If you are planning a master’s degree in radiology, medical imaging, diagnostic radiography, or ultrasound, the main challenge is often finding funding that actually matches your programme and professional background.
This guide covers 10 relevant scholarship and funding opportunities, including Erasmus Mundus funding, university scholarships, government awards, research funding, and subject-specific awards for ultrasound and medical imaging students.
Radiology Scholarships: What to Know Before Applying?
Radiology and ultrasound master’s programmes are not all designed for the same applicants.
Some are intended for qualified radiographers or sonographers, while others focus on medical imaging science, imaging technology, research, artificial intelligence, or advanced clinical practice.
Before applying for a scholarship, check both the scholarship eligibility and the master’s programme requirements.
Receiving scholarship funding does not automatically mean that you meet the academic or clinical requirements of the programme.
Important points to check include:
- Whether the programme is a taught master’s or research master’s.
- Whether international students are eligible.
- Whether your bachelor’s degree is accepted.
- Whether professional registration is required.
- Whether previous radiography or ultrasound experience is required.
- Whether a clinical placement is mandatory.
- Whether the scholarship covers tuition fees.
- Whether living expenses are included.
- Whether you must obtain admission before applying for funding.
- Whether the scholarship is automatically considered or requires a separate application.
For example, the MSc in Medical Imaging at the University of Leeds accepts applicants with relevant backgrounds such as radiography, medicine, dentistry, or biological and physical sciences, but the programme itself is academic rather than a clinical qualification to practise radiology or radiography.
1. Erasmus Mundus Joint Master in Imaging Scholarship
The Erasmus Mundus Joint Master in Imaging is one of the most directly relevant international funding opportunities for students interested in advanced imaging.
The programme combines imaging with areas such as computational methods, artificial intelligence, image modelling, and data-intensive imaging.
Erasmus Mundus Joint Master scholarships can provide substantial financial support for selected students from around the world.
The European Commission states that Erasmus Mundus scholarships can contribute toward participation costs, travel, visa expenses, and living costs.
The Imaging programme has its own eligibility requirements, so applicants should carefully compare their academic background with the requirements of the selected track.
Key points include:
- International applicants can be considered.
- The programme involves international mobility.
- Different imaging-related tracks are available.
- Scholarship consideration takes place through the programme application.
- Academic background requirements vary by track.
- Mobility between partner countries is part of the programme.
- The programme is closely connected with medical and technological imaging.
- Applicants should check the official consortium application instructions before applying.
The programme is particularly relevant if your interests include medical imaging technology, computational imaging, visual AI, or advanced image analysis rather than conventional clinical radiography alone.
Official source: Erasmus Mundus Joint Master in Imaging and Erasmus+.
2. University of Sydney Dean’s International Scholarship
The Sydney School of Health Sciences Dean’s International Scholarship is another useful option for international students considering medical imaging-related postgraduate study.
The scholarship supports international students entering eligible health sciences programmes and includes postgraduate degrees such as the Master of Diagnostic Radiography and Master of Medical Imaging Science.
The published scholarship value is AUD 6,000 for one year.
This makes it particularly relevant to applicants whose study plan is centred on diagnostic imaging rather than general healthcare.
Applicants should pay attention to the admission requirement because the scholarship is linked to admission into an eligible programme.
You should prepare:
- Academic transcripts.
- Proof of your previous qualification.
- A programme application.
- Evidence of international student eligibility.
- Supporting academic information requested by the university.
- Any additional documents required for your selected master’s programme.
The scholarship is not a full-cost award, so students should also calculate accommodation, insurance, transport, visa, and remaining tuition expenses.
Official source: University of Sydney Scholarships.
3. University of Auckland International Student Excellence Scholarship
The University of Auckland International Student Excellence Scholarship can be relevant to international students entering eligible master’s programmes, including students interested in medical imaging and ultrasound-related postgraduate study.
The scholarship contributes toward tuition fees and is available to eligible new international master’s students.
The university states that the award can provide up to NZD 10,000 toward compulsory tuition fees.
