Gain the technological and professional abilities to become a qualified diagnostic radiographer. You’ll harness our state-of-the-art imaging facilities and spend half your time on clinical placement.
With an outstanding reputation for teaching quality, student satisfaction and employment success, this course is the ideal route to a rewarding career as a radiographer.
Achieve your ambitions on a course ranked number one for graduate prospects in The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2017
95% of our graduates are in work or further study within six months of completing this course
Prepare for your career on a course approved by the Health and Care Professions Council, so you can apply to register with them as a diagnostic radiographer on graduation, as long as you meet the HCPC’s requirements.
Build your technical and interpersonal skills on a variety of clinical placements which make up around half of your time on the course
Gain hands-on experience in our purpose-built diagnostic imaging suite and our new immersive simulation environment
Engage with our enthusiastic teaching team who use innovative approaches to deliver an inspiring learning experience
Take your first steps towards a career as a diagnostic radiographer. This dynamic course will equip you with all the professional skills, practical experience and technological know-how you need.
A worthwhile and important career
Radiographers work alongside other healthcare professionals to diagnose and treat patients using imaging techniques such as x-rays, CT scans and ultrasound.
With an acute shortage of radiographers in the UK and exciting developments in technology transforming the profession, there has never been a better time to consider a career in this important field.
The course is accredited by the College of Radiographers and approved by the Health and Care Professions Council, which means you will be eligible to register as a diagnostic radiographer on graduating.
Hone your skills on placement
Approximately half of your time will be spent on clinical placement, so you’ll develop your skills as an all-round, flexible and adaptable healthcare professional – with the first-hand experience that employers are seeking.
You’ll work in various settings ranging from large teaching hospitals to community hospital departments. It means you’ll build your knowledge of how different imaging departments operate, the range of equipment used and the varying workloads, practices and roles in the profession.
Such diverse experiences also give you insights into the workplace settings and fields of radiography which might suit you best as you advance your career.
Leading-edge facilities
We have invested in exceptional learning facilities to give you the best possible preparation for practice. In our purpose-built Diagnostic Imaging Suite you’ll become familiar with the up-to-the-minute technology used by radiographers. With the help of £250,000 funding from Health Education East Midlands, the suite has just been upgraded to feature the very latest in x-ray, diagnostic radiography, ultrasound and bone densitometry systems.
An exciting new addition is our state-of-the-art Immersive Interactive Simulation Suite which offers a simulated environment where you can practise your skills in a safe but realistic setting. The first university facility of its kind outside London, the suite replicates the atmosphere, sights and sounds of, for instance, a busy A&E ward so you can gain a greater understanding of clinical decision-making in action.
A rich learning experience
All modules are designed to give you the core skills and experience you need to practise effectively, including the ability to make radiographer comments when viewing images. You’ll also explore the radiographer’s role in improving the quality of health and social care services and will build mentoring and leadership skills so that, once qualified, you can help nurture the next generation of radiographers.
There are opportunities at each stage of your course to learn with, and from, students from other disciplines. This is really important in preparing you to work in a multi-professional team after graduation. By learning to work together, you can help achieve the best outcomes for patients.
You could raise your professional profile nationally too. Our students have attended prestigious conferences, written articles for leading journals and have become Care Maker Champions to spread the word about compassion in practice across the NHS.
Flexibility and choice
You can tailor your degree to match your specialist interests and career plans. For the Independent Practice module, you can study a topic of your choice – a chance to concentrate on the imaging area in which you hope to specialise in future.
The course also features a three-week elective placement to broaden your horizons. Some students have chosen to explore fields such as veterinary radiography while others gain international experience: two students went on placement to Tanzania after securing a travel bursary from the British Institute of Radiology.
Support from a forward-thinking team
You’ll learn from a dynamic team of qualified and highly experienced healthcare professionals. They are committed to developing engaging teaching methods – one of the reasons our course has attracted exceptional student satisfaction ratings.
Among innovations pioneered by the team is an instructional e-learning resource of radiographic techniques which you’ll receive in your first year. This enables you to brush up on your positioning skills outside the classroom, while you’re at home, during your placement and in the run-up to exams. The resource was shortlisted for the Association for Learning Technology’s Epigeum Award for the Most Effective Use of Video.
