Diagnostic Radiography - BSc (Hons)

How you'll learn

There will be delivery of academic modules worth 120 credits during each of the 3 years of the course. In addition to these, there will be a zero-credit clinical module at each level of study that you will also be required to complete. All modules are core, and therefore all content and assessments (both academic and clinical) must be passed to meet the requirements for the award of BSc (Hons) Diagnostic Radiography. Upon successful completion of all academic and clinical modules, you will be eligible to apply for registration with the HCPC as a diagnostic radiographer.

We utilise a variety of methods within our learning and teaching strategy to encourage reflective and critical thinking. The aim of this is to enable you to become a confident and autonomous learner, with sound academic and clinical knowledge, supporting your employability and skillset for lifelong learning and continuous professional development.

The year plan is designed to integrate theory and practice using a modular approach with alternating blocks of academic study and clinical practice across all 3 years. Delivery of academic elements of the Diagnostic Radiography course will predominantly be at the university, either in a face-to-face capacity or through online learning platforms, such as the university’s online Virtual Learning Environment (VLE), Moodle, to deliver a blended approach to learning. Clinical experience is gained through attending an allocated clinical placement rotation and is reinforced within the university environment through the use of our dedicated skills suite and simulation activities. Our onsite radiography suite has capabilities for both DR (Digital Radiography) and CR (Computed Radiography), allowing you to see the evolution of technology and the importance of utilising effective imaging technique. The radiography suite is used throughout all 3 years of the course alongside our PACS (Picture Archiving and Communication System) and anatomical model resources in order to support your learning of anatomy, physiology, positioning technique and technical factors.

There will be a variety of learning and teaching activities within the course including seminars, individual or small group tutorials, didactic lectures, and study groups. These will include anatomy, physiology and pathology workshops, simulation of clinical scenarios, debates, group presentations, amongst others.

Clinical practice

Throughout the course there will be an integration of clinical practice experience with academic learning, so that you can forge connections between your developing professional knowledge and practical skills as developing diagnostic radiographers. Our approach has been to embed fundamentals of professional knowledge within the first phases of the course so that you can develop a firm foundation in the principles of radiation and imaging, anatomy and physiology, and the provision of an excellent standard of patient care. As you advance through the levels of study, you will explore increasingly complex aspects of radiographic practice and develop your skills in analysing the evidence base that underpin protocols and procedures so that you understand where and how diagnostic radiography fits into a patient’s diagnostic pathway and beyond. During the final stages of the course, you will be encouraged to adopt self-critical and analytical approaches to your developing professional identity and your role as a diagnostic radiographer within the wider multidisciplinary hospital teams.

Clinical experience is gained through attending clinical placement rotation and is reinforced within the university environment through the use of our dedicated skills suite and simulation activities. Within the first semester of Level 4, you will be required to meet 4 mandatory requirements before you will be permitted to attend placement. These include a clear enhanced DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check, agreement from Occupational Health that you are fit to attend placement, as well as mandatory training in Basic Life Support (BLS) and Patient Movement and Handling. You will be required to renew your mandatory training in each academic year to maintain and develop your skills in these areas. You must also make us aware if there are any changes to your DBS at any point during the course, or if any changes to your physical or mental health impact on your fitness to practice. More information on this is available in the Course Handbook and Student Clinical Handbook.

Assessment 

Throughout the course, you will be assessed using a variety of methods including examinations, assignments, presentations, case studies, in-person OSCE/VIVAs, and clinical assessments of competence. They will be supported in the development of your academic skills (including academic writing, knowledge base, referencing, literature searching, and criticality) as part of the curriculum starting at Level 4 but also with the support of wider academic support services across the university (e.g., Academic Development Department, Centre for Academic Success, and the Library). You will be supported in the development of your clinical competency skills by both academic and clinical-based staff. You will also be given opportunities to develop transferable skills, which you will be able to use in your employed professional lives after graduation and verbal skills to articulate and justify your decisions and intentions.

Formative assessment opportunities exist within all modules and help you to prepare for your summative assessments. Following completion of any formative assessments, you will receive feedback on your performance as well as guidance on how you should proceed with your learning to support your success in the summative item(s) (feedback and feedforward). Similarly, for your summative assessments, you will receive feedback on the assessment items, as well as feed forward on how to improve for future assessments.

Additional support

If you have a specific learning difficulty (such as dyslexia or ADHD), a disability, a long-term health condition or mental health difficulties, our support teams provide advice, information and practical support (such as reasonable adjustments). Engaging with our support teams early on in the application process means that the University is more likely to be able to implement support before your arrival at University. If you require reasonable adjustments in your placement setting, early disclosure will assist the University in securing suitable placements wherever it reasonably can.

This course is approved by: 

Health and Care Professions Council

This course is approved by the Health and Care Professions Council, and will give you eligibility to apply for registration if you successfully complete the course.

College of Radiographers

The College of Radiographers (CoR) is a registered charity concerned with standards in the provision and development of diagnostic imaging and radiotherapy for the public benefit.