For an ultrasound applicant, this opportunity is particularly interesting because the University of Auckland offers postgraduate study in ultrasound and medical imaging.
The university also has the Julia Metcalfe Award in Medical Imaging, which is specifically connected with postgraduate ultrasound study.
When applying, check:
- Your international student status.
- Your master’s offer.
- The specific programme’s eligibility.
- Academic performance requirements.
- Whether you need to submit a separate scholarship application.
- The scholarship’s tuition contribution.
- The remaining amount you must finance yourself.
The University of Auckland states that eligible master’s applicants can be invited to apply for the International Student Excellence Scholarship.
Official source: University of Auckland Scholarships.
4. Julia Metcalfe Award in Medical Imaging
For students already progressing through ultrasound-related postgraduate study, the Julia Metcalfe Award in Medical Imaging is a highly subject-specific opportunity.
The award supports students undertaking the Postgraduate Diploma in Health Sciences or Master of Health Sciences in Ultrasound at the University of Auckland.
It can provide NZD 2,500 for activities such as conferences, observerships, or further study.
This is different from a conventional tuition scholarship.
It is more useful for supporting professional development after or during postgraduate ultrasound education.
Possible uses include:
- Attending a professional conference.
- Participating in an observership.
- Supporting further academic study.
- Expanding professional exposure.
- Developing knowledge in medical imaging.
- Supporting academic or professional development.
The award is made by nomination rather than through a standard open scholarship application, so students should maintain strong academic and professional engagement within the programme.
Official source: University of Auckland, Julia Metcalfe Award in Medical Imaging.
5. Government of Ireland International Education Scholarship
The Government of Ireland International Education Scholarship is broader than radiology or ultrasound, but it can be highly relevant if you are accepted onto an eligible master’s programme in Ireland.
The programme supports international students undertaking eligible postgraduate study.
The published award includes a €10,000 stipend for one year and a full tuition fee waiver from the host institution for successful scholars.
The scholarship is not limited to medical imaging.
Therefore, you must first identify an eligible Irish programme and confirm that the institution accepts the scholarship for that programme.
Relevant study possibilities can include areas such as:
- Medical imaging.
- Radiology-related postgraduate education.
- Health sciences.
- Medical technology.
- Biomedical research.
- Imaging research.
The University of Galway, for example, offers a Multidisciplinary Radiology MSc, making Ireland an interesting destination for applicants researching radiology-focused postgraduate education.
A strong application normally needs:
- Academic evidence.
- A suitable master’s offer.
- Strong references.
- A clear academic rationale.
- A convincing explanation of your future goals.
- Evidence that the selected programme meets the scholarship requirements.
Official source: Higher Education Authority, Government of Ireland International Education Scholarships.
6. Trinity College Dublin Global Excellence Postgraduate Scholarship
The Trinity College Dublin Global Excellence Postgraduate Scholarship is another option worth investigating for international students.
It is available to eligible international students who have received an offer for an eligible full-time postgraduate taught programme.
Awards are applied as a reduction in tuition fees, with the amount varying according to the applicant’s region.
Trinity College Dublin offers an MSc in Medical Imaging, with strands including areas such as computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, nuclear medicine, and radiation safety and interventional radiography.
The Medical Imaging MSc is particularly relevant to qualified radiographers.
Applicants should understand that:
- The Medical Imaging MSc requires an appropriate radiography background.
- Clinical placement access is required.
- The programme is delivered part-time.
- Different imaging strands have different availability.
- The scholarship is a tuition reduction rather than a full living-cost package.
- Scholarship eligibility must be checked separately from programme admission.
This option can therefore work particularly well for a qualified radiographer seeking postgraduate specialization in medical imaging.
Official source: Trinity College Dublin postgraduate scholarships and Medical Imaging MSc.
7. NIHR INSIGHT Research Master’s Studentship – Clinical Ultrasound
Students interested in research-focused ultrasound can also investigate the NIHR INSIGHT Research Master’s Studentship at King’s College London.