Latest learning technologies are used in other ways too, including electronic aspects of clinical portfolios to help you reflect on your clinical experience and prepare for continuing professional development activities in your career.
Make the most of our partnerships
We have strong links with employers across the health and social care sector which will open doors for you, including the chance to attend guest lectures by leading professionals from organisations.
We’re proud to say that our courses are closely mapped to the demands of the sector. This ensures that our curriculum is up to date and relevant. Because we respond promptly to national developments such as latest government policy, some of the information about our courses may change.
This module will equip you with the foundations of structural, functional and cross-sectional human anatomy. You will develop an understanding of anatomical systems such as the cardiovascular system, lymphatic system, endocrine, urinary and gastrointestinal systems. An exploration of the gross anatomy of the brain will prepare you for developing this in more detail in year 2 and 3; preparing you for practice in head CT scanning. In association with that anatomical understanding you will be exploring the basis of disease and principles of well-being.
You will be reviewing some of the pathologies commonly associated with those body systems, although learning to recognise the associated image appearances will be developed in year 2. It is also important to understand some of the underpinning physiological changes that can occur in commonly imaged conditions, so that too will form part of the curriculum.
As a radiographer you will need to work in a professional manner at all times, which includes always acting in the best interests of the patient (client) and their carers, and working in partnership with other professionals. In order to do this you will need to understand relevant professional standards and legislation related to your role.
This module will be delivered around your practice placement rotation, as the application of theory into clinical practice is a vital component in the development of your professional competence. This will provide you with the opportunity to apply (in a structured way) the theoretical aspects related to professional practice. It also gives you the opportunity to reflect on your experiences in practice around the aspects of patient care and inter-professional working.
In addition to refining these practical skills you will be set objectives to explore other areas of professional practice, such as safe manipulation of the imaging equipment, infection control principles, the basic principles of patient care and aspects of communication, with a level of exploration of Interprofessional working.
This module will introduce you to the foundation of radiographic practice (appendicular, thorax and abdomen) and enable you to assess images in terms of skeletal and soft tissue anatomy and appropriate technical factors.
You will study the relevant skeletal anatomy (bones and joints of the appendicular skeleton and thorax) in detail in order to develop skills in the recognition and assessment of normal radiographic appearances. It is also important that you develop an understanding of the relevant musculature, ligaments and tendons as a foundation to understanding typical image appearances in trauma referrals in years 2 and 3. The integration of radiographic technique with the evaluation of normal radiographic appearances will enable you to apply your knowledge and understanding to clinical practice.
This module will build on the foundations learnt in the Principles of Radiographic Imaging 1 module. You will explore radiographic technique commonly associated with the spine and pelvis (axial skeleton), as well as an introduction to contrast examinations. In this foundation module you will explore commonly performed radiographic projections rather than any additional or adapted techniques - you will develop an understanding of those in year 2.
You will study skeletal anatomy in detail in order to develop skills in the recognition and assessment of normal radiographic appearances and we will introduce you to the principles of a systematic approach to image evaluation.
You will also learn about the use of contrast agents in the imaging department; you will become aware of some of the basic chemistry, the safety issues and how they are administered in practice. Once you have established this understanding you will then go onto review a number of commonly performed contrast agent examinations; principally focusing on the chest and abdomen
The integration of radiographic technique with the evaluation of normal radiographic appearances will enable you to apply your knowledge and understanding to clinical practice.
As a radiographer you will need to understand how the equipment you use works so you can manipulate it safely and efficiently in order to produce the best image possible. Integral to that is an understanding of the nature of radiation you are working with so you can keep yourself and fellow staff safe as well as ensuring that your patients only receive the minimum dose needed to obtain the required images. This module will provide you with a broad overview of the Technology associated with general x-ray imaging along with the Radiation protection legislation associated with its use.
Radiographers also use cross-sectional modalities such as Computed Tomography and Magnetic Resonance Imaging, the basic operation of these modalities will be introduced in preparation for your future studies.
