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Duration

MSc three years, part-time | PgCert one year, part-time

Application Deadline

24 August 2025 | Module deadlines vary

Location

Blended - online, Jarvis Centre Guildford and St George's, University of London

Accreditation

The Society and College of Radiographers

Start dates

September 2025

Training to become a Consultant Mammographer or access advanced practice training?

The Advanced Breast Practice MSc provides the opportunity and support for Mammographers to develop into the role of Consultant Mammographers and Advanced Practitioners. Breast Clinicians and Specialist Breast Care Nurses are also supported by our modules to continue developing their clinical skills and standalone modules are also available. 

The contemporary and evidence-based nature of the course structure reflects current workforce development needs and training requirements within Mammography and Advanced Breast Practice.

Take advantage of the expertise and training resources available through our teaching partners at the Jarvis Breast Screening Centre in Guildford (InHealth). This partnership allows us to offer students access to the excellent joint teaching, support and clinical facilities across both institutions. 

Our modules combine the necessary clinical and academic skills required to support your development and help you build the knowledge and competencies required to not only succeed on the programme but also continue your development in the future. The skills you will gain will support your ongoing clinical development and will provide excellent grounding for your future and current research interests, your clinical skills and for wider roles in the profession, inclusive of practice education and mentorship.

For specific enquiries please contact Matthew Foster mfoster@sgul.ac.uk.

Training to become a Mammographer and work within the National Health Service Breast Screening Programme? You may be interested in our Professional Practice in Mammography PgCert.

Course highlights

  • Flexible structure and delivery allows you to tailor your studies to your workforce and professional requirements.
  • Opportunity to train at our highly renowned clinical partner training centres, including the Jarvis Breast Screening Centre -  InHealth.
  • Access to specialist expertise in advanced breast practice, breast imaging and practice education.
  • Teaching input from qualified NHS clinical staff.
  • Our course and modules have been developed in conjunction with our links to the healthcare sector and with significant reflection of the requirements of the NHS Breast Screening Programme and symptomatic breast care services, ensuring that current and future workforce demands are met by your studies. 
  • A blended teaching style allows for the utilisation of distance learning alongside any mandatory clinical skills, facilitating a balance of practice and study.
  • St George’s, University of London is the only UK university focussed on healthcare, science and medical education and research.
  • Study with like-minded individuals in an interprofessional setting, reflective of the modern breast care professional setting.

Want to know more?

Find out more about postgraduate study at St George’s, University of London by registering for our introductory email series.

Course structure

The MSc comprises 180 credits and can be studied over three years as a part time student, full time study is not available. Core modules are supported by a menu of optional modules, enabling the tailoring of your programme to your bespoke professional and clinical skills requirements. You will undertake a research project linked to the theme of your degree and be supported with a preparatory research methods module.

As well as full programme’s of study we offer the opportunity to undertake individual 30 credit modules, suiting your continuing professional development and advanced practice.

Watch the Advanced Breast Practice MSc webinar from our virtual postgraduate event.

Modules start dates 2024/5:

  • Advanced Principles and Practice Breast Interventional Techniques (DRA703) - 9 September 2024
  • Dissertation - 16 September 2024 (only available to current MSc students)
  • Ultrasound of the Breast (DRA706) - 23 September 2024
  • Interpretation and Reporting in Mammography (DRA705) - 14 October 2024
  • Clinical Breast Examination and Client Communication (DRA704) - 27 January 2025
  • Research and Evidence Based Practice (DRA702) - 17 February 2025 (only available to current MSc students)
  • Practice Education and Mentorship (DRA707) - 24 March 2025

Core modules

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Research and evidence based practice in healthcare (30 credits)

The module is designed to foster an understanding of the research process, hone skills of critical appraisal and develop research skills as applied to both quantitative and qualitative research.

The delivery follows a logical progression which starts with the scientific process and hypothesis formulation and ends with the production of a research protocol. Along the way reviewing the literature, selecting an appropriate research method, sampling, data collection analysis and presentation and ethical issues are covered. The module has preparatory work, a taught component and self-directed learning/assignment time.

Dissertation (60 credits)

This module builds upon the principles outlined and knowledge acquired during the Research and Evidence Based Practice in Healthcare module.

It provides the component beyond postgraduate diploma to enable the completion of a Masters degree. Professionals are consistently expected to be able to provide an evidence base to prove the effectiveness of their professional interventions. This module provides students with the experience of utilising all principles of research design. Following submission and approval of a dissertation proposal the student is provided with a project supervisor to facilitate support for both the project and dissemination material. The students will be required to undertake an independent piece of research study into a topic relevant to their own field. The aim of the module is to develop in-depth theoretical, analytical and research skills.

