BSc (Hons) Diagnostic Radiography

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 & pass clinical portfolio. 40 credits
• 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. 20 credits
• 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. 20 credits
• 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. 20 credits
• 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% 20 credits

Year 2

• Clinical applications of radiographic theory 2
  This module continues to develop student’s clinical skills and competence in the practice of routine, conventional diagnostic imaging and introduces specialist modalities such as CT, ultrasound and nuclear medicine. It's clinically based and requires that you have access to an agreed and formally accredited practice placement site. Assessment method: 100% exam & pass clinical portfolio. 40 credits
• Appraising Evidence for Research Informed Practice
  This module aims to develop students’ appreciation for the role of research and evaluation in contemporary healthcare practice. This is done by enabling students understanding of the research process by teaching them how to read, interpret and appraise primary research that is relevant to practice. Assessment method: 100% coursework 20 credits
• Applied systemic anatomy 2
  The module is designed to provide knowledge of the anatomy and physiology of the following key body systems: reproductive, vascular and hepatobiliary. You will also be introduced to more complex imaging techniques including angiography and maxillofacial imaging. 20 credits
• Radiographic imaging and disease processes
  This module aims to provide students with knowledge of common disease processes in selected body systems and recognise the impact these diseases have on other systems. Assessment method: 100% exam 20 credits
• Principles of further imaging modalities
  This is module aimed to develop students understanding of specialist imaging modalities and their application in a clinical environment. The module will introduce the basic concept of image production of CT, MRI, ultrasound and nuclear medicine. Assessment method: 100% exam 20 credits

Year 3

• Clinical applications of radiographic theory 3
  This module continues to develop student’s clinical skills and competence in the practice of routine, conventional diagnostic imaging and introduces specialist imaging such as MRI, neuroradiology, cardiac and breast imaging. It's clinically based and requires that you have access to an agreed and formally accredited practice placement site. Assessment method: 100% exam & pass clinical portfolio. 40 credits
• Improving quality, change management and leadership
  This module is the final interprofessional learning module that will explore leadership, quality improvement and change within organisations from an interprofessional perspective. The module looks at a strategic, evidence based approach to change management in a range of environments. Assessment method: 100% coursework 20 credits
• Specialist imaging and interventions in radiography
  This module offers the student an opportunity to consider complex imaging issues related to the provision of radiographic services for neuro, breast and cardiac imaging.  Imaging will be approached from a multi-modality perspective. This module will provide the student with the advanced clinical knowledge necessary for them to make an effective and safe contribution in their first clinical appointment. Assessment method: 100% poster presentation 20 credits
• Radiographic image interpretation
  This module offers the student an opportunity to interpret radiographic images. This module will provide the student with the advanced clinical perspective necessary for them to make an effective and safe contribution in their first clinical appointment. Assessment method: 100% exam 20 credits
• Contemporary debates within radiography practice
  The main focus of the module will be an understanding of the application of evidence-based practice within diagnostic imaging.  It seeks to address emerging topics which are of importance to imaging practitioners, service users and health care providers. It is essential that this module maintains a contemporary focus throughout and therefore the indicative content, within a broad structure, will be governed to some extent by changes in health care policy and areas of student interest. Assessment method: 100% coursework 20 credits

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

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.

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 in Science 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

• All Applicants must be 18 years or over at the commencement of the course
• 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

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.

Interview

If your initial application to a Health and Social Care course is successful, you’ll be invited for an interview.

Visit our interview page for information on preparing for the day and what to bring.

Advanced entry

If you have already completed some studies at another university, we may be able to consider you for advanced entry. Please see our advanced entry page for more information.

Foundation Year

If you have been out of study for a considerable amount of time or have slightly missed the entry requirements this course, you can take your first steps to becoming a registered practitioner with our Health and Social Care Foundation year. Boost your qualifications and confidence for further study with this one-year introductory course and on completion of this course you will be guaranteed entry on to one of our 13 health BSc pre-registration health and social care degrees.

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 201 KB) and Refund Policy (PDF File 775 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.

The individual fee for this course is shown above. For more information, including how and when to pay, see our fees and funding section for postgraduate students.

See our Tuition Fees Regulations (PDF File 201 KB) and Refund Policy (PDF File 775 KB).

We have a range of PhD Scholarships available in partnership with businesses and organisations; read notices of PhD studentships.