Overview
Musculoskeletal (MSK) ultrasound of the foot and ankle is a fast‑growing area of clinical practice. Brunel's CASE‑accredited Musculoskeletal Ultrasound Foot and Ankle PgCert, PgDip and MSc is the UK’s only Master’s programme dedicated to musculoskeletal ultrasound of the foot and ankle. Developed in partnership with the expert teaching team at The Ultrasound Site, our programme offers a unique opportunity for clinicians who want to specialise at an advanced level.
Designed for professionals working in areas such as podiatry, orthopaedics and sports medicine, this course focuses on advanced scanning, diagnostic interpretation and clinical integration for complex foot and ankle conditions. You’ll develop specialist knowledge and skills in foot and ankle musculoskeletal ultrasound, including:
- Diagnostic imaging and interpretation of complex pathology
- Advanced scanning techniques for the foot, ankle and lower leg
- Ultrasound‑guided injections specific to this region
- Clinical integration of ultrasound findings into patient management
The Musculoskeletal Ultrasound Foot and Ankle PgCert, PgDip and MSc at Brunel is a staged, part-time programme, allowing you to develop your skills while continuing your clinical practice. Each stage is a stand‑alone qualification. You can stop at the end of each stage - staged study - or, choose to continue your studies for the full master’s (MSc) qualification. This flexible, staged approach allows you to build your educational portfolio over time, achieving the PgCert after one year of study, the PgDip after two years, and the full MSc after three years.
Your learning is delivered by an experienced clinical team from Physiotherapy, Radiology, Podiatry and Rheumatology, with expertise spanning NHS MSK community clinics, radiology services and private practice. This breadth brings real‑world insight into every aspect of learning, from image acquisition to clinical integration.
You’ll train in small groups, using high‑specification ultrasound systems and purpose‑built facilities. The focus throughout is hands‑on, clinically relevant learning that reflects the complexity of MSK ultrasound foot and ankle practice.
By the end of the full MSc, you’ll be equipped not just to scan, but to shape clinical pathways and improve patient outcomes as a recognised specialist in foot and ankle imaging.
Got a question about this course? Read our Musculoskeletal Ultrasound Frequently Asked Questions.
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Course content
You can study the course in three stages: PgCert, PgDip and MSc, with a recognised qualification at the end of each, or as a full master's degree. It's designed to fit around ongoing clinical practice, giving you the flexibility to achieve your qualifications in a way that works for you. The modules listed below show the typical path of the full MSc course.
Year 1 - PgCert stage
This course comprises of two modules, giving you a strong foundation in foot and ankle musculoskeletal ultrasound. You’ll develop core knowledge of ultrasound principles and detailed foot and ankle anatomy, alongside structured scanning approaches for common pathologies. Training emphasises high-quality image acquisition and recognition of normal and abnormal appearances. You’ll then apply this knowledge in a clinical context, learning to interpret findings, communicate results clearly and integrate ultrasound imaging into clinical decision-making.
Year 2 - PgDip stage
Once you've completed the PgCert, you'll be ready to progress to the PgDip. During this stage, you’ll build research and critical appraisal skills, and develop the skills needed to evaluate evidence, manage complexity, and extend your scope of practice. You’ll also be able to tailor your learning through a selection of optional modules. For example, you may wish to develop advanced scanning skills for complex presentations, gain hands‑on experience in ultrasound‑guided injections, or explore pharmacology and prescribing, alongside leadership and clinical education, supporting progression into senior and specialist practice.
If you plan to continue to the MSc, you'll need to take both PH5603 Quantitative Methods and PH5604 Qualitative Research modules, as these form the foundation for your dissertation. If you're completing the PgDip only, these modules are optional.
Year 3 - MSc stage
After completing your PgCert and PgDip, you'll have the option to study for the full MSc - your dissertation. Here, the focus shifts to research that advances clinical knowledge and informs best practice in musculoskeletal imaging. You’ll design and carry out a research project, supported by an academic supervisor, exploring a question that matters to your own area of practice. This is your opportunity to critically investigate an issue and add new insight to the field of foot and ankle musculoskeletal ultrasound.