This module allows the concept of evidence based practice to be developed, including the exploration of predominant research methods within health and social care. This will include the critical understanding of different sources of evidence locally, nationally and internationally. The module will also examine in greater depth the ethical issues relating to research, along with key areas relating to the use of data and information in health and social care.
Students will evaluate evidence and appraise how it influences practice. There will be an emphasis on practical research which can influence patient/service user care/experience, as well as looking at how research can influence service delivery, alongside the role of audit and service evaluation in this context too. In developing a ‘research ready’ graduate it is useful to look to inspiring examples from current practice, as well as understanding how research and evidence based practice fits into the career framework for radiographers. In evaluating practice it is vital that practitioners can appraise sources of information in terms of accuracy and reliability, so you will also be introduced to critical appraisal tools and techniques.
As with phase 1, application of theory into clinical practice is a vital component in the development of your professional competence. In phase 2 you will start to broaden your experience of radiographic and professional skills.
You will be exposed to patients with varying needs, e.g. paediatrics, elderly and the critically ill. You will be expected to develop skills to adapt to differing and more challenging situations, whilst working in partnership with other professions. You will explore a number of typical patient journeys, using patient stories as a trigger for discussion and research, through the healthcare setting to enable you to gain an overview of the many factors that are considered integral to patient-centred care.
The module further develops your evaluation of practice by offering placements in other imaging modalities and specialist practice areas (such as Angiography, Interventional, Paediatric etc) thus extending the range of imaging examinations and modalities you experience. In addition to refining these practical skills, you will be set objectives to explore other areas of professional practice. For example, at this stage, the roles of teamwork and a multi-disciplinary approach to healthcare are examined and the role of other imaging modalities is explored.
You will be developing your existing communication skills but now you will be focussing specifically on various patient groups (to include cultural issues, those affected by genetic conditions, children, elderly etc..) to help ensure the health and safety of patients and to be able to consider the psychosocial aspects of care for the patients and the wider carer/family circle. To support the quality and effectiveness of care provided during the patient journey, consideration must also be given to national and local directives, guidance and legislation. You will have considered some of these in general terms at phase 1, but now you will be exploring the impact of these guidelines in the more detail and relating that to the patient’s experience of healthcare.
This module builds upon Principles of Radiographic Imaging 1 & 2 modules by introducing you to additional and adapted skeletal techniques and broadening your knowledge of skeletal anatomy and radiographic image appearances.
You will consider the needs of different patient groups and relate the adaptations of technique required. You will develop your image analysis skills by considering and interpreting the radiographic appearances of trauma and pathology to enable you to articulate and discuss your interpretation of radiographic images, a key skill in your future professional role.
Building on the theory from Phase 1, students will explore the application of radiation protection in a range of circumstances. This is so that students can work safely. During Phase 1 students considered the ‘basic’ x-ray equipment, but now students will look applying that knowledge to consider variations in x-ray tube design (for example, how a tube designed for angiographic work might differ from that used in more general applications). Students will look at how mobile imaging equipment is constructed as well as looking at x-ray equipment for specialist procedures, such as fluoroscopy equipment, dental equipment and image intensifiers.
Building on Phase 1 students will develop a deeper understanding of how other imaging equipment works such as CT, MRI, Nuclear medicine equipment and Ultrasound equipment. As well as understanding how the equipment operates students will also need to appreciate the quality assurance processes used in imaging departments. Students will explore in theory and practice how to undertake QA involving a range of imaging equipment.
Knowing how equipment operates is only a small part of working professionally; producing the best quality image possible is paramount. Students will build on their understanding of how imaging systems work to investigate how to use CR and DR systems to best effect, how images can be manipulated, and how to recognise and report faults. Students will look at how the imaging equipment sits in the clinical systems management chain and their role in maintaining correct records, issues in handling patient data etc.
This module builds upon Principles of Radiographic Imaging 1, 2 and 3 modules by introducing you to radiographic image appearances.
You will develop your image analysis skills by considering and interpreting the radiographic appearances of trauma and pathology to enable you to articulate and discuss your interpretation of radiographic images, a key skill in your future professional role.
