Diagnostic Radiography

The science of seeing inside the human body, diagnostic radiography uses cutting-edge imaging technology to try to identify the underlying causes of a patient’s illness and ultimately improve their health and wellbeing. It can involve the use of X-rays and various methods, including ultrasound, computed tomography (CT), radionuclide imaging (RNI) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Bangor University was the first UK university to use revolutionary virtual reality (VR) headsets and video gaming graphics to train the next generation of diagnostic radiographers. With 66 weeks’ placement experience over three years of study, we offer more time on clinical placements than any other university. You will observe and perform radiographs as part of your first clinical placement.

Spending over half of your time on placement instils the importance of being part of a wider healthcare team, where you are supported by designated placement tutors to support you to develop your clinical skills. Your on-site supervisors and tutors will also share their own experiences of delivering and leading radiography care. This prepares you to become a professional, caring and competent practitioner, who prioritises patient needs. It’s one of the many reasons why – for the last 11 years – all our students have found employment within three months of graduating.

Validated by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC), our BSc (Hons) Diagnostic Radiography gives you a solid understanding of medical science, technology and patient care. It blends wide-ranging clinical placements* with research based theory and supported clinical skills training featuring virtual technologies, which enable you to practise skills in a supported environment.

Through clinical placements*, you will be able (subject to availability) to experience all areas of imaging which contribute to a patients journey such as: accident and emergency, theatre, MRI, CT, ultrasound, Nuclear Medicine and interventional.

Health and Care Professions Council registration

To work in the UK as a radiographer, you must be registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). To do this, you first need to study an HCPC-recognised degree programme, which leads to a specific degree qualification for your chosen field.

At Bangor, we offer the HCPC-accredited BSc (Hons) in Diagnostic Radiography which meets the standards of the Society of Radiographers’ Code of Professional Conduct. On graduation, you will be professionally recognised by the College of Radiographers and Society of Radiographers, and will be eligible to register with the HCPC to practise as a radiographer in the UK.

Funding support for radiographers

Considerable financial support is available if you are considered a home student* for tuition fees (someone already living within the UK) and can commit to working in Wales for two years on graduation. You could get your tuition fees covered in full through the NHS Wales bursary scheme and claim for a £1,000 bursary contribution to living costs. A wide range of additional support, subject to eligibility, is also available for childcare, parent learners, disabled students and more.

Furthermore, as part of the Welsh Government’s commitment to develop a bilingual workforce, additional financial incentives are available if you study part of your course in Welsh. We will support you to access Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol Scholarships which could award you up to £1,000 for each year of your study, depending on how many credits you study in Welsh.

*Please note that as this course is funded by NHS Wales, we are unable to accept applications from international students.

The taught elements of this course are delivered at Bangor University’s Wrexham Campus next to Wrexham Maelor Hospital.

For details of the modular structure, please see the course description on Bangor University's website.