Diagnostic Radiography BSc (Hons)

You'll be trained to produce the highest quality image, whilst providing a high standard of care for your patients. This course covers patient management, anatomy, physiology and pathology, radiation physics and radiographic techniques.

Methods of assessment for course overall: 30% coursework.

Some compulsory skills sessions may take place in the evening.

Year 1

• Clinical applications of radiographic theory 1
  This module acts as a basis for the development of requisite skills and competence in the practice of routine, conventional diagnostic imaging. It's clinically based and requires that you have access to an agreed and formally accredited practice placement site. Assessment method: 100% exam. 
• Concepts of inter-professional and collaborative practice
  This module will introduce you to the place and value of inter-professional and collaborative working in health and social care delivery. The module aims to support the development of the necessary communication, personal, partnership working and reflective practice skills required to meet the needs of clients/carers and diverse populations who are at the centre of inter-professional health and social care delivery. You'll work collaboratively online to explore and develop an understanding of the purpose, scope and range of inter-professional and collaborative working. Assessment method: 100% coursework. 
• Principles of clinical reasoning
  This module offers a foundation for students undertaking the diagnostic imaging pathway. It provides a context for the practice of diagnostic imaging and a basic insight into the radiological environment and associated general principles. In addition, the module introduces the skills of clinical reasoning and reflection, evaluating information to facilitate evidence-based practice, and problem-solving within the context of the clinical environment. Assessment method: 100% coursework. 
• Applied systemic anatomy 1
  The module is designed to provide knowledge of the anatomy and physiology of the following key body systems: respiratory, gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, and urinary. Some aspects of the physiology and pathology of the musculoskeletal system will also be addressed. You'll study radiological contrast agents and some basic fluoroscopy and IVU procedures. Assessment method: 100% exam. 
• Fundamentals of radiation science
  This is a foundation module aimed at students who'll be working with ionising radiation in a clinical environment. The module will introduce the basic concept of atomic structure and will then build on this to explain how x-rays are produced and how radiation interacts with matter. Fundamentally, this module will concentrate on using radiation in a safe manner and will therefore include sessions on radiobiology (including genetics), radiation protection (including personal dosimetry and QA) and the legislation surrounding the use of ionising radiation in the clinical environment. Assessment method: 100% exam. 

Year 2

• Clinical applications of radiographic theory 2
• Appraising evidence based practice for diagnostic radiography
• Applied systemic anatomy 2
• Radiographic imaging and disease processes
• Principles of further imaging modalities

Year 3

• Clinical applications of radiographic theory 3
• Improving quality, change management and leadership
• Specialist imaging and interventions in radiography
• Radiographic image interpretation
• Contemporary debates within radiography practice

For the part-time in-service route, the academic and clinical components are delivered over whole week blocks.

Graduates from this course are eligible to apply for registration as a diagnostic radiographer with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC), allowing them to practice within the NHS as well as the private sector both in the UK and abroad.

Role and responsibilities

Diagnostic radiographers use sophisticated equipment to produce high-quality images of the human body in order to identify and diagnose injury and disease. From X-rays and CT scanners through to using radio nuclide imaging, there are a wide range of imaging technologies available for diagnostic radiographers to use.

Diagnostic radiographers need to be able to use highly technical, computerised equipment, and require strong levels of attention to detail and good interpersonal skills.

There are options available for specialisation, such as trauma/accident and emergency, or medical ultrasound. This can be one route for career development, however there are opportunities to advance into senior practitioner roles, or into management regardless.

Salary

Most diagnostic radiographers work for the NHS, where the starting salary is around £20,000 - £27,000. Depending on career progression, you could earn up to £65,000. (All About Careers)

Career progression

Recent graduates from this course have gone onto roles in a range of specialist areas and have opportunities to progress in a variety of health-related fields. Some of our graduates go on to attain consultant practitioner status or to diversify into fields such as research, education or management.

If you graduate from this course and become a clinically experienced diagnostic radiographer, you can gain additional expertise through postgraduate, post-registration and continuing professional development frameworks. Have a look at professional development courses in our online CPPD prospectus.

Employability Service

We are University of the Year for Graduate Employment - The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2018.

At LSBU, we want to set you up for a successful career. During your studies – and for two years after you graduate – you’ll have access to our Employability Service, which includes:

• An online board where you can see a wide range of placements: part-time, full-time or voluntary. You can also drop in to see our Job Shop advisers, who are always available to help you take the next step in your search.
• Our Careers Gym offering group workshops on CVs, interview techniques and finding work experience, as well as regular presentations from employers across a range of sectors.

Our Student Enterprise team can also help you start your own business and develop valuable entrepreneurial skills.

The programme is accredited by the Society and College of Radiographers and successful completion confers eligibility to apply for registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).

The Health and Care Professions Council is the regulator of health, Psychological and Social professionals

The Society and College of Radiographers is the professional body representing the radiography workforce

Placements

You'lll spend 50% of your time involved in academic study and 50% in clinical practice within a broad variety of health care settings.  A clinical practice placement allows you to put theory into practice by working with a range of health professionals in clinics.  Although sometimes initially challenging, practice learning is one of the most interesting and exciting aspects of learning to be a radiographer.

