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

Diagnostic radiographers work with other healthcare professionals to help diagnose and treat a patient using methods such as x-rays, CT and ultrasound. The teaching team are qualified health professionals, having worked in clinical or community settings.

Half of your time will be spent on clinical placement, allowing you to develop as an all-round healthcare professional. You will have the opportunity to work in a variety of placements from large teaching hospitals to community hospital departments. This approach means you will benefit from a wide range of experience, understanding how different imaging departments work, the differing workloads/work type and the variations in imaging equipment provision. This experience should make you very flexible and adaptable, all qualities an employer is looking for in today’s healthcare professional.

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.

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.

A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) is required at the point of accepting a place at the University. The Disclosure and Barring Service was established when the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) and Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA) merged in 2012 and will now provide the criminal records checking service for this programme.

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 learn through lectures, seminars, group activities, simulation and practical work. To help you prepare for placement you will receive our unique DVD of radiographic technique projections, which helps you to develop your skills in positioning a patient for an X-ray and then evaluate the image produced.

How you're assessed

Many of your assignments are focused on real world scenarios helping to develop skills which you can take into your graduate career. You will be assessed on graduate placement by the radiographers you work with, through exams which test your image analysis skills, and assignments linked to everyday practice. You will also gain experience in presenting your ideas to an audience through presentations and posters.

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.

When you graduate you will be able to apply for registration with the UK Health and Care Professions Council as a diagnostic radiographer. 100% of last year’s graduates are in employment and many were offered jobs by their placement hospital. Many of our graduates go on to careers as advanced practitioners, building on the skills developed on this course.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.

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.

George Whitaker, current student
"The best thing is the patient contact on placement. Helping people in need gives great satisfaction, and knowing that you've made a difference is fantastic."

Saima Dalvi, current student
"Although the course can be overwhelming, the radiographers and the lecturers fully support you all the way through to qualifying."

Stephanie Harrison, current student
"I enjoy the placement as it is the job I am working towards, working with patients and different people."

Nicholas Wong, current student
"I enjoyed the time I spent on placement as the lectures and preparation beforehand made me feel confident to carry out some hands-on skills."

Rachael Jones, current student
"I thoroughly enjoy the interactive lectures and taking part in group work as well as being in clinical skills and clinical placement."

Faye Morrissey, current student
"My best experiences have been during clinical placement, as the practical hands-on learning has been invaluable."

Tsara Howell, current student
"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."