A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus includes a main magnet (20) that surrounds an examination region (18) and generates a main magnetic field in the examination region. A magnetic field gradient system (30) is disposed outside of the main magnet. The magnetic field gradient system includes a ferromagnetic yoke (32), and a plurality of magnetic field gradient coils (34) magnetically coupled with the ferromagnetic yoke and selectively producing magnetic flux in the ferromagnetic yoke. The magnetic flux in the ferromagnetic yoke produces selected magnetic field gradients in the examination region.