Optional modules

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Advanced Principles and Practice of Breast Interventional Techniques (30 credits)

This module provides the foundation for both the academic and clinical components of a variety of breast interventions, either using x-ray or ultrasound guidance. It is then followed by 12 months of leaning in a professional environment within healthcare. This is a very student centred module in that each student designs their own learning outcomes, in addition to those given in the module descriptor. The enables them to personalise the outcome to their scope of practice of interventional methods, within the breast screening unit or imaging department.

Clinical Breast Examination and Client Communication (30 credits)

This module is designed to provide the foundation for understanding and relating all of the key processes involved in breast diagnosis. It includes 6 months of learning in a professional environment within healthcare. This develops and extends the participants’ clinical expertise necessary to contribute to the multidisciplinary approach to the diagnosis of breast disease. It will facilitate the participants’ decision making skills based on a broad appreciation of the tools and techniques that underpin the diagnosis of breast abnormalities and incorporates both academic and clinical components. The module will also facilitate and enhance the necessary development and application of the participant’s communication, counselling and interpersonal skills, and will include interactive participatory learning.

Interpretation and Reporting in Mammography (30 credits)

This module provides the understanding of all key process’ involved in ‘reading’ breast images, including 9 months of learning in a professional environment within healthcare. This module is designed for health care professionals, such as breast clinicians or Radiographers who wish to perform as advanced practitioners. It is related to the image interpretation of screening mammograms, detecting and identifying and abnormalities, classifying those possible abnormalities, and the making a decision on the likely probabilities whether to recall the woman for further clinical assessment. The module assessment components consist of evaluating clinical skills, self-analysis and academic skills of essay writing on an associated topic.

Ultrasound of the Breast (30 credits)

This module is designed to provide the understanding and knowledge involved in breast diagnosis. This is followed by 6 months of learning in a professional environment within healthcare. This module is designed to provide the academic and clinical components to enable students to fulfil their role in reviewing current application and uses of ultrasound to detect and evaluate breast abnormalities and then to interpret and report on findings. It will facilitate the participants’ decision making skills based on a broad appreciation of the equipment available and scanning techniques that underpin the diagnosis of breast abnormalities. The module also focuses on the necessary physical processes underlying safe ultrasound practice.

Practice Education and Mentorship (30 credits)

This module is of value to the practitioners who educate and mentor learners within the clinical setting. The module focuses on developing appropriate knowledge and skills in order to effectively facilitate the development of others. Throughout the module students draw upon their clinical experiences and relate these to the theoretical frameworks. The module places emphasis on the development of self, through personal development planning. Throughout the module participants engage with a wide range of learning activities which augment learning and act as a foundation for reflection.

Satisfactory completion of this module confers eligibility for accreditation under the College of Radiographers Practice Educators Accreditation Scheme (PEAS).

Entry criteria

To be considered for this course, you will need to:

  • Meet the entry criteria
  • Write a personal statement
  • Provide two suitable references including confirmation of mentoring support

Applicants also need:

  • to be registered with the UK Health and Care Professions Council or relevant healthcare registrant body. Confirmed via HCPC registration uploaded onto application.
  • To have employment-based access to appropriate patient groups (details as follows) To be confirmed via personal statement or reference :
  • Clinical Breast Examination and Client Communication – access to both screening and symptomatic patients (assessment requires a logbook of 50 selected cases to include both patient groups and a range of pathologies)
  • Ultrasound of the Breast - access to both screening and symptomatic patients (assessment requires a logbook of 50 selected cases to include both patient groups and a range of pathologies)
  • Image Interpretation – assessment requires evidence of reading 2500 mammograms under supervision with a range of pathologies, access to this quantity and range of mammograms is required.
  • Interventional Techniques – assessment requires evidence of 50 selected cases to include a variety of abnormalities, access to interventional procedures is required.

    The University is unable to offer clinical placements for the MSc Advanced Breast Practice course or its stand alone modules, appropriate clinical access must be confirmed by the applicant prior to commencing study.

Undergraduate degree or equivalent

You should have or be expected to achieve, a relevant healthcare qualification at, or above, an undergraduate honours degree level (Level 6).

International qualifications

We accept equivalent qualifications gained in other countries.

Please see our Postgraduate International Equivalencies. For countries not on this list, we use UK ENIC to assess. Please see our International Student Support pages for more information.

If you have any questions, you can contact us at pgenquiries@sgul.ac.uk

Please note this programme is currently only available to Home students, or international students who meet the entry requirements, including employment within the UK.

English Language

This is a Group 1 course.

Full details can be found on our English Language requirements webpages.

Personal statement and references

You will be asked to outline your reasons for applying for the course in a brief personal statement on the application form.

You will also need to provide two satisfactory references. One of these should be a recent academic reference and the other should be either a second academic reference or a professional/employer reference. For those unable to provide an academic referee a second professional/employer reference will be permitted.

Go to the ‘Apply’ tab for more information.

