PgDip/MSc (Top-up)/MSc Therapeutic Radiography

On this programme we'll develop you as confident and competent practitioner who practices autonomously, compassionately, skilfully and safely. The programme comprises of five compulsory modules instilling a range of academic knowledge from health sciences to profession specific radiotherapy and oncology practice. And, add a dissertation for the award of a Masters.

Some compulsory skills sessions may take place in the evening.

Year 1

• Radiation science and technology
  This module provides the basic physical concepts of the production, detection and interaction of ionising radiations and the importance of safe working practices. 
• Applied biological sciences
  This module provides an understanding of anatomy and pathophysiology with an introduction to oncology and the concept of holistic care in the management of people with cancer, with reference to evidence based practice. 
• Radiotherapy theory and practice 1 
  This module introduces the professional practice of radiotherapy. It identifies the various radiotherapy modalities employed in the treatment of people with cancer. This module will also complement the knowledge and learning gained within clinical practice by focussing on the acquisition of basic skills required for the safe, accurate planning and treatment of patients with cancer. 

Year 2

• Patient care and resource management in radiotherapy
  This module addresses the principles of radiobiology and cytotoxic chemotherapy, to facilitate appreciation of the limiting effects of normal tissues on treatment.  Methods of limiting radiation and cytotoxic morbidity, together with the wider issue of palliative care will also be considered. 
• Radiotherapy theory and practice 2
  This module provides knowledge and skills relevant to pre-treatment and verification processes employed in the radiotherapy management of patients.  You will be required to develop a critical awareness of advances in technology and practice. Clinically based competencies focus on the complex techniques found in Radiotherapy and the problem solving skills required for successful performance in clinical practice.
• Dissertation*
  This module provides the you with the opportunity to undertake original enquiry in a chosen area of professional practice. Here, you'll be able to consolidate and extend your knowledge and understanding of research and evaluation design and associated methods of enquiry.  You'll be supported to develop the practical skills necessary to plan and carry out your chosen project. In the preparatory learning we'll address ethical and governance issues and processes relevant to your project.

*for the award of MSc only

Radiotherapy as a career

On successful completion of the course you'll be eligible to register with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) as a therapeutic radiographer.

From helping plan and administering treatment, to explaining it to patients and assessing their responses, therapeutic radiographers are involved in every stage of the treatment process.

Therapeutic radiographers work closely with professionals from other disciplines, are involved in the care and support of the cancer patient and their families through all parts of the patient pathway from the initial referral through to treatment review and follow-up stages. They are predominantly responsible for treatment for the accurate localisation, planning and delivery of ionising radiation.

Therapeutic radiographers need excellent interpersonal skills and emotional resilience as they deal with patients and their families at very difficult and emotional times. Making patients feel comfortable and guiding them through the process can be as important as the technical skills required for this role.

Salary

Most therapeutic radiographers work for the NHS, where starting salaries are between £20,000 - £27,000. Depending on career progression, you could earn up to £65,000. (All About Careers)

Career progression

Through the acquisition of a wide range of transferable skills such as psychosocial, organisational, management, technical and scientific skills, individuals are well prepared to work in any situation that best suits their individual expertise and interest.Working as a consultant practitioner is one common career path as well as management, research, clinical work and teaching.

After qualification, clinically experienced therapeutic radiographers may gain additional specialist skills and expertise through the postgraduate, post-registration and continuing professional development frameworks. Find out more about professional development courses on offer through our online CPPD prospectus.

Employability Service

We are University of the Year for Graduate Employment for the second year in a row - The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2018, 2019.

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.

Academic theoretical knowledge is gained through taught session led by lecturers and experts in the field, supported by blended learning and self-study activities.

Practical skills are normally developed through practical skills based sessions using VERT and dosimetry software, problem-based approaches and clinical placement.

Types of learning activities include:

• Lectures
• Seminars
• Enquiry-based learning
• Tutorials
• Formative assessments
• E discussions
• Observation and demonstration of practices within clinical placements.

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.

It is anticipated that applicants will have a wide variety of academic backgrounds, but they should ideally possess:

• A Bachelor degree second class Honours Upper Division (2:1) in a subject related to science or health, for example: physics, biology, health sciences
• Consideration will also be given to other relevant qualifications recognised as equivalent to the above
• All applicants must be 18 years or over at the commencement of the course.

All offers of places on the programme are conditionally based on:

• Satisfactory outcome at interview
• Occupational health clearance;
• Satisfactory outcome of an Disclosure Barring Service (DBS)
• Satisfactory clinical visit report
• Personal qualities and values in line with those expected by the NHS constitution.

For 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.

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

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.

Postgraduate loan (PGL) for Masters study

If you are starting a Masters course, studying either full- or part-time, you may be entitled to apply for a postgraduate study loan. Find out more at our postgraduate fees and funding section.

MSc students, please note: you are able to apply for a £9250 student finance loan every year, which does not cover the full cost of the second year of this course.

Scholarships

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

Fee status

Please check your fee status and whether you are considered a home, EU or international student for fee-paying purposes by reading the UKCISA regulations.

Funding for pre-registration postgraduate programmes 2018/19

From August 2018 new postgraduate pre-registration nursing, midwifery and allied health professional students will access loans from the Student Loans Company.

Accessing loans will provide students with at least 25% more up-front living cost support whilst you study. You will also have access to the Learning Support Fund, which is administered by the NHS Business Services Authority, for support while attending clinical placements.

Background to these changes can be found on Gov.uk.

Council of Deans have prepared a briefing paper and Student Finance have outlined who qualifies. The Funding Clinic provides further information on what support is available.

NHS Bursary will produce guidelines and information once the information has received parliamentary approval.