Diagnostic Radiography - BSc (Hons)
- UCAS Code: B821
- Level: Undergraduate
- Starting: September 2020
- Study mode: Full Time (3 years), Part Time (6 years)
- Location: City South
Do you want a career in diagnostic radiography? Our degree is approved by the college of radiographers and you will spend time on placements within a variety of imaging departments to enhance your clinical experience.
You will develop specialist skills on this course by accessing our well-equipped x-ray room, wards, operating theatre, image viewing facilities and virtual body projection system. This will enable you to use specialist technology to produce diagnostic images of patients.
What's covered in the course?
Your academic studies include subjects which form the core of diagnostic radiography practice and include the study of human anatomy and physiology, radiation physics and imaging technology. You will also study the social and psychological aspects of the needs of patients.
As you advance your knowledge of diagnostic radiography practice and the application of imaging technology to differing pathologies, you will develop analytical skills and will explore the research evidence that forms the basis of current and emergent practices.
In your final year you will develop your skills of applying research strategies to health and care practice, and will consolidate your clinical skills and knowledge that are necessary for your transition to registered practitioner status.
At least 50% of your time will be spent in clinical practice where you will develop the necessary practical skills and expertise that enable you to demonstrate radiographic practice, in a safe and competent manner.
“If we weren’t radiographers we would be detectives, our job is to find out what is going on... I was x-raying patients from the first hour of my first day.” Adam Robinson
Why Choose Us?
- Accredited course - this course is approved by The College of Radiographers
- High graduate employability rate - 100 per cent of our students went on to graduate level employment or further study within six months of graduating, on an average starting salary of £22k (Unistats 2016/17)
- A well established provider - we are the largest training centre for diagnostic radiography in the Midlands region
- Study in our £71 million campus - complete with virtual reality teaching (VERT), radiography suites, X-ray room and state-of-the-art facilities to provide you with the very best learning environments
- Gain employability skills - at least 50 per cent of your time will be spent in clinical placement so that you can develop the practice skills necessary for employment
- Get work experience abroad - you can apply for a travel scholarship as part of our Go Abroad scheme to carry out exciting work placements overseas
- Flexible study - this course can be studied full-time over three years or part-time over six years to suit you
- Student loan finance - have you already studied an undergraduate degree but would like to do a second one in Diagnostic Radiography? You may be eligible for funding.
This course is not open to International students
Where our students go
Our students have gone on to work with companies such as:
- University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trustl
- St George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
- Manchester Royal Infirmary
And in jobs such as:
- Radiographer
- Diagnostic Radiographer
Course Accreditations
Approved by:
Entry Requirements
We recruit to the values of the NHS Constitution. This influences our selection criteria and especially the values we are seeking to be demonstrated in both your application and interview, which we view as essential in any individual involved in patient care.
A minimum of 120 UCAS tariff points:
Essential Requirements
| Level 2 qualifications which must be achieved PRIOR to application: | ||
|---|---|---|
| GCSE at Grade 4 or above in five subjects, which must include English Language, Mathematics and either Biology, Chemistry, Physics or Double Science. (GCSE equivalents are not accepted, e. g. Key Skills Level 2, Adult Numeracy, Adult Literacy) or | ||
| Irish Leaving Certificate - see level 3 requirements | ||
| Scottish qualifications, a minimum of five Intermediate Standard 2 or above, must include English, Mathematics and a Science subject. | ||
| A particularly high standard of spoken and written English is necessary to cope with the clinical work on the Diagnostic Radiography and Radiotherapy courses. However, there is a great need for Radiography students who are fluent in more than one language and graduates with such skills would be a valuable addition to the profession; such candidates are therefore encouraged to apply.
