University News Last updated 18 October 2010
The opportunity to start a career helping people overcome serious illnesses will be showcased in Stoke this month.
An open evening is going to be held at the Radiotherapy Department at North Staffordshire Royal Infirmary, Princes Road on Thursday 21 October 5-6.30pm.
The open evening is being organised by Birmingham City University's Faculty of Health which is the only university in the West Midlands to run a degree course in radiotherapy. The three year degree is split between teaching at the University and a placement at a hospital, including North Staffordshire Royal Infirmary, which has a brand new radiotherapy department. As radiotherapy is one of the main methods used in the treatment of cancer, the course develops students’ knowledge and understanding of oncology, radiotherapy technology, professional practice and the psychosocial issues surrounding cancer care.
Rebekah Knight is currently in the second year of the BSc Radiotherapy and is based at North Staffordshire Royal Infirmary for her placement. She decided to pursue a career in radiotherapy after talking to a family member who underwent radiotherapy for a serious illness. Rebekah said: “Knowing someone who has had radiotherapy and is still alive 20 years later because of their treatment was an important factor in my career choice. I was attracted to radiotherapy because of the sense of satisfaction you gain from helping someone overcome a serious illness.
“The hospital placement helps you learn to use specialist technology to relieve and/or cure patients’ symptoms as well as to support patients during their treatment. I get on well with the staff and I’ve found they treat me as an equal; as a result I feel like I'm part of the team.
As well as the opportunity to help seriously ill people there are good career prospects in radiotherapy; students enrolling on the course can avoid running up a huge debt as their tuition fees are covered by the NHS. Some students may also be eligible for a means tested bursary.
Julie Hall, senior lecturer in Radiotherapy at Birmingham City University, said: “We are hoping lots of people will attend the open evening on October 21. You don’t have to be already committed to a career in radiotherapy – anyone who just wants to find out more about the course is more than welcome – we can also tell them about other courses run by our Faculty of Health
“It’s also worth bearing in mind that radiotherapy offers a rewarding career and considerable job security – something that is especially important in the current economic climate.”
Birmingham City University is the region’s first and foremost centre for radiography education, with strong links with hospital departments in, and beyond, the West Midlands. The University has radiotherapy treatment planning facilities and a virtual radiotherapy treatment machine. As well as the Radiotherapy degree in Birmingham City University offers a BSc in Diagnostic Radiography.
Entry to the course is based on qualification and prospective students are expected to have passes in five GCSEs at grade C or above including English, Mathematics or Physics, plus A Levels, AVCE or a BTEC National Diploma with at least three credits. Approved Access courses in Science are also recognised.