Teaching and learning

This course is delivered by St George’s University of London section of Diagnostic Radiography in collaboration with the Jarvis Breast Screening Centre (InHealth), Guildford. This means you benefit from the experience and facilities of multiple complementary institutions.

St George's, University of London combines teaching and research excellence in areas directly applicable to healthcare sciences and has a long established reputation for high-quality, vocationally relevant education.

Our expertise

The combination of academics and expert practitioners gives the programme a uniquely dynamic environment in which to further your studies and your career. We also have strong links with the NHS, education and other healthcare providers and services.

We offer classic postgraduate programmes alongside research and continuing professional development (CPD) opportunities.

Assessment methods

A wide range of supportive assessment methods are utilised to help you demonstrate your newly developed knowledge and skills. For those undertaking the MSc, assessments are designed to help you with preparation for your dissertation, supporting your skills in critiquing published work, experimental design, data collection and analysis.

All advanced practice and PgCert modules are assessed through a combination of written assignments, procedure logbooks and clinical examinations.

Facilities and support

With St George’s, University of London you have access to excellent resources from a dedicated health care education institution. This is in conjunction with our multiple collaborative partner training sites at the Rose Breast Education Centre and the Jarvis Breast Screening Centre.

Our modern health sciences library offers a wide range of books, e-books, academic journals and other resources to support you. You will also have access to online resources, such as the CANVAS virtual learning environment and our Hunter discovery service to help you find the information you need. The library is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and comprises silent, quiet and group learning areas.

St George's, University of London has five computer suites, housing 260 workstations. Three of these suites are accessible 24 hours a day. Free Wi-Fi covers the whole campus. You can use these resources to access you course materials, alongside your access from home.

If you require reasonable adjustments or disability services you can find information on our disability information for students pages. For any further information please contact the disability adviser.  

Careers

Our MSc and individual breast screening modules will support a wider variety of professional development requirements, from those wishing to undertake single advanced practice modules (Mammographers, Breast Clinicians, Specialist Nurses) to Mammographers training for Consultant roles.

Fees and funding

In this tab you will find the financial information for this course of study, including details of financial support.

Tuition fees

2025 UK (Home)

  • Part-time MSc (180 credits): £12,400
  • Part-time PGCert (60 credits): £4,150
  • Standalone modules (30 credits): £2,050

Please note applicants holding a Tier 2 visa, and with evidencable appropriate access to practice with patients of the NHS Breast Screening Programme, will be eligible for ‘Home’ fees (above) despite being assessed as an Overseas student for visa purposes.

We do not expect students to incur any extra costs over and above those that we have advertised on the course page. To get the most from your studies, you will need your personal computer or laptop and an internet connection in your home. Find out more about technology requirements.

Funding your study

We have a range of funding opportunities available for students. You may be eligible for the following:

How to apply

Before beginning your application please check the entry criteria of the course you wish to study to ensure you meet the required standards.

Applications must be submitted through our online application system, which you can access below.

Accessing our online application system

Select the relevant application link from the following options and create an account:

To apply for a module, please see further guidance in the Applying for a module section below.

  1. Once you've created an account, you will then be able to complete the application form and upload any relevant documents. You can save a partly completed form and return to it later. Please make sure you complete all sections. Please make sure that the information you provide is accurate, including the options you select in menus.
  2. Add pgadmissions@sgul.ac.uk to your address book to ensure you do not miss any important emails from us.
  3. When you have checked that your application is complete and accurate, click ‘submit’.

You can track your application through your online account.

Applying for a module

Postgraduate Mammography modules 2024/25:

Applications for all modules close one month before the start date.

Please state clearly in your personal statement which module you wish to do.

Current students: Students currently studying a mammography standalone module at St George's should contact postgraduateradiography@sgul.ac.uk to enquire into studying further modules. Please do not use the above links.

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Guidance for completing your references

When completing your application, you will be asked to provide contact details of two referees. Please ensure these details are accurate. As soon as you have submitted your application, your referees will be contacted by the university asking them to upload a reference to your online application.

One must be a recent professional/employer reference. The other should be either an academic reference or a second professional/employer reference. They should cover your suitability for the course and your academic ability.

Your referees should know you well enough, in an official capacity, to write about you and your suitability for higher education. We do not accept references from family, friends, partners, ex-partners or yourself.

We will send reminder emails to your referees but it is your responsibility to ensure that contact details are correct and referees are available to submit a reference. References should be uploaded within two weeks of making your application.

Apply now

Duration

MSc three years, part-time | PgCert one year, part-time

Application Deadline

24 August 2025 | Module deadlines vary

Related Courses

Professional Practice in Mammography

Gain the training to become a Mammographer and work within the National Health Service Breast Screening Programme.

Duration: One year, part-time

Page last updated 18/12/2024 09:43 AM

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