Learn alongside skilled health professionals to become a qualified medical sonographer, fulfilling your ambition to provide diagnostic imaging and patient care.

About the apprenticeship

Course length: 34 months, part-time, plus 2 months end-point assessment

Start date: March

Course level: Level 6

University award: BSc (Hons) Medical Ultrasound

How much it costs: Funded through the employer

Accredited by: Consortium of Accreditation of Sonography Education (CASE) (May 2024)

Course summary

Please be aware that as sonographer is not currently a protected title in the UK, you will not be eligible to be register with the HCPC, although it is hoped that this will become a possibility in the future.

For this reason, employment may not be possible in certain NHS trusts and some private sector organisations, although many organisations already employ sonographers from non-traditional backgrounds. Graduates will be eligible to join the Register of Clinical Technologists (RCT) accredited by the Professional Standards Authority (PSA).

• Prepare to train as a sonographer, performing ultrasound examinations to enhance care quality.
• Gain hands-on experience with industry-standard simulation equipment, including ultrasound machines.
• Learn to deliver high-quality, patient-centred care in collaboration with health and social care professionals.
• Collaborate effectively with other professional groups in health and social care.

This apprenticeship is designed to teach you the skills, knowledge and behaviours needed to develop clinical practice in ultrasound and diagnostic imaging. You will also learn how to demonstrate an ongoing commitment to professional development. 

This course meets the sonographer (integrated degree) apprenticeship standard. 

How you learn

All our courses are designed around a set of key principles based on engaging you with the world, collaborating with others, challenging you to think in new ways, and providing you with a supportive environment in which you can thrive.

While specialising in ultrasound, you will learn alongside practitioners from various health and social care professions, fostering a community of practice.

This unique course enhances your employability skills, challenging and developing you as a crucial allied health professional in a dynamic and demanding workplace. 

You will experience a blended approach to learning and teaching both on campus, online and on the job.

You’ll learn through: 

• Lectures 
• Seminars and tutorials 
• Group work 
• Practical activities 
• Simulation, including digital virtual anatomy
• Image interpretation activities 
• Application of taught theories in safe, practice environments (on-campus technical rooms and using IT enhanced simulation)

You will also complete an end-point assessment towards completion of the apprenticeship.

Applied learning

All three years of the course are structured around applied learning. This links your studies to real-world situations.

Specialist equipment and facilities 
You will have access to industry-standard simulation equipment to support your learning needs in a safe and stress-free environment. This includes a fully working ultrasound machine to learn practical and technical skills on. You will learn through taught delivery, scenario discussions, and using simulation equipment, as well as gaining experience on the job in a diagnostic imaging (ultrasound) department. 

Professional teaching
Learn alongside practitioners from diverse health and social care professions, including therapeutic radiographers, nurses, midwives, paramedics, physiotherapists, social workers, and your sonography peers. This fosters an in-depth understanding of person-centred care and patient pathways.

Work-based mentor
You will be supported in the workplace by a dedicated work-based mentor who ensures your learning aligns with academic teaching outcomes. Regular reviews with your mentor will help plan  your development effectively.

Networking 
You will learn as part of a community of practice and have the opportunity to attend national and regional learning events and conferences.

Campus facilities

You'll learn in modern facilities at our Collegiate Campus including mock wards and operating rooms, simulation suites, and interactive manikins. 

On this course you work with: 

• IT visual and auditory systems 
• Ergonomically designed scanning chairs 
• EVE – high specification simulator with programmable pathologies for teaching and assessment 
• Simulator – for orientation and technical skills  

Entry requirements

The entry requirements ensure the apprenticeship is accessible to a diverse range of applicants while maintaining appropriate standards.

Applicants must:

• have the right to abode in the UK
• meet the course entry requirements

GCSE (or equivalent)

Maths, English and a Science subject at level 2 or above (grade 4, or previously C).

If you don't have this yet, we will refer you to our functional skills training partner where you'll need to complete the relevant qualifications during the first year of your apprenticeship.

If English is not your first language, you will also need an IELTS score of 6.5 with a minimum of 5.5 in all skills, or equivalent. If your level of English language is below IELTS 6.5 we will recommend an appropriate pre-sessional English course. Which will allow you to achieve the required level of English.

Additional qualifications

Plus the following:  

• Evidence of successful formal study at Level 3 
• A minimum of six months experience in a health and social care capacity, including any placements or work-based learning undertaken as part of a Level 3 qualification. 

If you do not have a minimum of six months experience working in a health and social care capacity, you should hold one of the following:  

• 96 UCAS points from three A levels (including at least 40 points from either Biology, Chemistry, Physics or Mathematics). Or equivalent qualifications such as BTEC Nationals, Cambridge Technicals, OCR Nationals and T Levels.
• Access to HE Diploma from a QAA recognised Access to HE course
• Level 3 Apprenticeship
• Higher Technical Qualifications (HTQ’s) New or existing Level 4 or 5 qualifications such as HNDs, Foundation Degrees, Certificate HE or Diploma HE 
• Previous degree

Other qualifications may be considered in discussion with the university. 

You will also be subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service check, Occupational Health and the Sheffield Hallam University pre-admission declaration for health and social care courses. 

Modules

The course is designed so that learners will apply their learning back to the workplace as part of every module. Delivered through a combination of academic learning and work-based learning.

Year one

• Personal and professional development 1
• Introduction to scientific principles and professional practice
• Medical ultrasound practice 1
• Medical ultrasound practice 2
• Medical ultrasound competence for practice 1

Year two

• Personal and professional development 2
• Developing  scientific principles and professional practice
• Developing medical ultrasound practice
• Research in practice
• Medical ultrasound competence for practice 2

Year three

• Personal and professional development 3
• Applied research in practice
• Advancing ultrasound principles & practice
• The skilful professional ready for qualified practice
• Medical ultrasound competence for practice 3
• End-point assessment

Module and assessment information for future years is displayed as currently validated and may be liable to change.