Introduction

The MSc Medical Imaging Programme offers the following pathways and endorsements within the Faculty of Health and Social Care.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging
(Postgraduate Certificate, Diploma and MSc)
Medical Ultrasound
(Postgraduate Certificate, Diploma and MSc)
Nuclear Medicine
(Postgraduate Certificate, Diploma and MSc)
Computed Tomography
(Postgraduate Certificate, Diploma and MSc)
Forensic Imaging
(Postgraduate Certificate, Diploma and MSc)
Medical Imaging
(Postgraduate Certificate, Diploma and MSc)
Radiopharmacy Practice
(Postgraduate Certificate)
Musculoskeletal Ultrasound
(Postgraduate Certificate)

Programme Aims

The programme aims to:

• ensure practitioners are skilled, competent, confident practitioners in either Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Medical Ultrasound, Nuclear Medicine; Computed Tomography, Forensic Imaging or Medical Imaging
• enable practitioners to be proactive in initiating and leading role developments in their specific fields
• integrate academic learning with the development of higher levels of professional practice

Programme Structure 

The programme is modular in structure and flexible. All modules attract 20 credits at Master’s level (HE4). For the award of an MSc, students are required to complete successfully nine modules (180 credits). All pathways have a Postgraduate Certificate award comprising three modules (60 credits) and a Postgraduate Diploma award comprising six modules (120 credits).

The modules are a mixture of workplace-based (clinical applications or open), taught and research modules. The acquisition of specific competences takes place in the work setting under the supervision of an expert practitioner, underpinned by a learning agreement.

Awards 

Students are required to register for the Medical Imaging pathway or a modality-specific pathway. The profile for each pathway and associated award is given below.

MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING (MRI)

To gain the award of Postgraduate Certificate students take these compulsory modules:

• Orientation
• Principles of Science and Technology in MRI (taught)
• Clinical Applications and Management I (workplace-based); routine brain, spine and knee

To gain the Postgraduate Diploma students take a further three modules.

• Clinical Applications and Management II (workplace-based); musculo-skeletal
• Clinical Applications and Management III (workplace-based); brain and head and neck
• Clinical Applications and Management IV (workplace-based); body, cardiac and breast
• One unit from those listed in MSc Interprofessional Health and Social Care

Students must choose at least one but may undertake two further Clinical Applications and Management modules. Only one open module is permitted.

To gain the MSc three further modules are undertaken.

• Developing a Research Proposal (taught) or
• Undertaking Systematic Reviews (taught)
• Research Module (double module, Modality-Specific)

MEDICAL ULTRASOUND

To gain the award of Postgraduate Certificate students take two compulsory modules:

• Orientation
• Principles of Science and Technology in Medical Ultrasound (taught)

Students additionally take one of the Clinical Applications and Management modules offered.

• Clinical Applications and Management I (workplace-based); obstetric and pelvic
• Clinical Applications and Management II (workplace-based); abdominal and small parts
• Clinical Applications and Management III (workplace-based); musculoskeletal
• Clinical Applications and Management IV (workplace-based); peripheral vascular arterial
• Clinical Applications and Management V (workplace-based); peripheral vascular venous

To gain the Postgraduate Diploma students take a further three modules. They must be either one or two other Clinical Applications and Management (workplace-based) modules plus one or two units from those listed in MSc Inteprofessional Health and Social Care.

To gain the MSc three further modules are undertaken.

• Developing a Research Proposal (taught) or
• Undertaking Systematic Reviews (taught)
• Research Project (double module, Modality-Specific)

MUSCULOSKELETAL ULTRASOUND, POSTGRADUATE CERTIFICATE

All students take:

• Principles of Science and Technology in Medical Ultrasound (taught)
• Techniques in Musculoskeletal Ultrasound (taught)
• Clinical Applications and Management III (workplace-based); musculoskeletal

NUCLEAR MEDICINE (NM)

To gain the award of Postgraduate Certificate students take these compulsory modules:

• Orientation (taught)
• Principles of Science and Technology in NM (taught)
• Clinical Applications and Management I (workplace-based); standard procedures

To gain the Postgraduate Diploma students take a further three modules. Students choose two modules from:

• Clinical Applications and Management II (workplace-based); complex and non-standard procedures
• Clinical Applications and Management III (workplace-based); PET
• Clinical Applications and Management IV (workplace-based); radionuclide therapies
• Radiopharmacy and Non Imaging Diagnostic Tests (workplace-based)*

 * This module is not compulsory but students will be strongly advised to include it in their Postgraduate Diploma.

