Diagnostic Radiography and Medical Imaging

Overview
Diagnostic radiographers are a vital part of healthcare teams – they use powerful equipment to take images of inside the body, then interpret these images to diagnose and understand patients' health conditions.

This BSc (Hons) Diagnostic Radiography and Medical Imaging degree prepares you for a career identifying illnesses and helping to save lives.

• Learn how to examine patients safely using X-ray, CT scanning, fluoroscopy, MRI, ultrasound and more

• Practise your skills under expert supervision in our Centre for Simulation in Health and Care, complete with digital X-ray suite

• Spend at least 14 weeks each year on clinical placements, working alongside experienced radiographers in real hospitals and NHS Trusts

• Become eligible to register with the Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC) when you graduate, ready for a career as a Diagnostic Radiographer or to train further and enter advanced practice, research, teaching or health management

Approved by:
This course was approved by the College of Radiographers for 5 years from 16 March 2020. It's also approved by the Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC).

Careers and opportunities
Without diagnostic radiographers it would be harder to diagnose, treat and manage illness and disease. They provide essential services to millions of people every year and are often the first people patients and service users come into contact with during their care.

Demand for diagnostic radiographers is rising too. Just before the pandemic, an independent report for NHS England highlighted the need for 3,500 additional radiographers over the next five years, and a 2020 census by The College of Radiographers revealed high vacancy rates in the field.

So, with this degree qualification, you can expect a rewarding career and high demand for your skills.

What you do with a Diagnostic Radiography and Medical Imaging degree
Most of our students quickly secure roles as Diagnostic Radiographers in the NHS. As a newly qualified NHS Diagnostic Radiographer in 2021, you could earn a starting salary of £25,655, moving up to £31,354 (Band 5).

With more experience, you could earn up to £39,027 (Band 6), and with a role in management or advanced practice, you could make between £40,057 and £53,219 (Bands 7 to 8a), or more as a consultant.

You could also work as a diagnostic radiographer for independent providers, industrial companies and veterinary clinics as you progress your career.

With experience and additional training, your skills will also open doors into advanced practice in areas such as:

• Postgraduate study or research in specialisms such as computed tomography, medical magnetic resonance, ultrasound, nuclear medicine and medical physics

• Health management through the NHS Graduate Scheme

• Teaching

Our graduates have gone on to work for these institutions:

• Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust

• University Hospital Southampton

• Southampton General Hospital

• Spire Southampton

• Western Sussex NHS Hospital Trust

• Newcastle Royal Victoria Infirmary

• St George's NHS Foundation Trust, London

Clinical placements
You'll attend clinical placements on this course, supported by clinical mentors and registered healthcare professionals. You'll have 2 or 3 placement blocks in each academic year, each lasting between 6 and 9 weeks. You'll spend at least 14 weeks on placement each year.

On placement, you'll take part in all imaging modalities, including conventional imaging and remote imaging, theatre imaging, fluoroscopy, CT, MRI, ultrasound and radionuclide imaging. You'll be supervised by an experienced radiographer at all times to ensure a safe environment and the highest levels of patient care.

You'll be looked after by University Link Radiographers, who will monitor your progress, provide expert guidance and support, and oversee all aspects of your placement experience.

Year 1:

Core:

• Professional Skills for Diagnostic Radiography (20 credits)
• Radiation Science (20 credits)
• Radiographic Anatomy, Physiology and Pathology 1 (40 credits)
• Radiographic Professional Practice 1 (40 credits)

Year 2:

Core:

• Evidence Based Decision Making (Radiography) (20 credits)
• Leadership in Healthcare (20 credits)
• Radiographic Anatomy, Physiololgy, and Pathology 2 (20 credits)
• Radiographic Imaging Modalities (20 credits)
• Radiographic Professional Practice 2 (40 credits)

Year 3:

Core:

• Image Interpretation (20 credits)
• Project (40 credits)
• Quality Assurance and Clinical Governance (20 credits)
• Radiographic Professional Practice 3 (40 credits)

We use the best and most current research and professional practice alongside feedback from our students to make sure course content is relevant to your future career or further studies.

Therefore, some course content may change over time to reflect changes in the discipline or industry.

You’ll be assessed through: examinations, coursework, clinical practice.
You’ll be able to test your skills and knowledge informally before you do assessments that count towards your final mark.
You can get feedback on all formal assessments so you can improve in the future.