Musculoskeletal Ultrasonography PGDip

This course is in clearing

Overview

Course options

  • Postgraduate Certificate in Musculoskeletal Ultrasonography Diagnostics

    • For applying and fees and funding please contact our academic team at: cpdhsb@uel.ac.uk. Feb/March 2025 intake. This certificate supports clinicians in musculoskeletal medicine by enhancing both theoretical knowledge and practical skills in diagnostic ultrasound. The programme includes two core 30-credit modules at Level 7: The Science, Instrumentation, and Application of the Upper and Lower Extremity and Competency in Ultrasonography within Clinical Practice. Module 1 is delivered in person, while Module 2 emphasises work-based learning. Students can complete the course part-time (PT) or full-time (FT), and while Module 1 is recommended before Module 2, it is not required.

  • Postgraduate Certificate in Musculoskeletal Ultrasonography Injection Therapy

    • For applying and fees and funding please contact our academic team at: cpdhsb@uel.ac.uk. 2025 applications TBC. Aimed at clinicians already familiar with diagnostic musculoskeletal ultrasound, this certificate develops expertise in ultrasound-guided musculoskeletal injections. Recommended, though not required, is prior completion of the diagnostic certificate. The programme includes Guided Injection Therapy in Application to Upper and Lower Extremity and Competency in Ultrasonography for Guided Injection Therapy in Clinical Practice – Work-Based Placement. Like the diagnostic certificate, this programme offers two core 30-credit modules, with Module 1 in attendance and Module 2 predominantly work-based.

Select year

Postgraduate

Musculoskeletal Ultrasonography PGDip, home applicant, full time

  • Home Applicant
  • Full time, 1 year
  • For applying and fees and funding please contact our academic team on: cpdhsb@uel.ac.uk
2025 applications TBC

Musculoskeletal Ultrasonography PGDip, home applicant, part time

  • Home Applicant
  • Part time
  • For applying and fees and funding please contact our academic team on: cpdhsb@uel.ac.uk
2025 applications TBC

What makes this course different

Hands-on training with experts

Gain practical, hands-on experience under the guidance of experienced radiologists and sonographers specializing in musculoskeletal ultrasound. Learn techniques that go beyond theory with real-time scanning practice.

Comprehensive curriculum covering core MSK areas

Covers a full range of MSK areas such as shoulder, elbow, wrist, hip, knee, and ankle. This ensures participants develop a thorough understanding of MSK anatomy and pathology as seen through ultrasound imaging.

Case-based learning

Through case-based learning, participants get exposure to a variety of real-world scenarios, preparing them for everyday challenges in clinical practice and enhancing their diagnostic abilities.

Course modules

The PGDip MSK US combines both the Diagnostics and Injection Therapy certificates, including all four modules. Upon successful completion, students earn a Postgraduate Diploma, reflecting comprehensive skills in ultrasound physics, anatomy, diagnostics, and guided injection therapy in clinical settings. Each certificate may be pursued independently or as part of the diploma, with options for PT and FT study. This structured approach supports critical skills and professional development in MSK ultrasound diagnostics and therapeutic application.

NOTE: Modules are subject to change. For those studying part time courses the modules may vary.

What we're researching

We're making a major contribution to evidence-based rehabilitation through our work with the Human Motor Performance Research Group (HMPG).

This brings together a multi-disciplinary team of clinical scientists with backgrounds in physiotherapy, podiatry, neuroscience, biomechanical research, sports science and sociology.

In 2013, Dr David Stephensen established a UK Haemophilia Physiotherapy Advisory Board which has developed a 'Train the Trainer' programme based on UEL research to educate UK physiotherapists in the assessment and treatment of people with haemophilia.

Dr Kellie Gibson's doctoral project involved developing and testing highly personalised orthotics for early rheumatoid arthritis patients. She has since been awarded £200,000 by the Dr Scholl Foundation to compare the effectiveness of prefabricated foot orthotics to bespoke ones.

Dr Graham Copnell, Senior Lecturer for the Podiatric Medicine and Physiotherapy MSc courses, is researching professional practice. It is qualitative, as opposed to quantitative research, ranging from education through to professional roles, negotiations, ethics, boundaries and professional development.