Students also take one unit from those listed in MSc Interprofessional Health and Social Care.

To gain the MSc three further modules are undertaken.

• Developing a Research Proposal (taught) or
• Undertaking Systematic Reviews (taught)
• Research Module (double module, Modality-Specific)

COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY (CT)

To gain the award of Postgraduate Certificate students take two compulsory modules:

• Orientation
• Principles of Science and Technology in CT (taught)

Students additionally take one of the Clinical Applications and Management modules offered:

• Clinical Applications and Management I (workplace-based) (Gastrointestinal CT)
• Clinical Applications and Management II (workplace-based) (Computed Tomography Angiography)
• Clinical Applications and Management III (workplace-based) (CT Head Clinical Reporting)

To gain the Postgraduate Diploma students take a further three modules. They must be one or two other Clinical Applications and Management (Workplace - based) modules plus one or two units from those listed in MSc Interprofessional Health and Social Care.

To gain the MSc three further modules are undertaken.

• Developing a Research Proposal (taught) or
• Undertaking Systematic Reviews (taught)
• Research Project (double module, Modality-Specific)

FORENSIC IMAGING (FI)

To gain the award of Postgraduate Certificate students take these three compulsory modules:

• Orientation (taught)
• Fundamental Principles of Forensic Imaging (taught)
• Clinical Applications of Forensic Imaging (taught).

To gain the Postgraduate Diploma students take a further three modules. An open module may be undertaken at this point plus two units from those listed in MSc Interprofessional Health and Social Care. Alternatively, three units from those listed in MSc Interprofessional Health and Social Care may be undertaken.

To gain the MSC three further modules are undertaken:

• Developing a Research Proposal (taught) OR
• Undertaking Systematic Reviews (taught)
• Research Project (double module, Pathway-specific).

RADIOPHARMACY PRACTICE, POSTGRADUATE CERTIFICATE

All students take:

• Orientation (taught)
• Principles of Science and Technology in NM (taught)
• Radiopharmacy and Non Imaging Diagnostic Tests (workplace-based)

MEDICAL IMAGING (MI)

To gain the Postgraduate Certificate students take the Orientation (taught).

Students additionally take one or two open modules or one open module plus one unit from those listed in MSc Inteprofessional Health and Social Care.

To gain the Postgraduate Diploma students take a further three modules. If only one open module has been completed at this stage a second open module may be undertaken at this point plus two units from those listedin MSc Inteprofessional Health and Social Care.

If two open modules have been completed, three units must be selected from those listed in MSc Inteprofessional Health and Social Care.

To gain the MSc three further modules are undertaken.

• Developing a Research Proposal (taught) or
• Undertaking Systematic Reviews (taught)
• Research Project (double module, Profession-Specific)

Information Relating to Each Pathway

Assessment

Assessment is by course work only and includes long essays, seminar presentations, written reports, projects and case studies and the research dissertation. It is expected that all assignments will be relevant and specific to students’ own practice within the theoretical context and learning outcomes of the module. Written examinations will not be employed as an assessment method.

All assessments must be passed in order to gain the degree. Individual marks are not awarded. Students’ work is graded as fail, pass, good pass or distinction and comprehensive written feedback is given.

Entry Requirements and the Selection Procedure

Candidates must offer a degree or a professional diploma in a relevant discipline plus evidence of current practice experience. Applicants must also be able to show evidence of their ability to study at Master’s level.

Candidates fulfilling these criteria are invited for an informal interview to discuss their application that includes a short personal statement. Evidence is sought from a referee about readiness for study and of a supportive, appropriate work environment.

At interview, suitability to begin study at Master’s level and assessment of how well the programme will meet the needs of the individual is appraised through a robust dialogue about previous experience, current interests, perceived personal strengths and weaknesses, both academic and professional, and career development plans. The programme team is committed to the widest possible entry gate, offering places on a ’first come, first served’ basis, having due regard to the importance of constructing an interprofessional cohort.

Fees

For information on current tuition fees, please visit our finance pages.

How to Apply

A Programme Information Booklet and Application Form can be downloaded here

Copies are also available from the University. Please contact:

The Programme Administrator
MSc Medical Imaging
Department of Allied Health Professions
Canterbury Christ Church University
North Holmes Road
Canterbury
CT1 1QU

Telephone: 01227 782401
Fax: 01227 451739
Email: maria.pacan@canterbury.ac.uk

For an informal discussion, please contact:

Gill Dolbear
Programme Director

Telephone: 01227 782085
Email: gill.dolbear@canterbury.ac.uk
 

Department of Allied Health Professions Website