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:
18th September – 20th November 2025 (click here to view the detailed schedule)
Cost: £3,600 (payable in instalments)
Venue: Terracotta Court (ground floor), 167 Tower Bridge Road, London, SE1 3LN
20 years of teaching EM and PoCUS 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: Current employment in an appropriate role within the NHS or a UK-based private healthcare provider, with evidence of basic ultrasound experience.
Please note: We currently do not accept applications from international students. Applicants must have a valid work visa and the right to work in the UK.
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. This doesn’t apply to the Ultrasound Image Acquisition and Optimisation module which is run fully online.
- 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.
- You must complete the required number of in-person practical training hours—21 hours for your first module and 15 hours for each subsequent module—before your assessment day.
- At the end of each term, you’ll need to complete both written and practical assessments:
-
- Knowledge is assessed through a multiple-choice exam, incorporating still images where relevant.
- Practical skills are evaluated by acquiring optimal images on healthy volunteers and simulated pathological cases using ultrasound simulators.
Schedule
The in-person training sessions will be held on Thursdays from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm. Attendance on the first day and the assessment day is mandatory. Attendance on the second day is highly recommended to ensure you receive the foundational knowledge essential for further training. The remaining days are flexible. However, you must complete at least 21 hours of in-person training at our training centre for your first module, and 15 hours for each subsequent module before the assessment day. The schedule for the autumn term 2025 is as follows:
18th September 2025 – core content training day, mandatory to attend
2nd October 2025 – core content training day
16th October 2025 – training day
30th October 2025 – training day
13th November 2025 – training day
20th November 2025 – assessment day, mandatory to attend
Note: Ultrasound Image Acquisition & Optimisation Micro-credential (PgCert Module) does not include in-person practical training and follows a different schedule.
What doctors say about our PgCert and micro-credentials programme
Subscribe to our weekly newsletter for updates on Emergency Medicine and Ultrasound courses
*By proceeding you give your consent to be contacted via email with updates on courses and events by Bromley Emergency Courses. You may unsubscribe from these communications at any time. We will never share your details with 3rd parties and will only use your email to send you information about our upcoming courses and other offers.