Overview
The Breast Imaging programme is designed to address the increasingly specialised needs of practitioners for education to underpin professional practice in breast diagnosis.
A major feature of this programme is the option for you to pursue specific knowledge and skills development in your area of practice through the use of work-based learning e.g. breast ultrasound and ultrasound guided biopsy procedures.
The programme includes provision for developing a high standard of mammography skills. However, it also caters for those wishing to move into advanced and consultant practice to meet the evolving requirements of breast screening and diagnostic services.
The course and the modules listed within it are provided through a partnership between LSBU and the National Breast Screening Training Centre, King's College NHS Foundation Trust. The course focuses on competency development and attainment within the breast imaging and breast care fields, adhering to the national standards of the NHS Breast Screening Programme, the Royal College of Radiologists, the Society and College of Radiographers and the Consortium for the Accreditation of Sonographic Education
Applicants will normally be a Health and CareProfessions Council (HCPC) registered radiographer, with a relevant professional qualification, or in possession of a first degree in a science, biomedical or health and social care subject.
LSBU Health and Social Care graduates are the second highest paid amongst all London Modern university graduates, and the sixth highest in the UK one year after graduating (DfE LEO data 2022).
This course is validated as part of the Diagnostic Imaging PgCert / PgDip / MSc
| ModePart-time | Durationup to 2 years | Start dateApril; September | Application code5142 | Application method Direct to LSBU |
Location
London South Bank University student union is located at 103 Borough Rd, London SE1 0AA.
If you are visiting our Southwark Campus, you may wish to use our downloadable campus map (PNG File 466 KB). For information on accessibility, see our DisabledGo access guides. See our location page for more details.
Entry Level Requirements
Applicants will need to meet the following criteria:
- Registration with an appropriate regulatory body, e.g. Health and Care Professions Council
- Possession of a recognised appropriate professional qualification (at a minimum of level 6) e.g. BSc (Hons) Diagnostic Radiography
- Be employed within the Breast Care Field and have access to a Breast Imaging Department and/or Breast Clinic which can provide appropriate clinical experience
- Evidence of departmental support due to the nature of the clinical competency requirements of the individual modules. This must be confirmed at the time of application and should include identification of an appropriate clinical department
- If English is not the first language, students must have an IELTS average score of 7.0 on entry to the programme. No individual elements should be below 7.0
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Missing English and Maths qualifications?
If you do not have the required English and Maths qualifications needed to satisfy the entry requirements for this programme, we have courses available at our partner College that you can take to upskill in these areas. Find out more at South Bank College.
You may be eligible for continuous professional development (CPD) funding from your employer/Trust. Speak with your employer regarding professional development opportunities.
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| Mode Part-time | Duration up to 2 years | Start date April; September | Application code 5142 | Application method Direct to LSBU |
International students: can apply directly to LSBU.
To study less than 60 credits (e.g. individual modules)- UK/EU applicants should apply through the CPPD online prospectus with the individual module codes.
CPPD applicants
Each module is available as CPPD to working healthcare professionals sponsored by their employer.
You can apply for the range of CPPD Health and Social Care courses on offer through our CPPD online prospectus where you can also browse through our programmes and modules. You can use the easy search facility or use one of the shortcuts to the professional groups. By clicking on the programme or module you are interested in you will be shown information on the course itself, including dates delivered. You will also be able to apply online, with no need to fill out lots of paperwork. Apply within five minutes using our system, and if your employer has offered to fund you, our system will even get their authorisation before your application is processed. Your application will be processed with ease and you will receive an e-mail at every step of the process.
Browse our online CPPD prospectus and apply now.
More information on UKPass Application Service
Full-time/part-time self-funding postgraduate students and research students apply through the UK Postgraduate and Statistical Service (UKPASS). Full details of how to do this are supplied on our How to apply section for postgraduate students and our How to apply section for research students.
Postgraduate applicants are required to provide up to two references as part of their application.
Accommodation
Students should apply for accommodation at London South Bank University (LSBU) as soon as possible, once we have made an offer of a place on one of our academic courses. Read more about applying for accommodation at LSBU.
