasound on our Module Directory

COMPONENT 02: CORE

Musculoskeletal Ultrasound in Professional Practice

(30 CREDITS)

This module aims to develop students' knowledge relating to the clinical application of musculoskeletal ultrasound. Students will have been introduced to musculoskeletal scanning including standard scanning protocols; this module will then enable students to explore the modality's utilisation in contemporary healthcare. Musculoskeletal ultrasound imaging is a modality growth phase, it can be found in many clinical environments beyond the traditional domain of radiology. A variety of professionals have incorporated this modality into their clinical practice, students can access mentorship in any appropriate clinical environment e.g. general practice, physiotherapy, sports medicine, rheumatology if they are able to find support from a suitably qualified mentor. This module has been designed to provide a robust and transparent process for monitoring and assessment of students' clinical progress and competence.

View Musculoskeletal Ultrasound in Professional Practice on our Module Directory

COMPONENT 03: CORE

Postgraduate Research Methods (Distance Learning)

(30 CREDITS)

This module is delivered by distance learning, no university attendance is required. You will explore theoretical and practical issues in relation to the research process, with specific emphasis on research in the musculoskeletal specialism. You will develop the ability to understand and use relevant research literature, and acquire the skills you need to plan and carry out your own research. A defining feature of the module is that the research principles that are encountered will constantly be applied to real musculoskeletal clinical settings.

View Postgraduate Research Methods (Distance Learning) on our Module Directory

COMPONENT 04: CORE

Technical Considerations in Ultrasound Imaging

(15 CREDITS)

This module is an essential component of all the Postgraduate Musculoskeletal Ultrasound Imaging awards. It aims to develop students’ knowledge of the theoretical principles that underpin ultrasound imaging. The science related to ultrasound generation and image production will be explored in order for students to be able to link these theoretical elements to practical considerations. Students will become familiar with common ultrasound artefacts and their impact on ultrasound imaging. They will understand the key factors that influence equipment choice alongside the responsibilities for equipment maintenance and other quality assurance processes

View Technical Considerations in Ultrasound Imaging on our Module Directory

COMPONENT 05: COMPULSORY WITH OPTIONS

(30 CREDITS)

COMPONENT 06: CORE

Musculoskeletal Ultrasound, Clinical Skills Experience - Scanning Record

(0 CREDITS)

This module is a component of the Postgraduate Diploma or MSc Musculoskeletal Ultrasound Imaging. Students who have completed the modules that make up the Postgraduate Certificate Musculoskeletal Ultrasound Imaging will have passed summative assessments confirming clinical competency. Whilst enrolled on the modules of the Postgraduate Diploma and MSc, students must be able to demonstrate they are continuing to scan and are therefore maintaining their clinical skills. This module has no fee attached; students maintain a logbook to demonstrate they are maintaining their scanning competency.

View Musculoskeletal Ultrasound, Clinical Skills Experience - Scanning Record on our Module Directory

Fees and funding

Home/UK fee

TBC

This CPD pathway allows you to study flexibly. Fees are therefore charged per module and may vary. A full list of current module fees can be found on the School of Sport, Rehabilitation and Exercise Sciences CPD page, or by contacting msk@essex.ac.uk

International fee

TBC

Fees will increase for each academic year of study.

Masters fees and funding information

Research (e.g. PhD) fees and funding information

What's next

We hold Open Days for all our applicants throughout the year. Our Colchester Campus events are a great way to find out more about studying at Essex, and give you the chance to:

tour our campus and accommodation
find out answers to your questions about our courses, student finance, graduate employability, student support and more
meet our students and staff

If the dates of our organised events aren’t suitable for you, feel free to get in touch by emailing tours@essex.ac.uk and we’ll arrange an individual campus tour for you.

If you are intending to follow a modular programme, please email sres@essex.ac.uk. You will be guided through how to apply and we will refer you to the relevant programme or module lead to discuss your plans.

From this discussion, a formal outline of the most suitable modules for your professional and personal circumstances will be produced. Although your plans may change over time this formal document helps us plan delivery of modules over the coming years, and where relevant it helps your sponsor to plan funding arrangements as appropriate.

Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning (APEL)

We recognise the importance of your previous academic learning and professional experience, and you can use both to gain credit value towards the specific programme you are interested in, known as Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning or APEL.

APEL is dependent on many factors. If you are interested in this option please email us at sres@essex.ac.uk before you apply. It is necessary to highlight any prior learning before you apply as the modules you wish to study may be dependent on this. For further information on our AP(E)L procedure, please review the University's Quality Enhancement information.

Application forms and supporting documents

PGDip Programme application

Programme application form (.docx)

Module application

If you are interested in applying for a specific module, you will need to complete the module application form:

Module application form (.docx)

Your application and funding

If you are being funded by your employer, please obtain your line manager's signature once you have completed the application form including how payment will be made and, if you work within the NHS, forward to your Education Liaison Manager for processing.

If you are self-funded, please complete the application form providing the required information and forward to our contracts administrator, who will then instruct you on how to make payments.

If you are being funded by a charitable organisation, please complete the application form, with the signature of the person providing the funds and the way in which they will be paying, and forward to our contracts administrator, who will then instruct your sponsor on how to make payments.

Once we have received your signed and completed application form we will write to confirm if you have been successful in gaining a place.

Module contact: Contact the team at msk@essex.ac.uk).

Downloads and related links

Other courses you may find of interest

Available as a standalone module or as part of MSc/PG Diploma/PG Certificate programmes offered, modules are at level seven:

Soft Tissue and Joint Injection Therapy – 15 credits
Introduction to Musculoskeletal Ultrasound – 15 credits
Intermediate Musculoskeletal Ultrasound – 30 credits
Advanced Musculoskeletal Assessment – 15 credits

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