BSc (Hons) Diagnostic Radiography

When can you start this course? | UCAS code | Fees | Course length | Entry requirements

Why choose this course?

• You'll study in our modern Clinical Skills Suite which includes a purpose built diagnostic imaging suite to match the equipment you'll use in your career as a radiographer and to give you the best learning experience.
• Because of our close links with our clinical partners, you'll have the opportunity to work in a variety of placements to give you experience of different imaging departments and equipment.
• You'll be guided by a friendly teaching team who use a variety of learning approaches to help you develop your professional and academic skills.
• You'll use advanced technology to give you the skills you need to become a flexible and adaptable practitioner.
• You can apply for an NHS bursary, which means you won't have to pay any tuition fees.

About the course

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.

Find out more about what subjects and modules you'll be studying...

Your career

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.

What our students say

Sean Bulstrode, one of our current students.
"I've enjoyed mostly the science element and the way that you can tie that in with clinical placement. It's quite good to meet lots of different people in the course of your work and it's different from a usual degree becasue you're out there in the world really working."

John Brain, one of our current students.
"Diagnostic Radiography is a joy to learn. And I can put the theory into practice on my clinical placement."

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."

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.

Anything else?

We have issued 35 of our students with an iPod, featuring a DVD of radiographic techniques demonstrating how to correctly position patients for their X-ray. This means that by accessing their iPod students can 'brush up' on their positioning skills outside the classroom - while at home, on work placements in hospitals or even on the bus.

Take a virtual tour of our Clinical Skills Suite .

Use the NHS Bursary Calculator to find out an estimate of how much Bursary entitlement you could be eligible to receive when studying this course.

If you meet the entry criteria below we'll invite you to a group interview. You'll need to show that you understand the profession, display communication skills and a willingness to take part in group activities and discussion. A knowledge of current health related issues will also be useful.

If you're offered a place on the course you'll have a Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) check and you'll need to pass a health screening check. You will also undertake a process of health screening at the start of the course and details of what this will involve can be found here. 

You'll undertake a health screening at the start of the course.

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