Finance
It's a good idea to think about how you'll pay university tuition and maintenance costs while you're still applying for a place to study. Remember – you don't need to wait for a confirmed place on a course to start applying for student finance. Read how to pay your fees as a postgraduate student.
Prepare to start
We help our students prepare for university even before the semester starts. To find out when you should apply for your LSBU accommodation or student finance read the How to apply tab for this course.
Enrolment
Before you start your course we’ll send you information on what you’ll need to do before you arrive and during your first few days on campus. You can read about the process on our Enrolment pages.
Some compulsory skills sessions may take place in the evening.
The PgCert Breast Imaging programme (60 Credits) may be made up of a selection from the following specialist modules, all taught at the National Breast Screening Training Centre, King’s College NHS Foundation Trust:
- Mammography Theory (20 credits)
This module facilitates clinical mammography training. In combination with Mammography Practice it fulfils the requirements for the College of Radiographers Postgraduate Award in Mammography (for UK based Practitioners only). This module is suitable for Practitioners working within the National Health Breast Screening Programme (NHSBSP), symptomatic clinics and the private sector. Assessment method: 4000 word written assignment. Module code: AHP_7_020 - Mammography Practice (40 credits)
This module facilitates clinical mammography training. In combination with Mammography Theory it fulfils the requirements for the College of Radiographers Postgraduate Award in Mammography (for UK based Practitioners only). This module is suitable for Practitioners working within the National Health Breast Screening Programme (NHSBSP), symptomatic clinics and the private sector. Assessment method: Two reflective evaluations (1000 words each), a Clinical portfolio and 60 minute OSCE. Module code: AHP_7_115 - Mammography Image Interpretation and Reporting(40 credits)
This module provides the range of clinical skills and development required for practitioners who wish to engage in the interpretation and comment on mammographic images. It provides important role development in this area and facilitates elements of advanced practice in mammography. Assessment method: 4000 word written assignment, 60 minute OSCE and portfolio. Module code: AHP_7_101 - Clinical Breast Examination and Communication Skills (20 credits)
This module provides the range of clinical skills and development required for practitioners working within the Breast Unit who wish to develop specific knowledge base and skills set in clinical breast examinations and respond to the communication needs of the patient (female or male) requiring or requesting breast care. It provides important role development in this area and facilitates elements of advance practice in breast imaging and breast care. Assessment method: Clinical Portfolio and 4000 word Written Assignment. Module code: AHP_7_075 - Breast Ultrasound for Ultrasonographers (40 credits)
This module is for Practitioners who hold a recognised qualification within the field of ultrasound (general, obstetrics or gynaecology) who wish to attain competency within the field of breast ultrasound. You should have regular access to a breast imaging department and participate in weekly breast ultrasound clinics. This module should be taken in conjunction with the 'Clinical Breast Examination and Communication Skills' module if taken as part of the PgC award. Assessment method: Clinical portfolio and 120 min OSCE. Module code: AHP_7_074 - Breast Ultrasound (60 credits)
This module is for Practitioners who currently do not hold a general or obstetric/gynaecological qualification in ultrasound but wish to attain competency within the field of breast ultrasound. You should have regular access to a breast imaging department and participate in weekly breast ultrasound clinics. Assessment method: Clinical portfolio, 60 minute Examination and 120 minute OSCE. Module code: AHP_7_073 - Ultrasound guided interventional procedures (20 credits)
This module is to enable Practitioners performing breast ultrasound examinations within a Breast clinic to become competent in ultrasound guided interventional procedures e.g. breast core biopsies, fine needle aspirations etc. Students should have regular access to a breast imaging department and ideally participate in weekly breast ultrasound clinics. Students studying this module should already have successfully completed the'Clinical Breast Examination and Communication Skills' module. Assessment method: 3000 word case study. Module code: AHP_7_076.
Whilst these modules enable the achievement of the PgCert Breast Imaging adhering to UK national standards, they also form part of the PgDip/MSc Diagnostic Imaging award, enabling progression beyond PgCert.
Careers
This programme will assist in developing your career options as a practitioner, or into specialist, advanced and consultant practice, research or management areas.
The course is approved by the Society and College of Radiographers.
The Society and College of Radiographers represents the UK radiographic workforce.