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Diagnostic Radiography

BSc (Hons)

You’ll learn to examine patients safely using X-Ray, CT scanning, Fluoroscopy, MRI and more.

UCAS Code: B821

Single Honours

Radiography students and lecturer analysing a scan

Develop specialist diagnostic radiography knowledge and compassionate patient-care skills. You'll have access to industry-standard technology and undertake work placements in NHS and private healthcare settings.

1st

in the UK for sustained employment and/or further study

5 years after graduation (LEO 2024)
£6,000

grant that you won't need to pay back

NHS Learning Support Fund
HCPC Master Logo (hi res)
Approved by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC)

01/03

This means that when you graduate, you can register with the HCPC to practice under the protected title of diagnostic radiographer. You can also apply for membership of the Society of Radiographers (SoR).


Overview

Diagnostic Radiography is a high-tech part of modern healthcare and many patients have some form of medical imaging to diagnose or monitor their condition. This means there is high demand for medical imaging such as X-rays as well as CT, MRI, ultrasound and radioactive trace scans.

Alongside the patient-care skills required, diagnostic radiography is a science and technology-based discipline. Over this three-year degree you’ll learn about the human body and medical imaging science, techniques and technology.

You’ll be trained to use cutting edge technology to produce and process images of internal body structures like the bones, blood vessels and organs or provide real-time imaging to guide surgery.

You’ll put everything you’ll put everything you’ve learned into practice in clinical placement, support by healthcare specialists and mentors.

When you graduate, you will be able to apply for professional accreditation through the Health and Care Professions Council and the Society of Radiographers.

Placements

You will spend 50% of your time on clinical placement during your three-year degree, gaining experience within a local NHS integrated care system and a private setting.

We have strong partnerships with healthcare providers across the West Midlands, both within the NHS and the private sector. This collaboration not only enriches our course content but also ensures that you have comprehensive, hands-on experience through a variety of professional, healthcare placements. This puts you in an excellent position to apply for jobs when you graduate.


Course content

On this accredited course you’ll study theories backed up by substantial evidence and will then apply this learning in professional practice.

All modules are mandatory to ensure you’re eligible to register as a diagnostic radiographer with the HCPC.

Mandatory modules


Careers

A Diagnostic Radiography degree from Worcester equips you with a highly sought after professional qualification that prepares you for a career in the NHS and beyond.

The demand for medical imaging is rising fast, and imaging technology is developing at an incredible speed. This course will equip you with the latest skills to rise to the challenge as a Diagnostic Radiographer.

Most of our graduates will expect to find positions in the diagnostic imaging departments of NHS Trusts. Others will go into private healthcare providers or work in field hospitals for the forces.

Your experience will also open doors to specialist advanced practitioner and consultant radiographer roles.

You could do a master's and specialise further in an area such as ultrasound or image reporting.

Outside of the health services there are opportunities in sectors like:

  • Industrial
  • Veterinary
  • Forensic Radiography

There's also the possibility of training to become a doctor though our graduate-entry Medicine MBChB.


Course highlights

anatomy-suite-ega-medical
Learn vital skills
We incorporate evidence-based learning with practical simulations, there's also a wide variety of placements to prepare you for your career.

Teaching and assessment

Teaching is a mix of interactive seminars, lectures, one-to-one tutorials and practical skills sessions. Your assessments will help prepare you for a career as a radiographer, and include observations of professional skills, writing reflective essays, presenting, group discussions and creating a research proposal.

Teaching and assessment contents

Teaching and learning are student-centred, reflecting the philosophy of constructivism whereby students are active participants in their learning experience, and learn with and from each other. Methods of assessment include assessment of knowledge, skill, application and evaluation in preparation for employment. Examples of learning and teaching methods used include:

  • Lead lectures
  • Practical classes
  • Seminars
  • Tutorials
  • Problem-solving
  • Oral presentations
  • Tutorial/seminar discussions
  • Use of e-learning (pre-reading, pre-recorded lectures, self-assessment quizzes and online discussions)
  • Student-led Problem-Based Learning
  • Case Study-based Scenarios

The spiral approach to learning is introduced in level four with the learning and teaching of fundamental imaging techniques, science and patient-centred care. These are then further enhanced and developed in levels five and six introducing more complex imaging and adaptation of technique. Research and critique of published evidence is introduced at level 4 and developed at levels 5 and 6, culminating in students conducting a research project.

Learning in the university setting is complimented by practical sessions and placement learning. Placements will be based in integrated care systems across the West Midlands. Students are supported to achieve the required level of competency, moving from basic skills acquisition to advanced skills requiring complex reasoning. Assessment of practice skills is done by imaging staff during the students’ practice placement. With opportunities for interprofessional learning both within the university and the clinical practice setting, including during simulated practice where students have the opportunity to work with a range of health professionals.

Student meetings with personal academic tutors (PAT) are scheduled on at least four occasions in the first year and three times in each of the other years of a course.


Entry requirements

UCAS tariff points required: 120

Typical Offer
QualificationGrade
A-levelBBB (including at least one science subject)
BTEC National Extended DiplomaDDM in Applied Science, or DDM in Health and Social Care plus A-level grade C or above in science or maths
T-levelMerit in Science

We do accept Access to HE Diplomas and other qualifications which may not exactly match the combinations above. Work out your estimated points with the UCAS tariff calculator.

Plus GCSE C/4 or above in at least three subjects, including English language and maths.

If you do not have the required GCSEs, contact us to find out which equivalent qualifications we accept instead

Any questions?

If you have any questions about entry requirements, please call our Admissions Office on 01905 855111 or email admissions@worc.ac.uk.


More to explore

Open Days

Visiting us is the best way to get a feel for student life at the University of Worcester.

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The City of Worcester

Worcester is a welcoming university city with great transport links and plenty of student parking.

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Accommodation

Benefit from our accommodation guarantee. We have rooms on campus to suit every budget including en-suite options.

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Fees

Fees contents

UK and EU Students

The standard fee for full-time home and EU undergraduate students enrolling on BA/BSc/LLB degrees and FdA/FdSc degrees in the 2024/25 academic year is £9,250 per year.

For more details, please visit our course fees page.

International Students

The standard tuition fee for full-time international students enrolling on BA/BSc/LLB degrees and FdA/FdSc degrees in the 2024/25 academic year is £16,200 per year.


How to apply

How to apply contents

Applying through UCAS

UCAS is the central organisation through which applications are processed for full-time undergraduate courses in the UK.

Read our how to apply pages for more information on the application process, or if you’d like to apply for part-time study.

  • Diagnostic Radiography BSc (Hons) - B821

Contact

If you have any questions, please get in touch. We're here to help you every step of the way.

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Hilary Baggs

Course Leader and Principal Lecturer in Diagnostic Radiography

Admissions Office

01905 855111