Applicants who have not received their secondary school education in English will require an overall IELTS score of 7, with no subtest below 6.5 |
||
| Plus one of the following Level 3 qualifications which you may be working towards: | ||
| GCE A/A2 level 120 UCAS tariff points from a maximum of three A/A2 Level passes, which must include one science subject from Physics, Biology, Chemistry, Human Biology and Applied Science. Psychology and Sociology are only accepted in conjunction with one of the former. A typical offer would be BBB. General Studies and Critical Thinking are not accepted. | ||
| GCE AS/A1 level Two subjects accepted with two GCE A/A2 levels, which must include one from Physics, Biology, Chemistry, Human Biology and Applied Science, at Grade B or above. Psychology and Sociology are only accepted in conjunction with one of the former. A typical offer would be BBB. Must achieve a minimum of 120 UCAS tariff points. General Studies and Critical Thinking not accepted. | ||
| BTEC Extended Diploma (QCF) in Science, Applied Science or Health and Social Care. Minimum Grade DDM required (120 tariff points). | ||
| BTEC Diploma (QCF) 120 tariff points - Must include either Human Biology, Biology, Physics, Chemistry, Applied Science, Science or Health and Social Careat B or Distinction | ||
| BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Science, Applied Science or Health and Social Care. Minimum Grade DDM required (120 tariff points). | ||
| Edexcel BTEC National Diploma in Science, Applied Science or Health and Social Care. Minimum Grade DDM required (120 tariff points). | ||
| Edexcel BTEC Diploma (NQF) - 120 tariff points Must include either Human Biology, Biology, Physics, Chemistry, Applied Science, Science or Health and Social Careat B or Distinction | ||
| International Baccalaureate Diploma Minimum Grade 30 required. | ||
|
Access to HE Diploma - Must be in a science related pathway. Health & Social Care is acceptable Full award (60 credits) of which a minimum of 45 must be at Level 3 including 30 at Merit or Distinction with a minimum of 18 in a Science subject with 15 ungraded credits at either Level 2 or 3. Must possess GCSE Mathematics and English at Grade 4 or above. |
||
| The Open University Minimum of 30 Credits at OU Level 1 or above passed in subjects that include Chemistry, Biology or Physics such as SK143 Topics in Health Sciences, S142 Topics in Science, or SK277 Human Biology. Candidates must already hold Level 3 qualifications or above, such as A-Levels or a Degree. Typical candidates will be considered on the basis that their prior education is non science related or has fallen outside the 5 year recent study requirement. | ||
| Irish Leaving Certificate Maximum of five Highers at Grade H3 or above to achieve 120 UCAS tariff points, which must include either Human Biology, Biology, Physics, Chemistry, Applied science or Science. In addition Maths and English are essential at Grade O4 minimum Unless already achieved at the higher Level. | ||
| Scottish Qualifications Maximum of 5 Advanced Highers at Grade C or above to achieve 120 UCAS tariff points, which must include either Human Biology, Biology, Physics, Chemistry, Applied Science or Science. | ||
| Welsh Qualifications Advanced Welsh Baccalaureate - Skills Challenge Certificate Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Diploma - Core which must include either Human Biology, Biology, Physics, Chemistry, Applied Science or Science at A Level Grade B or BTEC Distinction to achieve a minimum of 120 tariff points. | ||
| WJEC Level 3 Applied Diploma in Medical Science 120 UCAS tariff points which must be combined with other acceptable Level 3 qualifications to achieve a minimum of 120 tariff points. | ||
| Other qualifications | ||
|
If you have a qualification that is not listed in the table please refer to our full entry requirements on UCAS. Further guidance on tariff points can be found on the UCAS website. |
||
In addition:
Applicants must have evidence of study within the last five years.
Applicants are required to undertake a face-to-face engagement, normally in the format of an interview.
An experience visit to a clinical department is MANDATORY and a condition of a place being offered. Clinical visit evidence forms are required as part of this process.
Places are subject to a satisfactory Occupational Heath Check, Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check and registration with the Independent Safeguarding Authority.
Applicants should be aware that qualifications, personal statement, and references all form part of the selection criteria for this course.
Applications from mature candidates offering alternative qualifications will be considered.
- UK/EU students
- International students
Award: BSc (Hons)
Starting: Sep 2020
- Mode
- Duration
- Fees
- Full Time
- 3 years
- £9,250 per year
- Apply via UCAS
- Part Time
- 6 years
- £4,630 per year
Sorry, this course is not available to International students.
If you're unable to use the online form for any reason, you can complete our PDF application form and equal opportunities PDF form instead. The University reserves the right to increase fees in line with inflation based on the Retail Prices Index or to reflect changes in Government funding policies or changes agreed by Parliament up to a maximum of five per cent.
Guidance for UK/EU students
UK and EU students applying for most undergraduate degree courses in the UK will need to apply through UCAS.
The Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) is a UK organisation responsible for managing applications to university and college.
Applying through UCAS
Register with UCAS
Login to UCAS
Complete your details
Select your course
Write a personal statement
Get a reference
Pay your application fee
Send UCAS your application
Our advice for applying to a health care course
Applying for a course and preparing for an interview can be a daunting process, so we have created a series of films to help you through the process, including what to put in your personal statement.
Personal statement
Your personal statement is a highly important part of your application. It gives you a crucial opportunity to say why you’re applying and why the institution should accept you.