You will develop an understanding of the development of red dot, radiographer commenting and radiographer reporting and how has progressed within the context of the radiology profession. Develop an understanding of the role this plays in advancing practice and impact on patient care.
As with phase 1 and phase 2, application of theory into practice is a vital component in the development of your professional competence. In phase 3, you will begin the transition from student to practitioner. You will be expected to refine your ability to evaluate and analyse practice in a range of imaging modalities. Your practical skills will be further refined so you can gain competency in a wide variety of examinations involving differing clinical needs and adaptation of technique.
The module further develops your evaluation of practice by offering specialist placements in clinical practice thus extending the range of imaging examinations and modalities you experience, and exposing you further to interprofessional working.
During this module you will consolidate your knowledge of clinical practice to address current issues within the profession and to identify specific needs for your own professional development.
You will study current and pertinent aspects of practice which will help to broaden your own skills and knowledge base ready for further development upon qualification. You will be encouraged to look to the future and explore how healthcare provision is changing and develop your potential within emerging imaging provision. Healthcare is changing to be more responsive to patient need, so you will look at how service may change and the impact of that on the patient journey and the subsequent requirements of you as a professional. And finally, you will need to be able to identify, record and reflect upon your professional development needs, so in this module you will look at how to do that in preparation for practice.
Effective clinical leadership is being increasing recognised as pivotal in helping to delivery a quality healthcare service for all. Clinical leadership skills are not just required for those that direct and manage, but are important skills to develop at every level of practitioner. As a radiographer you will be undertaking supervision and mentoring of students, junior staff etc. Clinical leadership skills also encompass personal qualities such as self management and self awareness, direction setting as well as making the most of opportunities, managing change and empowering others – to name but a few. In addition you may also be expected to undertake more complex leadership tasks, especially as your role develops and you become more confident in that role. tasks, especially as your role develops and you become more confident in that role.
This module aims to help you explore some of the necessary skill sets for you to successfully undertake these tasks.
You will explore some of the educational theory behind teaching practical skills as well as exploring what is meant by clinical leadership and how those skills can be developed.
Linked in with understanding clinical leadership is understanding how to identify and plan for career/ professional development. So, in this module you will explore some of the current professional issues and explore how those can be developed in your personal, professional development needs.
This module will be centred around a 3 week negotiated practice placement of your choosing. The placement will be related to an area of diagnostic imaging which interests you, and you may choose where you undertake it, this will normally in the UK and subject to negotiation/agreement.
This placement will be different to one of your usual practice placement areas; in order that you experience different perspectives, processes and procedures. You must demonstrate the relevance of your placement to radiographic practice, and agree a learning contract for the placement.
The module will enable you to combine your theoretical knowledge with clinical practice, and evaluate your learning experiences.
This module has two key strands through it; first, there are an increasing array of new and emerging technologies which enhance and inform the delivery of treatment for a variety of pathologies. Secondly, the changing role of the radiographer in the midst of these technological developments presents new challenges and opportunities.
Building on a number of level 4 and 5 modules, you will consider the development and application of these technologies to further enhance patient care.
Radiographers continue to play an important role in the management of patients, and are increasingly expanding and extending their scope of professional practice. This includes image commenting and reporting of an increasing array of medical images from projection radiography, CT, and MR. There are a number of new avenues for radiographers including triage, discharge, and independent prescribing.
Students will select one from each ‘strand’ per fortnight, with a view to exploring in detail the development of one aspect of professional development and one area of emerging technology.
Please note that our modules are subject to change - we review the content of our courses regularly, making changes where necessary to improve your experience and graduate prospects.
Undergraduate Live Online Events
While we’re not able to welcome you in person to our campuses at the moment, we’re not going to let that stop us showing you all the great things about studying at Derby.
We’re currently planning our autumn Open Events to bring you the best possible online and on-campus experience.
Delve deeper into the course with our Virtual Open Day, packed with subject and course information to help you make your choice, including tours of facilities, 360° views of award-winning accommodation plus advice and insight from students and academics.