The programme’s published funding information includes Clinical Ultrasound MSc, with funding associated with the dissertation component.
This opportunity is different from a conventional full master’s scholarship because the funding structure is connected to research training.
It may be particularly relevant to applicants interested in:
- Clinical ultrasound research.
- Research methodology.
- Medical imaging research.
- Evidence-based practice.
- Academic careers.
- Developing a research dissertation.
Applicants should carefully examine the current studentship conditions because research funding can have specific eligibility, employment, residency, and programme requirements.
If your primary objective is clinical ultrasound practice rather than research, compare this opportunity with other funding routes before applying.
Official source: King’s College London funding opportunities.
8. University of Alberta Radiology and Diagnostic Imaging Graduate Funding
The University of Alberta offers a thesis-based Master of Science in Medical Sciences with a specialization in Radiology and Diagnostic Imaging.
Rather than relying on a single named scholarship, the programme describes several possible sources of financial support.
These include Graduate Research Assistant fellowships from supervisors’ operating funds, faculty awards, entrance scholarships, and external research funding.
This structure can be especially relevant for students interested in research-oriented radiology.
Potential funding routes include:
- Supervisor-supported research funding.
- Graduate research assistant fellowships.
- Faculty graduate awards.
- Entrance scholarships.
- External research agencies.
- Government-supported research funding.
- Research project funding.
A major advantage of this approach is that funding may be connected directly to a research project and supervisor.
Before applying, identify faculty members whose research interests match yours and examine the programme’s current admission and funding requirements.
Official source: University of Alberta Graduate Programs – Radiology and Diagnostic Imaging.
9. Chevening Scholarship for Eligible UK Medical Imaging Master’s Degrees
The Chevening Scholarship is not a radiology-specific award, but it can be used for eligible one-year taught master’s programmes in the UK.
Chevening describes its scholarships as fully funded and open to eligible applicants from participating countries and territories.
The award covers major study-related costs, including tuition and specified travel and living support.
For radiology and medical imaging applicants, the key is finding a Chevening-eligible master’s course that matches your professional goals.
Potential areas to investigate include:
- Medical imaging.
- Medical imaging science.
- Radiological sciences.
- Healthcare technology.
- Biomedical imaging.
- Related health sciences.
Chevening applicants must select eligible full-time taught master’s courses and apply separately to the universities.
Important requirements include:
- Citizenship or eligibility under the relevant Chevening scheme.
- Relevant work experience.
- An eligible undergraduate degree.
- Three eligible UK master’s course choices.
- An unconditional offer from one selected course by the relevant deadline.
- Commitment to return to the country of award after the scholarship.
Because course eligibility can change, always use the official Chevening course finder before submitting your choices.
Official source: Chevening Scholarships.
10. University of Galway Postgraduate Excellence Scholarship
The University of Galway Postgraduate Excellence Scholarship is another funding route for students considering its postgraduate programmes, including the Multidisciplinary Radiology MSc.
The university publishes postgraduate excellence funding for eligible full-time taught master’s students.
The award is merit-based and requires applicants to meet the relevant academic conditions.
The Multidisciplinary Radiology MSc provides a direct academic connection to radiology and can therefore make university-level funding particularly relevant.
Before applying, compare:
- The scholarship’s nationality requirements.
- The programme’s academic entry requirements.
- The scholarship’s value.
- Your remaining tuition obligation.
- Living expenses in Ireland.
- Whether additional funding can be combined with the award.
- The programme’s professional relevance to your career.
This is a good example of why applicants should search both the programme page and the university scholarship database rather than searching only for scholarships whose names contain the word “radiology.”
Official source: University of Galway postgraduate scholarships and Multidisciplinary Radiology MSc.