Here are the key areas you’ll need to address:
Course choice
Why does this course appeal? What areas are of particular interest?
Career plans
If you have a specific career in mind, say how your chosen course will help you pursue this goal.
Work experience
Mention any work that is relevant to your subject, highlighting the skills and experience gained.
School or college experience
Highlight skills gained at school/college, eg summer schools or mentoring activities.
Non-accredited skills or achievement
eg Duke of Edinburgh Award, Young Enterprise scheme.
You should also mention your future plans – if you’re planning to take a year out, don't forget to give your reasons. Talk about any subjects you’re studying that don’t have a formal assessment and any sponsorships or placements you’ve applied for. And don't be scared to add in details about your social, sports or leisure interests.
Get more information on writing personal statements.
Fees for part time students
If you study this course part-time or via distance learning, you will be charged on a pro-rata basis. This means your fee will be calculated per module.
Additional costs
Additional costs include books, writing materials, travel and accommodation at clinical placement sites.
We offer a wide range of professionally accredited and vocational courses that require the purchase of, among other things, equipment, subscriptions, professional body memberships and DBS checks, and may require you to pay to attend conferences or participate in placements.
The link below provides our estimate of the possible costs associated with key activities on specific courses. Please bear in mind that these are only estimates of costs based on past student experience and feedback. The actual costs to you could vary considerably (either greater or lower than these estimates) depending on your choices as you progress through the course. We set out where we can, based on experience, where these indicative costs are for activities that are optional or compulsory.
All our students are provided with 100 free pages of printing each year to a maximum total value of £15.
Learning Support Fund
From 1 November 2017 you may be able to apply for elements of the learning support fund if:
- you are studying a pre-registration healthcare course
- are studying in England and
- your course started on or after 1 August 2017
Worried about personal statements?
If you've got no idea where to start or just want to check you're on the right track, we’ve got expert advice and real examples from our students to help you nail your personal statement. You can even download our ultimate personal statement guide for free.
What's included in your course fees
Included in your course fees are uniforms for clinical placement.
Student loan finance - have you already studied an undergraduate degree but would like to do a second one in Diagnostic Radiography? You may be eligible for funding.
Year One
In order to complete this course, you must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 120 credits). |
Year Two
In order to complete this course, you must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 120 credits). |
Year Three
In order to complete this course, you must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 120 credits). |
Radiography is a complex mix of technology, compassion and professionalism. This course will develop your knowledge and understanding of, radiographic technology, professional practice and the psychosocial issues surrounding healthcare. Once developed, these skills will enable you to use specialist technology to produce diagnostic images of patients, as well as supporting the medical teams during the subsequent treatments.
We place a strong emphasis on clinical experience, which we offer via placements. These are your chance to be a part of the working world of health and social care as it really is: your first taste of your career.
Placements help you with your confidence, by putting theory from the classroom into practice. We make sure you get a quality experience and that you are fully supported by a workplace mentor and clinical liaison on hand throughout your placement. In addition you are regularly supported by your personal tutor from the university.
Your time spent at the university involves accessing learning opportunities that support your knowledge of radiographic practice. You will be accessing a wide range of teaching session including lectures, seminars, and small group workshops and electronic resources. You will work closely with other students in your group and will collaborate with students from other year groups and other courses.
In your final year you will produce a research proposal for research into an area of your own interest.
Examples of classroom activities
You will be employing your team working skills within the classroom setting within teaching workshops. This may include collaboration with more senior students who may work with you as mentors to help guide you with respect to practical skills within the X-ray room for example.
You will also be learning within our Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS) rooms where you can practice image review and interpretation of radiographs and the virtual environment originally for radiotherapy training (VERT) to show cross sectional imaging.
Accreditation or professional associations
This Course is approved by the Society and College of Radiographers https://www.sor.org.
Additional support
If you are dyslexic, have a specific learning difference or a disability, we have a Disability Tutor who can help and support you.
More on our disability tutor >>
We offer extra technical and learning support.
College of Radiographers
This course is approved by the College of Radiographers from September 2017- September 2022.
Overseas Opportunities
Students undertake elective placements at a location of their own choice in years 3 of the course. Previously students have undertaken hospital placements in Australia, Cyprus and Gibraltar.
Trips and visits
Four students and two staff have visited a Canadian Hospital for clinical experience over the last two years.
Further study
Many of our students continue on to complete Masters level study that supports their professional development to advanced practitioners. All qualified radiographers have a statutory obligation to evidence their Continuing Professional Development.
