PgCert in Point-of-Care Ultrasound
Our Postgraduate Certificate in Point of Care Ultrasound in the Acute Setting (PgCert in PoCUS) is offered in partnership with Canterbury Christ Church University. It is designed for healthcare professionals looking for a structured and comprehensive approach to mastering ultrasound techniques across acute and emergency clinical settings. The course comprises six individual modules worth 10 credits each, totalling the 60-credit requirement for a PgCert. These modules may also be taken separately as 10-credit micro-credentials. You can find out more here.
Next term dates:
24th April – 26th June 2025 (click here to view the detailed schedule)
Cost: £2,700 (paid in instalments for the modules you attend each term)
The price is expected to increase in September 2025. However, if you join the PgCert programme in the upcoming summer term (April–June 2025), you will still pay £2,700 for all six modules.
Venue: Terracotta Court (ground floor), 167 Tower Bridge Road, London, SE1 3LN
20 years of experience in teaching RCEM courses
19 000 clinicians have taken our courses
4.9 out of 5 is our average Google review score
Why pursue a PgCert in PoCUS?
Point-of-Care Ultrasound (PoCUS) has become a valuable tool for many clinicians, revolutionising diagnostic accuracy and improving patient care. By delivering immediate visual insights, it supports more informed decision-making and enhances treatment strategies in clinical practice.
Our PgCert in PoCUS course provides an in-depth exploration of key ultrasound techniques and applications, equipping clinicians with advanced knowledge and practical skills relevant to emergency and acute settings.
Who is the PgCert in PoCUS for?
Our PgCert in PoCUS course is ideal for clinicians working in acute care settings, such as emergency medicine, acute medicine, intensive care, and emergency surgery. It is also valuable for a wide range of healthcare professionals interested in developing their ultrasound skills. The programme is particularly useful for those interested in teaching ultrasound skills to others. The flexible structure makes it suitable for full-time working professionals, allowing candidates to complete up to two modules per term and finish the course within one to three years.
Why study with us?
Many PgCert ultrasound programmes require students to arrange a specific number of supervised scanning hours at their workplace. Our programme eliminates this requirement by providing all necessary scanning practice at our training centre, which is fully equipped with a variety of ultrasound machines and state-of-the-art simulators. Each practical session includes supervised and independent scanning on healthy volunteers and simulators capable of demonstrating a wide range of pathologies.
Entry requirements
All applicants need to have had some previous experience with ultrasound and be confident that they can manage the theoretical and practical learning required on the course.
Candidates also need to meet the following criteria:
- Professional Registration: Registered with the General Medical Council (GMC), Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC), or Nursing & Midwifery Council (NMC).
- Educational Background: A relevant first degree, such as MB BS (or equivalent), or a bachelor’s degree, ideally at first-class or 2:1 level.
- Clinical Experience: Employment in an appropriate clinical role, with experience relevant to the use of ultrasound in practice.
Programme structure
The PgCert in Point-of-Care Ultrasound is achieved through the successful completion of six modules, each worth 10 credits. The Ultrasound Image Acquisition & Optimisation module is mandatory, while you can choose the remaining five from the following options:
Please note: you can only enrol on up to two modules per term.
How you will learn
Each PgCert module is equivalent to 100 hours of study, which includes at least 21 hours of in-person, hands-on training at our London-based training centre for your first module, and 15 hours for each subsequent module. These hours are tracked and mandatory for completing the modules.
- Online Learning: Each module includes online video lectures to support your theoretical understanding of ultrasound techniques.
- In-Person Practical Sessions: You will attend practical sessions at our training centre in London, where you’ll be scanning human volunteers and state-of-the-art simulators with pathologies under the supervision of experienced faculty. This will be supported by lectures and live demonstrations.
How you will be assessed
To earn the PgCert in Point-of-Care Ultrasound, you must complete six required modules, accumulating a total of 60 credits. The Ultrasound Image Acquisition & Optimisation Module is mandatory for all participants, while the remaining five modules can be selected based on your clinical interests or needs. Please note that attending the required number of in-person practical learning hours is mandatory (21 hours for the first module and 15 for each subsequent module) to finish the module.
At the end of each term you’ll need to complete written and practical assessments. The knowledge content will be assessed through a multiple-choice examination, using still images where appropriate. Practical skills will be assessed by obtaining optimal images on normal subjects and through obtaining optimal images of simulated pathology on simulators.
Schedule
The in-person training sessions will be held on Thursdays from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm. Please note that attendance on the first day and the assessment day is mandatory. Attendance on the second and third days is highly recommended to ensure you receive the foundational knowledge essential for further training. The remaining days are flexible. The schedule for the next term is as follows:
24th April 2025 – core content training day, mandatory to attend
8th May 2025 – core content training day
29th May 2025 – training day
12th June 2025 – training day
19th June 2025 – training day
26th June 2025 – assessment day, mandatory to attend
We may be able to offer an additional session for in-person training, if required.
What doctors say about our PgCert and micro-credentials programme
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