Overview

The MSc Medical Imaging is designed for radiographers ready to progress into enhanced or advanced roles.

Industry-informed curriculum and research-rich learning will prepare you to integrate imaging technologies, influence policy, and deliver enhanced and advanced practice across Scotland, the UK, and global healthcare systems.

You can complete the MSc Medical Imaging as a general degree, or choose to specialise in one of four specialist pathways.

MSc Medical Imaging (Computed Tomography) Develop advanced CT expertise and critical decision-making skills.
MSc Medical Imaging (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) Gain in-depth knowledge of MRI principles and practice.
MSc Medical Imaging (Artificial Intelligence) Lead innovation by integrating AI and digital health into imaging services.
MSc Medical Imaging (Ultrasound) CASE-accredited pathway for those progressing into ultrasound roles; applicants must secure a clinical placement and qualified mentor (GCU does not provide placements).

Whether you’re advancing your current role or entering a new career path, this degree opens doors to leadership, innovation and meaningful impact in healthcare.

Full-time study is available for UK and international applicants with at least two years of post-qualification experience, offering an intensive route to MSc completion in one year. Part-time study provides flexibility for UK-based professionals balancing work and study over three to five years. Please note that the ultrasound pathway is only available as a part-time study option.

Please note: Entry onto this MSc is for qualified radiographers. However, the ultrasound pathway is also open to other registered healthcare professionals entering sonography practice.

Why study Medical Imaging at GCU?

Designed for qualified radiographers and healthcare professionals to progress to advanced or enhanced practice through flexible pathways in CT, MRI, Ultrasound and AI.
This course offers flexible study options tailored to your clinical area, making it ideal for working healthcare professionals. Learning is delivered through a mixture of lectures, workshops, seminars and hands-on simulation.
State-of-the-art simulation facilities allow you to refine complex skills safely before applying them in clinical environments.
Strong NHS and industry partnerships provide opportunities for service evaluation, leadership development, and research to transform imaging services.

What you will study

We aim to display the most up-to-date information possible.

The modules listed on this page and the Programme Specification are intended to give you an idea of what you may be able to study on this course. Please note that course content, modules, teaching and assessment may change each year and after you have accepted your offer to study at GCU. This might be because we are required to do so by law, by a governmental authority, regulator or accrediting body. We may also make changes for quality assurance reasons, or to enhance the course.

Modules

Core modules

Advanced Research Methods

Dissertation

Optional modules

Professional Development for Enhanced Practice

Advanced Leadership for Health & Social Care Practitioners

Artificial Intelligence for Health and Social Care Practitioners (L11)

Artificial Intelligence for Radiographers

Principles of Practice in Medical Ultrasound

Work-Based Advanced Skills and Innovative Practices 1

Work-Based Advanced Skills and Innovative Practices 2

Careers

With growing global demand for advanced imaging expertise and digital health innovation, graduates are well positioned to progress into roles across clinical, academic and commercial settings.

You'll be prepared for advanced or enhanced roles within diagnostic imaging or sonography services, with opportunities in:

leadership
advanced practice
education
research.

Graduates go on to work across a range of settings, including:

NHS Health Boards
Private imaging providers
International hospitals
Education and research
Doctoral studies

UK-based students often achieve career progression within the NHS, while international graduates may progress into advanced roles in their home countries or global healthcare organisations. Some graduates also choose to pursue further academic study, including doctoral-level research.

Strong links with NHS Scotland and industry partners, alongside GCU’s career guidance, provide valuable opportunities for networking and career development.

For more information on career outcomes, visit the individual pathway course pages.

Course information

Award	Mode of study	Duration	Start date	Location
MSc	Part time	3 - 5 years	Jan 27	Glasgow	Enquire Apply
Award	Mode of study	Duration	Start date	Location
MSc	Part time	3 -5 years	Sep 26	Glasgow	Enquire Apply
Award	Mode of study	Duration	Start date	Location
MSc	Full time	1 year	Sep 26	Glasgow	Enquire Apply

Please note that admission to GCU is considered on a competitive basis, and the academic entry requirements stated here may be the minimum required to be eligible for an offer.

