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 three 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 2024-25.
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 for Echocardiography Practitioners (30 credits)
| Compulsory Modules | Credits |
|---|
How you’ll learn
This part-time course is delivered by blended learning and has been designed to complement working commitments. The course extends over nine 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
Depending on your modules, you’ll be assessed through a combination of:
- Computer assessment
- Essay
- Oral examination
- Written examination
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.
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.
Quality and ranking
- 42% of our research is classified as 4* world-leading research – Research Excellence Framework 2021
- 65% increase in research power since 2014 – Research Excellence Framework 2021
- Global Top 130 University – QS World University Rankings 2025
- Global Top 170 University – Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2024
- Top 25 in the UK and Top 100 in the world for sustainable development – Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2024Â
- Top 90 for Life Sciences and Medicine – QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024
- Top 90 for Medicine – QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024
Professional accreditation and recognition
National School of Healthcare Science
This course is accredited by the National School of Healthcare Science
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
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.