CPD
You can also take these modules as separate CPD units, if you meet the entry requirements for that module, so you don’t need to apply for the full course. Explore our CPD modules and view their entry requirements.
Compulsory
- PH5695 - The Fundamentals of Ultrasound in Musculoskeletal Practice
The aim of this module is to provide students with a scientific and evidence based approach to the physics and instrumentation of ultrasound and to ensure students are able to correctly and accurately perform musculoskeletal ultrasound techniques for peripheral joints.
It will provide students with an in depth introduction to the principles and practice of musculoskeletal ultrasonography in order to fully prepare students to undertake further clinically applied sonography modules. Eg ‘Module 2: Integrating musculoskeletal ultrasound into practice’
- PH5698 - Integrating Musculoskeletal Ultrasound into Practice in the Foot and Ankle
The aim of this module is to support students to acquire the advanced knowledge and skills necessary to deliver diagnostic musculoskeletal ultrasonography in clinical practice for the foot and ankle region in line with professional standards and guidelines.
Compulsory
- PH5603 - Quantitative Methods and Design for Health Science Research
In this module we aim to develop your critical understanding of quantitative clinical research methodology and the principles of how to use clinical evidence to constructively inform your practice. This means developing skills and knowledge of quantitative research methods and design, understanding data and how to analyse and interpret it and learning how to critically appraise published research.
Indicative content includes consideration of research ethics, governance and integrity alongside theoretical underpinnings of scientific method. Different research designs will be examined alongside common sampling and approaches to statistics.
- Study mode: Part-time
- Credits: 15
Module dates
Seminar times are 9am - 1pm on campus or 1pm - 5pm online on the following days:
- Wednesday, 7 October 2026
- Wednesday, 21 October 2026
- Wednesday, 4 November 2026
- Wednesday, 18 November 2026
- Wednesday, 2 December 2026
You can choose to attend the sessions face-to-face at Brunel or study online for a live session.
- PH5604 - Qualitative Research in Health and Social Care
This module aims to critically explore, reflect upon and develop qualitative research skills and knowledge in health, and to explore qualitative approaches in research in the context of their philosophical, societal, and cultural underpinnings and use in clinical settings.
In additional to theoretical perspectives, through online lectures and interactive workshops you will be introduced to and practice different methods of collecting data and data analysis.
You will learn how to evaluate the quality of qualitative research and consider aspects such as ethics, power, reflexivity and the role of co-construction. This is made relevant to research projects but also service evaluations, quality improvement projects and practice.
- Study mode: Part-time.
Module dates
Seminar times are 9am - 12pm on campus or 1pm - 4pm online on the following days:
- Wednesday, 30 September 2026
- Wednesday, 14 October 2026
- Wednesday, 28 October 2026
- Wednesday, 11 November 2026
- Wednesday, 25 November 2026
You can choose to attend the sessions face-to-face at Brunel or study online for a live session.
Optional
- PH5612 - Advanced Clinical Leadership
Module dates
- Wednesday, 27 January 2027
- Wednesday, 10 February 2027
- Wednesday, 24 February 2027
- Wednesday, 10 March 2027
You can choose to attend the sessions face-to-face at Brunel or study online for a live session.
- PH5693 - Advancing Competence in Independent and Supplementary Prescribing Core
This module will equip you with the competence required to practice as Independent Prescribers and/or Supplementary Prescribers within your clinical scope of expertise and be eligible to be recorded as a V300 Independent/Supplementary prescriber.
Module dates
Seminar times are 9am - 4pm on campus on the following days:
- Monday, 25 January 2027
- Monday, 22 February 2027
- Monday, 8 March 2027
- Monday, 12 April 2027
- Monday, 7 June 2027
- PH5696 - Advanced Musculoskeletal Ultrasound Skills Core
This is a post registration module aimed at medical and allied healthcare professionals who are working at a clinically advanced level using musculoskeletal ultrasound, and who wish to advance their practice with highly specialised skilled use of musculoskeletal ultrasound scanning. This module combines clinical and academic learning with an emphasis on the development of technical skills, clinical reasoning and critical evaluation of current research. This module aligns with the professional standards of conduct and ethics stated by the Health & Care Professions Council, General Medical Council and Brunel University professional standards.