International students can get information on entry requirements specific to their country in our International Study section.

Minimum academic requirement

UK honours degree 2:2 (or equivalent) in Diagnostic Radiography or closely related discipline and
a minimum of 2 years relevant practical experience. This must be demonstrated with a CV and employment reference.
Applicants must also be a radiographer or sonographer in their home country.

English language requirement

Academic IELTS score of 6.5 (or equivalent), with reading and listening at 6.5 and no element below 6.0.

Additional information for international applicants

Entry requirements by country
Application deadlines
English language tests
Knowledge of English - Applicants from a majority English speaking country may not be required to provide further proof of your English language proficiency. Information about this requirement is available on the Student Visa section of the gov.uk website.

Additional information for all applicants

Relevant experience (Recognition of Prior Learning)

GCU's flexible entry policies exist to allow relevant work experience and prior learning to be considered towards standard entry or advanced entry into a course.

If you do not have the typical academic entry qualifications, but can demonstrate relevant work experience and/or credits from recognised professional bodies, you may be eligible to enter this course via the University's Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) scheme.

Teaching and assessment

The MSc Medical Imaging provides an engaging and applied learning experience, combining a range of teaching methods such as:

lectures
seminars
practical classes
simulation-based learning.

Assessment methods include:

written coursework
oral presentations
practical evaluations
a research dissertation.

This ensures you’re assessed on a balance of academic research and clinical relevance.

Placements

If you are pursuing the MRI or CT pathway, GCU may organise short, structured placement experiences within NHS settings, where available. These placements are designed to bridge the gap between classroom theory and clinical practice, offering you valuable supervised exposure to real-world imaging environments. These opportunities are subject to availability and require completion of occupational health checks and other preparatory steps.

Clinical supervision is also a cornerstone of the MSc Medical Imaging (Ultrasound) pathway. Applicants to this pathway must secure a clinical placement and a qualified mentor prior to enrolment (GCU does not directly provide placements).

Guest lectures and networking

You’ll hear from guest speakers across the healthcare sector, including:

experienced sonographers
researchers
policy leaders.

These sessions offer insights into emerging trends and provide opportunities to build professional connections.

Full time and part time study options

This course offers full-time study, with a part-time option for UK-based professionals.

Full time (1 year): Full-time students complete the MSc in one year. It follows structured progression through core modules and specialist options. This is ideal for UK and international applicants with two years’ post-qualification experience.

Part time (3 – 5 years): The part-time option allows you to study over three to five years, if you are a UK working professional and eligible for part-time study. You’ll be able to build your award gradually, combining modules across trimesters to suit your schedule and career development. You will steadily progress from PgCert to PgDip and finally MSc, alongside your work commitments.

Facilities

You will have access to state-of-the-art simulation software for MRI and CT, enabling safe, immersive practice before applying your skills in clinical environments. Digital health and AI integration are also embedded throughout, preparing you for technology-driven healthcare.

Global perspective and Common Good

This course reflects GCU’s Common Good mission, promoting inclusive, digitally enabled education and preparing graduates to address health inequalities and global imaging challenges. As a student on this course, you will benefit from a research-rich environment as well as strong NHS and industry links, positioning you for leadership roles worldwide.

Entrepreneurship and leadership

Modules (such as Advanced Leadership for Health and Social Care Practitioners and Professional Development for Enhanced Practice) equip you with key skills needed to drive service transformation and mentor future professionals including:

critical thinking
reflective practice
confident leadership.

Research and impact

Aligned with the College of Radiographers Education and Career Framework, the course fosters research literacy and service evaluation skills. You will undertake a dissertation focused on real-world challenges, contributing to evidence-based practice and innovation in imaging services.

Download the programme specification

In addition to the core modules that all students must undertake, some courses offer students a choice from a selection of optional modules to shape the focus their degree. Optional modules where available, form part of the overall credit structure of the course.

Download the programme specification for a detailed breakdown of the course structure, including modules, what you'll learn and other useful information.

Terms and Conditions

Details of the University’s terms and conditions are available here.