Scholarship Comparison Table
| Scholarship or Funding Route | Main Field | Study Type | International Students | Funding Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Erasmus Mundus Joint Master in Imaging | Medical imaging | Master’s | Yes | Major/full scholarship available for selected students |
| Sydney Dean’s International Scholarship | Diagnostic radiography / medical imaging | Master’s | Yes | Tuition contribution |
| Auckland International Student Excellence | Medical imaging / ultrasound-related study | Master’s | Yes | Tuition contribution |
| Julia Metcalfe Award | Ultrasound | Postgraduate/Master’s | Programme dependent | Professional development support |
| Government of Ireland IES | Medical imaging and related fields | Master’s | Yes, subject to rules | Tuition waiver + stipend |
| Trinity Global Excellence | Medical imaging | Postgraduate taught | Yes | Tuition reduction |
| NIHR INSIGHT | Clinical ultrasound research | Master’s | Eligibility dependent | Research funding |
| University of Alberta funding | Radiology and diagnostic imaging | Research master’s | Eligibility dependent | Assistantships and awards |
| Chevening | Eligible UK imaging-related master’s | Master’s | Eligible countries | Fully funded |
| University of Galway Excellence | Multidisciplinary radiology | Master’s | Selected international schemes | Merit-based funding |
How to Choose the Right Scholarship for Radiology or Ultrasound
The scholarship with the largest advertised amount is not necessarily the one that best fits your circumstances.
Your academic qualification, professional registration, clinical experience, nationality, study mode, and research interests can all affect eligibility.
Start by identifying your exact study direction.
For example:
- Diagnostic radiography.
- Medical imaging science.
- Computed tomography.
- Magnetic resonance imaging.
- Nuclear medicine.
- Interventional radiography.
- Clinical ultrasound.
- Sonography.
- Biomedical imaging.
- Artificial intelligence in medical imaging.
Then create a shortlist of programmes rather than scholarships alone.
A useful strategy is:
- Choose three to five relevant master’s programmes.
- Confirm that you meet their admission requirements.
- Check whether international students are accepted.
- Identify every funding opportunity listed by each university.
- Check government scholarships for the country.
- Check subject-specific professional awards.
- Compare tuition coverage.
- Calculate remaining living costs.
- Prepare documents early.
- Apply through the official scholarship or university portal.
Documents You Should Prepare
Most scholarship applications require a combination of academic, professional, and personal documents.
Prepare a reusable application folder containing:
- Passport copy where required.
- Bachelor’s degree certificate.
- Academic transcripts.
- CV.
- Professional registration evidence where applicable.
- Employment certificates.
- Clinical experience evidence.
- English-language test results where required.
- Two or more references where requested.
- Personal statement.
- Scholarship motivation statement.
- Research proposal for research programmes.
- Evidence of publications or research experience where relevant.
- Proof of admission when required.
For ultrasound programmes, clinical experience can be especially important.
For example, the UCD Master in Ultrasound requires applicants to be employed by or attached to a clinical ultrasound department and to have access to substantial supervised clinical ultrasound experience.
This means that an applicant with a strong academic record but no suitable clinical environment may still be unable to enter a clinically oriented ultrasound master’s programme.
How to Write a Strong Scholarship Application
A scholarship statement should connect your previous education, professional experience, proposed master’s programme, and future plans.
Avoid writing a generic statement that could apply to any healthcare degree.
Instead, explain specifically why advanced imaging matters to your career.
For example, a radiographer applying for a medical imaging master’s could discuss:
- Experience with diagnostic imaging.
- A particular imaging modality of interest.
- Clinical problems that motivated further study.
- Research experience.
- Quality improvement projects.
- Interest in advanced imaging technology.
- Plans to use postgraduate training professionally.
- The potential benefit of advanced imaging skills in their healthcare setting.
For an ultrasound applicant, the statement can focus on clinical ultrasound experience, professional development, research interests, and the specific competencies the programme is designed to develop.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Many scholarship applications fail because the applicant chooses a funding opportunity before checking the programme conditions.
Avoid these mistakes:
- Assuming every radiology master’s accepts international students.
- Treating a tuition award as a fully funded scholarship.
- Applying without checking professional requirements.
- Ignoring clinical placement requirements.
