BSc (Hons) Diagnostic Radiography

UCAS code: B821

Start date: September (UK and EU students only)

Course length: full time: three years

Campus: Kedleston Road, Derby

Number of students: 35

You'll spend half of your time working in your clinical placements, to prepare you for becoming a practitioner. You'll do your placements in one of the cities in the East Midlands, including Derby, Nottingham and Leicester. You'll be able to get experience in the imaging departments in the large teaching hospitals as well as smaller community departments. While you're on your placement you'll be fully supported both by your tutor through regular blogs, and by a radiographer working in your placement.

You'll learn through a mixture of lectures, groupwork and practical tasks in the clinical x-ray suite at the University, and you'll also get the opportunity to develop your IT skills. You'll also apply theory to clinical situations, sharing your learning with other health and social care professions in the Clinical Skills Suite, which is a safe and controlled area to develop your skills and knowledge.

You'll be expected to make use of technology both at the University and on clinical placement so you'll need to have some general computer awareness. In your first year, you'll receive a DVD of radiographic techniques, so you can brush up on your positioning skills outside the classroom, while your at home or on your work placement. Our skeletal radiographic technique instructional video was shortlisted as a finalist in the Association for Learning Technology (ALT) 2011 Epigeum Award for the Most Effective Use of Video. ALT is the UK's leading membership organisation in the learning technology field.

In the third stage, an independent study gives you the chance to study a topic of your choice. Many students use this to gain experience in an imaging area they later specialise in.

Clinical work placements are an integral part of your study. You'll be allocated a placement in one of the East Midlands cities, with the length of your placement increasing in each stage of the course. There's a close relationship between clinical and academic staff, so you're well supported.

We aim to develop your subject knowledge and professional skills, so we use a range of assessment methods. These include examinations (many are computerised), case studies, assignments, posters, presentations and clinical skills assessments.

Stage one

You'll study these modules:

• Principles of Radiographic Imaging 1
• Science and Technology of Imaging 1
• Anatomy and Physiology 1
• Principles of Radiographic Imaging 2
• Developing Professional Practice 1

Stage two

You'll study these modules:

• Principles of Radiographic Imaging 3
• Research Methods for Practice
• Science and Technology of Imaging 2
• Anatomy, Physiology and Applied Imaging
• Developing Professional Practice 2

Stage three

You'll study these modules:

• Improving Health and Social care services
• Independent Practice
• Principles of Radiographic Imaging 4
• Skills for Graduate Practice
• Developing Professional Practice 3

Our entry requirements are usually 300 UCAS points, of which at least 260 will be from your core A2s (full A levels) or equivalent qualifications such as BTEC Diploma, International Baccalaureate, Scottish Highers etc.

One of your A2 levels must be a pure science (Biology preferably, or Chemistry or Physics), and you must achieve a B or above in that subject. We don't accept General Studies A Level.

You'll also need a minimum of 5 GCSEs including at least Cs in Maths, English and Double Science. Please note that we can't accept the OCR National Science qualification or Key Skills for Maths and English.

We also accept equivalent qualifications such as the QCF BTEC Extended Diploma, Scottish Highers etc, provided there is sufficient science content. If you're doing a QCF BTEC Extended Diploma and there isn't enough science content you'll need an additional A2 in a science subject. You'll also need a minimum of 5 GCSEs including at least Cs in Maths, English and Double Science. Please note that we can't accept the OCR National Science qualification or Key Skills for Maths and English. We will also not accept a BTEC First Diploma in Applied Science with a level 3 BTEC qualification.

If you've completed an Access to Higher Education Diploma our preferred route is Science. You'll need the following:

• 45 credits at level 3, at least 24 of which must be in a pure science (Biology preferably, or Chemistry or Physics)
• 18 of these must be at Distinction.
• all your remaining level 3 credits should normally be at Merit
• at least 12 level 2 Maths and/or English credits if you don't have these at GCSE
• at least 6 extra level 2 credits in Chemistry or Physics if your Access course does not have the required level 3 credits in pure science and you do not already have a level 2 science qualification

We will usually expect you to have studied within the previous 3 years.

You must have had some recent work experience in a Radiography department.

The UCAS tariff points are a guide - we'll also consider all information included in your application and from your interview. We'll also want to see that you're enthusiastic and motivated to take this course and that you have the potential to benefit from coming to university.

To be considered for the September 2013 intake, you must apply before the closing date for applications of 15 January 2013.

You should be entitled to an NHS bursary.

We are still waiting for information from the Department of Health regarding the allocation of bursaries. We hope to be able to provide an update on NHS bursaries in due course, so please keep checking this course page for up to date information.

How you'll learn

You will experience a range of learning methods including keynote lectures, group discussions, practical sessions and work based learning in imaging departments. 

How you're assessed

Assessment aims to develop both your subject knowledge and professional skills you will be assessed by a mixture of examinations (many of which are computerised), case studies, posters, presentations and assessment of clinical skills. 

Work placements

Clinical placements are an integral part of your study. Students are allocated to a placement centring on one of the East Midlands cities with the length of time spent on placement increasing in each phase of the programme.

In phase 3 you have the opportunity to negotiate an additional work based module in a radiography setting of your choice this enables you to experience working in a different geographical area or spend time gaining experience in a specialist area of diagnostic imaging.

You'll be able to apply for registration with the UK Health Professions Council as a Diagnostic Radiographer and work in the rapidly expanding field of medical imaging.

At the moment, job prospects are excellent and many radiographers go on to specialise in areas such as ultrasound and CT scanning.

After you've finished your degree and worked as a radiographer, you could consider postgraduate study. We have a variety of courses leading to Master's qualifications in Medical Ultrasound, Mammography and Breast Diagnosis and Allied Health, attracting national and international students.

Tsara Howell, one of our current students.
"Derby has a fantastic combination of lectures and practical work in the Clinical Skills Suite. This has given me the skills to put into practice on my placement."