- PH5692 - Applied Pharmacology
This module is designed to provide, independent and supplementary prescribing students with an in-depth understanding of safe prescribing practice and the important groups of drugs encountered by clinical practitioners as part of evidence-based healthcare. This includes drug actions, therapeutic and adverse effects, significant interactions and an examination of individual drug responses related to the disease conditions that students will encounter in their practice.
Module dates
Seminar times are 9am - 4pm on campus on the following days:
- Monday, 21 September 2026
- Monday, 5 October 2026
- Monday, 19 October 2026
- Monday, 2 November 2026
- Monday, 16 November 2026
- Monday, 30 November 2026
- PH5691 - Learning and Teaching in Advanced Clinical Practice
Click here to watch the video about this module
This module aims to provide practitioners with advanced knowledge and skills for the planning, organisation, delivering, teaching and evaluation of effective programmes for clinical training in specialist practice.
Current research and theory underpinning the educational process which support a challenging and supportive teaching and learning environment for clinical practice will be explored aiming to enhance practitioners’ individual ability to critically appraise and augment their skills, knowledge and actively contribute to the education awareness for members of their healthcare team, patients, service users and carers.
Note: Students must currently be in practice and have formally identified and entered an agreement with a mentor and/or supervisor for the learning-in-practice elements of this module, prior to commencing the module.
Module dates
Seminar times are 9am - 12pm on campus or 1pm - 4pm online on the following days:
- Monday, 18 January 2027
- Monday, 1 February 2027
- Monday, 15 February 2027
- Monday, 1 March 2027
- Monday, 15 March 2027
You can choose to attend the sessions face-to-face at Brunel or study online for a live session.
- PH5699 - Ultrasound Guided Injection Therapy in the Foot and Ankle
This is a post registration standalone module aimed at medical and allied healthcare professionals working at an appropriate level who wish to practice ultrasound guided corticosteroid injection therapy in the foot and ankle. This course combines clinical and academic learning with an emphasis on the development of technical skills, clinical reasoning and critical evaluation of current research.
Compulsory
- PH5611 - Dissertation
On the dissertation module, students will learn about research by working with an academic supervisor on a topic relevant to their advanced clinical specialist practice. Students will demonstrate their ability to integrate conceptual and theoretical issues, and learn how to design and conduct an original piece of research in an area relevant to their clinical specialist practice or discipline. They will also show their ability to communicate the research process and outcomes in writing and verbally, in a manner appropriate for professional and academic consumption.
Monday 9am - 12pm dual delivery.
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Please note that all modules are subject to change.
Read more about the structure of postgraduate degrees at Brunel
Careers and your future
This programme prepares you for advanced and specialist roles in musculoskeletal ultrasound of the foot and ankle and wider MSK healthcare. Graduates progress into senior clinical, leadership, education and research positions, applying advanced imaging expertise to improve patient care and shape service delivery.
Typical roles you could go into include:
- Advanced clinical practitioner roles in musculoskeletal imaging
- Lead or specialist roles within NHS MSK services
- Specialist practice in private clinics and sports medicine settings
- Podiatric surgery and orthopaedic foot and ankle services
- Clinical education, training and mentoring positions
- Research and academic roles contributing to evidence‑based practice
Brunel’s London location places you close to leading podiatric, orthopaedic and sports medicine centres across both NHS and private practice. Our strong professional partnerships with the Royal College of Podiatry and the British Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society support links to specialist clinical practice and research.
By completing this programme, you’ll graduate with a distinctive combination of technical expertise, leadership capability and research experience. Whether you’re aiming to progress into senior clinical practice, lead service development or contribute to education and research, you’ll be well equipped to take the next step in a competitive and growing global field.
UK entry requirements
2026/7 entry
- A UK 2:2 honours degree, or equivalent internationally recognised qualification in Health Care related subject that is registered with the Health and Care Professionals Council (HCPC), General Medical Council (GMC) or CORU (Regulating Health and Social Care Professionals). After you apply email the Admissions Office with your HCPC, GMC or CORU registration number. We need this to assess your application.
