Clinical Echocardiography PGCert

Overview

Echocardiography specialists use ultra scans to look at a patient's heart and blood vessels.

Our Echocardiography Postgraduate Certificate is available to the healthcare science workforce through competitive national recruitment.

This commissioned programme is one of two in the UK that provides Level 7 PG Certificate training for the national Echocardiographer Training Programme. The PG Certificate provides students with the key knowledge base required to practice clinical echocardiography as an independent practitioner.

The Echocardiography Training Programme (ETP) has been developed in collaboration with the British Society of Echocardiography (BSE) to respond to the increased workforce needs for Accredited Echocardiographers.

Interested applicants can apply to join the Echocardiography Training Programme between April and June each year. More information about the ETP is available on NHS England.

Please note you cannot apply directly to Newcastle University for this course.

Important information

We've highlighted important information about your course. Please take note of any deadlines.

Your course and study experience - disclaimers and terms and conditions

Please rest assured we make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the programmes, services and facilities described. However, it may be necessary to make changes due to significant disruption, for example in response to Covid-19.

View our Academic experience page, which gives information about your Newcastle University study experience for the academic year 2023-24.

See our terms and conditions and student complaints information, which gives details of circumstances that may lead to changes to programmes, modules or University services.

 

What you'll learn

This course will provide students with a systematic understanding of the theoretical principles that underpin cardiac ultrasound (echocardiography) investigations in a clinical setting.

Modules

You will study modules on this course. A module is a unit of a course with its own approved aims and outcomes and assessment methods.

Course content changes

Module information is intended to provide an example of what you will study.

Our teaching is informed by research. Course content changes periodically to reflect developments in the discipline, the requirements of external bodies and partners, and student feedback.

Full details of the modules on offer will be published through the Programme Regulations and Specifications ahead of each academic year. This usually happens in May.

To find out more please see our terms and conditions.

Optional modules availability

Some courses have optional modules. Student demand for optional modules may affect availability.

 

Clinical Echocardiography PGCert modules

Compulsory modules

You take the following compulsory modules:

Introduction to Clinical Echocardiography (30 credits)
Ultrasound Imaging in Cardiac Disease (30 credits)

How you'll learn

Delivery and teaching methods

This part-time course is delivered by blended learning and has been designed to complement working commitments. The course extends over 9 months and consists of a formal taught component, directed by self-study and supervised clinical practice.

You will take two modules, that are delivered in two-week blocks, starting in November and February.

You will learn through a mixture of:

• lectures
• workshops
• practical sessions
• independent study
• group work
• case studies
• presentations
• problem-solving exercises

Assessment methods

Depending on your modules, you'll be assessed through a combination of:

• Computer assessment
• Essay
• Oral examination
• Written examination

Student support

Your teaching and learning is also supported by Canvas. Canvas is a Virtual Learning Environment. You'll use Canvas to submit your assignments and access your:

• module handbooks
• course materials
• groups
• course announcements and notifications
• written feedback

Throughout your studies, you’ll have access to support from:

• peers
• academics
• personal tutors
• our University Student Services Team
• student representatives

You'll also be assigned an academic member of staff. They will be your personal tutor throughout your time with us. They can help with academic and personal issues.

Our staff

Professor Chris Eggett

Peter Luke

Your future

On successful completion of the ETP, you will qualify as an accredited echocardiographic.

You will be able to work in various settings including NHS hospitals, GP practices, private sector, in both the UK and worldwide.

Our Careers Service

Our award-winning Careers Service is one of the largest and best in the country, and we have strong links with employers. We provide an extensive range of opportunities to all students through our ncl+ initiative.

Visit our Careers Service website

Quality and ranking

All professional accreditations are reviewed regularly by their professional body

Recognition of professional qualifications outside of the UK

From 1 January 2021 there is an update to the way professional qualifications are recognised by countries outside of the UK

Check the government’s website for more information.

Facilities

Students will have access to a range of facilities in our faculty and our clinical skills facility, including:

• echocardiography simulators
• clinical echo machines
• classroom-based teaching

Students on the ETP will learn about and become familiar with echocardiography, using up-to-date simulation equipment and real-world echocardiography machines.

We run workshops within the clinical skills labs where we discuss how to get the different echo views and put this into practice with guided hands-on experience from experienced BSE accredited echocardiographers. The curriculum also includes how to perform and report normal and abnormal echo measurements and write an effective report.

 

Open days and events

You'll have a number of opportunities to meet us throughout the year including:

• campus tours
• on-campus open days
• virtual open days
• webinars

Find out about how you can visit Newcastle in person and virtually

Overseas events

We regularly travel overseas to meet with students interested in studying at Newcastle University.

Visit our events calendar for the latest events