You’ll learn through group activities, lectures, practical work, seminars and simulation. Take a look at the specialist facilities you’ll use throughout the course.
How you're assessed
Many of your assignments are focused on real-world scenarios to help you develop skills that you can take into your career. You’ll be assessed on placement by the radiographers you work with and you’ll gain experience in presenting to an audience through presentations and posters.
Work placements
Clinical placements are an integral part of your study. You will be 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. Find answers to your frequently asked questions about placements.
Who you will meet
Our teaching team includes qualified health professionals with experience of working in clinical or community settings. Many hold external roles with hospitals, the College of Radiographers, the Health and Care Professions Council, and other universities.
Our Programme Leader, Alex Partner, previously worked as a full-time clinical radiographer at Leicester Royal Infirmary, gaining experience in CT, theatre, fluoroscopy, paediatrics, plain film and accident and emergency radiography.
She has a special interest in plain film trauma imaging and CT. Her research interests centre on radiography education. Alex is an external examiner for Portsmouth University, a peer reviewer for the Radiography journal and an ISAS assessor. She also sits on the HCPC ‘fitness to practise’ panels.
Personal academic tutoring
Your personal academic tutor will work with you to help you get the most out of your time at university. Having someone to talk to about your academic progress, your university experience and your professional aspirations is hugely valuable. We want you to feel challenged in your studies, stretched but confident to achieve your academic and professional goals.
BTEC - DDM. Please note: BTEC must be in a Science related subject(s). We do not accept BTEC Extended Diploma in Health & Social Care.
Access to HE Diploma in Science - 60 credits: 45 at level 3 with a minimum of Dist: 18 Merit: 27 Pass: 0. At least 24 credits must be in pure sciences (Biology preferred, Chemistry and Physics accepted).
We usually consider an A-level in General Studies as a supplementary qualification. A good application/performance will be taken into account if you do not meet the criteria/offer conditions.
Additional requirements
An Occupational Health Assessment and Clearance by the University is required for this course. We will contact you with information on how to complete this when required. More information
An Enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service certificate cleared by the University is required for this course. We will contact you with information on how to complete this once you have applied. More information.
Our entry requirements for this course should be read together with the University's general entry requirements, which details subjects we accept, alternative qualifications and what we're looking for at Derby.
September 2021 typical entry requirements
Requirement
What we're looking for
UCAS points
128
Specific requirements at A-level
At least a grade B in either Biology, Physics or Chemistry at A-level (or equivalent qualification)
Specific requirements at GCSE
GCSE Maths, English and Double Science at grade C/grade 4 (or above) or equivalent qualification
BTEC - DDM. Please note: we do not accept BTEC Extended Diploma in Health & Social Care
Access to HE Diploma in Science preferred. Pass Access to Higher Education Diploma with 60 credits, with 45 graded credits at Level 3. At least 24 credits must be a pure science (Biology preferred, Chemistry and Physics accepted)
We usually consider an A-level in General Studies as a supplementary qualification. A good application/performance will be taken into account if you do not meet the criteria/offer conditions.
Please note that admission for the course is conducted on a gathered field basis and this course has an application deadline of 15 January. To find out more about the definition and process of a gathered field please see our Gathered Field Policy.
Additional requirements
An Occupational Health Assessment and Clearance by the University is required for this course. We will contact you with information on how to complete this when required.
An Enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service certificate cleared by the University is required for this course. We will contact you with information on how to complete this once you have applied. More information.
Our entry requirements for this course should be read together with the University's general entry requirements, which details subjects we accept, alternative qualifications and what we're looking for at Derby.
Academic Achievement Scholarship
We’re offering eligible students a £1,000 scholarship to celebrate your hard work and success.
By studying on this programme, you are eligible for a Tuition Fee Loan of up to £9,250. The loan will support your studies and enable you to start a rewarding career in healthcare.
From September 2020 all new and continuing nursing and allied health students on pre-registration courses will also receive a grant of at least £5,000 per year that is not means-tested and will not have to be repaid.
