Entry to the Echocardiography Training Programme

Entry requirements

Admission to the ETP is administered by the National School of Healthcare Science (NSHCS), with delegated responsibility for recruitment to local employers.

To be eligible for the Echocardiography Training Programme all applicants must meet the following requirements:

• A 1st or 2:1 in either an undergraduate honours degree (including an integrated master’s degree) in Cardiac Physiology (PTP) or a relevant scientific subject. Examples include Pure or Applied Physics, Biology or Human Biology, or Sports Science (if significant scientific content).
• A 2:2 undergraduate honours degree in Cardiac Physiology (PTP) plus relevant cardiology experience and approval from the relevant Higher Education Institution (HEI).
• A 2:2 undergraduate honours degree plus relevant higher degree excluding MSc in Echocardiography.
• An alternative or vocational qualification plus sufficient and relevant experience and appropriate underpinning knowledge and skills in cardiology, as evidenced by registration on the Academy for Healthcare Science, Accredited Healthcare Science Practitioner Register and approval from the relevant Higher Education Institution.

If the applicant has previously completed a postgraduate qualification in Echocardiography they are not eligible to apply to the ETP. The ETP is not intended for people who already have a postgraduate qualification in Echocardiography or who have already completed, or are currently training, under the STP.

Anticipated degree results

If the applicant has yet to receive their degree results, predicted results will need to be provided. The applicant’s predicted results must still be a 1st or 2:1 as per the entry requirements. If the applicant’s results do not meet the entry requirements any offers made may be withdrawn if not accepted by the HEI. When the applicant receives the final degree result, confirmation will need to be emailed to the NSHCS recruitment team.

Any postgraduate qualifications included in an applicant’s application must have been successfully awarded by the start of the programme. HEI’s state that applicants must not be enrolled on 2 academic programmes at the start of the ETP.

Approval from the Higher Education Institution

If approval is required by the HEI to meet the entry requirements, the Trust/organisation will need to obtain this as part of the qualification check. Click this link for details of which universities deliver the ETP.

Direct entry and in-service routes

There are 2 entry routes to the ETP; direct entry or in-service. Both follow the same recruitment process. Trainees from both routes need to be available from Wednesday 1 October 2025.

Direct entry applicants can apply directly for posts advertised by any employer.

The in-service route is only open to existing NHS staff working in a cardiac department who meet the qualification requirements and have been nominated by their employer. The employer will need to evidence the applicant’s suitability for the programme. In-service trainees will remain in full-time employment in their department for the duration of the programme.

All trainees will be supernumerary for the duration of the programme. Salary support is provided by NHS England.

What level of English competency is required?

Applicants must be able to demonstrate the required level of communication skills to undertake the role effectively and deliver safe care to patients, and achieve the standards set for healthcare scientists by the Academy for Healthcare Science (AHCS) and the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).

The following will help demonstrate these standards:

• Being a national of a majority English speaking country or having worked in an organisation/institution where English was the primary language.
• Part of university level education was pursued in the UK.
• Holds a degree or relevant educational qualification that was taught in English by a recognised institution abroad.
• Passed an English language competency test.

If you have obtained a Skilled Worker visa to apply to the programme, you will have already demonstrated English language skills as part of the visa application process. You can provide evidence of passing the test set by the Home Office to demonstrate your level of English competence.

If English is not the first language, applicants will also have to demonstrate to the Higher Education Institution (HEI) the necessary knowledge of English to meet the entry requirements and enrol on the course. Evidence will need to be provided with the ETP scoresheet if a conditional offer is made.

It is the responsibility of the applicant to obtain this evidence by Monday 30 June 2025.

Selection process and interview

The recruitment process including advertising, applications, interviews and selection will be conducted by the employing organisation and overseen by the National School of Healthcare Science.