- Using an old scholarship application form.
- Copying a generic motivation letter.
- Failing to research the programme curriculum.
- Applying only for one scholarship.
- Assuming scholarship deadlines are the same as university deadlines.
- Relying on third-party scholarship websites instead of the official provider.
Always verify the final eligibility, funding value, application procedure, and deadline on the official university or scholarship website before submitting an application.
Conclusion
The best funding strategy for a master’s in radiology or ultrasound is to search at three levels: the specific programme, the university, and national or international scholarship providers.
Dedicated awards such as the Julia Metcalfe Award can be highly relevant to ultrasound students, while broader schemes such as Erasmus Mundus, Government of Ireland scholarships, Chevening, and university international scholarships can provide funding for eligible imaging-related master’s degrees.
The most important step is to match the scholarship to the exact master’s programme and your professional background.
Check admission requirements, clinical placement conditions, international eligibility, funding coverage, and application procedures directly with the official provider before making your final application list.
FAQ: Master Scholarships in Radiology and Ultrasound
1. Are there fully funded master’s scholarships for radiology?
Yes.
Some broad international scholarship programmes can fund eligible master’s degrees related to medical imaging or radiology.
Erasmus Mundus and Chevening are examples of major funding schemes, but the specific master’s programme must satisfy the scholarship’s eligibility rules.
2. Can I study ultrasound on a scholarship?
Yes, depending on the programme and your background.
Ultrasound funding is often connected to a specific university or professional programme rather than being offered as a universal international scholarship.
3. Do I need to be a radiographer to study a master’s in medical imaging?
Not always.
Requirements vary considerably.
Some medical imaging master’s programmes accept applicants from medicine, science, engineering, or related disciplines, while clinically oriented radiography and ultrasound programmes may require professional qualifications and clinical experience.
4. Can international students apply for radiology scholarships?
Many funding schemes accept international applicants, but eligibility varies by scholarship.
Always check nationality, residency, tuition-status, admission, and programme-specific requirements.
5. Does a radiology scholarship usually cover living expenses?
Not necessarily.
Some scholarships cover tuition only, while others provide tuition waivers plus living allowances and travel support.
A tuition scholarship should not automatically be described as fully funded.
6. Can I apply for more than one scholarship?
In many cases, yes, but individual scholarship rules may restrict combining awards.
You should disclose other funding when requested and check whether the scholarships can legally or contractually be combined.
7. Do ultrasound master’s programmes require clinical experience?
Many clinically oriented ultrasound programmes do.
Some require access to a clinical ultrasound department, a named supervisor, or a specified amount of supervised clinical practice.
8. Can Chevening fund a medical imaging master’s?
Potentially, provided the master’s meets Chevening’s course requirements and the applicant satisfies the scholarship’s eligibility criteria.
Chevening funds eligible full-time taught master’s degrees in the UK rather than specific academic subjects.
9. Is Erasmus Mundus suitable for radiology students?
It can be, particularly when the student’s interests overlap with medical imaging, computational imaging, artificial intelligence, or imaging technology.
The Erasmus Mundus Joint Master in Imaging has its own academic eligibility requirements, so applicants must compare their background with the relevant track.
10. What is the best way to find new radiology and ultrasound scholarships?
Start with the official programme page, then the university’s scholarship database, followed by government and international scholarship providers.
Check these sources regularly because funding opportunities, eligibility conditions, application windows, and participating programmes can change.
