Diagnostic Radiography - BSc (Hons) *
Currently viewing course to start in 2023/24 Entry. Switch to 2022/23 Entry
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....
- Level Undergraduate
- Study mode Full Time/Part Time
- Location City South
- Award BSc (Hons)
- Start date September 2023
- Fees View course fees
- School School of Health Sciences
- Faculty Faculty of Health, Education and Life Sciences
Overview
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 this 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.
Accredited By
Approved by:
“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?
- Funding - Allied health profession students will receive at least £5,000 a year in additional funding for maintenance and associated study costs. Download the funding FAQs
- 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.
Similar Courses
Studying with us during the Covid-19 pandemic
The University has put in place measures in response to Covid-19 to allow us to safely deliver our courses. Should the impact of the pandemic continue in future years, any additional or alternative arrangements put in place by the University will be in accordance with the latest government public health advice, health and safety legislation, and the terms and conditions of the student contract.
Open Days
Join us for an on-campus Open Day where you'll be able to explore our campus and facilities in person. You'll be able to hear more about your chosen subject area in our course talks.
Next Open Days: Autumn 2022
Entry Requirements
We accept a range of qualifications, the most popular of which are detailed below.
Essential Requirements
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120 UCAS tariff points from A/AS Level |
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| GCSE |
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| Irish Leaving Certificate (Ordinary Level) |
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| Scottish Intermediate 2 |
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| Scottish Credit Standard Grade |
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| Scottish National 5 |
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| IELTS |
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| Plus one of the following Level 3 (and above) Qualifications | ||
| UK Qualification | Requirements | |
| A level and Advanced VCE |
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| Access to HE Diploma |
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| British bachelor's degree |
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International Baccalaureate Diploma |
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Irish Leaving Certificate (Highers) |
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OCR Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma |
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OCR Cambridge Technical Diploma |
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| Open University courses |
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Scottish Advanced Higher |
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T-Levels |
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Advanced Welsh Baccalaureate - Skills Challenge Certificate (first teaching September 2015) |
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Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Diploma – Core (awarded until 2016) ESW/KS Combined component |
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| Other qualifications | ||
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If you have a qualification that is not listed in the table please refer to our full entry requirements on UCAS. Recent relevant study to GCE A-level standard or above must have been completed within five years of the course intake date the applicant is applying for. 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. Interviews are currently online via Microsoft Teams. Find out more about online interviews. 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. We operate a gathered field for applications, with interviews taking place through to early May (these are currently taking place via Microsoft Teams). Candidates who apply before 26 January will be informed of the outcome of their application by 19 May. Find out more about online interviews. |
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Fees & How to Apply
UK students
Annual and modular tuition fees shown are applicable to the first year of study. The University reserves the right to increase fees for subsequent years of study in line with increases in inflation (capped at 5%) or to reflect changes in Government funding policies or changes agreed by Parliament. View fees for continuing students.
Award: BSc (Hons)
Starting: Sep 2023
- Mode
- Duration
- Fees
- Full Time
- 3 years
- £9,250 in 2023/24
- Apply via UCAS
- Part Time
- 6 years
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TBC
International students
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.
Funding
From August 2020, nursing and allied health professional degree students will receive at least £5,000 a year in funding support.
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.
Course in Depth
Year One
In order to complete this course, you must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 120 credits).
Introduction to Diagnostic Imaging Practice 60 credits
The Emerging Practitioner 20 credits
Diagnostic Technology & Physics 40 credits
Year Two
In order to complete this course, you must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 120 credits).
Evidence Based Practice 20 credits
Diagnostic Imaging Practice 1 20 credits
Diagnostic Imaging Practice 2 40 credits
The Developing Practitioner 40 credits
Year Three
In order to complete this course, you must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 120 credits).
Advancing Diagnostic Imaging Practitioner 40 credits
Research Module 40 credits
The Competent Practitioner 40 credits
Download course specification
Download nowRadiography 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.
Employability
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.
Facilities & Staff
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.
Our staff
Jeremy Lima
Jeremy Lima qualified as a Diagnostic Radiographer at the University of Hertfordshire in 2009 after moving to England from Gibraltar. He worked at a large NHS foundation trust in Oxford before joining BCU. Full Profile
More about Jeremy