Practise your skills in SPACE
Filled with state-of-the-art equipment, our SPACE (Skills Practice and Care Enhancement) area is the perfect place for you to practise a wide range of skills at your own pace.
Watch our video to see how access to SPACE has helped our students to succeed.
8 Benefits of Working in Healthcare
Studying healthcare can seem like a daunting task, but the benefits of working for the NHS are second-to-none
Enhancing employability skills
You will be gaining a professional qualification that will enable you to gain employment within the wider NHS. The clinical skills you gain will support your developing competence and enable you to undertake the role of a qualified therapeutic radiographer. You will gain competence in the safe and effective operation of cutting edge medical technologies and develop autonomous practice skills including decision making and care provision.
Your qualification will enable you to seek professional registration with the Health and Care Professions Council and membership with the Society of Radiographers.
You will receive opportunities to develop your employability skills whilst a student. This includes development of your ability to mentor others, practice your interview skills and job application writing skills.
Placements
You will spend at least 50% of your time undertaking hospital-based clinical placement learning. You will gain experience at more than one placement site, and will provide imaging services and patient care demonstrating a wide variety of clinical expertise. Students will engage with the latest imaging equipment and techniques and will gain experiences of professional groups in the wider multidisciplinary care teams.
OpportUNIty
OpportUNIty: Student Jobs on Campus ensures that our students are given a first opportunity to fill many part-time temporary positions within the University. This allows you to work while you study with us, fitting the job around your course commitments. By taking part in the scheme, you will gain valuable experiences and employability skills, enhancing your prospects in the job market.
It will also allow you to become more involved in University life by delivering, leading and supporting many aspects of the learning experience, from administration to research and mentoring roles.
Graduate jobs
Our graduates secure employment as diagnostic radiographers. Diagnostic radiographers are responsible for the accurate delivery of diagnostic imaging using high energy radiation, as well as the support of the patient as they undergo their examination. They are the only healthcare professionals who are qualified to do this, working in a multidisciplinary environment, with radiologists, engineers, medical specialists and other healthcare professionals to ensure the holistic care of the patient and their carers is enabled.
Examples of real graduates and their roles
Our graduates commence their working lives as diagnostic radiographers deploying effective and safe imaging procedures patients. Once further experience is gained radiographers are able to specialise and develop their skills in differing areas of practice. Our graduates have gained expertise and competence as advanced practitioners in the fields of Medical Ultrasound, Computed Tomography (CT), Image Reporting, education and research.
BCU Graduate+
Through our courses we give you the skills and experience needed to get a head start when applying for jobs. But we offer something extra too – Graduate+.
Our unique programme gives you the chance to develop valuable skills outside of the more formal classroom learning. We award points for Graduate+ activities (including firewalking!) and these can be put towards a final Graduate+ award.
More about Graduate+
100%...of students are in graduate level employment or full time study six months after graduating2016/17 DLHE Response
Facilities
Students studying within the Department of Radiography have accessing to the following dedicated specialists teaching resources:
- Anatomical Models Lab
- VERT Suite
- PACS review room
- PACS reporting room
- Diagnostic Digital Radiography imaging suite (‘X-Ray room’)
- Ultrasound simulator and ultrasound scanner
We are constantly investing in our estate and are currently in the process of spending £260 million on new learning facilities.
We boast up-to-date, innovative facilities that simulate the real situations that medical staff may come across.
These resources are essential in offering students a hands-on introduction to health and social care practice. Much of our teaching is carried out within our state-of-the-art, £30m Seacole Building, which houses some cutting-edge learning facilities.
Take a virtual tour of our skills suites at Seacole
In a sector where new techniques are constantly being discovered, we work hard to ensure that students learn using the most up-to-date equipment available. These include the only mock operating theatre in an English university and a cutting-edge radiography virtual clinical training facility, virtual ward and virtual case creator.
Radiography Skills Suite
Our purpose-built Radiography Skills Suite allows you to improve your skills through simulation in a safe and protected environment, and includes:
- Dedicated PACS (Picture Archiving and Communication Systems) suite;
- Dedicated Xograph X-ray imaging suite (CR and DR);
- Fully functioning Mobile X-ray and Image Intensifier units, for use in our on-site Ward and Theatre simulation workshops.
- Oncentra Masterplan Radiotherapy Planning system;
- Ultrasim Ultrasound machine;
X Ray room/PACS Room
This is a real, working X-ray room, where students can practice taking x-rays and also to digitise them to view on the PACS system. We also have a fully functioning Mobile X-ray and Image Intensifier units, for use in our on-site Ward and Theatre simulation workshops. We use a portable camera system that can record and stream video to any other classroom on the campus so we can simulate scenarios with our students.
