Bachelor of Preclinical Foundations of Imaging Science

About this Course

A sonographer is a highly skilled medical imaging professional who operates an ultrasound machine to perform diagnostic medical sonographic examinations.

The demand for ultrasound as a first line investigation has increased across all care settings, creating a shortage of sonographers in Australia.

In this course, you’ll acquire knowledge and skills in applied anatomy, physiology and pathophysiology, application and operation of ultrasound imaging systems, ultrasound image recognition and comprehension, patient assessment, and more.

This course is part of a 4-year offering accredited by Australian Sonographer Accreditation Registry (ASAR). Prior to the first clinical placement, students will need to apply to be an Accredited Student Sonographer. Upon completion of the Bachelor of Preclinical Foundations of Imaging Science (T78) and the Graduate Diploma of Medical Sonography (T77), students are eligible to upgrade their status to be an Accredited Medical Sonographer. The Graduate Diploma of Medical Sonography will commence in 2027.

Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) level

This course has been accredited by ECU as an AQF Level 7 Bachelor Degree Award.

Course Entry

Admission requirements you'll need to meet for this course.

• Academic Admission requirements (Band 4)

  All applicants must meet the academic admission requirements for this course. The indicative or guaranteed ATAR is as published (where applicable) or academic admission requirements may be satisfied through completion of one of the following:

  • AQF Diploma or equivalent;
  • Undergraduate Certificate;
  • Successfully completed 0.5 EFTSL of study at bachelor level or higher at an Australian higher education provider (or equivalent);
  • Skills for Tertiary Admissions Test;*
  • University Preparation Course;*
  • Indigenous University Orientation Course; or*

  * Further information can be found on the Study course entry page.

  For international students, requirements include your secondary school results.

Applications for this course are not accepted through ECU's Experience Based Entry Scheme.

Career Opportunities

For the past 2 decades, Medical Sonography has been in the Occupations in Demand list of Australian Federal Government skilled migration program (https://www.legislation.gov.au/Details/F2019C00855) Sonography remains the most cited job vacancy in most national and international job seeking websites.

Possible future job titles

Medical Sonographer, Sonographer

Courses you can consider if you are interested in progressing further in this area.

• Graduate Diploma of Medical Sonography