Clinical settings

You'll experience a variety of placements, in NHS acute Trusts, community placements, and the independent sector.

Our main clinical sites for placements include:

• Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust
• King's College Hospital
• St George's Hospital
• Queens Hospital, Romford
• Whipps Cross Hospital,
• Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Woolwich
• Darent Valley Hospital, Dartford,
• Princess Royal University Hospital, Farnborough
• University Hospital, Lewisham
• Royal Sussex University Hospital, Brighton
• Hammersmith and Charing Cross Hospitals

Specialist placements include those at:

• Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust
• King's College Hospital
• The National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, Queen Square

Structure of placements

Placements are spread over the three years:

Year 1

There are two placements within the first year, in four week and fifteen week blocks. They're observational, and take place in general X-ray, emergency X-ray, and fluoroscopy.

You will start the course in September and will attend your first placement by week seven; this introduces you to theory in practice from the very start of your course. Many of the staff you will be working with are themselves alumni, so have a sound understanding of what you will need for your placement.

Year 2

There are three placements in Year 2, structured in six, seven, and nine week blocks. Second year placements will include CT, MRI, US and nuclear medicine.

Year 3

Third year students undertake seven and nine week placements, or are able to remain at one site throughout the year/

When on placement, you will act as a member of staff whilst working closely with your supervising radiographer at all times.

Support from a mentor

At three of our sites we have Lecture Practitioners; staff who work closely with you whilst on placement. Our other sites have a Link Tutor allocated - a University Tutor who provides support to you.  These sites also have nominated Practice Educators who'll look after you during your placement

Personal tutoring

As a Health and Social Care student, you will be allocated a named tutor during your first three weeks at LSBU.  The role of your tutor is to be your primary contact for academic and professional development support.

Your tutor will support you to get the most of your time at LSBU, providing advice and signposting to other sources of support in the University. They should be the first person at the university that you speak to if you are having any difficulties that are affecting your work. These could be academic, financial, health-related or another type of problem.

You will have appointments with your personal tutor once a year for up to 30 minutes throughout your course. You can contact your tutor for additional support by email.

• A Level BBB or;
• BTEC National Diploma DDD in Science or professionally relevant subject or;
• Access to HE Diploma in Science or similar with 30 Distinctions of which 18 must be in Science or;
• Equivalent level 3 qualifications also considered
• Applicants must hold 5 GCSEs A-C including Maths, English and Science or equivalent (reformed GCSEs grade 4 or above).

Additional entry requirements

• Satisfactory outcome at interview
• Provide satisfactory references
• Occupational health clearance
• Enhanced Disclosure Barring Service (DBS)
• Proof of ordinary residency
• A valid passport required for enrolment purposes
• Personal qualities and values in line with those expected by the NHS constitution.

Part-time in-service pathway

For the part-time in-service pathway, applicants must be employed in a support capacity within a suitable imaging department (e.g. radiography department assistant), have the support of their departmental manager and will normally be at least 21.

English language

Those whom English is not their first language must achieve a minimum score of 7.0 overall or equivalent with not less than 7.0 in the listening and reading sections and not less than 7.0 in the writing and speaking sections for the International English Language Test Score (IELTS) at the time of application.

Foundation Year

Been out of study for a long time? Or maybe you haven’t met the entry requirements of your chosen degree? Our entry year acts as a bridge to degree-level studies.

2019 entry

All full-time undergraduate students apply to the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS). Full details of how to do this are supplied on our How to apply webpage for undergraduate students.

All part-time students should apply directly to London South Bank University and full details of how to do this are given on our undergraduate How to apply webpage.

Part-time/In-service part-time

Applications for the part-time route should be made directly to the programme team using the application form, equal opportunities form and the fees form.

For more information, including how and when to pay, see our fees and funding section for undergraduate students.

Please check your fee status and whether you are considered a Home, EU or International student for fee-paying purposes and for our regulatory returns, by reading the UKCISA regulations.

See our Tuition Fees Regulations (PDF File 146 KB) and Refund Policy (PDF File 102 KB).

Possible fee changes

The University reserves the right to increase its fees in line with changes to legislation, regulation and any government guidance or decisions.

The fees for international students are reviewed annually and the University reserves the right to increase the tuition fees in line with the RPIX measure of inflation up to 4 per cent.

Scholarships

We offer several types of fee reduction through our scholarships and bursaries. Find the full list and other useful information on our scholarships page.

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  James Dennis, BSc (Hons) Diagnostic Radiography

  James Dennis studied diagnostic radiography at LSBU and now has a job as a diagnostic radiographer at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital.

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  Studying Diagnostic Radiography

  Students, alumni and staff discuss the benefits of studying Diagnostic Radiography at LSBU in this short film.

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  Digital diagnostic X-ray facility

  Radiography students at London South Bank University benefit from a new diagnostic radiography X-ray facility after the opening of the Fujifilm D-EVO suite.