- It is mandatory for applicants to complete this form in full as part of their application. Once complete, please upload this to your My Applications portal
EU and International entry requirements
If you require a Tier 4 visa to study in the UK, you must prove knowledge of the English language so that we can issue you a Certificate of Acceptance for Study (CAS). To do this, you will need an IELTS for UKVI or Trinity SELT test pass gained from a test centre approved by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) and on the Secure English Language Testing (SELT) list. This must have been taken and passed within two years from the date the CAS is made.
English language requirements
- IELTS: 7 (min 6.5 in all areas)
- Pearson: 64 (59 in all subscores)
- BrunELT: 68% (63% in all areas)
- TOEFL: 5 (min 5 in all areas)
You can find out more about the qualifications we accept on our English Language Requirements page.
Should you wish to take a pre-sessional English course to improve your English prior to starting your degree course, you must sit the test at an approved SELT provider for the same reason. We offer our own BrunELT English test and have pre-sessional English language courses for students who do not meet requirements or who wish to improve their English. You can find out more information on English courses and test options through our Brunel Language Centre.
Please check our Admissions pages for more information on other factors we use to assess applicants. This information is for guidance only and each application is assessed on a case-by-case basis. Entry requirements are subject to review, and may change.
Fees and funding
2026/7 entry
| UK | International | |
| PgCert (60 credits) | £4,040 part-time | £8,265 part-time |
| PgDip (120 credits) | £8,080 part-time | £16,530 part-time |
| MSc (180 credits) | £12,125 part-time | £24,795 part-time |
| Staged Study (60 credits per stage) | £4,040 per stage part-time | £8,265 per stage part-time |
More information on any additional course-related costs.
Fees quoted are per year and are subject to an annual increase.
See our fees and funding page for full details of postgraduate scholarships available to Brunel applicants.
Scholarships and bursaries
Teaching and learning
Teaching on this course is delivered through a blended approach that combines lectures, seminars, tutorials, and interactive workshops with practical sessions using Brunel’s state-of-the-art ultrasound equipment. You’ll benefit from small-group teaching for scanning skills, supported by expert faculty and technical specialists who bring extensive clinical experience into your learning. Online resources, recorded lectures, and virtual case discussions complement the face-to-face teaching blocks, giving you the flexibility to balance study with your professional commitments.
Access to a laptop or desktop PC is required for joining online activities, completing coursework and digital exams, and a minimum specification. We have computers available across campus for your use and laptop loan schemes to support you through your studies.
You will also need access to an ultrasound machine suitable to musculoskeletal scanning.
You’ll have access to comprehensive study packages that you can engage with at a time that suits you. These include videos of your tutors introducing and explaining subjects, linked with study materials and workbooks. Scheduled live online seminars will allow you to work closely with your tutor and a small group of fellow students, providing opportunities to discuss topics, ask questions, and strengthen your understanding of clinical theories and skills. Each module also provides a wide range of online study materials, including case studies, workbooks, clinical skills videos, and discussion forums.
All students have access to Brunel’s Virtual Learning Environment (Brightspace), which hosts recorded lectures, interactive tutorials, discussion forums, reading lists, and assessment guidance. You’ll also find case-based learning activities, research support materials, and links to external resources, ensuring flexible and accessible learning alongside your face-to-face teaching.
The schedule of teaching and assessment has been designed to maximise your enjoyment and support throughout the programme. By combining campus-based teaching with interactive online delivery, you’ll experience an engaging and stimulating learning environment that helps you to achieve your professional development goals.
Assessment and feedback
Assessment on this programme is designed to be flexible, engaging and closely aligned with clinical practice. A range of assessment methods are used across the stages of study.
You’ll be assessed through a combination of examinations, coursework and practice‑focused assessments. These include presentations based on clinical case scenarios, critical evaluation of research and literature, written assignments, and the development of a portfolio of learning. At MSc level, the dissertation enables you to demonstrate your ability to critically appraise current evidence, design and undertake a research project, and communicate findings relevant to clinical practice.
Feedback is provided throughout the programme to support your academic and professional development, helping you to understand your progress and identify areas for further improvement. All teaching and assessment for Musculoskeletal Ultrasound Foot and Ankle PgCert, PgDip and MSc is accredited by CASE, ensuring it meets recognised professional and educational standards.
Read our guide on how to avoid plagiarism in your assessments at Brunel.