Simulation Mannequins
We have several Simulation men (SIM men) and Simulation babies (SIM babies) which are leading edge, anatomically correct mannequins used for teaching specific techniques such as advanced adult and paediatric life support skills, acute and high dependency clinical skills, first aid and communication skills.
Computer Facilities
The Seacole building houses a large open access IT Suite which comprises of 96 PCs, full colour printers, photocopiers and scanners. Our PCs utilise the latest Intel i5 core technology, all with:
- Fast (unrestricted) internet connectivity
- Ability to save files to USB, DVD & CD
- Microsoft Office software
- Research and statistical software
- Storage space which can be accessed from any PC across the University and from home
Our PCs are also designed to support students who may have difficulties with reading and writing, featuring specialised software with zooming/magnification and screen reading capabilities, which may also be customised for individual student needs.
The IT Suite offers extended opening hours and is supported by a specialist Open Access Assistant during term time. In addition to the open access PCs within the IT Suite, there are 12 networked student PCs available within Seacole library.
Tracey Perks
Programme Leader BSc (Hons) Diagnostic Radiography
Tracey is a Diagnostic Radiographer with 20 years’ experience, focusing on trauma imaging and student support. She worked clinically in Southampton before moving to Heartlands Hospital as a Senior Radiographer. Tracey moved into academia in 2002 as a senior lecturer with Birmingham City University. She has fulfilled a number of roles within this period including Admissions Tutor and has played a pivotal role in introducing simulation into the BSc (Hons) Diagnostic Radiography. Her interests centre on clinical skills and more recently values based practice.
Tracey took over as Programme Leader for the BSc in July 2017.
Hilary Baggs
Admissions Tutor / Lecturer - Diagnostic Radiography
Hilary graduated in 1998 with a degree in Diagnostic Radiography from Cardiff University. She then moved to Birmingham to work as a radiographer in the NHS. She enjoyed teaching in a clinical capacity and so her next step was to take up a position in education.
Hilary achieved a Masters in education from Birmingham City University whilst in employment here. She is now one of the lecturers and admissions tutor for diagnostic radiography. She co-ordinates the level 6 module Progressing to Practitioner, which prepares radiography students for entering the NHS. Her role also involves supervising undergraduate research proposal students and master’s research students.
She is personal tutor to 20 students who have a placement in the West Midlands and visits them every 2 weeks whilst out on placement. Hilary is currently conducting research around clinical placement rotation and how it affects the student’s experience of placement.
Eilir (Sam) Hughes
Senior lecturer in Diagnostic Radiography/ Admissions Tutor
I trained as a Diagnostic Radiographer in Wrexham, North Wales. On qualifying I moved to the Midlands and have remained ever since. I worked in a number of hospitals, accumulating a broad range of experience and undertaking many imaging modalities. I began at Selly Oak Hospital with a busy District General Hospital portfolio of examinations and specialisms.
My next post was promotion and a move into specialist neuro-imaging, in a small unit based in Smethwick, in the Black Country. including the newly introduced CT scanning and some complex angiography.
Following my time at Smethwick I was able to gain a post at the General Hospital in Birmingham. This was very busy hospital with many specialisms and a very bust A&E service, which served the locality and the office/shopper population of the city of Birmingham. I became involved with student training, there, and had many fantastic years with great colleagues, excellent students and a very busy clinical life. During this time, I studied for and gained my degree with the Open University.
As the General Hospital prepared to close, I returned to the Black Country once more. This time I moved from a full-time clinical role to managing the Radiography service at Sandwell General Hospital in West Bromwich. I was lucky to have good senior colleagues and managers, who gave me support at all stages of my post. I learned so much and I will always be grateful to them. It was in this time that I developed my continuing interest in NHS policy and management, which has never left me. In 2004 I made the move into the academic world and UCE, which is now Birmingham City university.
Working with students is a different challenge from patients but very rewarding. The potential that each student brings with them is exciting to see and the hope of helping guide that potential into a solid, caring clinical career is most rewarding.
I specialise in two main areas:
- NHS policy, management and employment support
- Foundation Degree level Diagnostic Radiography, in general
I believe strongly in the value of patient care and work constantly to promote this, when I am able.
The work of a lecturer is not confined to the buildings here at Birmingham City University and I, like all my colleagues, regularly visit students on their clinical placement. This allows us to check on the students’ progress/concerns and provide a link of University developments to the staff in the departments we support. In this sense, we take the University to clinical practice and bring clinical practice back to the University.