Training
Training
1. Currently formal training in the UK for Ultrasound is at postgraduate and undergraduate levels. CASE (The Consortium for the Accreditation of Sonographic Education), is a recognised body in the UK which accredits Ultrasound Courses in UK Universities.
CASE was formed through the common desire to ensure that the education and training of sonographers in the United Kingdom was delivered at the highest level. The seven member organisations share common concerns that standards of service provision and education are developed in parallel with increasing demand and improving technology. All member organisations strive to create an environment in which education and training is maximised. BMUS is one of the seven constituent members of CASE, the other organisations are the Chartered Society for Physiotherapy (CSP), Royal College of Podiatry (RCoP), Institute of Physics and Engineering in Medicine (IPEM), Society and College of Radiographers (SCoR), the Society for Vascular Technology in Great Britain and Ireland (SVT) and the British Society of Echocardiography (BSE).
The courses in the CASE Directory lead to qualifications such as BSc (Hons), Post Graduate Certificate, Post Graduate Diploma or MSc in Ultrasound. The usual candidates for an undergraduate programme of study come from a variety of backgrounds, experience and age range. Entry criteria for an undergraduate programme vary with each university but are typically five GCSEs or equivalent, to include maths, English and science and three A levels (B,B,B) or equivalent with one in a pure science. The usual person to take one of the postgraduate courses would be someone with an appropriate first degree in a healthcare related subject, for example, Radiography or Midwifery.
Undergraduate medical ultrasound courses are currently offered at two UK HEIs, with one offering the apprenticeship BSc (Hons) programme and one offering the traditional, direct entry BSc (Hons) programme. Both programmes are full-time, three years in duration, with varying formats of clinical education and university/clinical attendance patterns. Acceptance onto an undergraduate course will require you to complete an application form (usually through UCAS or a direct apprenticeship application with the university) and an interview. ‘Sonographer’ is not currently a protected title in the UK and, at this present time, students graduating from a BSc (Hons) Ultrasound course will not be eligible to be registered with the HCPC as a sonographer, although it is hoped that this will become a possibility in the future. in the meantime, graduates from an undergraduate programme/course will be eligible to join the Register of Clinical Technologists (RCT) accredited by the Professional Standards Authority (PSA)
Obtaining a PG Cert or Diploma requires acceptance on a course offered by one of 20 or so universities around the country. Entry requirements generally include a first degree in radiography, midwifery or similar science or health-related subject. Students may be accepted on a course if their previous learning and experience fulfils specific non-standard entry criteria. Courses typically run for 12 months (PG Cert) or 18 months (PG Diploma). They are offered as part time, full time or block release courses, the format varying with each university. All require attendance at the university for academic studies and clinical placement in an approved hospital for clinical training.
A typical part time course requires one day's attendance at university and a minimum of two days full time clinical training. It is generally the prospective student’s responsibility to arrange an approved clinical placement.
Further information, and the Course Directory, can be obtained from the CASE website.
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2. Further information on training for specific specialties can be obtained by approaching the relevant Royal College or professional society.
You can also see an overview of training for some of the major sub-specialties practising ultrasound by reading the EFSUMB guidelines.
We also recommend the document produced by the Royal College of Radiologists on Ultrasound Training Recommendations for Medical and Surgical Specialties.
Please click here to download a PDF of this document.
| Information on delivery of Ultrasound training for trainers can be found on the RCOG website, please click here to access the information |  |
BMUS Study Days & Webinars
At BMUS we run a varied programme of ultrasound study days and courses through the year. These are spread across the country and differ from year to year in terms of specialty topic, although we do have a few 'core' days such as Gynaecology, Head and Neck and Musculoskeletal ultrasound which are run on an annual basis. These courses all carry BMUS CPD points.
To see what is coming up for both Study Days and Other Education Events please visit our Events page.