Graduate Diploma in Cardiac Ultrasound

The Graduate Diploma in Cardiac Ultrasound program offers studies for practising cardiac sonographers.

The course uses a combination of block classes of three days duration in semesters 1 - 3, web-based modules and clinical practice modules.

A final clinical exam occurs on-site at QUT in the final semester.

Domestic Students

The Graduate Diploma in Cardiac Ultrasound takes two years of part-time study to complete. All students are required to attend an intensive on campus block in semester 1-3 of the course and a final, clinical exam in semester 4. The structure of this course includes:

• „formal classroom components and clinical skills development sessions conducted during the intensive on-campus blocks
• comprehensive online lectures and self-assessment tutorials.

Applicants will need to maintain access to suitable clinical experience for the duration of the course.

International Students

Entry requirements

A completed recognised bachelor degree (or equivalent) in a relevant science or allied health field (e.g. medical imaging science, biomedical science or nursing); and

A minimum of three months full-time equivalent prior supervised, postgraduate hands-on clinical experience in cardiac ultrasound; and written proof of access to suitable clinical experience*.

*You'll need to maintain access to suitable clinical experience for the duration of the course. In accordance with the Australasian Sonographer Accreditation Registry (ASAR) Program Accreditation Guidelines, it is recommended that students be engaged in cardiac ultrasound practice for a minimum of three days/week over a two year period, full-time equivalent, in an Australian or New Zealand clinical setting.

In order to provide evidence of prior clinical experience and access to clinical experience, you must submit a completed Clinical supervisor form with your application for admission.

Closing date

The final date to apply is 14 December. Applications for the next intake will open 1 July.

Overseas qualifications

QUT will consider equivalent overseas qualifications for admissions purposes. If you have tertiary qualifications from countries where English is not the standard language of instruction, you must provide evidence of English language proficiency.

English language proficiency

QUT requires students to demonstrate that they can speak, write, read and comprehend academic English to a specified standard.

QUT’s English proficiency requirements for this course are:

• IELTS (Academic):  7.0 or better overall with no subscore below 6.5
• PTE: 65 or better overall with no subscore below 58
• TOEFL (IBT): 98 or better overall with a writing subscore of 24 or better, and no other subscore lower than 20
• CAE: 185 or better overall with no subscore below 176

The test must have been completed within 2 years prior to the proposed course start month.

Advanced standing

Advanced standing may be granted to students who hold the Diploma in Medical Ultrasonography (Cardiac) awarded by the Australasian Society for Ultrasound in Medicine. 

Professional recognition(DOM,INT)

This course is accredited with the Australasian Sonographer Accreditation Registry.

Possible careers

• Cardiac Sonographer