Official sources
- Erasmus Mundus Joint Master in Imaging
- Erasmus+ — Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters
- University of Sydney — Dean’s International Scholarship
- University of Auckland — International Student Excellence Scholarship
- University of Auckland — Julia Metcalfe Award in Medical Imaging
- Government of Ireland International Education Scholarships
- Trinity College Dublin — Global Excellence Postgraduate Scholarships
- Trinity College Dublin — Medical Imaging MSc
- King’s College London — NIHR INSIGHT Research Master’s Studentship
- University of Alberta — Radiology and Diagnostic Imaging Graduate Programs
- Chevening Scholarships
- University of Galway — Multidisciplinary Radiology MSc
- UCD — Master in Ultrasound
This is a fantastic list, but as someone who looked into the Chevening Scholarship a few years back, I’d warn future applicants that the “Radiology Track” isn’t always a standalone program—it often depends on which UK university you apply to and their specific course offerings. I remember spending weeks finding a program that matched my clinical ultrasound background, only to realize the funding was tied to broader public health goals. Has anyone here successfully navigated that match between a general scholarship and a very specific radiology master’s course?
Oh, Brett, your warning hits home—I spent three months chasing a “Radiology Track” that turned out to be a phantom listing on a university’s outdated site. What finally worked for me was emailing the program coordinator directly and asking, “Has this scholarship ever funded a student in your specific ultrasound master’s, and if so, what course code did they use?” It’s still a gamble, but it saved me from another round of dead-end PDFs.
Oh, Kiri, your comment gave me flashbacks to the exact same nightmare—I wasted a full semester chasing a “Radiology Track” that was just a placeholder on an old brochure. That question about the course code is gold, because I finally got a straight answer when I asked if the funding had ever actually paid for a student in the “Diagnostic Medical Sonography MSc” rather than the generic health sciences program. It’s still a gamble, but at least you’re betting with a cheat sheet instead of a dartboard.
Mackenzie, you nailed it with the “cheat sheet instead of a dartboard” analogy—that’s exactly how I felt after finally getting a coordinator to confirm the course code for my ultrasound master’s funding. It’s wild how many of those “Radiology Track” listings are just ghosts, and asking about past recipients is the only way I’ve ever gotten a real answer. I’d rather spend an afternoon emailing coordinators than another month chasing a phantom scholarship again.
Oh, Brooke, your comment really hit home—I spent two months chasing a “Radiology Track” that turned out to be an umbrella term for public health funding, and it wasn’t until I asked for past recipient names that a coordinator finally admitted no one in my ultrasound program had ever gotten it. That afternoon of emailing coordinators saved me from wasting another semester on a phantom listing, just like you said. Now I always ask for the exact course code before I even look at the scholarship page again.
Mackenzie, your “cheat sheet instead of a dartboard” line is exactly how I felt after my own wild goose chase last year. I finally got a coordinator to admit their “Radiology Track” had never actually funded a single ultrasound student, and that course code trick saved me from applying to a dead end. Now I always start with that question before I even open the application page.
Oh, Brett, that’s such a good point—it really echoes my own experience when I was digging into scholarships for a sonography master’s a couple years ago. I ended up finding that some universities list their funding under “Clinical Imaging” or “Medical Physics” instead of radiology, which threw me off for weeks until a program coordinator clued me in. Have you found that reaching out directly to the department’s admissions team helped clarify which scholarships actually align with the hands-on ultrasound coursework, or is it still a gamble?
Oh, absolutely—emailing the admissions team saved me from another week of spiraling through funding pages, though half of them replied with links to the same vague PDF I’d already read five times. The trick was asking for the specific course code and whether it had ever actually funded a radiology student, not just a general “health sciences” applicant. Still a gamble, but at least you’re gambling with a map instead of a blindfold.
Honestly, reaching out directly is the only way to cut through the fog—I’ve been burned before by assuming a scholarship title matched the actual coursework. When I applied, I emailed three different coordinators before one finally admitted their radiology funding was really for research-heavy PhD tracks, not the hands-on master’s I needed. It’s still a gamble, but asking for a list of past recipients and their specific programs gives you way better odds than guessing from a website.
Kylie, you’re absolutely right—I learned that lesson the hard way too when I assumed a “Radiology Track” would cover my ultrasound master’s, only to find out it was all PhD-level research. Asking for past recipient names and their exact programs is the only thing that saved me from applying to funding that would’ve never paid for my clinical coursework. It’s frustrating how much digging it takes, but at least you’re not wasting time on a phantom listing anymore.