AECC University College launches new MSc Breast Imaging course
AECC University College is pleased to have launched a new MSc Breast Imaging course, which is open for applications and due to begin in September 2023.
The new MSc Breast Imaging course has been designed by specialist breast sonographer and course leader, Megan Lines, to respond to the needs of the NHS workforce.
The course is designed for allied health professionals, including sonographers, mammographers, specialist nurses and doctors within the breast imaging field, who are looking to specialise in breast imaging and work towards becoming advanced clinical practitioners.
Megan explains: “This course is particularly relevant to diagnostic radiographers, who already hold an undergraduate degree in diagnostic imaging and are working in a hospital.
“I believe a unique selling point of our MSc Breast Imaging course is that it is equally well designed for both sonographers and mammographers. It takes into account the modules that sonographers have already completed due to their previous training, such as ultrasound physics, and allows mammographers and other AHPs to complete this separately.
“Applicants to the MSc Breast Imaging course need to have a placement site arranged before applying to study with us. Students on the course will study with us part-time, alongside the work that they are already doing, generally at their placement site.
“Students on the course will generally spend three years with us if they are new to the profession. They will generally complete two clinical units in the first year, two further clinical units in the second year, and then the dissertation in the third year and exit with a Masters level award. However, there are some students who may only want to complete one or two clinical units.
“Many of our applicants will be working towards becoming a consultant radiographer. Our MSc Breast Imaging course aims to meet aspects of the four pillars of the recognised leadership framework. I think this is another key advantage of this course at AECC University College as this isn’t a standard feature of breast courses generally.
“It’s also possible to take individual units with us, rather than taking the whole course, for example Breast Ultrasound, Imaging Guided Breast Intervention and Mammography Image Reading.
“Specialising in breast imaging allows you to expand your practice and skill set into diagnosis and interventional work and become more involved in the patient pathway. It is a level of practice characterised by a high degree of autonomy and complex decision making.”
AECC University College also offers a part-time MSc in Medical Ultrasound. Students benefit from the university’s on-site ultrasound clinic, which supports the teaching provision. The degree is made up of three progressive levels: the Postgraduate Certificate, Postgraduate Diploma and Masters.
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