Your future career

This course gives you the skills, experience, and knowledge to undertake an extended scope of practice in the field of musculoskeletal medicine using diagnostic ultrasonography.
The advanced skills you acquire will help you complement patient management choices in your own clinical practice and integrate academic learning with the development of higher levels of professional practice.
The course also offers you professional development through an enhanced ability to deliver more holistic assessment and treatment options to patients under your care.
Your diagnostic skills will help determine the cause and pathology. They will also be highly useful in facilitating injection-guided therapy, where a detailed understanding of anatomy, complemented by the ability to obtain and correctly interpret ultrasound images of the musculoskeletal frame, will offer precise information in terms of where and how to inject.

Graduate employers

The Royal College of Radiologists has formally recognised that there is a national shortage of sonographers and acknowledged the need to involve other professional groups in this area of musculoskeletal ultrasound training.

Job roles

Explore the different career options you can pursue with this degree and see the median salaries of the sector on our Career Coach portal.

PGDip Musculoskeletal Ultrasonography hero
Our PGDip in Musculoskeletal Ultrasonography equips healthcare professionals with advanced skills in diagnostics and injection therapy through two PGCerts. Designed for clinicians in fields like physiotherapy, rheumatology, and sports medicine, the course addresses the UK's sonographer shortage while leveraging ultrasound as a cost-effective alternative to MRI.
Caroline Doolan

Head of Department

How we support your career ambitions

We offer dedicated careers support, and further opportunities to thrive, such as volunteering and industry networking. Our courses are created in collaboration with employers and industry to ensure they accurately reflect the real-life practices of your future career and provide you with the essential skills needed. You can focus on building interpersonal skills through group work and benefit from our investment in the latest cutting-edge technologies and facilities.

Career Zone

Our dedicated and award-winning team provide you with careers and employability resources, including:

  • Online jobs board for internships, placements, graduate opportunities, flexible part-time work.
  • Mentoring programmes for insight with industry experts 
  • 1-2-1 career coaching services 
  • Careers workshops and employer events 
  • Learning pathways to gain new skills and industry insight

Mental Wealth programme

Our Professional Fitness and Mental Wealth programme which issues you with a Careers Passport to track the skills you’ve mastered. Some of these are externally validated by corporations like Amazon and Microsoft.

Our Mental Wealth programme

We are careers first

Our teaching methods and geographical location put us right up top

  • Enterprise and entrepreneurship support 
  • We are ranked 6th for graduate start-ups 
  • Networking and visits to leading organisations 
  • Support in starting a new business, freelancing and self-employment 
  • London on our doorstep

How you'll learn

The first module of each PGCert consists of classroom lectures and practical sessions both at the University and in the Anatomy Lab. 

The second module of each PGCert requires that students complete a work-based portfolio. For the PGCert - Diagnostics this consists of 250 scans and for the PGCert - Injection Therapy 35 guided injections. These need to be under the direct supervision of a suitable mentor submitting the finished portfolio for the successful completion of the module. It remains the responsibility of the student to ensure that they have an appropriate mentor.

There is no definitive qualification that is required for the mentor. However, it would be expected that one or more of the following are met:

a. Radiologist with regular MSK US list 

b. Sonographer, Physiotherapist or Sports Physician with a PGCert / Dip 

c. Sonographer, Physiotherapist or Sports Physician who may not have a recognised qualification but who has regular MSK US list.

The fees for each PGCert are £3200.

How you'll be assessed

The first module is assessed via a practical OSCE examination. For the second module, you need to organise a suitable clinical placement and complete a work-based portfolio including a minimum of 250 examined scans.

A work-based clinical mentor will observe and review the clinical musculoskeletal images that you produce.

  • PgCert US Diagnostic:

    50% portfolio
  • 40% practical assessment
  • 10% Multiple Choice Questions
  • PgCert Injection:

    25% Practical assessment
  • 25% Course work/essay
  • 25% Portfolio
  • 25% Multiple Choice Questions
  • PGDip:

    35% Portfolio
  • 15% Multiple Choice Questions
  • 35% Practical assessment
  • 15% Coursework/Essay

Campus and facilities

Water Lane, Stratford

Who teaches this course

This course is delivered by the School of Health, Sport and Bioscience.

The teaching team includes qualified academics, practitioners and industry experts as guest speakers. Full details of the academics will be provided in the student handbook and module guides.