Physics and Instrumentation of Medical Magnetic Resonance

Magnetic Resonance imaging plays a major role in an ever-increasing number of hospitals, both in the National Health Service and Private Sector. The clinical practitioner must now be able to function confidently and competently in this rapidly advancing speciality. In order to achieve this it is important that you have a sound background knowledge in the physics upon which Magnetic Resonance Imaging is based and be equipped with the ability to make judgements ranging from the suitability of specific pulse sequences for a particular procedure, image artefact recognition, through to equipment evaluation and selection for purchase.

Who is it for?

This course is suitable for qualified radiographers with at least 1 year’s clinical experience and a current clinical MRI post.

Timetable

Term 1 - 2026/7 (provisional dates)

Induction (not mandatory for CPD students: 8 September 2026 (Online)

Sep:  21, 22 and 23 September 2026

Oct: 5, 6, 7 and 19 (Online) October 2026

Benefits

This course will enhance your knowledge and confidence to undertake service evaluation and research in this clinical speciality, underpinned by clear strategy and is innovation-driven. Using expertise developed in this course you will also be able to contribute to the advancement of the evidence base in clinical Magnetic Resonance Imaging and the sharing of best clinical practice.

This short course module is designed to be flexible in allowing you to study and reach your goals at your own pace. Our health CPD courses are credit-bearing modules that contribute to a University degree or award.

Transfer course credits towards postgraduate taught degree

As a health care professional, once you've completed this course you could offset 30 credits as part of a postgraduate programme, continuing your study with further modules to make up a Postgraduate Certificate (PGCert) 60 credits, Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip) 120 credits or Master of Science (MSc) 180 credits qualification (all credits must be awarded within five years of study commencing).

Content outline:

• The principles of Magnetic Resonance Imaging
• Image formation
• Contrast mechanisms and image weighting
• Standard Pulse Sequences e.g. Gradient echo, spin echo
• Advanced Pulse Sequences E.g. gradient/RF spoiling, steady state sequences, fast scanning techniques, fast spin echo, echo planar imaging, Flow and Angiography
• Recent advances techniques and instrumentation (parallel imaging, high field imaging)
• Artefacts and artefact suppression
• Advancements in Hardware and Software of MRI scanners
• Image Quality and factors which affect it
• Quality Assurance
• Equipment selection and installation
• MR Safety and biological effects

On successful completion of this course, you will be expected to be able to:

Knowledge and understanding:

• Develop your understanding on the underlying principles of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (image formation, pulse sequences, weighting)
• Recognise and optimise different MR imaging sequences to improve MR image quality for diagnostic purposes and discuss their appropriateness for specific investigations with respect to tissue related pathology
• Confidently identify common image artefacts on MRI and be able to propose appropriate corrective measures and remedial strategies
• Further your understanding on improving the efficiency of the MRI examination by employing recent advances in software and hardware
• Expertly recognise the potential hazards of clinical Magnetic Resonance Imaging and justify the need for quality assurance processes to monitor equipment performance and for patient safety
• Further your knowledge of patient safety techniques in the MRI context

Skills:

• Develop advanced decision-making skills and critical evaluation of MR equipment specifications to help you make an informed choice of Magnetic Resonance equipment for a variety of clinical installations and procedures with respect to economic constraints
• Use specialised protocols to confidently and expertly evaluate image quality and identify ways in which to optimise it in any clinical context (scanner magnetic field, manufacturer or clinical setting)
• Demonstrate advanced critically appraisal skills of current research and literature in Medical Magnetic Resonance
• Confidently synthesise research evidence into comprehensive reports using advanced academic writing skills
• Form a reasoned argument in support of specific procedures, equipment and quality assurance activities

Values and attitudes:

• Demonstrate respect for the intellectual work of others by accurate and appropriate referencing
• Develop critical awareness of the importance of technique optimisation for the benefit of the patients
• Understand the importance of using evidence in improving radiography clinical practice

Assessment

There is no weekly homework as part of this course, only two end-of-course assessments.

You will produce a 3,000-word written assignment evaluating a pulse sequence of your choice. You will produce an A3 poster evaluating an aspect of MRI safety, equipment, quality assurance or department design.

Formative feedback will be provided during online and on campus tutorials to assess your knowledge of the instrumentation of physics principles of MRI. You will also be provided with an opportunity to submit a one page draft to receive feedback on your academic writing skills before completing your final assessments.

There is an award attached to the PGCert level (of which this course is a part) - kindly provided in partnership with Siemens Healthineers - to the student with the best overall academic performance.

Teaching

You will be taught by a combination of lectures and tutorials as well as workshops by industry.

This course also includes presentations from industry to update you on state-of-the-art MRI software and hardware.

Learning Routes

This module has two routes namely, "CPD for attendance only" and "CPD for credits":

1. CPD “for attendance only” route: for students that wish to take this module as attendance only, this will grant you access to all lectures and online learning materials on Moodle. However, this route does not include the assessments, therefore you will not achieve any academic credits upon completion. A 25% discount is applied to the module fee. You will also receive a certificate of attendance at the end of the academic term.

2. CPD “for credits” route (Attendance & Assessment): for students that wish to take this module with assessments, this route will grant you access to all the lectures and online learning materials on Moodle. Upon successful completion of the assessment, you will have achieved the respective academic credits, as per individual module (there will range from 15 to 30 credits). No discount is applied to the module and the full fee will need to be paid.

For attendance only: 25% discount applied to the full fee (Please note: fees for overseas students will be a different rate, as per original fees on website)

For credit: (Attendance & Assessment): Full fees apply, as per individual module.

This course is provided by the School of Health & Medical Sciences.

Credits

This course is worth 30 credits toward eligible programmes.

This course is open as CPD to everyone in the UK , Europe and beyond or as part of our Master’s programme, with certain entry conditions, as you can find below and on the website.

• Applicants will normally hold a BSc (Hons) degree (2:2 or above) in Radiography or an equivalent discipline from a UK institution
• Appropriate professional qualifications e.g. Diploma of the College of Radiographers
• International qualifications in Radiography will have to be reviewed by our international team - they may only be acceptable if equivalent to a level 6 UK degree (BSc degree). Both originals and certified translations will have to be submitted to our programme team, before your application can be considered
• A clinical placement for an average of three days per week in a clinical MRI/CT department is required. Applicants should have a minimum of one year of clinical experience in the clinical speciality in which they wish to study before starting the course and should continue in clinical practice while on the programme. A clinical experience (CE1) form will need to be emailed to our programme team, completed and signed by the department manager, before your application can be considered
• Non-standard entrants will be considered on a case-by-case basis, subject to availability of places on the programme (early application is recommended). Interviews might be arranged for these candidates, if the programme team feels necessary.

English requirements

If your first language is not English, one of the following is required:

• A first degree from a UK university
• A first degree from an overseas institution recognised by City, University of London as providing adequate evidence of proficiency in the English language, for example, from institutions from Australia, Canada or the United States of America.
• International English Language Test Service (IELTS) a score of 7.0 is required with no subtest below 7.0
• Pearson Test of English (Academic) score 72 required
• TOEFL 100 overall with 24 in Writing, 20 in Listening, 19 Reading and 20 Speaking
• Other evidence of proficiency in the English language, which satisfies the board of studies concerned, including registration with your professional regulator.