Diagnostic Radiography (Degree Apprenticeship) - BSc (Hons)

On successful completion of all course requirements, you will be entitled to apply for registration with the regulator, the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC), to gain registered practitioner status and be able to practice in the UK either within the NHS or the private sector.

As an apprentice on this course, you will be released by your employer to study at the university while having exposure to a range of practice placement settings at your workplace. You will experience a mixture of face-to-face and virtual teaching, self-directed study and on the job learning with your employer. Off the job learning is delivered on a block release basis, with approximately one week in five being allocated to this. Attendance at university is not required for all off the job blocks as some of these will be delivered virtually or using structured self-directed learning materials. When on campus, as well as classroom delivery, you will have access to our specialist teaching spaces, including a well-equipped x-ray suite, image viewing facilities, ward, and operating theatre.

On the job, you will engage with practice partners and service users to learn the specialist knowledge, skills and behaviours required to care for a wide range of patients in the diagnostic radiography setting. Your academic studies include subjects which form the core of diagnostic radiography practice, including the study of human anatomy, physiology and pathology, principles of radiation and imaging, and how to deliver exacting standards of patient care in the context of varying social and psychological needs. You will also develop a strong understanding of what it means to be a registered professional.

The purpose of this is to ensure that you are prepared for practice with all the skills and knowledge you need to be a competent and confident diagnostic radiographer. This course will also support you with your employability skills so that you are ready to make the move into the working world as you complete your studies.

As you advance your knowledge of diagnostic radiography practice and the application of imaging technology to differing pathologies, you will develop academic and analytical skills and will explore the research evidence that forms the bases of current and emergent practices. You will also develop your ability to apply research strategies to health and care practice and will consolidate your clinical skills and knowledge to support your transition to registered practitioner status.

Studying here

The design of the course not only considers the PSRB requirements but also the needs of our apprentices in transforming them from members of the public with an interest in radiography to fully fledged, newly qualified diagnostic radiographers. The journey on which our apprentices travel during their time with us must be of value to them, their employers, and our society. We aim for our apprentices to graduate from the course feeling they have achieved their absolute best, and have enjoyed, and felt supported during, their time with us. 

The course has been designed across four streams; the four advanced practice pillars of:

• clinical practice
• management and leadership
• education and research
• demonstration of core and area-specific clinical competence.  

This is to ensure our apprentices are practice-ready, motivated for continued professional development and further study, and able to drive and develop practice for the benefit and prosperity of our profession.