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
- 100% 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
- Choose a course with a strong seal of approval from students: in the 2018 National Student Survey, 94.12% said they were satisfied with their programme
Please note that we are no longer accepting applications for this course for a September 2018 start.
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 knowhow 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. It is little surprise that our degree enjoys 100% employment rates.
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 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.
Our degree has an excellent track record in the National Student Survey, with a 100% overall satisfaction rating for 2015 and 2017.
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.
You’ll study modules such as:
Stage one
- Principles of Radiographic Imaging 1
- Science and Technology of Imaging 1
- Anatomy and Physiology and Applied Imaging
- Principles of Radiographic Imaging 2
- Developing Professional Practice 1
Stage two
- Principles of Radiographic Imaging 3
- Research Methods for Practice
- Science and Technology of Imaging 2
- Principles of Radiographic Imaging 4
- Developing Professional Practice 2
Stage three
- Skills for Graduate Practice
- Independent Practice
- Principles of Radiographic Imaging 5
- Developing Professional Practice 3
- Quality Improvement
- Advancing Practice and Technology
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.
September 2018 typical entry requirements
| UCAS points | 120-128 (up to 16 from AS-levels) |
| Specific requirements at A-level | At least a B in Biology (preferably), Chemistry or Physics at A-level (or equivalent qualification) |
| Specific requirements at GCSE | Five GCSEs at or above Grade C (or Grade 4), including Maths, English and Double Science |
| Interview / Audition | Yes - see interview details |
| Portfolio | N/A |
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 2019 typical entry requirements
| UCAS points | 120 (up to 16 from AS-levels) |
| Specific requirements at A-level | B in either Biology, Physics or Chemistry A Level (or equivalent qualification). |
| Specific requirements at GCSE | GCSEs grades A-C or grade 4 including Maths, English and Double Science (or equivalencies) |
| Interview / Audition | Yes - see interview details |
| Portfolio | N/A |
Alternative entry qualifications:
- BTEC - DDM
- 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.
2018/19 Fees
| | Full-time | Part-time |
|---|
| UK/EU | £9,250 per year | N/A |
| International | N/A | N/A |
From 2017/18, new students on Nursing and Allied Health Profession (AHP) courses will take out maintenance and tuition loans like other students rather than receiving an NHS grant. Find out more.
Additional financial support is available from the NHS for this course. Please see their webpage for more information.
For an independent view on student finance see Martin Lewis' Money Saving website.
Further information about our fees and support you may be entitled to.
For more information on student loans for health programmes please visit The Council of Deans webpage here.
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 100% of graduates from this course were in work or further study six months after completing their studies, with 95% in a professional or managerial job. In 2015/16, 80% of our cohort achieved good honours degrees of 2.1 or above.
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.
Download programme specification
Teaching hours
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.
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.
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