MSc in Obstetric Ultrasound and Fetal Medicine

This course will provide medical and science-based students with comprehensive academic knowledge, understanding and practical skills in the field of obstetric ultrasound and fetal medicine, specifically in the areas of ultrasound technical skills, fetal development, prenatal diagnosis and fetal medicine. This Master’s degree will run in parallel with a practical professional training programme in obstetric ultrasound.

Course highlights

• You will develop a knowledge and understanding of the field of prenatal genetics and fetal medicine.
• You will learn how to scan, the basic science behind this health care technology, the principles of pregnancy and fetal development and their associated abnormality.

About the course

You will develop a knowledge and understanding of the field of prenatal genetics and fetal medicine. You will learn how to scan, the basic science behind this health care technology, the principles of pregnancy and fetal development and their associated abnormality.

During the course of 2 years, you will be taught how to scan in the Ultrasound Screening Unit at UCLH, which provides care for more than 6500 pregnant women per year. During the second year of the programme, you will spend one month in the Fetal Medicine Unit of UCLH scanning women with pregnancies complicated by fetal anomalies and other complex problems under the supervision of Fetal Medicine consultants.

Training for invasive fetal medicine procedures, such as amniocentesis, is not provided, but you will assist and observe advanced invasive fetal medicine procedures such as fetal shunts, fetal blood transfusions and fetoscopic laser ablation of placental anastomosis.

You will also gain transferable skills, including:

• information technology
• analysis of scientific papers
• essay writing
• seminar presentations
• research techniques
• peer review   

Why study with us?

The UCL EGA Institute for Women’s Health delivers excellence in research, clinical practice, education and training in order to make a real and sustainable difference to women’s and babies’ health worldwide.

The institute’s UCL/UCL Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust collaboration provides an academic environment in which students can pursue graduate studies taught by world-class researchers and clinicians.

Our diversity of expertise in maternal and fetal medicine, neonatology, reproductive health and women’s cancer ensures a vibrant environment in which students develop subject-specific and generic transferable skills, supporting a broad range of future employment opportunities.

Careers

On completion of the programme you will have gained the knowledge around performing ultrasound in pregnancy (nuchal, anomally and fetal wellbeing assessment), from basics and principles of ultrasound to the understanding of fetal physiology, pregnancy pathology and fetal malformations.

Course content

Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits.

The programme consists of eight compulsory modules (120 credits) and a research project (60 credits).

Upon successful completion of 180 credits and successful practical professional training programme in obstetric ultrasound, you will be awarded a MSc in Obstetric Ultrasound and Fetal Medicine.

Please note that the list of modules given here is indicative. This information is published a long time in advance of enrolment and module content and availability is subject to change.

Compulsory modules

• Prenatal Diagnosis and Screening (IFWH0007)
• Organogenesis and Fetal Development (IFWH0005)
• Fetal and Perinatal Medicine (IFWH0013)
• Basic Principles of Obstetric Ultrasound (IFWH0028)
• Fetal Ultrasound Anomalies (IFWH0029)
• Management of Complex Pregnancies (IFWH0030)

Optional modules

There are no optional modules for this programme.

Dissertation/report

All students undertake a research project module (IFWH0031), culminating in an 8,000 word dissertation (60 credits). Students can choose from a large variety of topics, and each project will usually fall under one of the following five types: 1) laboratory-based projects 2) clinical projects and practice audits 3) analysis of existing data sets 4) online surveys and / or interviews and 5) projects focusing on reviewing the scholarship or evidence on a given subject.

Teaching and learning

The programme is delivered through a combination of lectures, seminars, tutorials, practical training in ultrasound, observation days in the fetal medicine unit, and student presentations. There are a number of peer-led learning activities. Assessment is through  a variety of methods including essays, patient case reports, examinations, presentations and the dissertation.

Student fees

For information about tuition fees, please email ifwhadminteam@ucl.ac.uk

Applications

Applications open between January and February each year, to start the course in September of that year for the duration of 2 years.

Programme Director