An additional payment of up to £3,000 per academic year will be available to eligible students. Eligibility will include the following:
£1,000 towards childcare costs
£1,000 if studying in a region that is struggling to recruit
£1,000 if studying a shortage specialism
Among others, the shortage specialisms have been confirmed to include:
Mental health nursing
Learning disability nursing
Diagnostic radiography
In addition to this non-repayable grant, you are also able to access a maintenance loan of up to £9,203 per year to support your studies, giving you access to over £17,000 per year of funding.
Full-time students applying to start in September should apply for this course through UCAS or you can apply directly to the University for an undergraduate course if you’re not applying to any other UK university in the same year.
The application deadline date of 15 January 2020 has now passed and this programme is no longer accepting applications for Sept 2020.
Should this change and the programme not reach the required recruitment target then we will re-open to applications. Please keep an eye out on the website as this page will be updated regularly.
To find out more about the definition and process of a gathered field, please see our Gathered Field Policy.
Careers
When you graduate, you’ll be able to apply for registration with the UK Health and Care Professions Council as a diagnostic radiographer, as long as you meet the HCPC’s requirements, fully prepared to work in the rapidly expanding field of medical imaging.
Nationally, there is a 17% shortfall in radiographers so you can look forward to excellent career prospects. Our BSc (Hons) Diagnostic Radiography has an outstanding track record for producing highly employable graduates. Latest statistics showed that 95% of graduates from this course were in work or further study six months after completing their studies.
Many graduates go on to secure jobs at their placement hospitals and build on the skills they have gained on the course to become advanced practitioners. As part of your studies, you’ll develop your leadership capabilities to prepare for more senior roles and you’ll explore the way the profession is changing – in areas such as image analysis – to ensure you are ready to meet the challenge of change.
Extensive careers guidance is integrated at every stage of the course, including CV writing and interview skills. There are annual recruitment days held at the University where you will have the chance to meet prospective employers.
Opportunities for further study
We offer an exciting range of postgraduate courses to help you take your qualifications, skills and experience to the next level or to pursue new directions within the profession. These include our innovative MSc Medical Ultrasound which features a flexible part-time pathway as well as a fast-track full-time pathway.
You could also consider various postgraduate qualifications specialising in areas such as osteoporosis and falls management, bone densitometry reporting, and radiographic image analysis of the appendicular skeleton.
Ongoing careers support
Our Careers and Employment Service will provide you with help, guidance and support from day one of your course – and for up to three years after you’ve completed your studies.
If you need any more information from us, eg on courses, accommodation, applying, car parking, fees or funding, please contact us and we will do everything we can to help you.
Like most universities, we operate extended teaching hours at the University of Derby, so contact time with your lecturers and tutors could be anytime between 9am and 9pm. Your timetable will usually be available on the website 24 hours after enrolment on to your course.
Additional costs and optional extras
We’re committed to providing you with an outstanding learning experience. Our expert teaching, excellent facilities and great employability prepare you for your future career. As part of our commitment to you we aim to keep any additional study costs to a minimum. However, there are occasions where students may incur some additional costs.
The information below is correct for entry in the academic year September 2020 - August 2021 only. Entry for future academic years may be subject to change.
Included in your fees
Travel and accommodation expenses associated with placements are to be met
Uniforms
Markers, name badges and ID holders
Radiographic Technique DVD
Printing and binding of clinical portfolios
DBS Check
Health Screening and vaccinations
Mandatory costs not included in your fees
Travel to three week elective placement in Year 3 if out of usual placement rotation
Suitable footwear for skills sessions and placements approx. £40
Optional costs not included in your fees
Theatre Shoes approx. £20
Textbooks to supplement anything available through the library - prices vary dependant on content
Printing costs of course materials if hard copy is desired approx. 5p per sheet
Attendance at conferences such as UKRC or ECR
Society & College of Radiographers student membership approx. £48
Professional HCPC membership required to practice. More details can be found www.hcpc-uk.org
Please note: Our courses are refreshed and updated on a regular basis. If you are thinking about transferring onto this course (into the second year for example), you should contact the programme leader for the relevant course information as modules may vary from those shown on this page.
Minimum numbers
Please note that this course is subject to minimum numbers in order to run.
